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  1. #1
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    Australian special forces soldiers committed up to 39 murders: ADF report

    There is gonna be fireworks:-


    Australian special forces soldiers allegedly committed up to 39 murders and 19 current or former soldiers will face criminal investigation, possible prosecution and the stripping of their medals after the findings of an exhaustive inquiry released by military chief Angus Campbell.

    The four-year inquiry by NSW Supreme Court Of Appeal Justice Paul Brereton found there was credible evidence of 23 incidents in which one or more non-combatants - or individuals who had been captured or injured - were unlawfully killed by special forces soldiers, or at least at their direction. There were also a further two incidents that the report said could be classified as the war crime of "cruel treatment".

    General Campbell said the report discloses a "disgraceful and a profound betrayal of the Australian Defence Force's professional standards and expectations".

    "Today the Australian Defence Force is rightly held to account for allegations of grave misconduct by some members of our special forces community on operations in Afghanistan," he said.

    The public summary of the inquiry, released on Thursday morning, based partly on evidence given by eyewitnesses interviewed under oath, also found that Australian soldiers summarily executed non-combatants and prisoners.

    The Special Air Service Regiment's second squadron will be struck off the Army's order of battle and reformed and renamed.

    Justice Brereton wrote "when what the inquiry has found is taken collectively, the answer to the question, 'Is there substance to rumours of war crimes by elements of the Special Operations Task group' must sadly be, 'Yes, there is'."

    The voluminous classified report, along with a publicly released summary, is based on more than 350 interviews with soldiers and officers from SAS and Commandos, Afghan villagers, special forces interpreters and support staff.

    The report was scathing of patrol commanders of the Special Operations Task Group, where "criminal behaviour was conceived, committed, continued, and concealed".

    Justice Brereton, who was appointed by the Inspector-General of defence in 2016 to investigate pervasive rumours of war crimes in Afghanistan between 2003 and 2016, found commanders higher up the chain should bear a "moral command responsibility" for a culture that allowed the alleged crimes to take place.

    But the inquiry found "the criminal behaviour of a few was commenced, committed, continued and concealed at the patrol commander level, that is, at corporal or sergeant level".
    None of the incidents could be classified as disputable decisions made under pressure in the "heat of battle", it found.

    The report recommended that ADF Chief Angus Campbell refer 36 matters to the Australian Federal Police for criminal investigation, which relate to 23 incidents and involve 19 current or former ADF personnel.
    The Brereton report also savages the manner in which soldiers allegedly lied about suspect incidents in combat operation reports, including those about incidents in which Afghans were allegedly unlawfully executed.

    The inquiry found credible information that some special forces soldiers were involved "in site exploitation pornography". They carried "throwdowns" - foreign weapons and equipment such as pistols, small hand-held radios and grenades to be placed with the bodies of enemies killed in action for the purpose of taking photos. This practice eventually was used for the purpose of concealing deliberate unlawful killings.

    The Brereton report also found evidence that junior soldiers were required by their patrol commanders to shoot a prisoner to achieve their first kill, in a practice known as "blooding".

    The full classified report will remain private, and the task of further criminal investigation and prosecution of war crimes passed to the Australian Federal Police and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. This process will be overseen by a special investigator, likely to be an ex-judge or senior barrister, as announced last week by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

    This is likely to lead to years of police investigations and, if soldiers are charged, lengthy trials in what looms as an unprecedented challenge for the AFP and prosecutors, who will need special resourcing and expertise as they attempt to mount the first successful war crimes prosecution in recent Australian history.

    The decision to prioritise criminal investigation and prosecution over simply detailing allegations in a public report underpins the belief of the office of the Inspector-General that accountability and punishment for the most serious war crimes should be left to a jury in a criminal trial.

    The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald have previously reported that one of the key focuses of the inquiry was war hero and Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith. However, in his report Justice Brereton has issued orders preventing the name of witnesses or those subject to orders being named.

    General Campbell said the ADF was on Thursday "rightly held to account for allegations of grave misconduct by some members of our special forces community on operations in Afghanistan".
    Apologising to both the Australian and Afghan people, he said Justice Brereton's report "details credible information regarding deeply concerning allegations of unlawful killings by some", however, "I would respectively ask Australians to remember and have faith in the many. I assure you I do," he said.

    General Campbell said the problems started with a "self-centred warrior culture" inside the SAS which was "a misplaced focus on prestige, status and power, turning away from the regiment's heritage of military excellence fused with the quiet humility of service".

    "The report notes that the distorted culture was embraced and amplified by some experienced, charismatic and influential non-commissioned officers and their proteges, who sought to fuse military excellence with ego, elitism and entitlement.

