Revealed: The Battle of Shah Wali Kot ("One does not simply 'win' a Victoria Cross")

news.com.au ^ | 10th May 2013 | Ian McPhedran

[naturalman1975]

"It was tense, hot and arduous ... it was kill or be killed."

For sniper team leader Sergeant Garry Robinson - a veteran on his third deployment to Afghanistan - it was the most intense fighting he had experienced.

The commandos were surrounded by more than 100 Taliban fighters and were pinned down by withering rocket propelled grenade and machinegun fire at one of the enemy's most secure fortresses in southern Afghanistan, the village of Chenartu in Shah Wali Kot.

The rate of fire raking the dangerously exposed Diggers shocked even the most hardened soldiers in their ranks.

.....

The SAS operators provided speed and stealth and the commandos the "sledgehammer" effect. In support were the Special Operations Engineer Regiment and the Logistics Squadron. Working with the Australians were Afghan Special Police and helicopters from the US 101st Airborne Division.

.....

Soon afterwards, Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith and his team leader Sergeant 'P' took decisive action to eliminate the enemy machine guns that had most of the force pinned down. They ran across 40 metres of open ground and in a fierce fight took out three machine guns and killed more than a dozen enemy fighters.

"It was absolute valour and courage to achieve that," Colonel Burns said.

"These were well trained foreign fighters, not low-level fighters. They were very fanatical.

"The guys systematically broke down that position and destroyed every single enemy machine gun position and every enemy in that village."

Roberts-Smith was awarded a Victoria Cross and Sergeant `P' the Star of Gallantry for their extreme valour.

[naturalman1975]

The headline I have put in brackets is the one that lead me to the article from the main news.com.au page. I think it more evocative than the one actually placed on the article.

INDIVIDUAL HONOURS FROM SHAH WALI KOT

1 Victoria Cross (VC)

1 Star of Gallantry (SG)

1 Medal for Gallantry (MG)

1 Commendation for Gallantry

1 Bar to Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

1 DSC

2 Distinguished Service Medals (DSM)

4 Commendations for Distinguished Service

[Arthur McGowan]

There’s nothing wrong with saying someone “won” a medal. “Faint heart never WON fair lady.”

I’ve seen rants against saying that someone “won” the Congressional Medal of Honor. Nonsense. When we say the U.S. “won” WWII, does anyone imagine that what is meant is that they were just lucky?

[Gay State Conservative]

Until a few years ago I,just another ignorant Yank,was familiar enough with the song “Waltzing Matilda” to recognize it as a pleasant...even “catchy”..song but unfamiliar enough to think that it was just a love song to some guy's “Matilda”.After much research and study...including closely listening to the lyrics (and learning what a "jumbuck" was)...I realized how wrong I was.Shortly after reaching that realization I discovered this tribute to Aussie soldiers serving bravely in Iraq.I have no doubt that an equally moving tribute to Aussies who served in Afghanistan is well in order,particularly for those who earned...rather than "won"...the VC..

Bravery in combat is something I've never been called on to muster but,nonetheless,is something I've always had the deepest respect for.Respect and envy,actually.

Aussies In Iraq

[Gay State Conservative]

When we say the U.S. “won” WWII, does anyone imagine that what is meant is that they were just lucky?

I surely can't speak for you,Father,but the most courageous thing *I* was ever ordered to do in the Armed Forces was to eat Army chow.It could be true that for the sake of brevity using the word "won" in connection with the awarding of high military honors is OK.But I'm reminded of a quote by a Marine general just after one of the battles of the Pacific during WWII...he said that in that battle "uncommon valor was a common commodity".Read naturalman's profile and you'll see that he served in the Australian Armed Forces,in combat,as did his Dad (who perished as a result).He posts compelling pieces like this,I suspect,partially to educate we Yanks on the subject of his nation's contribution to Western civilization and partially due to his pride in his Dad's service,his own and those of his fellow countrymen today.

[naturalman1975]

This has become my favourite musical tribute to Australian troops.

The singer in this case, Beccy Cole, went to Iraq and Afghanistan to entertain our troops. When she came back one of her anti-war fans wrote her a letter condemning her for doing so, and saying he'd ripped her poster off his wall. She wrote this in response.

The Digger fights for freedom
In a job that must be done
And I've never been so proud to say
That I'm Australian
And if unlike me, you feel no pride at all
Then go ahead and take me off your wall
Because I'd prefer to be a poster girl
On the wrong side of the world

Poster Girl at YouTube

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Two movies about men who try to “win” a metal.

THE BLUE MAX
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060177/?ref_=sr_1

CROSS OF IRON
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074695/?ref_=sr_1

A movie about men who AWARDED the metal by trying to stay alive.
ZULU
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058777/?ref_=sr_1

[naturalman1975]

There’s nothing wrong with saying someone “won” a medal. “Faint heart never WON fair lady.”

