Operation Eagle Claw: USA Special Forces’ Failure in Iran in 1980

Gp Capt Kumar Kirinde, [SLAF retd] as compiler presenting US special forces operation for the rescue of hostages at the US Embassy in Iran in 1980 that ended in a failure  …. Sources: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Eagle_Claw and Google Images 

Introduction:  Operation Eagle Claw was a failed operation (carried on 24 April 1980) by the United States Armed Forces ordered by U.S. President Jimmy Carter to attempt the rescue of 52 embassy staff held captive at the Embassy of the United States, Tehran.

 

The operation, one of Delta Force’s* first, encountered many obstacles and failures and was subsequently aborted. Eight helicopters were sent to the first staging area called Desert One, but only five arrived in operational condition. One had encountered hydraulic problems, another was caught in a sand storm, and the third showed signs of a cracked rotor blade. During the operational planning, it was decided that the mission would be aborted if fewer than six helicopters remained operational upon arrival at the Desert One site, despite only four being absolutely necessary. In a move that is still discussed in military circles, the field commanders advised President Carter to abort the mission, which he did.

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Pictorial Colombo in its Prime: Hodi-Heleyi Helleyi-aaahhhh

An Advertisement …. with highlights imposed by Thuppahi

The Great Days of Colombo is by far the most comprehensive work on the City of Colombo. This profusely illustrated work running to over 800 pages tells the story of how Colombo originated from very humble beginnings as a simple Moorish port to become what it is today, a bustling city full of life and colour.

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Two Reflective Aphorisms from An American Jew

DICTUM ONE

“Terroristic violence is initiated and undertaken to punish or kill people whom–the believer imagines–do not worship the sacred object the believer worships. It stems from a philosophical theory or moral imperative.

The violence seeks to demonstrate the power of the god worshipped by one’s group–by killing members of nonbelieving groups. Acts of violence give witness to the truth of one’s own god’s omnipotence.”  …… Richard Koenigsberg ……. In A NOTE sent to Michael Roberts, early December 2023 Continue reading

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Hilda Muriel Kularatne, Theosophist & Educationist in Ceylon

Rehan Kularatne, presenting an original essay which has received its title and had highlighting imposed by The Editor, Thuppahi

My grandmother Hilda Muriel Westbrook was born in Dulwich on 28 November 1895. She was the daughter of Walter Francis Westbrook, later Chief Registrar of the Colonial Office, and Jessie Duncan, a Scottish poet and scholar, the sister of noted (and absolutely dreadful) Celtic Revival painter John Duncan RSA. Jessie Duncan Westbrook was to publish a number of verse renditions of Persian, Sufi and Hindu poetry in the 1910s. She and my great-grandfather, being Theosophists, were both extremely interested in ‘Eastern’ religions.

Hilda was educated at the progressive James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS) in Dulwich. Having excelled in modern languages (French and German) as well as in team sports like hockey (in addition to having Gustav Holst as her music master), she went on to Newnham in Cambridge to do a degree in Modern Languages in 1914, just after WWI broke out. (Though she completed the degree in 1917, she had to wait 30 years to be actually awarded her MA, as Cambridge was the last university in England to accept female graduates.)

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Under 19 Asia Cup begins ….

AS eight Under 19 teams of EIGHT countries battle each other at ABU DABHI beginning today, we look back at the 2022 competition via

Shresth Shah’s review, in ESPNcricinfo … in February 2022 where the title reads thus: “Under-19 World Cup 2022: Wyllie, Dhull, Brevis and Wellalage headline ESPNcricinfo’s Team of the Tournament

Our XI features four Indians but find out who else made the cut

India were the most dominant side in the 2022 Under-19 World Cup, but there were many from other teams as well who impressed with their talent and skills. Here’s who all made it to ESPNcricinfo’s Team of the Tournament.

 

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Israel’s FINAL SOLUTION in Palestine?

Graham E. Fuller, … in an essay entitled “Israeli Geopolitical goals in Palestine–Final Ethnic Cleansing?” …. 4 December 2023  …. presented here with highlighting added by the Editor, Thuppahi

Winston Churchill reportedly once commented, ”Never let a good crisis go to waste.” This remark takes on unsettling relevance in viewing the present crisis and slaughter in Gaza.

05/09/1934. Adolf Hitler…

 

 

 

 

 

Alastair Crooke, the former British diplomat and longtime deeply insightful observer of Middle East geopolitics wrote in a recent commentary that Israel’s strategy under Netanyahu’s ultra-right-wing religious and nationalist cabinet is to maintain whelming public support for the twin goals of the destruction of the “Hamas regime and its capabilities” and the release of all Israeli captives in Gaza. [https://english.almayadeen.net/articles/opinion/netanyahu-and-his-cabinet-are-taking–israel–to-biblical-ar]

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“Success” ….. The Buddhist Path

“SUCCESS” derives from the PROCESS not the results of Endeavour

An Erudite Buddhist Priest clarifies what the Path of Success is.

  • “The goal of life is trying your best” = among the sayings on Karma Yoga in the Bhagavat Gita  …………. An impressive address in concise speech from a Sri Lankan monk

NB : this item was circulated to friends on 7 December 2023 by Lorenz Pereira  of Royal College, the city of Colombo and that of Melbourne; and I can confidently state that Professor EOE Pereira, an epitome of wisdom, will be mighty pleased by this act of wise dissemination.

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St Lucia’s Cathedral at Kotahena, Colombo: History….. & ….. Facets

Sent by Vernon Davidson via Keith Bennett

St. Lucy of Sicily whose feast falls on December 13 is venerated the world over as the protectress against eye trouble. Legend has it that she had the most beautiful pair of eyes and that she pulled them out to present them to an unwelcome suitor who was enamoured by their beauty. However, her eyes were miraculously restored to her more beautiful than before. Named after this virgin and martyr saint is St. Lucia’s Cathedral of Kotahena, the oldest and largest parish cathedral in Sri Lanka and the seat of the Archbishop of [Colombo].

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Hai Hoyi Christmas in Sri Lanka

Sent by CHARLES SCHOKMAN  …. holidaying now in Sri Lanka … early December 2023

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An Evisceration War in GAZA …. by Germs …. Bombs & Gunfire

An Item in Anadolu Agency, 20 November 2023 ….

The former head of Israel’s National Security Council said the spread of epidemics and humanitarian disasters in the Gaza Strip  would help Israel reach victory faster. “The way to win the war faster and at a lower cost for us requires a system collapse on the other side and not the mere killing of more Hamas fighters,” Major General Giora Eiland wrote in Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.

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