Iraqi Troops Surrender

Sunday Mirror | Mar 9 2003 | Mike Hamilton

[MattAMiller]

TERRIFIED Iraqi soldiers have crossed the Kuwait border and tried to surrender to British forces - because they thought the war had already started.

The motley band of a dozen troops waved the white flag as British paratroopers tested their weapons during a routine exercise.

The stunned Paras from 16 Air Assault Brigade were forced to tell the Iraqis they were not firing at them, and ordered them back to their home country telling them it was too early to surrender.

The drama unfolded last Monday as the Para batallion tested mortars and artillery weapons to make sure they were working properly.

The Iraqis found a way across the fortified border, which is sealed off with barbed-wire fencing, watchtowers and huge trenches.

A British Army source in Kuwait contacted me to explain how the extraordinary surrender bid unfolded. The source said: "The British guys on the front-line could not believe what was happening. They were on pre-war exercises when all of a sudden these Iraqis turned up out of nowhere, with their hands in the air, saying they wanted to surrender.

"They had heard firing and thought it was the start of the war.

"The Paras are a tough, battle-hardened lot but were moved by the plight of the Iraqis. There was nothing they could do other than send them back.

"They were a motley bunch and you could barely describe them as soldiers - they were poorly equipped and didn't even have proper boots. Their physical condition was dreadful and they had obviously not had a square meal for ages. No one has ever known a group of so-called soldiers surrender before a shot has been fired in anger."

Last night the Ministry of Defence officially denied the incident had taken place, but the story was corroborated by an intelligence source.

Meanwhile Saddam Hussein has ordered thousands of troops back to Baghdad as he turns the city into a fortress.

It is believed that two rings of steel are being established around Baghdad. The outer one consists of regular Iraqi army soldiers and the inner one is made up of Republican Guard fighters - thought to be the only troops that will put up fierce resistance.

[rodeocowboy]

ROTFLMAO!

[Green Knight]

Check this out. The war hasn't even started and ALREADY they're surrendering!

[kcvl]

This is so sad!

[Polybius]

The stunned Paras from 16 Air Assault Brigade were forced to tell the Iraqis they were not firing at them, and ordered them back to their home country telling them it was too early to surrender

I hope they gave those poor SOB's a rain check.

[NRA2BFree]

French-Iraqi soldiers!

[Luis Gonzalez]

In a related story, EuroDisney has cancelled their traditional Park-closing fireworks display, so they will not have to deal with the nightly attempt of a nearby French garrison to surrender to Mickey Mouse or Goofy.

[FairOpinion]

"Sheesh, what about asylum?! They're dead now and this will only encourage others not to surrender when the war actually starts."

----

I agree with you. I can't imagine that they send these poor devils back, especially considering what condition they were in.

[Greenpees]

As a military man, It's funny to hear such a thing as a surrender before hostilities. So funny, that I would take note of thier positions and use it to my advantage when war does break out.

As a human being, I am sad for them. I wouldn't risk my own life, but would at least attempt to give them a millisecond opportunity to surrender when the baloon finally goes up.

Saddam Hussien sickens me.

The World lately, sickens me.

[#3Fan]

I agree with you. I can't imagine that they send these poor devils back, especially considering what condition they were in.

Yeah, surely they have the means to provide for POWs. Although they wouldn't be POWs right now, they could've put them in some kind of holding facility while the "red tape" was processed to send them back, if you get my drift.

[blondee123]

I feel sorry for all the people of Iraq that have to live under this demented fool! Too bad they didn't let them surrender!

[guitfiddlist]

"Dammit! Cut!! Places everybody...places. Now get back over there, and this time, please follow the bloody script and wait for your cue!"

[The Wizard]

It is believed that two rings of steel are being established around Baghdad.

right

more like One plastic

One aluminum foil

[The Wizard]

you have to feel bad for these people, they hate Saddam and the mess their in and they have these asshole protestors who don't even care about them

[The Wizard]

I'm with you, but I assume they just told them to wait a few more days and come back

[The Wizard]

I love what this story tells us......and it's sad they couldn't keep them

[mware]

I remember Bill Bennetts comments regarding gates.

If you want to see freedom, open the gates at the border and see what way the people go.

[The Wizard]

true

[John Jorsett]

I feel sorry for them. I wish someone had some sense and not sent them back.

Our side would be taking the chance that one or more of them was some fanatic who'd attack, so they'd have had to guard them. I'm sure it was a hard choice, but the right one. Anyway, it's only going to be a few days before the war starts and they'll be able to surrender for real. I'm sure they'll get better treatment than they ever did under Saddam.

[strela]

Can't say that I blame the French for this. Disney theme parks have better air support, light infantry, and C3 than any French armed force in history.

[B4Ranch]

ping