Bayonet Brits kill 35 rebels (Brits Go Hand To Hand 5 to 1)

The Sun ^ | 5-19-04

[My Favorite Headache]

OUTNUMBERED British soldiers killed 35 Iraqi attackers in the Army’s first bayonet charge since the Falklands War 22 years ago. The fearless Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders stormed rebel positions after being ambushed and pinned down.

Despite being outnumbered five to one, they suffered only three minor wounds in the hand-to-hand fighting near the city of Amara.

The battle erupted after Land Rovers carrying 20 Argylls came under attack on a highway.

After radioing for back-up, they fixed bayonets and charged at 100 rebels using tactics learned in drills.

Charge ... tactics from drills

When the fighting ended bodies lay all over the highway — and more were floating in a nearby river. Nine rebels were captured.

An Army spokesman said: “This was an intense engagement.”

The last bayonet charge was by the Scots Guards and the Paras against Argentinian positions.

[JudgemAll]

During DS, a group of 6 SF amd 6 Blue Suit FACs and "Air Commandos" was "advising" two Kuwati armor companies. Our friendly Kuwaiti woggies came across a company of Iraqi mech infantry. A few shots from the Iraqis (all missed) and the Kuwatis turned tail and unassed the area. US troops were so P.O.ed, they dismounted the Kuwati tanks, attacked the Iraqis on foot and killed or captured all of them, so the Kuwatis returned and claimed a "glorious victory for the Coalition forces" Isn't Allah great!

He he he

Ideology is supposed to protect those protecting it. They become confused when it turns out to be false and that they have to fight for their lives.... they simply cannot do it.

[Mr. Lucky]

These were Scotland's soldiers, you know.

[JudgemAll]

In every instance you cite, what we see is bravery or fanaticism, not backed with skill. Thus, the overwhelmingly lopsided casualties. Part of me thinks the Coalition troops quoted give some props to the Iraqis out of Western guilt or appreciation of the underdog. Sure, maybe if our troops didn't have body armor, air support, and the other superior technology, the Iraqis would give a better showing, but those Scots didn't have that and still wiped the floor with them.

If you read the new book, Machine Gun, it is a fascinating story of how labor short Americans had to find machines to compensate. US ingenuity is probably no substitute for good fighting skills, but integrated as a fighting skill is perfectly honorable. A good job well done, is what is needed, and not some waste of human AllaAkbar sewage.

Hand to hand skills are transferable in terms of philosophy to "higher" forms of killing.

[Onelifetogive]

That would be 35 more guys waiting in line for those same 72 virgins.......

[Leisler]

With MacPhee's about, no man's pony is secure.

[R. Scott]

Hat badge of the Clan Scott.

Note the motto, - “Amo” - and a very horny (major horns) stag.

[yarddog]

I know highlanders had a reputation for cattle lifting and whiskey drinking but my Grandpa would have died rather than steal.

On the other hand he did like the whiskey. He owned a large and successful farm but I wonder what he might have accomplished if he had been sober more often.

[Leisler]

Cattle were too heavy to carry off across the mudflats, however a cute, blond pony....

[wku man]

"With that MOS, you were a smarter recruit than I."

Hehehehehe...well, thanks for the kind sentiments, but if I'd been really smart, I'd have put in for Warrant Officer flight school, and had some real fun! It was very rewarding, though, and I wouldn't trade that part of my life for anything.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[steveegg]

Okay! Somebody explain this! Why were 9 captured?

Surrender? So that the Brits could get some intel on where the 50-some that weren't killed or captured might be?

[Vision]

Oh...Scotland's soldiers ROCK!!!

[hosepipe]

[ I condemn Britain and its operation, as it was unacceptable and wrong. ]

I agree.. They let 50 of them get away. Damn Argyl's. d;-' /

[neverdem]

BANG and the SPIRIT OF THE BAYONET

[Rennes Templar]

Oops sorry, I was reading your newspapers!

[dsutah]

Yeah, and if they only had a modern-day Walter Scott, Longfellow, and Robert Burns, and Homer; they would be writing long ballads about these fearless men; and, of course, our own fearless forces!

Two of the above were Scot balladeers (WS and RB)who were mentioned in an old English romantic literature book I had in College days. And of course, most people are familiar with Homer and Longfellow("Midnight Ride Of Paul Revere"). Now on Robert Burns;(author of "Auld Lang Syne") he was a big admirer of our founding fathers, and supported our War for Independence. Also, he was said to have drank a "health to George Washington"! And he was a Brit at the time, I believe. At least I think at that time Scotland was under the Brit crown. He also supported, at least at first, the French Revolution.

[fire_eye]

That'll teach those stupid rug pilots to outnumber and surround the Scots and then open fire on them...

[pau1f0rd]

As Ireland is part of the British Isles, surely the Irish are British too?

[yarddog]

It is sort of hard to keep up with, but I think Great Britain is composed of "England, Scotland, and Wales".

The United Kingdom adds Northern Ireland. Of course many Americans simply call them all "English" sort of like we called all members of the Soviet Union, "Russians".

[tjwmason]

As Ireland is part of the British Isles, surely the Irish are British too?

The Irish question is highly vexed, as I am sure you are aware. Before 1922, undoubtably the Irish could have been counted as British, however at that time most of Ireland left the United Kingdom (to form the Irish Free State, later the Irish Republic), and did so with little affection for us; calling a southern Irishman British would generally be somewhat of a faux pas. Taking a purely technical definition, a British Citizen is a citizen of the U.K. (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland); this is probably the best one to use, though one should still be careful with the Northern Irish, 60% would love you for calling them British and 40% would hate you.

[BOBTHENAILER]

DAAAAAAAAAAAMN!

HOT DAAAAAAAMMMNNNN.