Category Archives: Ww3

China has pledged to retaliate against the US following an unprecedented move from the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. This week, Mr Pompeo became the first Secretary of State in US history to congratulate a Taiwanese president on an election victory. Chinas foreign ministry on Wednesday said the remarks had done serious damage to US-Chinese relations.

The ministry said Mr Pompeos statement seriously violated the one-China principle, since China claims Taiwan.

A spokesman added: "China urges the US side to immediately correct its mistake.

"The Chinese side will take necessary countermeasures to respond to the above-mentioned erroneous actions by the US side.

"And the US side should bear the consequences arising therefrom."

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He warned that the Taiwan "road leads to death" and that "any damage to China's core interests will be vigorously countered".

President Tsai Ing-Wen was inaugurated this week, and has since called for stable relations with China.

However, she added she would not let China downgrade Taiwan and undermine the cross-strait status quo".

Dr Tsai Ing-Wen's landslide victory in January was seen as a rebuke of Beijings ongoing campaign to isolate the island.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Mr Pompeo said: Her re-election by a huge margin shows that she has earned the respect, admiration, and trust of the people on Taiwan.

Her courage and vision in leading Taiwans vibrant democracy is an inspiration to the region and the world.

"I am confident that, with President Tsai at the helm, our partnership with Taiwan will continue to flourish.

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Mr Pompeo's claims comes amid tensions between Washington and Beijing over trade and allegations of Beijings mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic.

These tensions escalated further today after Chinas Foreign Ministry lodged a complaint with the United States to complain about a planned sale of advanced torpedoes to Taiwan.

During his press conference, Mr Pompeo also attacked China for threatening economic retaliation against Australia.

He said the Trump administration fully backs the Australian government's push for an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus.

He said: "The Chinese Communist Party chose to threaten Australia with economic retribution for the simple act of asking for an independent inquiry into the origins of the virus."

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China sparks WW3 panic as Beijing vows retaliation against US: 'Road that leads to death' - Express.co.uk

This weekend marks 75 years since the end of the second world war in Europe, and 70 years since the foundations were established of what became the European Union. With the continent facing its biggest challenge since 1945, do the lessons of the war and its aftermath have any resonance for young people? Millennials from around Europe share some of their thoughts and fears.

At times of crisis, populism, racism, xenophobia and fascism rise. After the coronavirus economic crisis really hits, we will witness an unbearable climate of pro-nationalist sentiment. In a world of global challenges nations are the wrong scale to solve those problems.Isabel, scientist, 32, Spain

The fraying of the European project recently has made the second world war suddenly more relevant. For a long time we thought the continents bloody divisions were consigned to the past along with slavery or the guillotine. Now it feels like Europes tormented history was merely suspended for a few decades. Im not frightened of a return to armed conflict, but the potential of destructive disunity feels very real. I have no sentimentality for VE Day but I do think that it should be commemorated.Aleks, 20s, Serbian, living in the UK

Of course there are lessons for my generation from the second world war. I grew up in Germany after all, and what thoughts of racial elitism can do was shockingly impressed on me. How people are turning back to far-right groups all over Europe is very scary.Sophia, 22, Brandenburg, Germany

I am sick of hearing about the war. The allies committed atrocities, war brings out the worst in all people. My friends grandad took part in the D-day landings. He said they hit the legs of the soldiers to get them out on the beaches, they were not brave or heroic willingly and they all shit themselves literally. It was hell, not our finest hour. The lesson to learn is no one should think they are better than anyone else and that peace is the most valuable thing we can possibly have.Jennifer, 35, London

I feel like its our moral responsibility to not let history repeat itself. Im very fearful of the nationalism, populism, isolationism and the rise of hard-right parties in Europe (and in the world of course) that we face currently. I live in constant fear that this degradation will eventually evolve and lead to WW3. From the pandemic I see a lot of great humanity, empathy, solidarity. But I also see terrible things: self-centredness, selfishness, disinformation, intolerance, etc. And I see countries that are absolutely not ready for whats coming.Nina, legal assistant, 27, Montpellier, France

