Alleged War Crimes by Australian Soldiers

[Charliewool]

Is this new scrutiny having a domino effect on those returned already suffering PTSD??
Methinks these ongoing deaths are a MUCH more important issue than the ABC’s SAS grub mining.
‘Bout time Govco started looking after these broken souls... 9 in last 3 weeks!!!
It’s a bloody tragedy
https://www.news.com.au/national/pol...190c063cc7fc80

[Cav]

Former SF major attacks CDF over unit citations

A retired special-forces officer hit out at his former boss, CDF General Campbell, today for his “most disgusting demonstration of senior leadership”.



CAPTION: Former commandos Heston Russell and Scott Evenett prepare to lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial.

Retired special-forces officer Heston Russell and fellow retired special-forces veteran Scott Evennett addressed media and paid their respects this morning to their fallen comrades at the special-forces memorial plaque at the Australian War Memorial.

This comes after former Defence Force chief Chris Barrie called for exhibits relating to the SAS in Afghanistan to be taken off display at the AWM – and after the Brereton report recommending the revocation of Meritorious Unit Citations from all 3000-plus special-forces personnel who deployed with the Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan.

Mr Russell said the Brereton report was branding thousands of honourable soldiers who dedicated years of service and sacrifice to noble duty as presumed guilty over the alleged actions of a few and despite the presumption of innocence in our legal system.

“I am calling for common sense and respect to prevail in the treatment of soldiers who are not part of the investigation and to put a hold on any sanction until charges – which are yet to be laid – are decided by the courts,” Mr Russell said.

“Today I visited the commemorative plaques of special-forces members who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country and now stand to lose their citations as they are being punished because of these allegations.

“The families of our fallen heroes face the prospect of having honours stripped from their loved ones and their ultimate sacrifice reduced to scandal.”

Speaking to TV news crews at the AWM, former Major Russell took a serious swing at his former boss, CDF General Angus Campbell, for wearing a Conspicuous Service Cross for his command of Australians in action, including the Special Operations Task Group, during the time of the alleged war crimes.

“To then turn around and say via this report that he was unable to exercise effective command and control and to abdicate his command responsibility down to senior NCO, junior NCO and soldier level…

“…that’s not the sign of a leader – that is the sign of a politician – and that is one of the most disgusting demonstrations of senior leadership.

“That has made me very disappointed to call myself a military veteran and leader in this whole situation.”

Heston Russell recently launched the veteran lobby platform Voice of a Veteran.org and has instigated a petition lobbying to prevent the Meritorious Unit Citation being revoked for all Special Operations Task Group personnel.

https://www.voiceofaveteran.org/

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by Cav

Former SF major attacks CDF over unit citations

A retired special-forces officer hit out at his former boss, CDF General Campbell, today for his “most disgusting demonstration of senior leadership”.

image

CAPTION: Former commandos Heston Russell and Scott Evenett prepare to lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial.

Retired special-forces officer Heston Russell and fellow retired special-forces veteran Scott Evennett addressed media and paid their respects this morning to their fallen comrades at the special-forces memorial plaque at the Australian War Memorial.

This comes after former Defence Force chief Chris Barrie called for exhibits relating to the SAS in Afghanistan to be taken off display at the AWM – and after the Brereton report recommending the revocation of Meritorious Unit Citations from all 3000-plus special-forces personnel who deployed with the Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan.

Mr Russell said the Brereton report was branding thousands of honourable soldiers who dedicated years of service and sacrifice to noble duty as presumed guilty over the alleged actions of a few and despite the presumption of innocence in our legal system.

“I am calling for common sense and respect to prevail in the treatment of soldiers who are not part of the investigation and to put a hold on any sanction until charges – which are yet to be laid – are decided by the courts,” Mr Russell said.

“Today I visited the commemorative plaques of special-forces members who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country and now stand to lose their citations as they are being punished because of these allegations.

“The families of our fallen heroes face the prospect of having honours stripped from their loved ones and their ultimate sacrifice reduced to scandal.”

Speaking to TV news crews at the AWM, former Major Russell took a serious swing at his former boss, CDF General Angus Campbell, for wearing a Conspicuous Service Cross for his command of Australians in action, including the Special Operations Task Group, during the time of the alleged war crimes.

“To then turn around and say via this report that he was unable to exercise effective command and control and to abdicate his command responsibility down to senior NCO, junior NCO and soldier level…

“…that’s not the sign of a leader – that is the sign of a politician – and that is one of the most disgusting demonstrations of senior leadership.

“That has made me very disappointed to call myself a military veteran and leader in this whole situation.”

Heston Russell recently launched the veteran lobby platform Voice of a Veteran.org and has instigated a petition lobbying to prevent the Meritorious Unit Citation being revoked for all Special Operations Task Group personnel.

https://www.voiceofaveteran.org/

The highlighted bit says it all.. In my Opinion...