    "As units became consumed with preparing for and fighting the war, much of the good order and discipline of military life fell away. Cutting corners, ignoring and bending rules was normalised."

    "What also emerged was a toxic competitiveness between the Special Air Services Regiment and the 2nd Commando Regiment - destructive of trust, cohesion and mission, and a disgrace to both."

    "Not correcting this culture as it developed was a failure to unit and higher command."

    "In this context it is alleged that some patrols took the law into their own hands: rules were broken, stories concocted, lies told and prisoners killed."

    General Campbell said confirmed that the Chief of Army has advised the SAS that its second squadron would be struck off the Army order of battle following the devastating revelations.

    "Not because it was the only squadron involved in these issues, but because it was at a time one of the squadrons as involved in the allegations made, and there will be a permanent record by striking that squadron title from the Army order of battle of this period," he said.

    "The Chief of the Army will work over time to adjust and then re-raise a different squadron, titled differently."

    If you are a current or former ADF member, or a relative, and need counselling or support, contact the Defence All-Hours Support Line on 1800 628 036 or Open Arms on 1800 011 046.
    Australian special forces soldiers committed up to 39 murders: ADF report



    We will see what ensues, but it looks like many Medals will be stripped (including one VC), and the whole Special forces will be dragged through the mud and 'reformed'. To what effect, dunno.
    There is also the small matter of the considerable Afghan community here. It is very sensitive stuff, and just breaking now. Worse to come.

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat Backspin's Avatar
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    the report notes that the distorted culture was embraced and amplified by some experienced, charismatic and influential non-commissioned officers and their proteges, who sought to fuse military excellence with ego,elitism
    How am I not surprised that this 20 year long sport war turned into this ? That's the whole problem. Afghanistan turned into a glorified paint ball range.

    Shut the fucking war down. Now. I have some friends in the Canadian forces. I heard some stories. Nothing too bad but I could tell it turned into a game. And ppl were going for a adrenaline hit.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Backspin View Post
    How am I not surprised that this 20 year long sport war turned into this ?
    'turned into'? Are you stupid? It always was, like most wars, a testing ground for weapons.



    Quote Originally Posted by Backspin View Post
    That's the whole problem.
    Really? Thats the "whole" problem.


    Insight galore, Skidmark

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    General Campbell said confirmed that the Chief of Army has advised the SAS that its second squadron would be struck off the Army order of battle following the devastating revelations.

    "Not because it was the only squadron involved in these issues, but because it was at a time one of the squadrons as involved in the allegations made, and there will be a permanent record by striking that squadron title from the Army order of battle of this period," he said.

    "The Chief of the Army will work over time to adjust and then re-raise a different squadron, titled differently."
    That's a huge response.

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    I look forward to the Talitubbies detailed report of the executions and acid-throwing they've perpetrated over the years, and how sorry they are for it all.

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    Thailand Expat raycarey's Avatar
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    Australian Military Slaughtered Afghan Civilians in War Crimes

    Australian special forces were allegedly involved in the murder of 39 Afghan civilians, in some cases executing prisoners to “blood” junior soldiers before inventing cover stories and planting weapons on corpses, a major report has found.


    For more than four years, the Maj Gen Justice Paul Brereton has investigated allegations that a small group within the elite Special Air Services and commandos regiments killed and brutalised Afghan civilians, in some cases allegedly slitting throats, gloating about their actions, keeping kill counts, and planting phones and weapons on corpses to justify their actions.


    Brereton describes the special forces’ actions as “disgraceful and a profound betrayal” of the Australian Defence Force.


    The findings of Brereton’s report, released on Thursday, are confronting and damning.


    The report found:



    • Special forces were responsible for dozens of unlawful killings, the vast majority of which involved prisoners, and were deliberately covered up.
    • Thirty-nine Afghans were unlawfully killed in 23 incidents, either by special forces or at the instruction of special forces.
    • None of the killings took place in the heat of battle, and they all occurred in circumstances which, if accepted by a jury, would constitute the war crime of murder.
    • All the victims were either non-combatants or were no longer combatants.
    • A total of 25 perpetrators have been identified either as principals or accessories. Some are still serving in the ADF.


    In all cases, the report finds it “was or should have been plain that the person killed was a non-combatant”.
    Australian special forces involved in murder of 39 Afghan civilians, war crimes report alleges | Australia news | The Guardian

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat raycarey's Avatar
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    Just saw that this atrocity was already posted in 'speakers'.

  8. #8
    Thailand Expat raycarey's Avatar
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    you never seem to tire of 'whataboutism' , do you harry?

