Don't shoot until they shoot at you.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail....g-roadside-bombs.html

Can we ever win this war, while continuing to implement these ridiculous 'rules of engagement' which tie our soldier's hands behind their backs?

/// A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: ‘The whole point of a counter insurgency operation is to protect the civilian population.’ He said soldiers had to go through a series of stages before opening fire and were sometimes asked to exercise ‘courageous restraint’ even when shots had been fired.///

/// ‘It is all about winning hearts and minds and using the least force possible,’ the spokesman said. ///

So it would seem that 'winning hearts and minds' is much more important than our force's lives.

Pathetic.

[Sqad]

"Winning hearts and mind".......not in my book.

This is war and civilians have always been a price to pay....collateral damage.
In war, one shoots to kill or otherwise risk being killed.

[Sqad]

trigger.....you are an American infantryman and a Vietnamese child comes running to your patrol with outstretched arms.
You CO has told you that the Vietcong are using children armed with grenades and are approaching army personnel.

What would YOU do?

[sandyRoe]

I think this will be a rule honoured more in the breach than the observance.

[anotheoldgit]

redhelen

/// Common practice, used at Rourkes drift, WW1 and in some battle of WW2.///

No wasn't that, "shoot when you see the whites of their eyes"?

[rov1100]

Its been pretty obvious of late that the Officers are not leading from the front judging by the fatalities of the Other ranks.

Prince Harry is a Captain.....probably says it all!

[anotheoldgit]

Rov1100

I wouldn't say "all officers" there are many junior officers that are in the thick of it with the rest.

It is the 'Top Brass' that are the problem, lesser ranks are to them, just playing pieces on their board game.