Soldiers ordered not to shoot Taliban as they plant mines... 'because it WAKES UP locals'
Don't shoot: A former marine says troops were warned they could be charged with murder if they shot Taliban, pictured, without permission from above
Heartbroken: Widow Wendy Rayner (left) of Sergeant Peter Rayner (right) said her husband's concerns were 'laughed off ' by his superiors.
At the hearing in Bradford, his widow Wendy Rayner revealed how her husband was blown up days after senior officers had apparently 'laughed off' his complaints that insurgents were being allowed to plant explosive devices unchallenged.
The 34-year-old phoned his wife in a ‘highly stressed’ state four days before his death and was upset that his fears were not taken seriously.
She said he and his men had watched the enemy, using night-vision goggles, plant improvised explosive devices and were not allowed to attack them. He was allegedly told by one officer: ‘I am an Army Captain and you will do your job.’
He said soldiers had to go through a series of stages before opening fire and were sometimes asked to exercise ‘courageous restraint’ even when shots had been fired.
‘It is all about winning hearts and minds and using the least force possible,’ the spokesman said.
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The following is a soldier that served with Sgt Peter Rayner and kept a diary during his six month tour in Afghanistan.
Don’t shoot Taliban..you’ll wake locals
Marine’s diary reveals bizarre order to Brit troops
Revelation ... Craig Smith
CRAIG’S DIARY, MAY 1, 2010
AN insurgent is identified while a patrol on the ground is in light contact. They inform, but the reply says just 'observe'.
"Again, we identify an insurgent crawling away from another light contact. Again they inform, and yet again the reply is just to 'observe'.
If that was an IED, someone could tread on it and pay with their lives - an absolute outrage!
ex-Marine Craig Smith criticized ban on gunfire
Instead they were told they must stand by and WATCH.
Craig, who quit the Marines in January, wrote in his diary in May last year: "After a few days it becomes apparent that when we positively identify people we cannot open fire!"
He gave examples where Taliban forces were spotted in a notorious IED area, but troops were told not to shoot, or even use mortars for illumination.
Craig, who branded the policy "an absolute outrage", added: "This course of action will end up with one of us being a casualty - and I will lay the blame with command.
"All these examples needed command to have some balls."
Diary ... written on six-month tour of Helmand
Craig, who now works for a Newcastle security firm, said: "Looking back, I can't believe how silly some of the decisions were.
"In Kajaki I saw Taliban digging in IEDs and was denied the chance to do anything about it for fear of upsetting locals. Permission to open fire was denied as it would alarm the population."
Read more:
What the Old Sarge Thinks: Holy crap folks, I know that I still feel badly for the Vietnamese People that we abandoned in 1975, and cannot imagine that I would be a part of imposing that same shame on those who have made the valiant effort in Afghanistan, however, if this is truly the “Rules Of Engagement” that our soldiers are forced to follow, then it is time to get the hell out. We cannot allow another soldier to die for a cause he cannot win………
11 comments:
This is the unreal. This is the reason why I would not advise a kid to join our nation's military at this time. It is not from lack of patriotism on my part. I served in two branches, (and would so again), but I will not recommend any young person join.
I just can't put into words how angry this makes me.
This is what happens when politics rule in war, not the trained professionals. Truly a shame. How stupid can they be!
Big hugs to you, honey...
but honey, if we kill the ied planters they might not "like" us...
grrr, bee
xoxoxoxoox
Unbelievable Charlie. Shoot the suckers immediately, when and where and how many times I say. Get those leaders out in the war where it's at.
I can't believe it.
Paul
Politicians dither while our young people die. Nothing new. Politicians make their idiotic rationalizations (lies) and a naive American public will accept the lies as truth. We abandon any allies like Israel we might have, "negotiate" with those who want to destroy us like the Taliban and elect those like Obama and liberal Democrats who want to fundamentally change America into a big-government nanny State. America.
That is so sad. What a disgrace. I'm glad you're spreading the word, Sarge - hope it will change something!
Yep, politics rule. I hope those that made this decision find it difficult to sleep at night. Shame on them for putting our men and women in this type of danger, and the current crop of idiots we have in Washington DC make me ill. I'm talking both sides of the aisle here.
Have a terrific day Sarge. :)
The whole world tries to be too politically correct. I am all for being fair, but I believe in war sometimes you have to make the tough decisions whether you like it or not. I feel so much for these young men and women in service these days. One of the reasons my son in law will be getting out of the National Guard this year.
Hugs to you Sarge,
Bobbi
Hey Sarge, thanks for the heads up. As a soldier currently stationed in Afghanistan I can say that this is NOT the Rules of Engagement we have been given. We are not to shoot innocents but if postive ID is made we can engage. I would think the Marines would be similiar. I don't have knowledge of this incident and as a veteran and police officer I don't try to second guess any decision by a "fellow" comrade unless I have the complete story. Be safe my friend.
Hey Sarge, thanks for the heads up. As a soldier currently stationed in Afghanistan I can say that this is NOT the Rules of Engagement we have been given. We are not to shoot innocents but if postive ID is made we can engage. I would think the Marines would be similiar. I don't have knowledge of this incident and as a veteran and police officer I don't try to second guess any decision by a "fellow" comrade unless I have the complete story. Be safe my friend.
Sad state of affairs. My nephew may be deployed in January and things like the info you share here scare me for his well being. I hope they figure it out. I hate that politics rules over our troops safety!
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