Posted on 02/06/2007 1:06:05 PM PST by Stone Mountain
U.S. Friendly Fire Video Leaked to Media
A leaked video in which an American pilot is heard saying "I'm going to be sick," then "we're in jail, dude," after U.S. troops killed a British soldier during a friendly fire incident in Iraq was released by The Sun newspaper Tuesday.
Lance Cpl. Matty Hull died when troops fired on his convoy in the southern Iraqi city of Basra on March 28, 2003.
[...]
The transcript printed in The Sun records the alleged exchange between the pilots after they realize what has happened.
Pilot 1: "I'm going to be sick."
Pilot 2: "Ah f---."
Pilot 1: "Did you hear?"
Pilot 2: "Yeah, this sucks."
Pilot 1: "We're in jail, dude."
The other pilot then weeps, according to the transcript.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
The leaker should be severely punished.
Hard to condemn him however since sometimes the mouth does not accurately reflect what is felt in the heart. A true tragedy all around......
This stuff happens in war. Yes, soldiers feel great guilt and remorse for such incidents. Some commit suicide over it. No, this stuff should NOT have been leaked as it ruins troop morale, unfairly targets a fine soldier for a wartime accident, and it gives aid and comfort to the enemy.
Ok, I'm officially confused. I read the article three times, and I don't understand. Did the United States initially try to claim it wasn't a friendly-fire incident? If not, what difference does the video tape really make, that it should be made so public? Please no flames, this is a legitimate question. I can't find the answer in the article.
Accidentally firing upon your allies is traumatic for anyone.
One of Murphy's LAWS OF COMBAT: Always remember friendly fire is NOT friendly. Always remember the only thing more accurate than enemy fire is FRIENDLY FIRE.
It's not till you get down to Murphy's law no. 26 it tells you to always remember your weapon was made by the low bidder.
Yes, friendly fire is ALWAYS tragic. So is collateral damage to civilians but both are part of war. And nothing in war is friendly.
War happens.
This specific incident happened way back in March 2003 when the U.S. Army's V Corps, I MEF, and the 1st UK Armoured Division were rolling through south central Iraq. It was in the midst of major combat operations and an accident. Nothing criminal happened even though both A-10 pilots initially had some doubt about whether or not their targets were friendly before the Marine FAC told them their were no Coalition units in their "box". Fog of Hyperwar. Nothing more.
The source of this leak needs to be found and punished by the military.
The History Channel runs "The Lost Battalion" now and then. The after-movie commentary mentioned a French General, post WWI, that looked at various battles, and determined that artillery barrages did just as much damage to friendlies as it did to the enemy.
I believe the highest ranking US General killed [in battle] during WWII was by US bombers during the breakout operation from Normandy.
I suspect that it was some UK Ministry of Defence official who has an ax to grind against the U.S. military and had access to a courtesy copy given to the Ministry during the incident's investigation by CENTCOM and USAF. Just my humble opinion...
I agree, stuff does happen in war.
In Viet Nam, a squad out in the bush asked me to get them artillery support, then because they were nervous, flustered, in a hurry and preoccupied with shooting back, they gave me their own position instead of the enemy's.
We didn't kill anyone but those guys sure got a surprise and got the coordinates changed quickly when the rounds started pouring in.
It didn't make the newspaper though.
Yeah, that would be Lieutenant General Leslie McNair, who was killed on July 25, 1944 during a B-24 bombardment during operation COBRA.
Watch the tape at The Sun:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,11021-10043,00.html
Air crew thought they saw rocket launchers.
Called for confirmation.
Told there were no friendlies that far north.
Several minutes of chatter between control and air crew.
Asked for re-confirm that there were no friendlies in the area.
Control re-confirmed no friendlies in the area.
Given the clearance to fire on suspected rocket launcher convey.
Fired. Minute or two later. Fired again.
Several minutes later got word that there were friendlies.
Told to stop engagement.
Ceased fire immediately.
Few minutes later, control informed them of 1 injury, 1 dead.
===
Listen to it on the tape at the link. You can know what the air crew went through.
Thanks for the link!
Good response, stumpy.
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.