Let Him Go

1-2-3 What are we fighting for?
Don’t ask me, I don’t give a damn. The next stop is Afghanistan.
5-6-7 Open up the pearly gates.
It ain’t no time to wonder why. Yippee! We’re all going to die.

-- Apologies to Country Joe and the Fish

Britain's Prince Harry will not be allowed to fight on the front line in Afghanistan, The Mail on Sunday newspaper said, citing senior sources in the prince's regiment.

Harry, third in line to the throne, reportedly threatened to quit the British Army if he was blocked from active service due to safety fears and any such decision is likely to infuriate the 22-year-old. Although a formal decision has yet to be made, sources in the Household Cavalry have said that that they thought it was too dangerous for him to deploy in Afghanistan.

The southern Helmand province, where the bulk of about 4,500 British troops in Afghanistan are operating, has seen fierce fighting this year as soldiers take on resurgent Taliban rebels loyal to the deposed Islamist regime.

As Second Lieutenant Wales, Harry is training to become a troop commander, in charge of 11 enlisted soldiers and four light tanks. A senior cavalry source told the newspaper that it would boost morale if Harry were allowed to deploy. However, even if he was confined to headquarters, he would still be subject to rocket attacks.

"The fact is that his royal appointment could make him a target and put the lives of his soldiers in danger and while he will regret the decision I know he will appreciate and understand the thinking and evaluation behind it," the source said.

Harry is keen to get into combat zones. In September 2005, he said: "There's no way I'm going to put myself through Sandhurst (training academy) and then sit on my arse back home while my boys are out fighting for their country."

So there you go, as if having a Union Flag or UN displayed outside your camp or on your hardware wasn't enough to make you a target to fanatics, having royalty does.

Let him go, we're not exactly short of royalty are we?