Unlawfull

[happy daze john in oz]

Further to my last post.
It appears that an ABC reporter is mainly responsible for all of this.
He has written a book based on his experiences in Afghanistan while with the ADF.

In one section he speaks of seeing a soldier taking a civilian behind a shed, then hears a gun shot but said he did not see any one shot??

This is some of the basis of his claims that civilians were killed or mistreated.

It will be interesting to see how this all plays out, war is brutal and often it is take no prisoners.
My thanks to John S in WA for the info he forwarded to me.

[j.sabourn]

John during my time with working for the MOD The first time an Admiral was choppered onto the ship to pin a medal on one of the matelots it was all strange to me. I asked another matelot what is that for. The reply was 10 years of undiscovered crime. Any Australian merchant seaman can receive a similar gong for 15 years of undiscovered crime, I have 3 of them and are known as the Australian MN Service Cross .All these ribbons and others will if these soldiers be found guilty , plus all pension rights be forfeited. JS

[happy daze john in oz]

According to one report has been going on for about ten years??

How come it only comes to light now?

[Colin Wood]

There is talk of all the medals and ribbons for this conflict should be withdrawn. If that is the case, they should remove all medals and citations for the RAAF as they took part in carpet bombings in WW2 which killed millions. Also Army and navy as they engaged in long range heavy gunnery which also killed thousands. Modern warfare is not about blitzkrieg etc but small very mobile groups using hit and run tactics. If the troops are to be prosecuted, they will not get many recruits and will then have to rely on mercenaries who they will have no control over, and they will plunder, pillage and rape to their hearts content, and no government control.

[j.sabourn]

If they go past certain limits, it will certainly make a mockery of even the highest awards for valour in the field. As there is no such thing as a clear killing such as a duel at dawn with pistols drawn at 50 paces. As said originally if the armed forces have problems with their members it should not be common knowledge put out by the media. It is Army business and should be handled by army lawyers , all they are accomplishing at the present is an open Pandora’s box of media delights. The prejudices are already clearly showing. The Judge Advocates Office is the place for any so called misconduct and they should be judged by their peers, and not civilian peers in the first instance. They have already been seen as guilty by certain people and those people should be ashamed of themselves. JS

[j.sabourn]

#31.. John part of an infrantrymans training with the bayonet during our era. Was to charge at a swinging sack of hay , shouting and screaming obscenities at it in the hope of scaring the living daylights out of him, and also to give yourelf Dutch courage and put your mind in a state of turmoil so your target who you hoped to kill was not going to alter your efforts in doing so. Today they would probably be put on a charge for swearing and using bad language. Best today for those considering an army career to think of an alternative as cricket, which supposedly or usd to be a gentleman’s sport. JS

[Tony Taylor]

#31.. John part of an infrantrymans training with the bayonet during our era. Was to charge at a swinging sack of hay , shouting and screaming obscenities at it in the hope of scaring the living daylights out of him, and also to give yourelf Dutch courage and put your mind in a state of turmoil so your target who you hoped to kill was not going to alter your efforts in doing so. Today they would probably be put on a charge for swearing and using bad language. Best today for those considering an army career to think of an alternative as cricket, which supposedly or usd to be a gentleman’s sport. JS

what about swearing in your enemies language? He may not have understood you if you swore in English?

[j.sabourn]

The main words are universal Tony. JS

[Tony Taylor]

Latest news, some ten soldiers have been given termination notices saying they must give reason why they should not be dismissed.

So far no charges have been laid, no trial or enquiry yet here they are in this state.

Could be an attempt by the gov to placate the rulers of Afghanistan, who knows.

All this on the say so of a few, why, it was a war situation and odd things happen there.

they have been trying to "placate" the whole nation for years.

[happy daze john in oz]

One of the soldiers amongst the accused won the VC for his efforts.
One of his accusers claims he should also have been awarded the same but was not.
Read into that what you will.