[Dundee]

Before I make my comment, I'll give you my background.

4th generation Aussie with numerous relatives who served Australia in war (including a great-uncle who won the VC in North Africa during WW2). Current serving member of the Australian Defence Force with several tours of duty in the world's worst hell holes.

If the Taliban want war, then they'll get their wish. Even Hitler and Rommel respected our fighting ability. We don't want the Taliban to respect us. We want them to FEAR us.

Aussies don't start wars, but we sure as hell finish them.

[peabers]

I first came to Freo in 1981 aboard the USS independence. My now father-in-law was a warrant officer in the Army Reserve, and invited myself and three shipmates to his house for a barbie. Two cartons of EMU Export, and a bottle of full-strength Southern Comfort later, he poured us back onto the fleet landing thinking he'd probably never see us again.

Two years later - Surprise!

I just spent the last two years working with the RAN on a project. I concur with your assessment of the ADF, as do most of the people who count.

If you ever get a chance to read "About Face" by David Hackworth, he was full of praise of the Aussies in Vietnam. In fact, he used to sneak members of his batallion over to the Aussies for a month at a time so they could learn how to fight a guerilla war.