[FairmontGS]

Originally Posted by mick taylor

I sure am glad that I never did served in the ADF now.
Boy to think that I was willing to serve but most others about 90% I knew when I left school had no intentions at all of serving because they were too gutless and wanted to lay back and sponge off the Nation, not to mention then have the audacity to mouth off and poke the finger at them who serve.
90% of Australians could not handle one day in Afghanistan dealing with the reality.
Oh I forgot ! don't ever stand up for our people who served, because the moderators will just wipe what you have to say.

At what point in your life did you realise your brain was broken?

Oh wait...

[Mr_G6ET]

Originally Posted by mick taylor

don't ever stand up for our people who served, because the moderators will just wipe what you have to say.

I think everybody on the forum, to some degree support those that serve the country.
That said, nobody is above the law (at our level) including those that serve.
The alleged crimes were also on the ground live time and I suggest not directed from above (authority).

That's the law(s) that they are in front of in a court, 'spontaneous reaction' 'blinded by dust' ' tomorrow he may be a problem' doesn't help I assume.

It appears they have enough evidence that bad **** went down. If those offenders had factual reasoning for their behaviour, I support that 100%

Saying that they are immune is inhumane

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by mick taylor

I sure am glad that I never did served in the ADF now.
Boy to think that I was willing to serve but most others about 90% I knew when I left school had no intentions at all of serving because they were too gutless and wanted to lay back and sponge off the Nation, not to mention then have the audacity to mouth off and poke the finger at them who serve.
90% of Australians could not handle one day in Afghanistan dealing with the reality.
Oh I forgot ! don't ever stand up for our people who served, because the moderators will just wipe what you have to say.

I don't know how to interpret this post but I think you need a reality check spewing out garbage.
There is one comment I never forgot from my dad who served in WWII in which he said to me "Son I hope you never experience what I went through as there is no glory in war but horrors" and guess what he was correct in that as war destroys lives.

[MITCHAY]

I have to say it is getting really ridiculous now when we are talking about the war memorial and stripping medals when no one has faced trial and been convicted.

Now the army is taking administrative action to boot out SAS soldiers. Well for me if that is justified, then the CDF and CA need to walk or be fired too.

Anyone who has worked in a large organisation knows full well how this **** goes. They take credit for success and run away as fast as they can from the **** ups.

[PG2]

If any of you have a problem with this forum and/or the way it is moderated, you can either PM the mod involved or if you don't feel comfortable PMing the mod in question you can either PM a supermod or admin.

Posting having a go at the forums achieves nothing and those posts will be deleted.

[Mr_G6ET]

Originally Posted by PG2

If any of you have a problem with this forum

Only one ...

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by Mr_G6ET

Only one ...

Yep

Use the “Ignore” option like a lot do 👍

[Mr_G6ET]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

Yep

Use the “Ignore” option like a lot do ��

As if we all think randoms are safe in a war 'event', but clearly murder is still not acceptable.

Accepting 'black and white' that service men are all innocent simply indicates that he is off his ****ing head

mick is suggesting their behaviour is 'normal', 'acceptable' ; sick really

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Mr_G6ET

As if we all think randoms are safe in a war 'event', but clearly murder is still not acceptable.

Accepting 'black and white' that service men are all innocent simply indicates that he is off his ****ing head

mick is suggesting their behaviour is 'normal', 'acceptable' ; sick really

Seeing as he's never been in the armed forces, let alone in a hostile environment, I very much doubt that he'd know what normal is.

[PG2]

Originally Posted by mick taylor

Slander !
I will not say anything other because of you diaper snowflakes.

I am a Sensei I dealt with people in the ADF how to fight. boy !
The Discipline that it takes to be in the SAS boy. so don't come the raw prawn with bagging our SAS snow flake, your diaper needs changing.

Is this you Mick???

[Cav]

[FTE217]

GUYS Lets keep it together eh.
I don't want this important thread closed and I wouldn't be alone, this is close to our nerves period and I'm sure Cav also would be gutted he can't post up more info as it comes.
Chill.

[PG2]

Posting up archaic opinions bagging someone who used to be a he and is now a she will not help the challenges that these soldiers are currently facing.

I am as much of a dinosaur as the next middle aged white male, but I also know when to keep my mouth shut when it comes to 'modern ideas'.

Whether some of us like it or not, we live in times where these sort of things are accepted - get used to it.

[Streets]

This stuff about machine gun fire and watching mates die is all very true; I wonder how the guys who've had it happen to them feel about the heroes in the special forces murdering prisoners of war and planting weapons on them as an initiation ritual. Imagine going through all that kind of harrowing, life-or-death **** in the course of your duty and along comes a few unhinged maniacs to desecrate not only all the hard work you put in but the reputation of the ADF at large

[lra]

On a tangent from the thread title, it now appears that the ADF members deployed to COVID19 duties in Melbourne are complaining about isolation, lack of proper food, hours worked, lack of time off for exercise and other things.