Austria in particular has a tragic past when it comes to nationalism, and people here are acutely aware of this. On the other hand, history never exactly repeats itself and I doubt the horrors of the past would really take place in the same way. Nevertheless, what hides behind nationalism is a profound division between groups of people, which is the antithesis of the European project.Louis, mid-30s, Vienna

I think its good we talk about the second world war in the UK. My boyfriend is Danish and says that despite the country being occupied, and he has family who were young adults at that time, it isnt talked about. Hes never had a conversation with them about it, or how it impacts their views today. Nationalism worries me very much. You see it across Europe, in ways more subtle than Brexit. Freedom of movement seems to be viewed very negatively by many people. When visiting my boyfriends family in Denmark multiple acquaintances or random people have expressed negative feelings about the fact hes dating a foreigner.Heather, Edinburgh

This was a traumatic experience and has taught me, as a millennial, not to take peace for granted. Our national curriculum is flawed, however. At school we are taught predominantly about Britains role in the war, as if it defeated the Nazi regime singlehandedly. In reality, Britains success depended entirely on our continental and global alliances.Sonia 22, British, living in Paris

The second world war still divides my nation today. Politicians have been using it divide the nation. Its like a continuous witch-hunt ever since the breakup of Yugoslavia that shifts the focus away from the real lessons of the war. The pandemic too has made me pessimistic. It has enabled a rise in rightwing governments in many parts of Europe which used the lockdown to start implementing their draconian laws.Andreja, 30s, Ljubljana, Slovenia

VE Day symbolises an important victory indeed. People were happy not to be under German oppression anymore, but in Italy most people do not feel it or dont even know it exists. We mark our own liberation day on 25 April. I can see first hand in Italy what nationalistic propaganda is like and what nationalism-oriented communication is like. Its scary.Lorenzo, 20s, Milan

I think its important to acknowledge those who gave up so much for our freedom. My dad lives in South Yorkshire and they have been celebrating VE Day in their socially distanced front gardens! My generation should still learn the lessons of the war. But as our government refused PPE from the EU procurement agreement, it makes me pessimistic about the idea of Britain working with Europe.Rosie, primary teacher, 30, South Yorks, based London

I think we need to get away from the second world war as a cultural touchstone. Not forget that it happened but with every passing day the context we live in is further removed from it. It has become warped into a nationalist icon, removed from the reality of what actually happened. The lessons people use it to teach are that Britain is special in Europe because we werent invaded, fuelling the delusion that we can do everything alone. The tub-thumping pseudo-patriotism of wannabe demagogues is terrifying.Nick, PhD student, 26, Manchester

For a Croat in particular, the second world war continues to mark my generation as we havent been able to transcend divisions dating from then. Some in my generation still struggle to make sense of the lessons of the war. For me it is clear: after the worst modern atrocities on the continent, we as Europeans committed to creating a more peaceful continent. One thing that the Covid crisis might bring is to reveal the inability of nationalist governments to manage the pandemic on their own.Luka, 22, Zagreb

Captain Tom and my grandfather exemplify VE Day to me. That stiff upper lip determination that were are not alone and all in this together. Or the Queen saying we will meet again. This crisis shows that the level of support forged in the cauldron of the second world war are still with us. Whether the staff of the NHS or carers, volunteers racing around to deliver food parcels.Ben, engineer working as a bin collector, 20s, Carlisle

I am anxious about VE Day. My fear is that the loudest voices will be those who want to shout about Britain standing alone and using that to justify a nationalist agenda despite the passage of 75 years. Britain seems obsessed with the war in a way no other European country is.Peter, 29, London

I am the grandchild of a Holocaust survivor, and my Dutch grandparents both suffered under German occupation. Being Jewish and living in Amsterdam, the scars of the Jewish community are all over the city. I cant speak for my generation, but I can say that for me it feels like peace is conditional, it is hard-fought. The fact that many of my best friends are now Germans is a blessing I never take for granted.Software engineer, 25, Amsterdam

