How Many Are There.

[pimplyteen]

Where does Putin keep getting these commanders from does he just promote anyone over night that is prepared to risk being shot by their own men.

[ToraToraTora]

Can you give us a bit more detail.

[bookbinder]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Russian_generals_killed_during_the_2022_invasion_of_Ukraine

[Canary42]

Makes a change for cannon fodder to be at the tops of the tree.

[naomi24]

I remember visits to Communist Russia. It seemed like every other man was in uniform - and so many different uniforms. Maybe under Putin that is re-emerging.

[davebro]

Didn't he pull one big fat bloke out of retirement & he was subsequently blown to bits?

[ZebuSanctuary]

// I remember visits to Communist Russia //

I'd bet a deep fried battered Mars bar that you went to the Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg on your visit.

[naomi24]

Really, zebu? Why would you bet anything on anything?

[bookbinder]

davebro: the big fat bloke was General Pavel (age 67), but I cannot find any mention of his being blown to bits. A general was, indeed, killed by being hit in the stomach, and the pieces were stuffed back into his stomach, following which the general was flown to hospital. He died there. We do not know the name of the dead general. This information was obtained by the Ukrainian Secret Service, who tapped into a telephone call that was made by a Russian soldier.

[pimplyteen]

It appears Putin has more commanders in posh uniforms than boots on the ground at the moment, the boots on the ground seem to be running in any direction other than the front line.

[Spicerack]

Damned cowards, mon brave.

[FatticusInch]

naomi24
//Really, zebu? Why would you bet anything on anything?//

Zebu likes a bet and has a penchant for deep-fried Mars Bars, it’s part of a pattern.

[jno]

it wouldn't have been St Petersburg if it was during the Communist era, though, a pedant writes.

[naomi24]

No accounting for imagination, jno. ;o)

[ZebuSanctuary]

// Really, zebu? Why would you bet anything on anything? //

I fear this is your way of extolling the virtues of those who resist the temptation to gamble. Life's a gamble!

Surely I am not to be condemned for my annual flutter on the Grand National (£1 each way). Then now and again the odd lottery ticket. It is for good causes, don't you know?

[naomi24]

I'm not interested in your gambling habits. Just surprised that anyone would be silly enough to make unfounded assumptions and gamble on something and someone they know nothing about. But there you are. Such is life I suppose.

[pimplyteen]

It see petty arguments are creeping back into this thread, the silly business of betting each other. Can you please post on the OP, or not at all.

[naomi24]

No one is betting each other, pimply. Wind your neck in. That's unnecessary.

[Zacs-Master]

Do you mean ‘besting’?

[DTCwordfan]

I hate company farewell parties when it comes to me moving on - anyway, I couldn't get out of this in China and when the agents heard it became an event for 300.... I had been after one of the old paraffin lamps on which th company was 'founded' in China but to no avaail in 3.5 years. Anyway, one of the more well-known agents asked if he could bring this szechuan general long - 'why not - more the merrier.'

Anyway, on the night, this dishevelled wreck of a general arrives, his fingers deep-amber from the nicotine, dirty nails and pretty rotten teeth, the complete antihesis of what one imagines a general to be - and nervously handed me this dirty pile of old newspaper and inside, one of these lamps. Honestly, he looked more like a corporal and reminded me of 'The Good Soldier Švejk' by Haslek - good book by the way...... If Russian generals look like this fine specimen of a Chinese equivalent, they probably have droves of them in storage and no wonder they are at or near the Front.

Excuse the rambling but a fun reminder!

[Spicerack]

Great book, DTC.
Anyone remind you of Ensign Dub. ;-)