Another case of 'Off you go, do the best you can under the circumstances, see you later'.
Meanwhile Political MPs and Top Brass take the credit for fixing a problem that should not have been there initially.

[Bossxr8]

Okkkkaaayyyy then.

[nuthin' fancy]

There is an enormous difference between "I do not agree with what you say" and "you are an idiot for saying that".

Please learn the difference and practice the former to avoid long holidays or permanent absences.

[MITCHAY]

I'm glad they have backed down from stripping unit medals but holy **** how out of touch do you have to be to think that wouldn't have been well received

They are allegations at this point and anyone can make them.

[marty351]

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

I'm glad they have backed down from stripping unit medals but holy **** how out of touch do you have to be to think that wouldn't have been well received

They are allegations at this point and anyone can make them.

Leftist virtue signalling = dangerous.

The military is not a democracy, and politically correct posturing only serves those with that agenda.

[LG17]

Originally Posted by marty351

Leftist virtue signalling = dangerous.

The military is not a democracy, and politically correct posturing only serves those with that agenda.

Tell that to those who have fallen...

[marty351]

Originally Posted by LG17

Tell that to those who have fallen...

That the military hierarchy are playing pc with the memory and families of the fallen? Then yes.

[Cav]

From the Daily Telegraph...

War crime allegations: Elite soldiers furious at being disbanded
Australia’s most elite soldiers are upset at plans to dismantle their squadron in the wake of a report accusing some soldiers of war crimes in Afghanistan.

Special forces soldiers are in “absolute uproar” and threatening to discharge from their positions in protest of their squadron being disbanded in the wake of the Afghan war crimes report.

Chief of Army Rick Burr last month removed 2 Squadron Special Air Service Regiment from the Army’s Order of Battle following the release of the Brereton Report, arguing the group was a “nexus of activities” related to the war crimes allegations.

It is the squadron in which Australia’s most decorated living soldier and Victoria Cross recipient — Ben Roberts-Smith — served.

Former officer in the Sydney-based special forces 2nd Commando Regiment Heston Russell told The Daily Telegraph “more than 60” current serving and reservist SAS members “have or intend” to submit their discharge paperwork in disgust over the “group punishment”.

“The 2nd squadron has been there since 1964 and has generations of veterans who fought in Borneo, Vietnam and many other deployments in between, many of whom never even deployed to Afghanistan,” he said.

“Disbanding punishes nearly 60 years, multiple generations, of those who served.”

Mr Russell said the squadron members were in “absolute uproar” but unable to mount a public defence.

“I think over 350 letters have been written to the Prime Minister because that’s all they’re allowed to do,” he said.

“They can’t get on social media or get their voice out in public.”


It comes as a scheduled parade to “farewell” the squadron scheduled to take place *tomorrow has been cancelled.

A Defence spokeswoman confirmed the planned “activity to mark the removal of 2 Squadron” at Campbell Barracks in Perth would not go ahead at this time.

“In light of sensitivities related to the inquiry, the Chief of the Defence Force has requested the Chief of Army delay the activity until the implementation plan for the inquiry is fully developed,” she said.

The spokeswoman said Defence “acknowledges the long history” of 2 Squadron and the “service” of its veterans.

Special Forces Soldiers face sack after war crime report
“Defence will work with the 2 Squadron veterans community and ex-service organisations to appropriately acknowledge their service,” she said.

However one veteran told The Daily Telegraph the event was not going ahead as many people, including people in the SAS Association, had decided to boycott it in protest of the handling of the decision to axe the squadron.

[marty351]

imagine the ****fight if they kept changing their minds in the heat of battle?

That's why we need decent leadership, not pandering to social expectations.

[MethodX]

Are they taking away the medals? hope so.
Aussies have always thought their soldiers and sports people and teams are holier than though and hung it on other nations.

Great to see evidence pile up over the last few years.

[LG17]

Originally Posted by MethodX

Are they taking away the medals? hope so.
Aussies have always thought their soldiers and sports people and teams are holier than though and hung it on other nations.

Great to see evidence pile up over the last few years.

Taking away the medals of those who are found guilty(if found guilty in a court of law) is ok but taking away the medals of every soldier is not on.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by MethodX

Are they taking away the medals? hope so.
Aussies have always thought their soldiers and sports people and teams are holier than though and hung it on other nations.

Great to see evidence pile up over the last few years.

What a scummy post. You're happy to see some of our soldiers do the wrong thing?

[Cav]

Originally Posted by MethodX

Are they taking away the medals? hope so.
Aussies have always thought their soldiers and sports people and teams are holier than though and hung it on other nations.

Great to see evidence pile up over the last few years.

Perhaps you could share this 'evidence' seeing as it has influenced your opinion.

BTW, soldiers will not lose their medals.

What is at issue is whether all soldiers will be stripped of the meritorious unit citation from the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG).

It looks similar to this and it is worn on the right breast, whereas medals are worn on the left breast.