zipfish
25-03-2007, 16:44
Why oh why can't the British military take care of their own people. I know serving in Iraq can be a dangerous occupation (no pun intended) but this hostage debacle is a p1ss take.
We seem to leave our people over exposed, under armed and without sufficient backup. You can say what you like about American doctrine but at least their guys are well armed and can always get on the phone and get some help.
It reminds me of those poor army scuffers that got murdered a few years ago, they were really lightly armed, were apparently too scared to shoot (probably worried about RoE) and couldn't call any backup. In contrast, an American patrol would have been armed to the teeth, would have been more than willing to kill all the baddies and would have been able to call in help in any form they wanted.
When the first lot of sailors got snatched in 2004 it was another let-down but perhaps we can forgive the Navy a little as nobody got hurt. Also it obviously wasn't expected so hence wasn't planned for. But this recent cock-up is unforgiveable, they should have been prepared for it. They must have known that 2 rubber dinghies would not be able to look after themselves if a similar event occurred.
Even if we don't have the money to give them bigger/better boats or more firepower or air cover, at the very least that big bloody battleship could have made sure it stayed close to the smaller craft to offer protection. I can't see those small Iranian boats having much luck seizing HMS Cornwall.
Can you imagine what terrible fate would have befallen those Iranians, had they surrounded and threatened a US Navy boat? Actually, I think the Iranian Navy probably know better than to do such a suicidal thing!
Our "cross our fingers and hope everything's ok" doctrine is letting our people down. Our sailors in particular are OBVIOUSLY not given sufficient support.
We seem to leave our people over exposed, under armed and without sufficient backup. You can say what you like about American doctrine but at least their guys are well armed and can always get on the phone and get some help.
It reminds me of those poor army scuffers that got murdered a few years ago, they were really lightly armed, were apparently too scared to shoot (probably worried about RoE) and couldn't call any backup. In contrast, an American patrol would have been armed to the teeth, would have been more than willing to kill all the baddies and would have been able to call in help in any form they wanted.
When the first lot of sailors got snatched in 2004 it was another let-down but perhaps we can forgive the Navy a little as nobody got hurt. Also it obviously wasn't expected so hence wasn't planned for. But this recent cock-up is unforgiveable, they should have been prepared for it. They must have known that 2 rubber dinghies would not be able to look after themselves if a similar event occurred.
Even if we don't have the money to give them bigger/better boats or more firepower or air cover, at the very least that big bloody battleship could have made sure it stayed close to the smaller craft to offer protection. I can't see those small Iranian boats having much luck seizing HMS Cornwall.
Can you imagine what terrible fate would have befallen those Iranians, had they surrounded and threatened a US Navy boat? Actually, I think the Iranian Navy probably know better than to do such a suicidal thing!
Our "cross our fingers and hope everything's ok" doctrine is letting our people down. Our sailors in particular are OBVIOUSLY not given sufficient support.