.Australian Diggers in Afghanistan's morale 'in crisis'
MORALE in sections of the army is suffering after the controversial court martial of three special forces Diggers involved in the deaths of six people in Afghanistan, including five children.
Blogs and webposts by serving soldiers show unrestrained disdain for the army's senior command over the issue.
Serving officers have told the Sunday Herald Sun of their fears for morale and discipline in Afghanistan. The charges stem from a night-time raid on a residential compound in Oruzgan province on February 12, 2009.
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Meanwhile, the father of a commando involved in a deadly night-time raid at Surkh Morghab, Afghanistan, last year has urged Australians to sign a petition supporting the three soldiers facing court martial.
"The whole thing is farcical," he said.
"If they (Australian soldiers) had been killed, it would have just been accepted."
The man, who lives in Sydney but asked not to be named, said his son was not one of the three commandos facing court martial, but would be forced to give evidence about the botched raid.
He said the charges were "concerning". "How are they supposed to react if they are liable to be charged with manslaughter?" he said.
One web comment from a soldier serving in Afghanistan said: "This stinks. They want us to go out and take on the Taliban, but when things go pear-shaped the senior brass go looking scape goats (sic) ... this thing is totally political."
Another said: "The shiney ar--s (sic) are letting the blokes on the frontline take the blame for something that was unavoidable in the circumstances."
A former army captain wrote: "When one considers the vast numbers of civilians accidentally killed or killed in pursuit of larger objectives during World War II, Korea and Vietnam with no thought of anyone being charged, it is difficult to avoid a sense of disbelief that soldiers can be charged with serious offences because they responded to someone shooting at them ... "
The commandos were acting on intelligence that a senior Taliban leader was alleged to be hiding in the house.
The soldiers said they acted in accordance with rules of engagement.
Herald Sun
Blogs and webposts by serving soldiers show unrestrained disdain for the army's senior command over the issue.
Serving officers have told the Sunday Herald Sun of their fears for morale and discipline in Afghanistan. The charges stem from a night-time raid on a residential compound in Oruzgan province on February 12, 2009.
Write your message of support for our Diggers below
Meanwhile, the father of a commando involved in a deadly night-time raid at Surkh Morghab, Afghanistan, last year has urged Australians to sign a petition supporting the three soldiers facing court martial.
"The whole thing is farcical," he said.
"If they (Australian soldiers) had been killed, it would have just been accepted."
The man, who lives in Sydney but asked not to be named, said his son was not one of the three commandos facing court martial, but would be forced to give evidence about the botched raid.
He said the charges were "concerning". "How are they supposed to react if they are liable to be charged with manslaughter?" he said.
One web comment from a soldier serving in Afghanistan said: "This stinks. They want us to go out and take on the Taliban, but when things go pear-shaped the senior brass go looking scape goats (sic) ... this thing is totally political."
Another said: "The shiney ar--s (sic) are letting the blokes on the frontline take the blame for something that was unavoidable in the circumstances."
A former army captain wrote: "When one considers the vast numbers of civilians accidentally killed or killed in pursuit of larger objectives during World War II, Korea and Vietnam with no thought of anyone being charged, it is difficult to avoid a sense of disbelief that soldiers can be charged with serious offences because they responded to someone shooting at them ... "
The commandos were acting on intelligence that a senior Taliban leader was alleged to be hiding in the house.
The soldiers said they acted in accordance with rules of engagement.
Herald Sun
posted by madtom at 11:51 PM
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