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    In these days where the need for a moral compass is nearing redundancy in public life a phenomenon has emerged in which pretty much anyone serving in the British, and perforce Antipodean, forces is to be regarded automatically as a "hero" and those within special forces are as near as dammit seen as superhuman paragons of virtuous honour quelling the enemies of light goodness and civilisation as we know it and beyond reproach.

    We get this shit all the time in the popular press and echoed by political shills pandering to the mawkish morons who lap it up.

    The thing is, they're just human beings and that means their capacity for brutality, cruelty and savagery is no different to any other person's given the right prevailing circumstances and lack of sound leadership.

    This crew of criminal bastards should be charged and prosecuted for their crimes. And there it is.

    But what I find nauseating is the dreary repetitious apologia churned out by former, or indeed serving, soldiers when they have committed some criminal or anti-social act that they " only did it because of 'PTSD'".

    Load of bollocks of course. Most of the time they are simply being stupid arseholes because it's in their character.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    I look forward to the Talitubbies detailed report of the executions and acid-throwing they've perpetrated over the years, and how sorry they are for it all.
    Please Harry, tell us you are not that fuckin’ stupid.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Seekingasylum View Post
    But what I find nauseating is the dreary repetitious apologia by former, or indeed serving, soldiers when they have committed some criminal or anti-social act that they " only did it because of 'PTSD'".
    Haven’t heard PTSD used as an excuse for atrocities, you were doing ok up until then.

  12. #12
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Iceman123 View Post
    Please Harry, tell us you are not that fuckin’ stupid.
    Nah, I was joking. The talitubbies aren't doing a report. They couldn't give a fuck, and they probably think this is hilarious.

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    Quote Originally Posted by raycarey View Post
    you never seem to tire of 'whataboutism' , do you harry?
    'Arry can't bear his sacred cows getting slaughtered on the altar of truth. I imagine the mere thought of sucking SAS cock gives him an orgasm.

  14. #14
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by raycarey View Post
    you never seem to tire of 'whataboutism' , do you harry?
    They're in the same war in the same country, you gibbering fucking moron.

  15. #15
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Seekingasylum View Post
    'Arry can't bear his sacred cows getting slaughtered on the altar of truth.
    What sacred cows are those?

  16. #16
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    Murdering unarmed civilians isn't by any stretch of the imagination acceptable as a 'casualty of war', and I'm glad that 'we' are not like 'them'.

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by panama hat View Post
    Murdering unarmed civilians isn't by any stretch of the imagination acceptable as a 'casualty of war', and I'm glad that 'we' are not like 'them'.
    Yes, I'm glad the taliban are not only going to get off scot free for the 1300 civilians that they murdered just last year, but are going to be rewarded with a return to power for it.

    It is a truly bizarre fucking world we live in.

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    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by raycarey View Post
    In all cases, the report finds it “was or should have been plain that the person killed was a non-combatant”.
    Just cus he/she wasn't in uniform doesn't make them non combatants. That to me is the only way one would be able to tell.

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    Thailand Expat raycarey's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    They're in the same war in the same country
    whoosh.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Pragmatic View Post
    Just cus he/she wasn't in uniform doesn't make them non combatants. That to me is the only way one would be able to tell.
    Read up on it Praggers, they were prisoners, definitely not combatants

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    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    Unarmed prisoners, Prag.

  22. #22
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TheRealKW View Post
    That's a huge response.
    Partial. Throw a bunch of non coms in the slammer is a start. However, belive me, the brass knew exactly what went on and chose the old look the other way strategy.

    Operated some with SASR and Navy SEALs doing joint operation in Vietnam. I never witnessed stuff as described in Op but was clear listening to these guys they did exactly this stuff in Vietnam.

    Not a recent phenomina at all. Been going on for ages.
    "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect,"

  23. #23
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    Hence the disbandment of the entire unit.

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    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Norton View Post
    Operated some with SASR and Navy SEALs doing joint operation in Vietnam. I never witnessed stuff as described in Op but was clear listening to these guys they did exactly this stuff in Vietnam.

    Not a recent phenomina at all. Been going on for ages.
    Both the Nazis and the Allies executed prisoners in WWII.

  25. #25
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Nishank Motwani, deputy director of the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit in Kabul, said the inquiry's report was likely to leave Afghans feeling "a sense of despair, vindication and anger that foreign forces can so easily get away with cold-blooded murder."
    "The report will allow the Taliban to blame foreign forces for the suffering of Afghan civilians even though Taliban fighters are responsible for the deaths of over 100,000 civilians in the past decade," he said, adding that any remaining Australian personnel in Afghanistan may be under threat of retaliation.

    Elite Australian troops unlawfully killed 39 Afghan civilians amid a culture of 'blood lust,' report alleges - CNN

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