The second world war teaches us never again. The trouble is, most people take that to mean just the gas chambers; everything leading up to that point is apparently acceptable. I also think the UK looks on WWII as a glorious victory of the British against the Germans, rather than a collaborative effort against fascism. The UK has cherrypicked and romanticised history, which makes it impossible for us to learn from it.Sarah, 31, Milton Keynes

I would say the second world war taught us that no country can make it alone and left us with a deep mistrust of nationalism. However, I look around and I see how little of these two lessons has actually stuck.Michaela, scientist, 32, Italy

Too many people my age do not even know about the Holocaust, and just how easily European countries slid into horrific persecution and violence. I think our generation needs to contend with this now more so than ever, with razor-wire fences going up all over European and racism, Islamophobia, anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination and gender-based discrimination all on the rise in recent years. A better understanding of this history will remind our generation how easy it is for a society to fall into the abyss.Adam, 25, Helsinki

The narrative often portrayed in our history lessons was of national pride and British exceptionalism. Having been fortunate to speak to a number of elderly relatives who played a part in the war their stories didnt match what we were taught, rather they focused on the horrors experienced, and the need for co-operation. I think our generation needs to be aware that the memory of the war has been corrupted to encourage nationalism and British exceptionalism.Oliver, student, 21, Norfolk

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'We're forgetting the lessons of 1945': young people on VE Day - The Guardian

As she remembered Britain's Second World War sacrifices and the "joyous celebrations" that followed the end of fighting in Europe, the head of state paid tribute to the positive qualities of today's generation.

She said the tireless efforts of NHS staff, care and key workers, and communities helping the vulnerable, reflected a nation "those brave soldiers, sailors and airmen would recognise and admire".

And she highlighted the message of VE Day that resonates with the country's plight today - "Never give up, never despair".

Her televised address came at the end of national celebrations, curtailed due to the lockdown, marking 75 years to the day Britain and its Allies formally accepted Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender, following almost six years of brutal warfare.

Speaking from Windsor Castle's white drawing room, the Queen said in her pre-recorded message: "The wartime generation knew that the best way to honour those who did not come back from the war, was to ensure that it didn't happen again.

"The greatest tribute to their sacrifice is that countries who were once sworn enemies are now friends, working side by side for the peace, health and prosperity of us all.

"Today it may seem hard that we cannot mark this special anniversary as we would wish. Instead we remember from our homes and our doorsteps.

"But our streets are not empty; they are filled with the love and the care that we have for each other.

"And when I look at our country today, and see what we are willing to do to protect and support one another, I say with pride that we are still a nation those brave soldiers, sailors and airmen would recognise and admire."

7pm update: Last Post played across UK

Trumpeters and buglers up and down the country have played The Last Post to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

The piece is often played at military memorials, and was taken up by dozens of musicians across the UK to mark the day that commemorates the end of the Second World War in Europe.

Among those involved was Paul Cartwright, from Ryhill near Wakefield, who plays with the West Yorkshire Police Band, which plays in Ypres every year on November 11.

The 48-year-old Church of England priest told the PA news agency: "It was to be able to honour those who gave their life for us, and also to honour those who are working so hard for us now in the armed forces, to help with all the Nightingale hospitals and all the logistics.

"It was to get the community involved and to give a bit of thanks for the peace that was brought on VE Day."

4.30pm update: Trump lays wreath at Washington war memorial

US President Donald Trump has laid a wreath at the World War Two Memorial in Washington as America marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

3.35pm update: Putin sends VE Day messages to Johnson and Trump

Vladimir Putin has sent telegrams to Boris Johnson and Donald Trump suggesting the need to rekindle their nations' co-operation during World War Two to solve today's problems.

The telegrams were among many Mr Putin dispatched to the Soviet Union's World War Two allies on the 75th anniversary of the end of the conflict in Europe.

Ties with London remain badly strained over the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury two years ago.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke to his British counterpart Dominic Raab earlier this week when, according to Moscow, they agreed to try to improve cooperation.

