The Australian army is a magnificent fighting force admired and respected world-wide. It is, therefor, an even more bitter blow that their reputation has been besmirched by the activities of some out-of-control idiots - and criminals! - in a sub-section of their Special Forces. Obviously, the main victims were those who were shot in cold blood but the subsidiary victims of those crimes are the honourable soldiers who took no part in the illegal killings but who have now been sullied by the incident.
We in Britain have suffered similar humiliations. The reputation of my own Regiment, of which I am inordinately proud, has been similarly besmirched from time to time by the rash actions of some individuals in various scenarios. Even so, those of us who were not there should hesitate before delivering judgments. Members of both our Parachute Regiment and the Australian SAS are hand-picked for their natural (some might say 'un-natural'!) belligerence which in a war can be exceedingly useful. Alas, so many of the operations required of them these days take place in civil situations falling short of outright war which leaves them subject to all and sundry to voice their opinions of the right and wrongs of their actions.
I hope and trust that the Australian authorities will act with care!
G'day Duffers et al. At the moment these "war crimes" are allegations and are yet to be tested by trials in the civil jurisdiction if, and only if, there is sufficient evidence to put before a court.
The far too hasty reactions of senior Army brass and politicians was ill advised and has led to over reaction which smears all our Special Forces.
If there is sufficient evidence then prosecutions should follow. Guilt is another thing and needs to be proved beyond reasonable doubt.
Posted by: AussieD | Sunday, 06 December 2020 at 22:59
https://www.patreon.com/posts/44567174
war crimes
Posted by: Whitewall | Sunday, 06 December 2020 at 23:01
"...I hope and trust that the Australian authorities will act with care!.."
Some hope! Have any authorites anywhere ever acted with care? or sense? or wisdom?
Posted by: Ted Treen | Monday, 07 December 2020 at 00:38
I guess Phil Shiner (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Shiner) will be re-opening Public Interest Lawyers in Oz.
Posted by: Wigner’s Friend | Monday, 07 December 2020 at 06:56
Good link Whitewall. The Lawyers work on the three principles. 1. Make money. 2. Destroy the lives of soldiers. 3. Make money.
Posted by: Glesga | Monday, 07 December 2020 at 11:11
Jimmy, thanks. You caught the term "lawfare" I take it? Western militaries conduct warfare, sometimes to win. Our enemies seem invariably to be Eastern. They use Western laws and rules of war against us because of the negative impact at home with sympathetic media and pols. Too often condemnation comes before the truth comes out.
Posted by: Whitewall | Monday, 07 December 2020 at 13:29