Cornet1

This is a question for the many American followers of TM,...it's not intended to be rude or controversial,..it's not angry,...it is'nt intended to upset anyone....

This week saw the coroners inquest on a British soldier who was killed in Iraq when an American 'A-10 tank buster' aircraft fired on a British army battle formation.

The cockpit video showed that the pilot saw the recognition panels carried by the British vehicles but opened fire anyway.

The air controller did NOT tell the pilot to open fire.

The Pentagon withheld vital information from the coroner in the UK despite direct pleas to George Bush from the relatives.

These are some of the facts.

Last night I was present at a function of ex British military personell and, not surprisingly, this matter was eventually mentioned several times. The feelings of the veterans was that these events are the unfortunate by-product of war and are really terrible accidents. Nevertheless, the consensus of opinion was that it is sadly normal for British forces to suffer 'blue on blue' fatalities from US forces, particularly aircraft.

What really shocked me was the universal feeling that this weeks coroners inquest would not have been reported to the people of the USA in their media and that 'Americans don't even know that this is a common eventuality for their closest allies'.

So, I wanted to know;...did you read about this sad event in the papers / TV this week?

The coroners verdict by the way was that the killing was 'unlawful and criminal'.

No US legal inquest was held

Mikey

This is the first I've heard of it. Not surprising with the state of the "media" here.

Thanks for posting it.

Skip

This is the first I've heard anything about this, or similar incidences on British forces. I am aware that there may be friendly fire cases, but I doubt that we are made aware of even a small percentage of them.

I'm sorry for the families loss. Very tragic indeed.

Cornet1

BBC NEWS | UK | US rejects ruling on UK soldier

You can read other parts of this matter by selecting from the list at right of screen.

Manny Laureano

"Friendly Fire" cases are always terrible to hear about. In reading the story I have to imagine that this was a case of human error that resulted in the tragic loss of life. In cases like that, nobody ever wants to admit blame and i imagine that's what has held this up. I also can't imagine a single reason why an American soldier would want to knowingly take the life of a fellow comrade in arms especially from another country. Americans have always appreciated the loyalty of the British military and those that command them.

I can't imagine that we, too, haven't suffered loss from Friendly Fire by military of other nations. But then, I've never heard of those stories. I guess you'd need to find people that have been in battle that could speak from a firsthand basis.

ML

gregc

I did not hear about this one but have heard friendly fire incidents including one where US forces hit UK men. It's a very sad event for all of us, I can assure you that. It happens to US forces also.

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stchasking

Yes, we know.
(We also know Pat Tillman died by friendly fire.)

This was reported when it happened. I think it was the original push into Bahgdad or early in the fight when large groups of men and machinery were on the move.

I also heard the cockpit tapes that indicate the pilots did what they were supposed to but after the strafe they realized they had made a mistake.

It is a problem of troops moving faster than the updates to other branches of the military.

I read the article posted above and that is still the story.

The coroner overstepped his authority in his opinion of how the person died. Coroners rule on cause of death. Whether it was unlawful and criminal is not the coroner's problem. It is the military investigation that determines that.

"The investigation determined that the incident took place in a complex combat environment, the pilots followed applicable procedures," it said.

I have been told by veterans that in the Army and Marines, ground soldiers are taught that any airplane that flys over or around the formation be considered leathal.

World War II was worse.

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Brekelefuw

Why just delete this one? So far there has been no flaming or name calling, just sadness for the tragedy? why not delete the Hummer debate, and the Manny in the New topic as well.

Manny Laureano

St. C.,

Yup, now I remember it, too. It was reported but it was so long ago and so much has occurred since that time, that it has unfortunately become another sad war story.

So, the answer to your original query, Cornet1, is yes, we were informed about it. I have to agree with St. C. It looks like the coroner may have made a bad call in assessing the matter prematurely. I hope that answers your question.

I have to disagree with Greg, though. It is a war story but I don't think it's political and no one has to make it so. Anyways, the question has basically been answered.

ML