Please tell me this is an urban myth

[Donut]

If it's not it might explain a lot.

[Experts with newscaster on CNN 24th March.

[In the Studio] 3 American experts including a former 2-star general, 1 ex SAS (British) and the network's anchor.

[VIDEO] Footage of iraqis giving themselves up.

anchor: We have no verification as of yet if they are British or American troops taking these POW's

yank1: Only Americans wear boots like that, they're American

yank 2: I agree, and they appear to have American camouflage jackets.

yank 3 (General): I'm not so sure, there's not enough up-close detail to tell 100%, we'd need some close images to tell make of boots and jackets and maybe the shape of their kevlar headgear.

Ex British SAS man: Call yourselves experts? Since when did US forces use an SA80 as a standard issue rifle? Their DPM's can be bought as can boots so you're chasing rainbows if you want to identify them from their clothes.

anchor: I think you're right.

Ex SAS man: Course I'm bloody right. Any one with half a brain and basic military training worth their salt should be able to identify a British soldier by his rifle. Not to mention the fact they're covering all points properly, not shouting "woo yeah" randomly, and haven't raised a flag in direct Contravention with orders.

At this point 1 of the yanks walks off stage tearing his mic off, and the anchor says "I think we can safely say the soldiers on your screen are British. Now for these messages".]

[ 04-14-2003, 11:16 AM: Message edited by: Donut ]

[Bardan the Slayer]

Originally posted by Donut: Ex SAS man: Course I'm bloody right. Any one with half a brain and basic military training worth their salt should be able to identify a British soldier by his rifle. Not to mention the fact they're covering all points properly, not shouting "woo yeah" randomly, and haven't raised a flag in direct Contravention with orders.

It's probably an urban myth, but even so, this little excerpt provides a bit of an insight into the view of american soldiers that is common in my country.

[Timber Loftis]

Bardan, you mean a view of Americans that is common in your country. I offer this thread up as further proof against every IWF member who has ever said "I don't see anybody bashing on the US." Even I, a lowly civilian, know to look at the rifle. Urban myth.

And one wonders why anyone ever had a problem with European elitism. Sorry, guys, maybe someday I'll just learn to quit going against the wisdom of those who are my betters.

[Bardan the Slayer]

Originally posted by Timber Loftis: Bardan, you mean a view of Americans that is common in your country.

Sadly, yes. IMHO, it has gotten worse since the common perception that you elected a Good Ol' Boy as president, rather than someone suitable. No matter what Bush does in America, that worstened the hackneyed (and totally wrong) stereotype of the gun-toting loud-mouthed, not-too-bright American in the eyes of my compatriots. And we're meant to be your closest friends ... .

I offer this thread up as further proof against every IWF member who has ever said "I don't see anybody bashing on the US." Even I, a lowly civilian, know to look at the rifle. Urban myth.

Yes, as do I, which is exactly why i declared it was probably an urban myth. However, given the current climate here on IW, where you need 3 links just to prove you took a shower this morning, I try to refrain from absolute statements of fact when I don't have links to hand

And one wonders why anyone ever had a problem with European elitism. Sorry, guys, maybe someday I'll just learn to quit going against the wisdom of those who are my betters.

Yes, and quite right too. Damn colonials, always getting ideas above their station ....

[ 04-14-2003, 02:15 PM: Message edited by: Bardan the Slayer ]

[john]

Elected! Hell he wasn't elected him and his brother Jeb stole it!!!!Good ol boy? well maybe ,(brothers name is Jeb) Stupid? well there's an agreeable statement!!

[Skunk]

"The difference in tactics can be striking. When Fox Company thought it spotted “enemy” in a group of buildings, it fired missiles and mortars at the “position” for four hours. The next day, when a British Patrol was fired at from a house in Umm Qasr, the six soldiers got out of their vehicles, approached the building on foot and arrested two gunman. The incident was over in ten minutes, and no civilian property was damaged.
“For the Americans, there just does not seem to be anything between peace and all-out combat,” says a British officer. “Their military doctrine remains one based on the use of overwhelming fire power in every circumstance”. British soldiers, though, can draw on 30 years patrolling in Northern Ireland and several years spent on peace-support operations in the Balkans.”
--The Economist, April 5th 2003, p.26

There are enough real stories highlighting the differences in the standards of training and tactics without needing to resort to 'urban myths' to prove the point.

[Ronn_Bman]

Originally posted by john: Elected! Hell he wasn't elected him and his brother Jeb stole it!!!!Good ol boy? well maybe ,(brothers name is Jeb) Stupid? well there's an agreeable statement!!

As always, you manage to convey your thoughts in an intellectually stimulating manner.

[Davros]

I don't know if it was an urban myth Donut ......... but it was funnier than most any of Arvon's joke pages lately .

[Micah Foehammer]

Originally posted by Skunk: "The difference in tactics can be striking. When Fox Company thought it spotted “enemy” in a group of buildings, it fired missiles and mortars at the “position” for four hours. The next day, when a British Patrol was fired at from a house in Umm Qasr, the six soldiers got out of their vehicles, approached the building on foot and arrested two gunman. The incident was over in ten minutes, and no civilian property was damaged. “For the Americans, there just does not seem to be anything between peace and all-out combat,” says a British officer. “Their military doctrine remains one based on the use of overwhelming fire power in every circumstance”. British soldiers, though, can draw on 30 years patrolling in Northern Ireland and several years spent on peace-support operations in the Balkans.” --The Economist, April 5th 2003, p.26 There are enough real stories highlighting the differences in the standards of training and tactics without needing to resort to 'urban myths' to prove the point.

And how do you explain the recent episode of a US Artillery company being attacked at night in Baghdad by a group of Iraqi snipers and managing to take them prisoner? While laying down supressing fire, a group of soldiers flanked the snipers positions on foot and brought them out unharmed. That doesn't sound like overwhelming firepower to me. An opinion expressed by ONE officer doesn't establish the premise as a fact.

[Timber Loftis]

Nice, Micah. And let's not forget rescues of POWs without wounding ANYONE. Oh, and did you take a look at my "Invisible War" thread, Skunk? The one that discusses the military successes so well-executed no one even knew about them? See, we have these elite troops - they're called SEALs, Special Forces, etc. You keep comparing the UK veteran troops, who as you admit had years of experience oppressing the Irish, to our greenies in the field. I simply find that in the long run you are (1) insulting our intelligence, (2) ignoring previous instances where I've pointed this out, or (3) continuing to misrepresent things in the hopes that other IWF members read your side while ignoring mine. Well, I think they're not that blind.