View Full Version : Charges against SBS members
I recently read a report in the Brisbane Courier Mail about two senior members of Britain's Special Boat Service being thrown out of the regiment after they abandoned military equipment in Iraq and ran away from enemy troops. The article was submitted by one Jo Knowsley, an overseas (from Australia) reporter and taken "on trust" by the Courier Mail. After a couple of emails to the paper they said they could not substantiate the report but that they had no reason to question its veracity.
There have been no follow up reports by this paper or any other outlets that I have seen here or the press I have accessed in the UK. Every one here on the Diggers site in Aus agrees with me that the report is a complete beat up. But why? What reason would Knowsley want to write such utter rubbish?
Have any of the British members seen anything about this in your media?
Any comments.
Lionsniper
20 May 2003, 03:07
Havent seen anything about this matter here in the UK but then again that isnt completely surprising is it? For what it's worth I would take this story with a pinch of salt, Im willing to bet a considerable amount that it is merely a member of the 'good old' press looking for a story to make his career at the expense of the Armed Forces...for a change.
sta marine
20 May 2003, 03:15
I'm a yank, but have nothing but alot of respect for our British allies. Their troops and training is top notch, and they have an excellent combat record. I haven't heard anything about this "event" but if I had to guess I would call bullshit. Come on, SBS troopers running away from the enemy... Those guys kill themselves to get into the SAS and SBS they undergo extreme psychological exams and physical trials. I doubt they just ran away.
Jesse Brown
20 May 2003, 14:39
Hello,
Here is the thread from militaryforums.co.uk about the alleged incident:
www.militaryforums.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2673
The sixth post has the full story printed by a British newspaper.
Thanks Jesse,
That's what I have been trying in vain for ages to find. The Mail's report is very similar to the one published in Aus but with a bit more embellishment. The reaction by the UK board mirrors what was discussed on the Aussie Diggers site.
Thanks again Jesse for that info.
Take care.
Jesse Brown
20 May 2003, 19:58
Hello pacer,
I am glad I could be of help. If you need any more information from the militaryforums.co.uk website, I am sure I can point you in the right direction.
G'day again Jesse.
Have just joined the military forums uk and have been having a look around. It's like Socnet. It's good to get a different angle on things military from other countries sites. You should have a look at the Aussie Diggers site here.try www.ausmil.com and have a gecko.
cya mate
Jesse Brown
20 May 2003, 22:23
Hello pacer,
Thanks for the invitation, I'll certainly take a look.
Like story
The BBC/ LA Times is reporting the takedown for Lynch was staged.
NewportBarGuy
20 May 2003, 23:57
Originally posted by josepy
Like story
The BBC/ LA Times is reporting the takedown for Lynch was staged.
Same with ABC News
That rumour has been doing the rounds for some time now. Guess we will just have to wait for Jessica's book and see what she says about her wounds and rescue.
Guys just been reading yer mail about this article and to be honest it sounds like bull. The reason i say this is because there are some things within the article which just don't add up. Firstly troops being to far from there weapons this can't be true every soldier in the UK sf or not would have there weapon no further than arms reach and they would have learn't that from day one. Also it is standard sop to have two sentries be it day or not within a harbour position and they wouldnt be armed with pistols they would be armed with there personal weapons which would be M-16 A2 and m203 greande launchers. Also were would the repoter get there qoutes from operators wouldnt have been allowed to disclose anything about the mission especially to papers and even more so if what had happened actually happened. I refuse to believe as a Royal Marine myself that our own SF the SBS would be so careless. There just to well trained it wouldn't be in there nature as a marine to be lazy and dissregard sop so openly serious questions have to be raised about the validity of this report.
The Sunday mail article is apparently very close to the truth.
then that mangda, would be a first for them.
frogstyle
19 June 2003, 06:56
Out of sheer boredom I stumbled into this area and onto this thread...
Lucky too...
I know of the incident in reference. There is/was no punishment or judgement against said men. They made a judgement call and lived to tell the tale when most men wouldnt have.
The whole story wont be told for a long time. As per UK policy.
ANd thats that.
They didn't reach their weapons because they slept too far away from them!? These operators NEVER leave their weapons! NO MATTER WHAT!! This article is crap, a load of bullshit!! Makes me angry...
franz29
18 July 2003, 09:27
Check out the link for a further story on the events described;
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,5-2003320383,,00.html
Silent_warrior
18 July 2003, 12:31
Well in my country there is probably NOT even one newspaper that hasn't reported on the "staged" rescue. What can we do, that's media.