2.58pm update: Sophie jokes with WW3 veteran about VE day hangover

The Countess of Wessex joked with a Second World War airman about his hangover after VE Day celebrations when they met for a virtual chat.

Members of the royal family have been talking with wartime veterans and civilians this week to hear their stories and mark the 75th anniversary of the war ending in Europe.

Louis Goodwin, 94, from Salisbury, told the countess he joined the RAF in 1943 as an 18-year-old and opted to train as a gunner rather than pilot/navigator as the instruction course was shorter.

Speaking on the Royal British Legion's special online show, screened on its Facebook page, the former airman told the royal he left the VE Day party at 11pm, she said "quite civilised - not too bad" and he replied with understatement and a laugh: "We had a few drinks".

"You remember the headache the next morning?" asked Sophie, and Mr Goodwin replied "Yes, yes and wondering what we were going to do next."

2.22pm update: Skytyping tribute to frontline workers

The UK's first skytyping display has been conducted to mark VE Day and pay tribute to frontline workers.

Messages such as We Will Meet Again and Thank You were etched in the sky above Henstridge airfield in Somerset.

The display was commissioned by the Department for Transport, which recently introduced a law change to allow skytyping and skywriting to take place.

The techniques were made illegal in the UK in the 1960s over safety concerns, but are used in many countries such as the US, Australia, France and Spain.

Skywriting was inadvertently discovered by an RAF pilot during the First World War, when oil accidentally entered a plane's exhaust, creating dense, white smoke.

2pm update:Should delayed 75th anniversary celebration be held after lockdown ends?

Many VE Day celebrations scheduled to take place across the country have been called off due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Do you think memorial events marking the 75th anniversary should be held at a later date to honour the war heroes? Vote in our Express.co.uk pollhere.

1.25pm update: PM to speak to world leaders for VE Day

Boris Johnson will speak with a number of world leaders to remember the events of VE Day 75 years ago.

He has already spoken to Russian president Vladimir Putin to "mark the partnership of British and Russian forces during the war".

The Prime Minister is due to speak with German chancellor Angela Merkel and Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

1.15pm update: Macron and Merkel hold wreath-laying ceremonies

French President Emmanuel Macron held the traditional wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier laid wreaths at Berlin's Memorial to the Victims of War and Dictatorship.

12.30pm update: WW2 veteran shares emotional memories of VE Day

A Second World War veteran has recalled the jubilant scenes at his air force base as Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced the end of fighting following the surrender of Nazi Germany.

Flight Sergeant Eric Edis said: Someone shouted out the war is over!

I can remember Winston, dear Winston on the radio. They loved him.

I remember him thanking all the forces and everyone who had participated and helped us win the war.

It was not just the army and navy and air force, it was the civilians who helped as well and the firefighters and hospital staff. They were all part of winning the war. There was great joy.

11.15am update: UK falls silent in remembrance on VE Day anniversary

The UK fell silent at 11am to remember those who served in the Second World War.

The poignant moment was led by Prince Charles and Camilla, who each laid a wreath at a memorial near Balmoral.

10.45am update:PM pays tribute to wartime generation

In a video shared on social media, Boris Johnson said: Seventy-five years ago the people of this country celebrated victory against Hitlers aggression.

In cities scarred by enemy bombing the crowds gave thanks for a national exertion greater than anything else before or since.

What our country and our allies did was to save freedom not just here but everywhere.

The Prime Minister continued: We are now engaged in a new struggle against the coronavirus which demands the same spirit of national endeavour.

And that means we cant hold the parades and street celebrations we enjoyed in the past.

But all of us who were born since 1945 are acutely conscious that we owe everything we most value to the generation who won the Second World War.

Today we celebrate their achievement, we remember their sacrifice and we take pride in being their compatriots.

We are a free people because of everything they did and our gratitude will be eternal.

10.15am update: Red Arrows fly over London for VE Day

The RAF has staged a flypast with the Red Arrows soaring through the sky over London.

Typhoon fighter jets also crossed over Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.

