British general and military historian debunks Camerons claim that leaving EU would harm national security

Major-General Julian Thomson, eminent military historian and former Royal Marines officer who commanded 3 Commando Brigade during the Falklands War, destroys David Cameron´s claim that "Leaving Europe would threaten our economic and our national security" in a must read article:

"I fought for Britain and I know how the EU weakens our defences

The myth that leaving the EU would harm British national security must be destroyed once and for all

Myth One is that the EU has kept the peace in Europe since 1945. Former Commission President Barosso claimed that the EU stops us going back to trench warfare. This is nonsense. Look at the facts. What brought peace to Europe after 1945? The American Marshall Plan was largely instrumental in rebuilding European economies after the Second World War and restoring prosperity to a war-torn region. Secondly, from its inception in 1949, Nato deterred the Soviet Union from attacking; and deters the likes of Mr Putin to this day. And German fascism was burned out by their experience in the Second World War. They are now a peaceful nation. The EU wasn’t there, then. It didn’t start until the mid ‘50s.

But did the EU have a hand in keeping the peace later on? No. More facts: 1959-2011's Basque Conflict – the EEC/EC/EU played no part in resolution. 1968-1998: The "Troubles" in Northern Ireland – the EU did nothing to help end the violence. 1974: The Turkish Invasion of Cyprus – the EEC/EC/EU played no part in resolution.

So what about the Balkan conflicts of 1991-2013? 1991-1995: The Croatian War of Independence was mainly resolved thanks to the Nato-manned United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR). 1992-1995: The Bosnian War was resolved by Dayton Accords giving NATO authority for action. 1997: Unrest in Albania was resolved by Nato. 1998-1999:
The first Kosovo War was resolved by Nato. 2001: Insurgency in the Republic of Macedonia was resolved by Nato. 2004: Further unrest in Kosovo was resolved by UN/Nato. 2008: Yet more unrest in Kosovo was resolved by Nato. 2011-2013: North Kosovo Crisis was resolved by Nato, Conversely when people of EU member states, or of future member states, or of neighbouring nations needed help the EU failed. There is a pattern here."

Read the rest of the article here.