The Queen's WWIII Speech

[jimmy olsen]

 



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23518587

WWIII Queen's speech' script revealed

The Queen was expected to urge the people of the United Kingdom to "pray" in the event of a nuclear war, government documents from 1983 reveal.

The script for a hypothetical broadcast has the monarch describing the threat to the "brave country" as "greater" than any other in history.

It also mentions the Queen's son Prince Andrew, then in the Royal Navy.

Devised by Whitehall officials at one of the most fraught periods of the Cold War, it was never recorded.

The document, released by the government under the 30-year rule, was drawn up as part of a war-gaming exercise in the spring of 1983, working through potential scenarios.

'Terrors'

Although it was only a simulation, the text of the Queen's address - written as if broadcast at midday on Friday 4 March 1983 - seeks to prepare the country for the ordeal of World War III.

The script reads: "Now this madness of war is once more spreading through the world and our brave country must again prepare itself to survive against great odds.

"I have never forgotten the sorrow and the pride I felt as my sister and I huddled around the nursery wireless set listening to my father's [George VI's] inspiring words on that fateful day in 1939 [at the start of the World War II].

"Not for a single moment did I imagine that this solemn and awful duty would one day fall to me.

"But whatever terrors lie in wait for us all, the qualities that have helped to keep our freedom intact twice already during this sad century will once more be our strength."

Striking a personal note, the script continues: "My husband and I share with families up and down the land the fear we feel for sons and daughters, husbands and brothers who have left our side to serve their country.

"My beloved son Andrew is at this moment in action with his unit and we pray continually for his safety and for the safety of all servicemen and women at home and overseas.

"It is this close bond of family life that must be our greatest defence against the unknown.

"If families remain united and resolute, giving shelter to those living alone and unprotected, our country's will to survive cannot be broken."

In the war-gaming exercise, Orange bloc forces - representing the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies - launch a chemical weapon attack on the UK.

Blue forces - representing Nato - retaliate with a "limited-yield" nuclear strike, forcing Orange to sue for peace.

The exercise came in the year that US President Ronald Reagan both enraged and alarmed Moscow with his denunciation of the Soviet Union as the "evil empire", his plans for a "Star Wars" ballistic missile shield in space, and the deployment of US nuclear cruise missiles to Europe - including to RAF Greenham Common.

Tensions increased when the Soviets shot down a South Korean airliner that strayed into their airspace, killing all 269 on board.

A Nato military exercise, codenamed Able Archer, then nearly triggered an actual conflict with the Soviet leadership apparently convinced it was cover for a genuine attack.

The Soviet Union and the US later negotiated a reduction in the number of nuclear weapons, as the Cold War came to an end.

[jimmy olsen]

Not even a BB response? The Queen weeps...

[Syt]

Everyone should now go and watch the film Threads.

[Brazen]

Today's youth need a Cold War to politicise them.

[Tamas]

Everyone should now go and watch the film Threads.

Most depressing movie EVER

[grumbler]

Everyone should now go and watch the film Threads.

Most depressing movie EVER

You must not have seen the 1984 version of 1984.  Makes Threads feel like a romantic comedy.

[Jacob]

You must not have seen the 1984 version of 1984.  Makes Threads feel like a romantic comedy.

That's the John Hurt version, right? Yeah, that's pretty damn grim.

[Ed Anger]

Fun bit about 1984:

Full frontal nudity. Full bush.

[mongers]

Fun bit about 1984:

Full frontal nudity. Full bush.

Where were you in the 1970s, European cinema was veritable Louis XIV garden of topiary. :

[Legbiter]

Threads was a happy ending though, all things considered.

Britain kept it's independence, as well as semi-19th century tech. The hated Reds sure got it 10 times worse.

[Ed Anger]

Fun bit about 1984:

Full frontal nudity. Full bush.

Where were you in the 1970s, European cinema was veritable Louis XIV garden of topiary. :

In the 70's? Being a kid and not watching naughty films.

[mongers]

Fun bit about 1984:

Full frontal nudity. Full bush.

Where were you in the 1970s, European cinema was veritable Louis XIV garden of topiary. :

In the 70's? Being a kid and not watching naughty films.

I too was a kid in the 70s and watch plenty of foreign language films.

[Ed Anger]

I had kid stuff to do.