10.05am update: Sir Keir Starmer releases VE Day video message

The Labour leader said: Today we mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day and we remember the millions of people from across the UK and from across the world who came together in World War Two to fight for our shared values - values of freedom, of democracy, of peace and of tolerance.

We also pay tribute to those that rebuilt and renewed our country after the war.

Based on their values they built a better future.

9.50am update: Should VE Day always be a Bank Holiday?

VE Day is a Bank Holiday this year because the early May Day Bank Holiday, which is traditionally held on the first Monday of the month, has been moved back four days - but should it always be a public holiday?

Express.co.uk readers can vote in our poll on whether VE Day should always be a Bank Holiday.

The May Day Bank Holiday was last moved to May 8 in 1995 to mark the 50th anniversary of VE Day.

9.20am update: VE Day a very special day Captain Tom Moore

Second World War veteran Captain Tom Moore, who has raised more than 32 million for the NHS, told Good Morning Britain: "It's a very special day that is celebrating the end of a very fearsome war in Europe.

"But today it really is a very fine day, the sun is shining on us too, so I think we all need to be very happy that the war in Europe did come to an end.

"It was a very important day and everyone concerned was absolutely very pleased that this was the end... the bombing of London, the bombing of other cities... had come to an end.

"It was a very, very happy day."

9am update: Queen shares clip of King George VIs radio address

The Queen has shared a video on the Royal Familys social media of her father King George VIs radio address on May 8 1945.

The caption said: Today is the 75th anniversary of VE Day: the day when people across the Commonwealth marked the end of war in Europe with a mixture of jubilation and quiet reflection on the many sacrifices which had been made for peace.

8.30am update: GCHQ reveals last message from German Second World War network

The last recorded message to be intercepted from a German military communications network at the end of the Second World War has been revealed.

It shows that Britain's Bletchley Park code breakers carried on working in the dying days of the war to ensure there would be no final stand by the Nazis, according to GCHQ historian Tony Comer.

With the Allies closing in and the network having retreated to the German town of Cuxhaven, a messenger who is identified only as Lieutenant Kunkel sent out a statement.

The intercepted message, which was sent as he signed off on 7 May 1945 at 7.35am, said: "British troops entered Cuxhaven at 1400 on 6 May - from now on all radio traffic will cease - wishing you all the best. Lt Kunkel".

This was immediately followed by: "Closing down for ever - all the best - goodbye".

Bletchley Park code breakers were collecting communications from the German Brown network.

8.05am update: Prince William and Kate mark VE Day

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared a picture on social media of VE Day celebrations.

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VE Day LIVE: Queens says WW2 heroes would be proud of UK today in heartfelt tribute - Express

THE world is on high alert with tensions at boiling point between Iran and the US over the assassination of General Qasem Soleimani.

On January 8, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles at US forces in Iraq in its first military retaliation, but is World War 3 on the cards?

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Iran has pulled out of a nuclear deal and President Donald Trump has threatened to hit the country harder should Iran retaliate.

The president tweeted: "Should Iran strike any U.S. person or target, the United States will quickly & fully strike back, & perhaps in a disproportionate manner."

World War Three has been trending on Twitter and Google after the US assassinated Iran's top general Qasem Soleimani in Iraq.

Boris Johnson said General Qasem Soleimani had "the blood of British troops on his hands" and warned Iran not to repeat "reckless" attacks after ballistic missiles were fired at Iraqi air bases.

People have been expressing serious concern across the globe that the move will cause the outbreak of World War Three as Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei promised "harsh vengeance", "jihad" and "crushing revenge".

But Iran has said it doesn't want war and its retaliation for the general's killing is "now over".

Trump retaliated to Iranian threats, saying he will unleash $2trillion worth of new military equipment if US bases are targeted.

Tehran pinpointed 35 "key US targets" to attack - and in response, the US has threatened to attack 52 Iranian targets "very fast and very hard" if they retaliate.

Searches for "World War 3" also spiked on Google within hours of the airstrike in Iraq overnight.

Google Trends recorded "Iran" as the most searched term in the UK, with more than 500,000 searches for the topic.

