SAS Soldier Quits Army In Disgust At 'Illegal' American Tactics In Iraq

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 3-12-2006 | Sean Raymet

[blam]

SAS soldier quits Army in disgust at 'illegal' American tactics in Iraq

By Sean Rayment, Defence Correspondent
(Filed: 12/03/2006)

An SAS soldier has refused to fight in Iraq and has left the Army over the "illegal" tactics of United States troops and the policies of coalition forces.

After three months in Baghdad, Ben Griffin told his commander that he was no longer prepared to fight alongside American forces.

Ben Griffin told commanders that he thought the Iraq war was illegal

He said he had witnessed "dozens of illegal acts" by US troops, claiming they viewed all Iraqis as "untermenschen" - the Nazi term for races regarded as sub-human.

The decision marks the first time an SAS soldier has refused to go into combat and quit the Army on moral grounds.

It immediately brought to an end Mr Griffin's exemplary, eight-year career in which he also served with the Parachute Regiment, taking part in operations in Northern Ireland, Macedonia and Afghanistan.

But it will also embarrass the Government and have a potentially profound impact on cases of other soldiers who have refused to fight.

On Wednesday, the pre-trial hearing will begin into the court martial of Flt Lt Malcolm Kendall-Smith, a Royal Air Force doctor who has refused to return to Iraq for a third tour of duty on the grounds that the war is illegal. Mr Griffin's allegations came as the Foreign Office minister Kim Howells, visiting Basra yesterday, admitted that Iraq was now "a mess".

Mr Griffin, 28, who spent two years with the SAS, said the American military's "gung-ho and trigger happy mentality" and tactics had completely undermined any chance of winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqi population. He added that many innocent civilians were arrested in night-time raids and interrogated by American soldiers, imprisoned in the notorious Abu Ghraib prison, or handed over to the Iraqi authorities and "most probably" tortured.

Mr Griffin eventually told SAS commanders at Hereford that he could not take part in a war which he regarded as "illegal".

He added that he now believed that the Prime Minister and the Government had repeatedly "lied" over the war's conduct.

"I did not join the British Army to conduct American foreign policy," he said. He expected to be labelled a coward and to face a court martial and imprisonment after making what "the most difficult decision of my life" last March.

Instead, he was discharged with a testimonial describing him as a "balanced, honest, loyal and determined individual who possesses the strength of character to have the courage of his convictions".

Last night Patrick Mercer, the shadow minister for homeland security, said: "Trooper Griffin is a highly experienced soldier. This makes his decision particularly disturbing and his views and opinions must be listened to by the Government."

The MoD declined to comment.

[commonerX]

"""Look, brain dead---these are TWO DIFFERENT SUBJECTS. You keep trying to make them identical, but they aren't. The simple fact is that Britain could never have DEFEATED Germany (defeat being defined as the enemy no longer being able to wage war on you). The "Battle of Britain" was just that---a BATTLE, not the war. And it was a stalemate, not a "victory". Germany certainly retained it's ability to wage war after the Battle of Britain."""


""""Look, brain dead""""

Yooo A Wipe, You whole assumption is stupid. But I guess with your IQ that is the best you can do.

You know nothing of history that was apparent in your previous statements. Now go away little boy I hear you mommy calling you. You talk though behind a computer, wuss

[commonerX]

"""Look--the damned "Battle of Britain" did NOT "defeat Germany". All it did was stall Germany's actions against Britain and keep things at a deadlock until the US got pulled in. By utilizing all resources available, the best Britain was able to obtain was a continuing stalement."""


You must be a democrate, because you read what someone wrote and you change it to make your point.

He never said the Battle of Britain defeated Germany.

We have said that The USA part was vital in the defeat of Germany. I will say it one more time. Americas entry into the war wasn't the factor that prevented the invasion of Britain period.

[Wonder Warthog]

Bah--you're a moron. The only thing that DEFEATED Germany was the entry of the US into the war. If the US had stayed out, both Russia and Britain would have been toast. That's a simple fact. Without US aid in materials and men, both would have collapsed.

And I say again-the "Battle of Britain" simply stalled off the Germans until the US got in. No significant damage was done to the German war machine.

[commonerX]

You are a moron and please don't post to me anymore about WWII. I only discuss these things with people who know what they are talking about.

Anybody can make a hypothetical, but it doesn't make it fact.

Good bye

[Mr. Lucky]

Don't shut him off yet. He hasn't explained how, after they really didn't win the Battle of Britain, the Brits didn't really kick the Germans out of North Africa.

[Joe 6-pack]

I agree with you...There's something that just doesn't square up without additional information that we will probably never be privy to. There was a book that came out app. 10-15 years ago by and about a Brit named Christian Jennings who joined the French Foreign Legion and deserted under circumstances over which the author and critics still disagree...

Just my opinion with the limited info in this article, but Jennings and Griffin seem to be made of similar stuff.

[commonerX]

"""Don't shut him off yet. He hasn't explained how, after they really didn't win the Battle of Britain, the Brits didn't really kick the Germans out of North Africa."""


That's a good one. The American were there in Africa but most would admit the African campaign for Germany was over by the time the Americans got there.

[Kelly_2000]

"Im glad it bit the dust, and hard. And the only sort of braiwashing I've had, is to value LIBERTY."

well said