Battle Honours

[PhilB]

Recently, battle honours were awarded to a number of units for Iraq service. The number of casualties suffered were very low by the standards of previous conflicts. Many battalions lost more men in a WW1 trench raid than in the whole Iraq campaign. I`m forced to the conclusion that it`s not the severity of the service that matters but simply that a confrontation (legal or otherwise) took place and a particular unit was there. Does anyone know what constitutes service worthy of a battle honour? Phil B

[bcerha]

Recently, battle honours were awarded to a number of units for Iraq service. The number of casualties suffered were very low by the standards of previous conflicts. Many battalions lost more men in a WW1 trench raid than in the whole Iraq campaign. I`m forced to the conclusion that it`s not the severity of the service that matters but simply that a confrontation (legal or otherwise) took place and a particular unit was there.  Does anyone know what constitutes service worthy of a battle honour? Phil B

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've got the qualifying criteria for Regiments on OP TELIC (Iraq 2003) on a document in the office. I will post them on the forum when I go to work tomorrow. Hopefully this will answer your question.

Regards

David

[Desmond7]

Don't want to get political but would a formal declaration of war not be a requirement?

Maybe there was one!

Des

[bcerha]

I've got the qualifying criteria for Regiments on OP TELIC (Iraq 2003) on a document in the office.  I will post them on the forum when I go to work tomorrow.  Hopefully this will answer your question.

Regards

David

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As promised here is the pre-amble to the announcement which explains the criteria , but nothing on declarations of War or otherwise:

1. Battle Honours are an official acknowledgement of the part played in a

successful campaign or engagement by the ships, units and squadrons which

receive them. They serve as a permanent record of achievement of which past,

present and future generations of Service personnel can be proud.

2. A Theatre Honour is awarded to a Regiment, which has already qualified for a

Battle Honour in the Theatre. Regiments that are ineligible for a Battle Honour may

claim a Theatre Honour if its Headquarters and 50% of its sub-units were present in the theatre for at least one day and it had creditably performed an allotted task.

3. The award of these Battle and Theatre Honours relates solely to the phase of

major combat operations during the period 19 March to 30 April 2003.

Hope this helps a bit

Regards

David

[PhilB]

Thanks, David. As you say, no mention of declaration of war or of legality. This bit:-

1. Battle Honours are an official acknowledgement of the part played in a

successful campaign or engagement

will have me looking through WW1 honours to see which actions were deemed successful! Phil B