But despite the speculation around World War Three, the US and Iran are known for their rhetoric, and it is unclear what revenge, if any, there will be.

Rising tensions between Iran and the US haven't been the only thing to cause speculation of an all-out war, however.

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Excerpt from:

Will there be a World War 3? Latest WW3 news as Iran and ...

An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman threatened that its reaction would be "proportionate" and "firm" after the US moved to take a harder stance against the Islamic Republic. Abbas Mousavi said: "Iran is not seeking to exit the 2015 nuclear deal with six powers."America's move is illegitimate and our reaction will be proportionate."

His warning comes after the US said on Thursday it was "hopeful" the UN Security Council would extend the arms embargo on Iran before it expires in October.

President Donald Trump's administration has been taking a harder line with the United Nations over its desire to extend and strengthen the embargo on Iran.

Washington has threatened to trigger a return of all UN sanctions against Iran as leverage to get backing from the 15-member Security Council on extending the UN arms embargo on Tehran.

Mr Mousavi added: "The United States is not a member of the nuclear deal anymore.

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"Iran's reaction to America's illegal measures will be firm."

Mr Trump withdrew his nation from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Tehran that have crippled its economy.

The US President has since imposed economic and trade sanctions on Iran, targeting its lucrative oil, financial and shipping sectors.

The measures are part of a wider effort from Mr Trump to curb Irans missile and nuclear programmes while destroying its influence in the Middle East, particularly its support for proxies in Syria, Yemen and Lebanon.

READ MORE: World War 3 MAPPED: The SIX places where WW3 could break out in 2020

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei branded the US' offer to help with their coronavirus outbreak as "strange."

He then described US leaders as "charlatans and liars" in a televised address to the Islamic Republic.

Iran is the most afflicted country in the Middle East with the outbreak of the lethal disease.

Khameni said: Several times Americans have offered to help us to fight the pandemic. That is strange because you face shortages in America."

He also referenced a conspiracy theory that America is, accused of creating this virus.

I do not know whether it is true. But when there is such an allegation, can a wise man trust you and accept your help offer?

You could be giving medicines to Iran that spread the virus or cause it to remain permanently.

Continued here:

World War 3: US-Iran tensions soar as Tehran warns of 'firm' reaction to Trump's plot - Express.co.uk

Iran has sparked fresh World War 3 fears by threatening a crushing response if US President Donald Trump refuses to lift its sanctions.

Iranian leader Hasan Rouhani said Trump made a stupid mistake in pulling out of the nuclear deal.

In a threatening speech, he demanded compensation for economic damage caused by the arms embargo and vowed to retaliate if it was not lifted later this week.

He raged: "If America wants to return to the deal, it should lift all the sanctions on Tehran and compensate for the reimposition of sanctions.

"Iran's nuclear steps are reversible if other parties to the deal fulfil their obligations and preserve Tehran's interests under the pact.

"Iran will give a crushing response if the arms embargo on Tehran is extended.

Relations between Tehran and Washington have been on the brink over its collapsing nuclear deal and after a US drone strike killed General Qasem Soleimani in January.

In retaliation, Iran launched missiles at US-led forces in Iraq for the US drone strike that killed Soleimani.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said the missile attack was a "slap on the face" of the US and troops should leave the region.

He was addressing a gathering of Iranians who chanted "Death to America".

Ali Khamenei warned the US the Islamic Republic would not revisit nuclear talks in a terrifying threat amid World War 3 fears.

Khamenei said the attacks on the US bases in Iraq were successful and denounced the US as a "bully.

The leader said nuclear talks resumption with its "enemy" US are not possible sparking fears it could develop its own arsenal of radioactive weapons.

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Iran threatens 'crushing response' to US nuclear sanctions sparking fresh WW3 fears - Daily Star

The warning came as part of a BBC Panorama special, dubbed If The Bomb Drops broadcast on March 10, 1980, featuring a young Jeremy Paxman. It came at a time of heightened tensions in the Cold War as the Nuclear Arms Race was heating up and, on Christmas Day in 1979, Soviet troops invaded Afghanistan as part of the Afghan War, in which the US and the United Kingdom backed the opposition. This escalation in conflict between the East and West during a proxy war, sparked fears a full-scale World War 3 situation was imminent and the British Government began planning on how it would mitigate the effects of a nuclear attack, with the release of information broadcasts such as Protect and Survive.

