I have nominated him over at CDR SALAMADER'S USN Blog, for a Fullbore Friday award. Last Friday's Fullbore was HMS GLOWWORM's attack and ramming of the German Heavy Cruiser HIPPER. http://cdrsalamander.blogspot.com/2010/12/fullbore-friday_17.html An action which resulted in the Kriegsmarine requesting that the RN give the Captain of the GLOWWORM the VC. Tanker "Murf" shows that this sort of thing is the norm for British Troops. WELL DONE LCPL MURFITT!
PG/Scott: Thanks for commenting. Nothing could contrast more starkly the difference between Taleban tactics and a subjective judgement call made by a British soldier. The rules of engagement, certainly in the early days, were infuriating, whereby T could be emptying mags at our troops one moment and then place their rifles and RPG's on the ground and step aside the next, knowing they probably wouldn't get engaged. Civil police rules in a full on war. That this man made this judgement call at a time when the ROE have been much modified is as inspirational as it is magnificent. Most people would never come close to making these sorts of decisions, yet they often have the temerity to sit in judgement, spouting off their uninformed views, on the actions of those that do.
TonyF: It is indeed a remarkable insight. In my police service I knew several medal winners (and I don't mean the `turning up for work regularly` medal which we all got after 22 years). In every case, the one who copped the highest gong was not the one who, in my humble opinion, risked his life the greatest, beyond actually happening to be there at ground-pearshape.
What touches me so much about this guy is that the confrontation was so much like the sort of justification dilemma we used to train our firearms officers on. His reaction was instinctive and, in doing what he did in split seconds, lets us peep into his psyche and see the humanity and the compassion vying for a place alonside the professional soldier.
There are many arguments on another blog (American Military) where the `what if's, the for's and against's are debated, all having their own merits in the wider picture. But our guy did what he did, with his instructors words ringing in the back of his mind "watch and shoot, watch and shoot". He watched, assessed, made his choice and moved on. I see a great human being under that beautiful Kevlar helmet.
The "what ifs" are all very well but it's the usual classroom discussion with glorious 1080p LED-backlit hindsight.
As individuals we can never know how we are going to react until the situation is thrust upon us. There isn't usually time for a thorough analysis of the options, potential consequences and relevant health and safety considerations.
Vaguely related, have you seen the video of the man being rescued from the metro tracks?
Hey, Yeah how have things been? The weather is crazy here, I've been running alot and everytime I go it's raining, the grass is nice and green, I'm not a big fan of snow, but it would be nice to have from christmas..... Any big plans for Christmas? Kenny
It's funny, armchair warriors will always come up with some 'better' way to act when it all goes wrong. The first time I was shot at, (as a gate guard in the UK, mind) My first and immediate action drill was to stand there with my mouth open... Not that I was armed, though. My oppo with the SLR managed to get it cocked, then had a burst of intelligence ie; firing a 7.62 across a busy dual carriage was probably not a good idea. GUARD COMMANDER!
13 comments:
Wow!
I have nominated him over at CDR SALAMADER'S USN Blog, for a Fullbore Friday award. Last Friday's Fullbore was HMS GLOWWORM's attack and ramming of the German Heavy Cruiser HIPPER. http://cdrsalamander.blogspot.com/2010/12/fullbore-friday_17.html An action which resulted in the Kriegsmarine requesting that the RN give the Captain of the GLOWWORM the VC. Tanker "Murf" shows that this sort of thing is the norm for British Troops. WELL DONE LCPL MURFITT!
Let's try that link again, shall we?
http://cdrsalamander.blogspot.com/2010/12/fullbore-friday_17.html
PG/Scott: Thanks for commenting. Nothing could contrast more starkly the difference between Taleban tactics and a subjective judgement call made by a British soldier. The rules of engagement, certainly in the early days, were infuriating, whereby T could be emptying mags at our troops one moment and then place their rifles and RPG's on the ground and step aside the next, knowing they probably wouldn't get engaged. Civil police rules in a full on war. That this man made this judgement call at a time when the ROE have been much modified is as inspirational as it is magnificent. Most people would never come close to making these sorts of decisions, yet they often have the temerity to sit in judgement, spouting off their uninformed views, on the actions of those that do.
A real hero in a world of many false ones.
Thanks for posting the link Mr H.
Glad he was lucky as well as decent and brave.
ACO: How true. When life hinges on a 2" movement of the head. To the left, you live. To the right...
Best not dwell on it eh? Happy Christmas.
VC deserved one thinks. Braver man than me.
TonyF: It is indeed a remarkable insight. In my police service I knew several medal winners (and I don't mean the `turning up for work regularly` medal which we all got after 22 years). In every case, the one who copped the highest gong was not the one who, in my humble opinion, risked his life the greatest, beyond actually happening to be there at ground-pearshape.
What touches me so much about this guy is that the confrontation was so much like the sort of justification dilemma we used to train our firearms officers on. His reaction was instinctive and, in doing what he did in split seconds, lets us peep into his psyche and see the humanity and the compassion vying for a place alonside the professional soldier.
There are many arguments on another blog (American Military) where the `what if's, the for's and against's are debated, all having their own merits in the wider picture. But our guy did what he did, with his instructors words ringing in the back of his mind "watch and shoot, watch and shoot". He watched, assessed, made his choice and moved on. I see a great human being under that beautiful Kevlar helmet.
The "what ifs" are all very well but it's the usual classroom discussion with glorious 1080p LED-backlit hindsight.
As individuals we can never know how we are going to react until the situation is thrust upon us. There isn't usually time for a thorough analysis of the options, potential consequences and relevant health and safety considerations.
Vaguely related, have you seen the video of the man being rescued from the metro tracks?
Hey,
Yeah how have things been?
The weather is crazy here, I've been running alot and everytime I go it's raining, the grass is nice and green, I'm not a big fan of snow, but it would be nice to have from christmas..... Any big plans for Christmas?
Kenny
It's funny, armchair warriors will always come up with some 'better' way to act when it all goes wrong. The first time I was shot at, (as a gate guard in the UK, mind) My first and immediate action drill was to stand there with my mouth open... Not that I was armed, though. My oppo with the SLR managed to get it cocked, then had a burst of intelligence ie; firing a 7.62 across a busy dual carriage was probably not a good idea. GUARD COMMANDER!
Agree with TonyF - does anyone deserve a medal more that this chap?
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