Sniper One - WOW - book review
Stunning account of the British forces that were stationed in Bashra after Bush's rather thoughtless "Mission Accomplished" claim.
Dan Mills has a style of describing the action that has you picking up the book at every opportunity. The book opens with a highly detailed description of an attack that sees his troop in a desperate situation having lost a Snatch to a well placed hand grenade outside the Head Quarters (unknown at the time) of a rebel group.
The details of the Rules of Engagement and the politics of the situation, really call into question the whole idea behind being in Iraq. Not being able to shoot back unless someone is in the act of delivering a mortar round must be very frustrating.
The use of the Snatch (lightly armored jeep) was wisely curtailed at the start of the uprising but has since sadly had some reintroductions. This vehicle is extremely vulnerable to road side bombs and should be withdrawn from service both in Iraq and the unsolvable Afghanistan.
An excellent read that gives you a more realistic view of Iraq than the news gloss overs. Putting Western troops in harms way without the ways and means of properly defending themselves is an on-going tragedy.
Dan Mills has a style of describing the action that has you picking up the book at every opportunity. The book opens with a highly detailed description of an attack that sees his troop in a desperate situation having lost a Snatch to a well placed hand grenade outside the Head Quarters (unknown at the time) of a rebel group.
The details of the Rules of Engagement and the politics of the situation, really call into question the whole idea behind being in Iraq. Not being able to shoot back unless someone is in the act of delivering a mortar round must be very frustrating.
The use of the Snatch (lightly armored jeep) was wisely curtailed at the start of the uprising but has since sadly had some reintroductions. This vehicle is extremely vulnerable to road side bombs and should be withdrawn from service both in Iraq and the unsolvable Afghanistan.
An excellent read that gives you a more realistic view of Iraq than the news gloss overs. Putting Western troops in harms way without the ways and means of properly defending themselves is an on-going tragedy.
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Comments
yes, i believe this is a great travesty - along with failing to take care of the soldiers properly after they return home...
It really was annoying that someone should regard our troops as something less than full citizens and he didn't seem to believe it was incumbent on politicians to provide a safe work place either. Seemed like he had been watching too many old fashioned war movies.
Same goes with your point about returned troops. Why should they have to put up with anything other than the best medical care?
i've been reading some articles on the high suicide rate of soldiers - and of the increase in violence in the homes of these soldiers - it's pathetic how little medical and psychological services they are getting
i just can't fathom it, peter
i may not support the war - but for goodness sake, let's not contribute to the deaths of our own (speaking as an American as well as a Kiwi) soldiers while their fighting and when they are home
I was watching channel 10 after the 1st Gulf war and Stormin Norman came on to explain the troop movements and tactics. Of course this was a bit too clever for 10 and they dropped the coverage.
I was really looking forward to it as you can well imagine.