During the BBC footage, seen by millions of Britons, Colonel Jonathan Alford, former deputy director at the Institute of Strategic Studies, said: It seems the Russians do not accept the mutual part of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD).

Because what MAD meant was, as a theory, that you, in a sense, took no defensive measures, you accepted that you remained absolutely vulnerable to his attack.

Then, there would be an element of stability, because if he had enough weapons to attack you, and you had enough weapons to attack him, there was a deterrent mechanism at work.

The trouble is, the Russians didnt seem to accept this part of the doctrine and so they have developed a substantial civil defence programme.

They clearly think they might come to the point of a strategic nuclear exchange and then, if that was so, they want to lose less badly than the US.

Colonel Alford, who passed away in 1986, went on to reveal what an attack from the Soviet Union on Britain may look like.

He added: I think they would be looking at something like 200 targets in the UK and allocating nearly as many as 400 weapons to the destruction of those targets, given that they wont all go off or work.

If I took a map of the UK and put pins in all the military targets I think they would be interested in, there would not be many parts of the UK left."

READ MORE: 'Europe will be an inhabitable desert' Shocking footage exposes unthinkable WW3 scenario

He continued: If youre basing your planning on the assumption that you will get three weeks warning, I think thats a grave mistake.

Given the readiness of modern weapons, for example, one could imagine a nuclear exchange taking place within 48 to 72 hours.

It certainly isnt going to take more than 48 to 72 hours to start the Soviet divisions in East Germany rolling westwards.

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World War 3: Fears for nuclear attack on 200 locations in UK within 48 hours exposed - Express.co.uk

The Queen said the UK will succeed in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic in early April. During her rousing speech, the monarch spoke of social distancing and drew similarities to her experience of the Second World War. The viral pandemic is unprecedented, but the Queen must be prepared for all eventualities. So what does she have planned to say in the event WW3 breaks out?

The Queen is a symbol of stability and hope for many during these trying times.

In her rare speech delivered on April 5, she said: While we have faced challenges before, this one is different.

She added: This time we join with all nations across the globe in a common endeavour, using the great advances of science and our instinctive compassion to heal.

We will succeed - and that success will belong to every one of us.

"We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again."

READ MORE:Queen Mothers incredibly gracious treatment of staff member exposed

In recent days, while nations across the world continue to battle coronavirus, another potential threat has loomed.

Speculation about the emergence of World War 3 has spiked in recent days after a rumour about North Korean Supreme Leader King Jong-uns health went viral.

Experts warned the death of the North Korean leader could spark the USA and South Korea into military action which could lead to WW3.

While politicians and nationals would likely be in a state of shock at the outbreak of WW3, the Queen has a secret speech prepared for World War 3.

During one of the most fraught periods during the Cold War, the Queen prepared a speech to deliver to the nation in the event of a nuclear war.

Tensions were rife between the US and Soviet Union, with a nuclear war almost triggered in October when an annual Nato military exercise was perceived as a genuine attack.

According to newspapers from 1983, the Queens script for the hypothetical broadcast saw the Queen describe the threat to Britain as greater than any other in history.

The speech was devised by Whitehall officials but was never recorded.

It was written in 1983 was made public in 2013 by the National Archives in accordance with the 30-year-rule.

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While some parts of the speech are considered to be outdated, such as referencing Prince Andrew serving in the Navy, the overall sentiment surrounding the speech remains the same.

The speech begins by referencing the Queens festive address from the previous December.

Then the speech refers to the horrors of war could not have seemed more remote as my family and I shared our Christmas joy with the growing family of the Commonwealth.

The address added: 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 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.

"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.

The chilling message concludes with the Queen adding: As we strive together to fight off the new evil, let us pray for our country and men of goodwill wherever they may be. God Bless you all.

