Isn't it about time the Americans?

Question

were made accountable for there actions..ie killing our ( British) troops in so called friendly fire incidents.

Answer 1

The people involved in "friendly fire" incidents are always investigated and where applicable held accountable for their actions, however no matter what our feelings are on the situation sometimes there comes a time to realise that there is a war going on and accidents do happen - even in these modern times.

Deepest condolences to all those that have lost loved ones in the forces

May they rest in peace

Answer 2

Yes it is, if the boot was on the other foot the Americans would after blood. There again how many American troops have been killed by British troops. By the the Americans withholding evidence that alone in law is a showing of guilt. Not only that but the pilot involved was promoted, hows that for a slap in the face? I know if I was that pilot & any one else involved & had a clear conscious then i would be on the first plane to the UK & be man enough to face the family of the man I had accidentally killed, apologize to the family face to face then turn up at the court of inquiry & tell all personally. When I was in the British forces we trained to be fighting men & had to account for our actions, if we messed up then we paid for it in full.

Answer 3

Sure, just as soon as the Brits hold their own soldiers accountable for the friendly fire incidents they have caused in Iraq.

Get back to us, when you have done so.

But don't come in here trying to say that American Servicemen should be in jail for being involved in a friendly fire incident, unless Britain is willing to jail the British Soldiers involved in friendly fire incidents.

There have actually been more British soldiers killed by British Soldiers in friendly fire incidents in Iraq than have been killed by Americans.

British Soldiers killed by friendly fire by British Forces :

Marine Christopher R Maddison, 9 Assault Squadron Royal Marines, March 30, 2003.

Cpl Stephen Allbutt Queen's Royal Lancers, March 25, 2003

Trooper David Clarke Queen's Royal Lancers, March 25, 2003.

Sergeant Steven Roberts of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment , March 24, 2003.

Answer 4

All incidents of 'friendly fire' are investigated and resolved accordingly. Our soldiers haven't gotten away with anything. From Abughraib and other scandels in Iraq to Pat Tillman and such in Afghanistan. People have to realize that 'friendly fire' happens and to just deal with it. War is a messy business and people die. It is way past time that everyone who questions the 'war' in Iraq to wake up and put things into perspective. 9/11, Madrid Train Bombs, the London Bombings and the countless acts of war / agression against the United States, the English and all other Christian based societies before 9/11 are just the tip of the iceberg. The war in Iraq wasn't started to gain oil or money... nor was the war in Afghanistan.. I believe in the goodness of our mission in both countries. All people deserve to live free of tyranny. have the right to be educated, to think and speak without fear of persecution. Bush and Blair have done a good thing here. Yes, it has cost the lives of our soldiers, yes there will be more before it is over. Yes, it has taken four years and will probably take longer, but to give up now is to give into those terrorists who will strike again and again and again without fear. So, should American's be held accountable for friendly fire? A more appropriate question would have been.. "when will the WORLD hold the extremist Muslims / terrorists and the countries that support and fund them accountable for the decades of death against innocents all over the world?" NOW.. would be the answer.

Answer 5

Accidents (aka Friendly fire) happen in the theatre

Simple as.

Every military service personnel know this fact by the time they leave basic training.

If by "made accountable" you are questioning this culture of concealment by the US AND the MoD, then the answer HAS to be Yes !

Simple as.

When a Court official requests vital information in order for him/her to make a ruling, that information MUST be handed over immediately.

Simple as.

The information need not be made public if deemed to be a security risk to troops still in the theatre, or to National Security, BUT, the Judge or Coroner MUST be in full possession of ALL the facts in order to make the correct ruling.

Simple as.

To continue with this culture of concealment by the Military powers that be when they allow the media full access in the theatre is ludicrous, and is a profound dis-service to all the Troops. The truth will out - eventually.

With regard to the Coroners' Court, it was/is NOT a witch-hunt, and neither was/is it a criminal Court - contrary to popular US belief. It is/was a process aimed at getting the truth to account for a soldiers life.

EVERY Service personnel DESERVES that much. They give of thier life, and the least loved ones should expect is a TRUTHFUL REASON why it was taken - particularly in relation to Iraq - an unjust invasion that British troops have been dragged into - thanks to Tony Bliar (sic)

Re Antmanbee above - he wanted links -
QUOTE "But she said the lack of co-operation from the US was "very disappointing".

Afterwards, lawyer Geraldine McCool said the verdict did not suggest there would be a prosecution of the US pilot and the Hull family would not be calling for one.

The Ministry of Defence said it was "very sorry for confusion and upset" caused by the handling of the US cockpit tape.

The recording was not initially shown to the inquest, but the US authorities only agreed for it to be released after the footage was leaked to the Sun newspaper.

An MoD spokesman said: "This inquest has highlighted the need for a more coherent approach to the management of documentation and evidence."

He said a team has been set up to liaise with coroners and bereaved families and to ensure documents are made available quickly to inquests. " UNQUOTE http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6449227.stm

I add this by way of bringing some balance to the question that it's not just the US are guilty of a culture of concealment but the UK MoD are too - like I said above, the fault lies with the Military powers that be.

Mrs Hull has shown immense dignity at all times. All Mrs Hull asked for was a TRUTHFUL REASON , and I applaud her for NOT going down the automatic road of litigation as, had it been an American wife in the same scenario of "friendly-fire" might I suggest !.. after all THAT IS THE AMERICAN CULTURE and way of life isn't it?..

Answer 6

All friendly fire incidents are investigated for gross negligence. Sadly these incidents have happened in all wars. As an American veteran I thank the British for their support, acknowledge their bravery and am sorrowful for their losses. I think that the people who are most against war are those who do or have served. It is a waste of people and resources. But sadly the human condition has not advanced much beyond the impulses and drive of the middle ages. Peace.

Answer 7

So long as the Americana's don't want to give up the requested information that was requested by the coroner there will always be a bad taste about the friendly fire incident.
My personnel opinion is that the pilot's of the A10 were given permission to take out targets of opportunity and that they were NOT full briefed about identification of friendlies.
This is an example of how the fog of war can result in unforeseen results.
I fully agree that somebody needs to be held accountable for the accidentally killing but I think the two pilots are at the bottom of a much larger problem.

Answer 8

Isn't it time the British admitted that they told the US pilots that there were no friendly vehicles in the area?

Isn't it time the British admitted that the time before this when an American aircraft accidentaly fired on British troops - it was also because the British told the pilot that there were no friendly forces in the area?

Why should you hold an American pilot responsible for being given bad information from the British?

In fact - what have not the British launched an investigation as to how the can get their people killed by making the _exact_ same mistake both times?

Answer 9

What ever happened to the crew of that BRITISH SHIP that shot it's own helicopter out of the sky and killed everyone on board during the Falklands war? What happened to the troops who killed other Brits during the Falkland wars.
You think the U.S. Military is the only ones that make mistakes during war time? Get your tea sucking, crumpet gorging head outta your Limey hind parts!

Answer 10

I'm American. The Hull story is receiving zero press over here. I only learned about it from this message board and had to back track through BBC internet site. I'm not sure of all the details yet but if the American government refused to release its investigation to the British Ministry of Defense then we are committing a terrible injustice to the British people. Most rational people understand that friendly fire happens in war time but by not releasing the requested documentation to the Ministry we are only implicating ourselves in some sort of cover-up (which at this point I do not believe true). However, I do think the coroner in this case is speaking out of frustration and his remarks were not germane to the legality of the death. Personally, I think the British government should launch its own investigation and not rely on the Americans to supply evidence. It's in the best interest of both parties to resolve this matter.