Reply to: Former soldiers to be prosecuted for IRA man's murder

[Gibbon]

Indeed it was. But that was down to good fortune. However, unlike you, at least I was prepared to go into action for my country had it been required.

This.

There was one bloke who I served with who by brown nosing got himself a cushy exercise role as a shelter marshal. Basically he just sat at the hardened shelter door making sure everyone had a respirator on when they went out. He did, however, also get trained in the use of nuclear and chemical detection kit.

A few months later GW1 came around and it just so happened that the army was short of people trained on the above kit. Feck how we laughed as he got told "do not pass go, report to the med center for jabs, collect your kit and report to some army camp. your attached to some infanty battalion". His white ashen face and quivering lip were a sight to behold as the rest of us RAF Techies revelled in our good fortune at not being a shelter marshal.

[shaunbhoy]

So they connected your sentry's hut up, then?

"Sarge, there's some VIPs here, what shall I do"

"FFS you useless potato peeler, check their IDs and show them through, double time, now."

As with so many other things, you display a remarkably ill-informed view of how the military operates. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised as, having failed the physical for the Brownies, you would never have come close to being involved with it.

[TestMangler]

According to the article, they've decided there is sufficient reliable evidence to bring about a prosecution.

Can you not just permaban the OP anyway ??

[sasguru]

The rest of the time was spent honing the many skills that have seen me earn plenty of money in the Telecomms field ever since.

So they connected your sentry's hut up, then?

"Sarge, there's some VIPs here, what shall I do"

"FFS you useless potato peeler, check their IDs and show them through, double time, now."

[vetran]

According to the article, they've decided there is sufficient reliable evidence to bring about a prosecution.

Lets hope that isn't based on the words of Sinn Fein officials we know how reliable they are.

[shaunbhoy]

Shooting wooden targets was the only action that you saw.

Indeed it was. But that was down to good fortune. However, unlike you, at least I was prepared to go into action for my country had it been required.

The rest of the time was spent honing the many skills that have seen me earn plenty of money in the Telecomms field ever since.

ftfy

[BrilloPad]

Just watching footage of the 'Corporals killings' in Belfast in 1988, remember it well, one of the first graphic things we saw in UK at the time, still find it harrowing, the look of fear of the Corporal Howes as the mob closed in, before he was stripped naked, stabbed and shot and died, and given the last rites in a famous photograph that's out there.

All for fook all in the end, all EU friends now, all forgotten and no need to mention the war.

I was amazed they fired their gun in the air and not into the crowd.

[SimonMac]

It's a grey area.

However, war is war and murder is murder, Sgt Blackman, on the face of the evidence of the video footage and testimony of others murdered the Afghan guy, pure and simple, he did it and and laughed about it 'Guess I just broke the Geneva Convention'. Murder.

Same with 1 Para in Jan 1972 in Derry, pure murder, wasn't even a war situation. Murder.

Was just thinking about the "Marine A" case, on the face of it the facts are quite clear, and if it was the other way round, insurgent shooting a wounded coalition soldier, rather than helping to treat him, the same redtops would be crying out for justice.

I understand these guys are under extreme pressure when faced with these situations and I'm sure I'd **** it up if I was in the same, but you know that before you go in/join up. So don't join up unless you can be professional about it.

My brother is coming to the end of 22 years in the army, having served in Balkans, Northern Ireland, Afgan and Iraq, there is a reason why those who serve don't talk, about it every day

[NotAllThere]

I am very dubious about pursuing these old cases, when concrete evidence has disappeared, when defence witnesses may no longer be available, when memories have become hazy, when those making the accusations are hostile and have an interest in smearing our army, when there is money to be made by accusers and their lawyers. Soldiers should abide by international laws but if they did indeed flout them, why could that not be proven at the time?

According to the article, they've decided there is sufficient reliable evidence to bring about a prosecution.

I am more concerned about double standards. After Easter 97 I thought that old cases would not be dragged up to allow peace? It should be the same for both sides.

Yeah - I would have thought that too.

[vetran]

It's a grey area.

However, war is war and murder is murder, Sgt Blackman, on the face of the evidence of the video footage and testimony of others murdered the Afghan guy, pure and simple, he did it and and laughed about it 'Guess I just broke the Geneva Convention'. Murder.

Same with 1 Para in Jan 1972 in Derry, pure murder, wasn't even a war situation. Murder.

I understand these guys are under extreme pressure when faced with these situations and I'm sure I'd fuk it up if I was in the same, but you know that before you go in/join up. So don't join up unless you can be professional about it.

yes you would. No we aren't worthy. Yes we agreed it was done with which is why the architects of the murders are MPs don't forget those scum drank single malt and ordered the death of civilians.

As Xoggy said we made a deal with the devil, I thought he respected such things.

I grew up hating the IRA etc coming from a military town, took a while to realise shaking hands with bloody fist was for the best if not particularly pleasant, now if the gloves are off lets have a look at some real murders i.e. bombing of women & children ordered at arms length by the scum we parlayed peace with. Not in the heat of battle with other people trying to kill us in the comfort of the armchair.

Yes Sergeant Blackman overstepped the mark, the fighter however was dying and wanted to kill our soldiers. The kids blown up had no choice in the matter.

[stek]

Just watching footage of the 'Corporals killings' in Belfast in 1988, remember it well, one of the first graphic things we saw in UK at the time, still find it harrowing, the look of fear of the Corporal Howes as the mob closed in, before he was stripped naked, stabbed and shot and died, and given the last rites in a famous photograph that's out there.

All for fook all in the end, all EU friends now, all forgotten and no need to mention the war.

[AtW]

It's a green area.

FTFY

[stek]

It's a grey area.

However, war is war and murder is murder, Sgt Blackman, on the face of the evidence of the video footage and testimony of others murdered the Afghan guy, pure and simple, he did it and and laughed about it 'Guess I just broke the Geneva Convention'. Murder.

Same with 1 Para in Jan 1972 in Derry, pure murder, wasn't even a war situation. Murder.

I understand these guys are under extreme pressure when faced with these situations and I'm sure I'd fuk it up if I was in the same, but you know that before you go in/join up. So don't join up unless you can be professional about it.

[Paddy]

As a former British Army soldier, I am becoming increasingly worried that lawyers representing Figure 11 targets (such as that depicted in the photo) may pursue me for damages to said wooden targets.
Where will it all end I wonder?

Shooting wooden targets was the only action that you saw. The rest of the time was spent peeling potatoes in Colchester.

[xoggoth]

I am more concerned about double standards

Good point. Sometimes it is unfortunately necessary to make an accord with revolutionaries, terrorists, dictators, etc. to prevent even more deaths. Absurd we should not prosecute them and still pursue our own forces for less premeditated acts.

Another factor is the nature of war. When most of us make mistakes in our jobs the consequences are pretty minor. Being a soldier in a conflict is much harder. Suppose you round a corner in an area of armed rebels and see someone hiding behind a bush. Is it an armed enemy about to shoot you or an innocent civilian? You have just moments to make the decision whether to fire or not. Not easy.