Posts Tagged ‘afganistan’
Brave British soldier saves lives of comrades
Soldier Lobs Taliban Grenade Back At Enemy
9:00am UK, Tuesday March 09, 2010
Damien Pearse, Sky News Online
A British soldier has saved his comrades by scooping up a live Taliban grenade and throwing it straight back at the enemy moments before it exploded.
Rifleman James McKie suffered cuts to his face after the grenade exploded
The device hit Rifleman James McKie’s platoon commander and landed at his feet during a battle in the Sangin area of Helmand Province in Afghanistan.
And as the enemy continued to pound his position from three directions the young soldier lobbed the grenade as far as he could.
“I remember thinking that if I didn’t pull this off, it was going to hurt,” he said. “But at that stage I was pretty much committed.”
Split seconds after the grenade left his hand it exploded in mid-air, firing fragments into Rifleman McKie’s face and arm.
His commander Captain Graeme Kerr suffered leg injuries and is now recovering at Selly Oak Hospital in the UK.
I remember thinking that if I didn’t pull this off, it was going to hurt. But at that stage I was pretty much committed.
Rifleman James McKie
Rifleman McKie was posted on the roof of a building when he saw the grenade. Another soldier, also on the roof, escaped unhurt.
Rifleman McKie, from Recce Platoon, 3rd Battalion The Rifles, and originally from New Zealand, described the drama.
“I heard what sounded like a mini flare come from our right where I knew there were none of our guys, so I thought this was really unusual.
“We were in a high position on a compound roof.
“There was no way you could throw yourself off and not get injured, so I made a decision to pick up the grenade and throw it off the roof.”
He went on: “My platoon has taken a lot of casualties. I really didn’t want to see anyone else get hurt.”
Rifleman McKie threw smoke to cover their withdrawal, allowing them to reach the safety of another compound.
Captain Kerr was immediately evacuated by helicopter, but Rifleman McKie was able to continue in his duties until the following day.
“I don’t feel particularly brave,” he said.
“I’m not expecting anything from my comrades … I don’t want any thanks from them. I just don’t want them to get hurt.”
Outstanding bravery which is typical of our gallant fighting forces. What a great pity this Labour Government doesnt think so. Both Labour and the sneaky LibDems have an inheritant loathing of all things patriotic.
I hope when he threw the grenade back it hit its intended targets.
Jim Ferguson
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Lib Dems Snub Regiment
There is something almost obscene at the way certain liberal leaning people look upon our armed services.
It is highly distasteful to see the way our men and woman are being treated and almost a degree of contempt being shown by those with a liberal agenda.
They seem to forget that its the bravery and sacrifice of the British armed forces that allow them the freedoms that they so smugly take for granted.
Its time for this nonsense to stop and proper respect be shown to the brave people who put life and limb on the line in defense of their country.
Jim Ferguson
Daily Mail Dec 17th 2009
They have fought bravely in Iraq and Afganistan and count Victoria Cross hero Johnson Beharry among their number.
But the troops of the most decorated regiment in the British Army are the victim of an extraordinary snub by a council in Surrey which says they are not appropriate recipients of a public honour.
More than 2000 people in Epsom have signed a petition to hand the freedom of the borough to the soldiers of the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment which has won 57 Victoria Crosses in its 350-year history.
But a furious row has erupted after Liberal Democrats and Independent councillors united to block the move-which would not cost taxpayers a penny-because the regiment, based in nearby Guildford, is not local enough.
The regiment said it would be a huge honour to have the freedom of the borough and march through the streets of the town when they come home from fighting the Taliban.
More than 30 other councils have bestowed the same honour on the regiment, including Tunbridge Wells in Kent, 50 miles away.
Epsom and Ewell councillor Jean Steer conceded that the regiment regularly signs up recruits from Epsom but said that granting it the freedom of the borough would be inappropriate.
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