Many have been struck by similarities between the Queens proposed WW3 speech and that which she delivered at the beginning of April.

For instance, on April 5 the Queen struck a similar tone of unity.

She said: Together we are tackling this disease, and I want to reassure you that if we remain united and resolute, then we will overcome it.

Read more:

Queen WW3 plans: The shock speech the Queen has prepared for WW3 - Express

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As the World is coming together to fight the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus Ghanaian prophet Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah has also stated that there would be the emergence of World War III(WW3).

According to the founder and leader of Glorious Word and Power Ministry International, he in 2018 saw a vision which a wounded Eagle surrounded by stars was attacking a dragon.

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He stated the the dragon had earlier used its tail to destroy the world an action that made the eagle and stars angry who ganged up to attack the dragon.

Explaining his prophecy into details he made mention that in this case the Eagle represents America and the Stars representing the European Union with the dragon representing China.

He noted that America and the European Union would rise up and start a war with China very soon due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

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The Dragon in the prophecy which I saw in 2018 represents China. I could see that this Dragon was backed by other countries, countries that think and act like China itself. The Eagle surrounded by the stars represents America and the European Union. That means America will be supported by other members of the European to go to war against China,he said in an interview.

Read this article:

Rev. Owusu Bempah predicts the emergence of WW3 after coronavirus - GhPage

This handout picture released by the US Army shows U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, deploy from Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina on January 1, 2020.

CAPT. ROBYN HAAKE

Fake news had a field day amid last week's dramatic escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions, even managing to convince several Americans that the U.S. was reinstating the draft for an impending war with Iran.

"United States Official Army Draft, we tried contacting you through the mail several times and have had no response," the text messages read, which were sent out in the days after the U.S. launched a drone strike in Baghdad that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.

"You've been marked eligible and must come to the nearest recruitment branch in Jacksonville, Florida for immediate departure to Iran."

"We're aware that this number is not disconnected, you'll be fined and sent to jail for minimum 6 years if no reply," the text concluded.

The message was signed off "U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion" and offers a name and location to which the recipient is directed to report.

It's not known how many people received messages, but it was apparently enough that the U.S. Army had to make an official statement after recruiting offices in the U.S. were hit with a barrage of panicked phone calls.

"U.S. Army Recruiting Command has received multiple calls and emails about these fake text messages and wants to ensure Americans understand these texts are false and were not initiated by this command or the U.S. Army," a statement on the Army's website read.

A similar version of the message that was circulated read: "You've been marked eligible and must come to the nearest branch in New Jersey Area for immediate departure to Iran."

The U.S. disbanded the draft in 1973, and the country's military the third-largest in the world after China and India with just over 1.2 million active personnel has been an all-volunteer force since.

The demographic of who the messages were sent to appears random from adults to kids as young as 14, according U.S. Army Recruiting Command media relations chief who spoke to NPR.

The Army statement added, "Registering for the Selective Service does not enlist a person into the military. Army recruiting operations are proceeding as normal."

Heavy online traffic brought down parts of the Selective Services System website on Jan. 3 and it posted a notice on its website that read, "Due to the spread of misinformation, our website is experiencing high volumes of traffic at this time. If you are registering or attempting to verify registration, please check back later today as we are working to resolve this issue."

The Selective Service System (SSS) is an independent U.S. government agency that holds information on Americans eligible for conscription, and all males between the ages of 18 to 26 are required by law to register their information with it. Because the draft is no longer in place, its relevance is minimal, and compliance is patchy.

Fears of greater conflict in the Middle East shook global markets after the Trump administration's Jan. 3 strike on Soleimani, who had headed Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps' elite Quds Force and led Iranian expansion through proxy forces around the region. "WW3" was trending on Twitter. Trump has since announced that Iran "appears to be standing down" after an Iranian retaliatory strike resulted in no casualties, but Iran's Revolutionary Guards are publicly threatening further revenge.

The rest is here:

US Army issues statement after fake "draft for Iran war ...