DON'T MESS WITH THE CANADIANS

Read an article in the Guardian about the Russians planting their flag under the artic circle laying claim to Russian territory. Interesting article but this ending was too hilarious to not put on here.


Vladimir Putin and his submariners would however be well advised not to underestimate the Canadians, who have proved capable of seeing off the mighty US navy. There is a record of a dialogue between them and the USS Abraham Lincoln, a 100,000-tonne nuclear aircraft carrier, which asks the Canadians to divert 15 degrees north to avoid a collision. "Negative," says a Canadian radio voice. "You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision." The US captain describes the awesome assets of his battlegroup and demands compliance "or countermeasures will be taken".

Canadian reply: "This is a lighthouse. Your call."

· Dan van der Vat is a military historian and author of The Atlantic Campaign DanvdVat@sagainternet.co.uk