We are the Pilgrims, Master; we shall go
Always a little further; it may be
Beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow
Across that angry or that glimmering sea,
--Inscribed on The Clock
(SAS memorial at Credenhill)
Posted on 11/05/2003 5:37:32 PM PST by Dog
SBS HERO DIES IN AL QAEDA BATTLE
Nov 5 2003
Target a 'hornet's nest'
By Tom Newton Dunn, Defence Correspondent, And Nathan Yates
A SPECIAL forces soldier was shot dead and four injured in a top secret mission in Iraq.
Special Boat Service Corporal Ian Plank, 31, was gunned down in a battle with al-Qaeda terrorists.
Four SAS soldiers were also wounded by guerrillas linked to Osama bin Laden's terror network.
Cpl Plank and his team attacked a rebel hideout in the desolate wastes in the north of Iraq on Friday night.
Dozens of enemy fighters were killed in the attack but Cpl Plank and the others were hit as the guerrillas returned fire.
An SAS insider said last night: "The guys were attacking a target they had been aware of for some time but they had no idea how many of them were in there. It was a hornet's nest."
News of the shoot-out was kept secret because of the sensitive nature of the mission.
Tony Blair led the tributes to Cpl Plank's bravery last night.
His spokesman said: "The Prime Minister is deeply saddened.
"We have always been aware that the work our troops do in Iraq is both dangerous and valuable and the Prime Minister has always been very aware of the risks our soldiers run at the same time as he believes their work is to be valued highly."
Unmarried Cpl Plank, of Poole, Dorset, was described as an "exceptional soldier" who had been a Royal Marines Commando before joining the SBS.
Colonel Jerry Heal, Director of the Royal Marines, said: "Ian Plank was an extremely popular and greatly admired member of the Royal Marines, widely respected for his professional excellence, commitment and determination.
"He was particularly well known for his resilience and robustness under pressure when his leadership, example and sense of humour were especially valued.
"He embodied all the personal and professional qualities associated with the Royal Marines and he enriched the lives of those who knew him, both socially and in the workplace.
"His positive outlook, bright disposition and zest for life will be remembered with deep pride and affection by all who knew him and most of all by his family and those members of the Royal Marines and others with whom he served around the world."
Cpl Plank was the first special forces soldier to be killed in Iraq since the ill-fated Bravo Two Zero patrol in the first Gulf War.
The botched mission to hunt for Scud missiles resulted in the deaths of three SAS soldiers. In the early days of the latest war a similar disaster was narrowly averted when two SBS men in Iraq escaped to neighbouring Syria.
They trekked 100 miles through the desert, dodging enemy troops for days after an ambush near Mosul in April.
In Syria they were taken into custody and held for five days until Mr Blair sent Foreign Office Minister Mike O'Brien to Damascus to negotiate their release. The activities of the Special Boat Service are so secret that officials will rarely discuss them.
The Ministry of Defence would not even confirm Cpl Plank's unit, instead describing him only as a Royal Marine.
However no Royal Marines are currently deployed in Iraq.
An MoD spokesman said Corporal Plank's death was not announced earlier for "operational reasons".
Outgoing Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith told of his sadness at Cpl Plank's death.
He said: "We deeply regret the death of Corporal Ian Plank.
"The work that he and other soldiers have been doing in providing peace and genuine freedom for the Iraqi people has not been acknowledged enough. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
"Let us hope and pray that his actions were not in vain."
Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Paul Keetch said: "This tragic death shows once again that British service personnel remain under constant threat in Iraq.
"While US forces have taken many casualties over recent months, we must not forget the brave and dangerous work that our armed forces are undertaking to restore peace and stability.
"Our thoughts go out to the family, friends and comrades of Cpl Plank."
Cpl Plank's death brings the number of British soldiers killed in Iraq to 52. Of those, 19 have been killed since the end of major combat operations on May 1.
At least 139 American soldiers have been killed by hostile fire since President George Bush declared the war at an end.
Around 377 US service members have died since the beginning of military operations in Iraq.
Sixteen were killed and 21 wounded at the weekend when their helicopter was shot down in the deadliest single attack on US forces since the start of the war.
Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said last night it was "difficult to speculate" precisely how many troops would still be needed in Iraq this time next year.
He told MPs: "No one can pretend the security situation in parts of Iraq, particularly around Baghdad, is anything other than very difficult."
We are the Pilgrims, Master; we shall go
Always a little further; it may be
Beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow
Across that angry or that glimmering sea,
--Inscribed on The Clock
(SAS memorial at Credenhill)
"Not Through Strength, but Guile."
Founded by Blondie Hasler, who later invented the wind vane self steerer, that made solo ocean sailing practical.
"They do everything the SAS does, plus walk on water."
Da.
Why am I not surprised? They were also known to haunt a certain Scot's castle at Achnacarry, near Fort Williams.
"Not Through Strength, but Guile."
Some of them play chess that way, too.
-archy-/-
-archy-/-
IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place, and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Colonel Jerry Heal, the Director Royal Marines, said:
"Ian Plank was an extremely popular and greatly admired member of the Royal Marines, widely respected for his professional excellence, commitment and determination. He was particularly well known for his resilience and robustness under pressure, when his leadership, example and sense of humour were especially valued. He embodied all the personal and professional qualities associated with the Royal Marines and he enriched the lives of those who knew him, both socially and in the work place. His positive outlook, bright disposition and zest for life will be remembered with deep pride and affection by all who knew him, and most of all by his family and those members of the Royal Marines and others with whom he served around the world."
The media are strongly asked to respect the family's privacy at this very difficult time; our thoughts and prayers are with them.
Corporal Ian Plank, Royal Marines<===click here in honour of a Royal Marine.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.