Soldiers told not to shoot Taliban bomb layers

Daily Telegraph (UK) ^ | 7/8/2011 | Andy Bloxham

[1066AD]

They are instead being ordered to just observe insurgents and record their position to reduce the risk of civilian casualties.

The controversial policy emerged at an inquest into the death of Sgt Peter Rayner, 34, a soldier from the 2nd Batallion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment who was killed in October last year by an improvised explosive device as he led a patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Wendy Rayner, 40, disclosed that in the days leading up to his death her husband been told that it was not his job to attack insurgents laying bombs.

[1066AD]

More PC cr*p that gets the guys killed.

I think it's time to bring 'em all home, Afghanistan, Iraq, Europe, Asia. If they need something to do let's build bases on the Mexican border.

[RummyChick]

Maybe they should just shoot bean bags like Brian Terry had to do on the Mexican border.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

They should observe—their bullet going into a Taliban’s head, repeat.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

“The Americans are different – their Rules of Engagement are pretty liberal. If they even suspect someone of laying a bomb, they can shoot them.”

Apparently this is only a Brit thing.

[Psalm 144]

“I think it’s time to bring ‘em all home, Afghanistan, Iraq, Europe, Asia.”

Sixty six years now. Yes it is.

[cripplecreek]

Any war that goes on for a decade is too long unless you’re fighting it on your own soil.

[txhurl]

If they even suspect someone of laying a bomb, they can shoot them.”

---

This cuts down on creeps applying for bomb-laying jobs. It works.

[Gene Eric]

RoE that’s been in place for some time now.

[Navy Patriot]

Apparently this is only a Brit thing.

Sadly, I can't figure that out either.

The UK just decorated their first female sniper for neutralizing so many IED planters. The patrols would use the bodies to locate the device safely.

I guess she's out of a job.

[Sequoyah101]

I’m with you. This is not un-winnable. Winning is un-willed.

I suspect it is like Rusty Humphries was saying last night, the wars go on because there is too much money being made and too much being fed back to the coffers of politicians on both sides.

Bring ‘em home and lets get rid of the politicians.

[Psalm 144]

When you engage in actual fighting, if victory is long in coming, then men’s weapons will grow dull and their ardor will be dampened. If you lay siege to a town, you will exhaust your strength. Again, if the campaign is protracted, the resources of the State will not be equal to the strain. Now, when your weapons are dulled, your ardor dampened, your strength exhausted and your treasure spent, other chieftains will spring up to take advantage of your extremity. Then no man, however wise, will be able to avert the consequences that must ensue. In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.
-Sun Tzu, the Art of War

[Tzimisce]

"What are we supposed to use, Harsh Language?"

-Space Marine being told to take the ammo out of his gun.
Aliens

[GeronL]

The ROE’s over there are insane

[tlb]

But it’s not really a new Brit thing:

It really ain’t the place nor time to reel off rhyming diction,
but yet we’ll write a final rhyme while waiting crucifixion.
For we bequeath a parting tip of sound advice for such men
who come in transport ships to polish off the Dutchman.

If you encounter any Boers, you really must not loot ‘em,
and if you wish to leave these shores, for pity’s sake, don’t shoot ‘em.
Let’s toss a bumper down our throat before we pass to Heaven,
and toast a trim-set petticoat we leave behind in Devon.

Harry (Breaker) Morant

[knarf]

"I think it's time to bring 'em all home, Afghanistan, Iraq, Europe, Asia. If they need something to do let's build bases on the Mexican border."

NO .. we need to go in ... bomb the shit out of all those friggin' places and let the un and the bilderburgers and anyone else come and try to get a piece of us.

I am SO pissed off about this shit.

Let's just kill the bastards, throw ozero out and be a proud nation again.

[RatRipper]

I have a friend that watched infrared videos a year ago in Afghanistan while a group of Taliban planted two IED in roads far away from towns with no chance of civilian casualties. The battalion commander denied air and drone strikes to take them out. This, as ridiculous and absurd as it is, is not new. Might as well get the the troops out; they are not letting them kill bad guys. That is not how you fight a war.

[Oztrich Boy]

Butchered to Make a Dutchman's Holiday (1902)

In prison cell I sadly sit,
A dammed crestfallen chappie,
And own to you I feel a bit–
A little bit—unhappy.

It really ain’t the place nor time
To reel off rhyming diction ;
But yet we’ll write a final rhyme
While waiting crucifixion.

No matter what end they decide
Quick-lime? or boiling oil? sir
We’ll do our best when crucified
To finish off in style, sir !

But we bequeath a parting tip
For sound advice of such men
Who come across in transport ship
To polish off the Dutchmen.

If you encounter any Boers
You really must not loot ‘em,
And, if you wish to leave these shores,
For pity’s sake, don’t shoot ‘em.

And if you’d earn a D.S.O.,
Why every British sinner
Should know the proper way to go
Is: Ask the Boer to dinner.

Let’s toss a bumper down our throat
Before we pass to heaven,
And toast: “The trim-set petticoat
We leave behind in Devon.”

[RWB Patriot]

It takes real effort to listen to politicians assign these rules to our soldiers, then complain about casualties and how long the war is taking...and not lay some serious hurt on them.

[Drill Thrawl]

Yes Afghanistan is Vietnam.

Why do we sent our brave men and women into harms way without the intention of winning?

[unkus]

Why do we sent our brave men and women into harms way without the intention of winning?

---

Insanity.

BTW: Your tag line is right on.