Friendly Fire: Footage released

[dcentity2000]

Footage has been released outlining a friendly fire incidence where British armoured vehicles were bombed by American fighter jets three times over.

The pilots spotted the vehicles which were marked orange - a sign that they were coalition troops. Instead of recognising this, the fighter jets thought they were orange missiles. American intelligence told the fighters that were were no friendly forces in the area.

After the initial bombing, the British armor closed up on the stricken tank in an attempt to recover the wounded. A second bombing run followed, and a third - until intelligence piped up saying that there were friendlies on the ground.

One man died and 4 were wounded.

It also emerged L/CoH Hull's [the deceased] family had been assured no such tape existed.

Such is war.

Full story and source: BBC News



Rich::

 

[megan4777]

I'm sorry and it's pathetic.

 

[LakeAriel]

Very difficult and painful tape to watch! Laughter turned to weeping and fear when it was determined this was friendly fire. It may not be only the British soldier whose life ended that day.

 

[LisaL]

What happened to the other thread? It seems to have disappeared.

 

[LakeAriel]

Yes it did and I don't know why. This was a terrible event and the idea that this family was lied to is inexcuseable. So was the death of the soldier. I fear that war has been marketed like a video game where the "enemy" is fired upon from above and has no human face. This happened a few weeks after we attacked Iraq. There should be no joy in killing young men who, in this case, at this point, were defending their country. It is interesting how the tone changes after it is revealed this was 'blue on blue" as they call it. One is concerned about going to jail, one weeps. Very very sad!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

There should be no joy in killing young men who, in this case, at this point, were defending their country. It is interesting how the tone changes after it is revealed this was 'blue on blue" as they call it. One is concerned about going to jail, one weeps. Very very sad!

I feel bad for both parties. They were right--they were going to jail b/c they will have some culpibility in the death of that man.

I didn't hear any "joy" though from what I saw--though I did see clipped footage.

The one that made the jail comment, I would guess is not the one who fired.

It is a travesty for all involved as they do rely on what they hear as well as what they see to make decisions.

 

[dcentity2000]

It is interesting how the tone changes after it is revealed this was 'blue on blue" as they call it. One is concerned about going to jail, one weeps. Very very sad!

I wasn't going to bring this up, but it's a bit sad that the fear and concern only seems to impact when the fighter pilots realise that they just killed people on their won team. Surely they should experience the same sorrow for every life they take?

I know, it wouldn't make them good fighter pilots, but it would make them good people.

Ach. Never mind. RIP.



Rich::

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I wasn't going to bring this up, but it's a bit sad that the fear and concern only seems to impact when the fighter pilots realise that they just killed people on their won team. Surely they should experience the same sorrow for every life they take?

I know, it wouldn't make them good fighter pilots, but it would make them good people.

Ach. Never mind. RIP.



Rich::

I'm not going to speak for any soldiers, but we don't really know what they feel. I would think it's a lot more complex than that. I don't see how a soldier can reasonably be expected to walk around the battlefield (or flying in a plane) and weep over taking out the enemy. It doesn't mean they aren't sorry for doing it or that they aren't good people.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I wasn't going to bring this up, but it's a bit sad that the fear and concern only seems to impact when the fighter pilots realise that they just killed people on their won team. Surely they should experience the same sorrow for every life they take?

I know, it wouldn't make them good fighter pilots, but it would make them good people.

Ach. Never mind. RIP.



Rich::

The pilot seemed upset....mad even and I do not think it was solely b/c he put his career in jeopardy.

 

[dcentity2000]

I'm not going to speak for any soldiers, but we don't really know what they feel. I would think it's a lot more complex than that. I don't see how a soldier can reasonably be expected to walk around the battlefield (or flying in a plane) and weep over taking out the enemy. It doesn't mean they aren't sorry for doing it or that they aren't good people.

True. It's also possible that these pilots were the exception to the rule I guess.

I dunno.

As you said, we don't really know what they feel.



Rich::

 

[lovemygoofy]

I'm not going to speak for any soldiers, but we don't really know what they feel. I would think it's a lot more complex than that. I don't see how a soldier can reasonably be expected to walk around the battlefield (or flying in a plane) and weep over taking out the enemy. It doesn't mean they aren't sorry for doing it or that they aren't good people.

Thank you, Sherry

 

[cardaway]

I wasn't going to bring this up, but it's a bit sad that the fear and concern only seems to impact when the fighter pilots realise that they just killed people on their won team. Surely they should experience the same sorrow for every life they take?

Probably no different than the difference between what the average Joe would feel when he killed a staranger by accident with his car or finding out he killed a friend or family member. On paper it shouldn't be different, but I can't say I would react the same.

I couldn't be any more against what they are being asked to do, but I don't blame the soldiers for what happens when they follow orders.

 

[LisaL]

I may be mistaken, but I thought the outrage over the video resulted from the US Govt's denial that it existed.

 

[dcentity2000]

I may be mistaken, but I thought the outrage over the video resulted from the US Govt's denial that it existed.

I think the British Gov't was in on it too, but yeah, that's the main cause for outrage. I just did a double take when they aired the video - it gave the original story a terrifying edge.



Rich::

 

[Luv'sTink]

True. It's also possible that these pilots were the exception to the rule I guess.

I dunno.

As you said, we don't really know what they feel.



Rich::

These pilots were the exception to what rule?

 

[LakeAriel]

I wasn't going to bring this up, but it's a bit sad that the fear and concern only seems to impact when the fighter pilots realise that they just killed people on their won team. Surely they should experience the same sorrow for every life they take?

I know, it wouldn't make them good fighter pilots, but it would make them good people.

Ach. Never mind. RIP.



Rich::

Looking down at the chaos as a soldier drags burning comrades from the vehicles, he adds: “It looks like he is hauling ***. Ha Ha.”

These were the exact words before they knew it was "friendly fire".
You can hear him laughing on the tape and that is sad.