Besides it doesn't even matter how they rescued her, important is that she was rescued and is ok. Now about the operation that took place, only those who were involved in the operation know what really happend... At the end it doesn't matter, she is safe, there were no casualties in the operation and that's it.
smalldumbkiddo
21 July 2003, 23:46
The incident could have well happened, it's just that most people simply don't want to believe it. However the posted tabloid is probably false because it is too detailed and informal. That kind of detail can only be given by someone that was on the ground and they won't talk to the media.
Sharky
22 July 2003, 00:30
Originally posted by BigBadMuthuh
The incident could have well happened, it's just that most people simply don't want to believe it. However the posted tabloid is probably false because it is too detailed and informal. That kind of detail can only be given by someone that was on the ground and they won't talk to the media.
Excuse me, but arent you a high-school student? How do you know what might or might not have happened sweetheart? You need to read a bit more and post a bit less. After YOUR feet have been on the ground in a third-world non-permissive environment, then you can have an opinion about the SBS. And no, I'm not talking about Old San Juan.
frogstyle
22 July 2003, 02:03
What he said....
Huey One Four
22 July 2003, 08:44
This is too good to pass up. Subscribing.
Its SWAT (Special Weapons Admin Terminators)! Take cover! They can smell fear!
Originally posted by BigBadMuthuh
The incident could have well happened, it's just that most people simply don't want to believe it. However the posted tabloid is probably false because it is too detailed and informal. That kind of detail can only be given by someone that was on the ground and they won't talk to the media.
Sonny,
What Sharky and Frog did not waste their time saying to you, probably goes as follows: Someday, if you have earned the right by your own sweat and blood and are worthy enough to be trusted in a life or death situation by people around you who know what they are doing, you will learn that the press never tells the whole story, tells it wrong, or doesn't tell it at all. You will also learn to say about any situation that occurred in your absence, "I wasn't there. I can't judge what happened." You will say that because "IF YOU WEREN'T THERE, YOU CAN'T JUDGE WHAT HAPPENED!!!!"
Once you reach the age of about 30, after working in a life or death type job like a high speed man, cop, or something similar, you might be in a position to open your mouth about things.
Of course by then, you will know and be thinking, "I wasn't there. I can't judge what happened." Until then, STFU. Your opinion is less than worthless. It is a waste of bandwith and other's time.
Shut your mouth, and keep your eyes and ears open. Open your trap with that kind of drivel, and anyone who actually has been there and done that that was considering sharing something that might be of value to you will just keep it to themselves, having decided that you are still too young and stupid to benefit from the information. Ever heard of the expression, "Casting pearls before swine?"
By the way, I have known a few real Big Bad Mutha's. I would guess that you wouldn't be a good excuse for a pimple on a real big bad mutha's butt. Run around like a name like that around here, and it is the equivalent of wearing a goofy hat that says "Dumbass" at the Senior prom. You announce your ignorance before you speak. Most folks around here earned their nicknames by what they did and by respect from their peers. They usually weren't self-chosen nicknames. That is the way the community of shooters and looters works.
You might look at my profile. You might think who is this Axe guy to be talking smack to me like that. I am not the baddest boy on the block by any means, but I have been in the sh*t enough. times to know when someone is blowing smoke out their butt, as you are. You hopefully have not had bullets aimed at you, fired bullets at someone, smelled smoke, blood, and fear, and buried your friends. These things are called life experiences. Those are what make you qualified to talk about such matters. The BTDT's have certainly seen their fair share. I have not probably seen a tenth of what they have, and the tenth of it I have experienced was enough to teach me it ain't pretty.
This message was toned down a fair bit because of your tender age so as not to offend anyone's sensibilities.
smalldumbkiddo
22 July 2003, 21:08
LMAO i love these posts.
Sharky
22 July 2003, 23:56
Great reply. Makes it easier for me. That way I don't have to waste my time trying to talk some sense to your dumbass. I just point and click and you are out of here. Come back when your balls drop.
Sharky
23 July 2003, 00:11
See? Easy. And you're right. Funny as hell. We all got a big laugh out of you. Thanks.
Chris1
23 July 2003, 09:16
For the benefit of American readers though, the Sun (linked on first page) never lets pesky things like the truth get in the way of sales :)
Was it as good for you as it was for me?
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