I don't really have a problem with it, either, myself - at least not with the Victoria Cross - but in this case, I think the headline is evocative, because it's pointing out how difficult it is in fact to get one - for all sorts of reasons.

I’ve seen rants against saying that someone “won” the Congressional Medal of Honor. Nonsense. When we say the U.S. “won” WWII, does anyone imagine that what is meant is that they were just lucky?

Personally, while I might say that somebody won the Victoria Cross, I would try to avoid ever saying that about the Medal of Honor - simply because there are different traditions associated with them. While both are awarded in their respective domains for the most extreme acts of bravery in the face of the enemy, and so are similar in that regard, both have had somewhat different traditions grow up around them through their history. It has become a matter of protocol and respect that one does not refer to somebody who received the Medal of Honor as having won it. As those men are worthy of the utmost respect, I choose to respect that protocol.

For the VC, use of the word 'winner' has long been accepted as an acceptable colloquialism - but that doesn't mean I'd apply that to another decoration from another tradition. Neither tradition is wrong - they are just different, and both are worthy.

[taxcontrol]

Winning a war and winning the heart of a lady is a CONTEST. It is a competition. It is a measure against a criteria that once completed, confers the status of “winner”. In that manner, one can win badges such as the Sapper badge, or Ranger tab, Rifle marksmanship, Airborne etc.

However, one does not win medals. Medals are awarded in recognition of heroism, gallantry and achievements. There is no test or criteria that one may execute such as in a contest or completing a course and automatically receive any medal.

[JoeFromSidney]

Sorry, that's not the way Waltzing Matilda should be sung. I worked with some Aussies in Thailand during the Vietnam War and respect them highly. But that song should be sung in an up-beat tempo, while swinging a beer mug in time.

[Arthur McGowan]

That (the distinction between “contests” and other endeavors or heroism) is just made up. One wins wars, one wins a lady, one “wins through” to some goal or victory.

In “It’s a Wonderful Life,” the narrator and George say several times that Harry “won the Congressional Medal of Honor.” It was, and is, perfectly standard, correct usage.

I don’t know who started this nonsense, but it’s fairly recent, and it’s bogus.

BTW: In contests of PURE CHANCE, such as the lottery, prizes are “AWARDED.”

[Gay State Conservative]

Sorry, that's not the way Waltzing Matilda should be sung. I worked with some Aussies in Thailand during the Vietnam War and respect them highly. But that song should be sung in an up-beat tempo, while swinging a beer mug in time.

I,too,have had some contact with Aussies over the years,having developed a real affection for the country and,as a result,having visited a half dozen times (trust me,it's a long flight from JFK).My understanding is that Waltzing Matilda is more of a folk song and that the version done by Slim Dusty,a national icon Down Under,is pretty much considered the gold standard.If I'm correct in my assumptions then the typical Aussie would probably prefer Slim's rendition than that of the Seekers.

[naturalman1975]

Waltzing Matilda is one of those songs that doesn't really have a definitive version, because it's been sung so many places under so many different conditions, wherever Australians have gathered.

This is my favourite version.

Unfortunately the man who is singing it, Rolf Harris, has now been caught up in the celebrity underage sex scandal in the UK. I am hoping it's a horrible mistake and he's innocent, because it will destroy a great legacy of entertainment (as it should if he is guilty, but so many people are now being accused)

[taxcontrol]

One often does not “win through” in situations where the Medal of Honor is awarded. Often those awards are made after the individual “lost”. Many lost their lives, some lost their limbs.

As for a WINNING THE LOTTERY - it is won, not awarded. The criteria (having the right numbers or scratch ticket) was met by the individual and therefor, they won.

In the casinos, an individual wins the jackpot, game of dice, or cards. All because they met the criteria for winning.

awarded - past participle, past tense of a·ward (Verb)
Verb
1. Give or order the giving of (something) as an official payment, compensation, or prize: “he was awarded the Purple Heart”.

a·ward [uh-wawrd] Show IPA
verb (used with object)
1. to give as due or merited; assign or bestow: to award prizes.
2. to bestow by judicial decree; assign or appoint by deliberate judgment, as in arbitration: The plaintiff was awarded damages of $100,000.

win [win] Show IPA verb, won, win·ning, noun
verb (used without object)
1. to finish first in a race, contest, or the like.
2. to succeed by striving or effort: He applied for a scholarship and won.
3. to gain the victory; overcome an adversary: The home team won.

verb (used with object)
4. to succeed in reaching (a place, condition, etc.), especially by great effort: They won the shore through a violent storm.
5. to get by effort, as through labor, competition, or conquest: He won his post after years of striving.
6. to gain (a prize, fame, etc.).
7. to be successful in (a game, battle, etc.).
8. to make (one’s way), as by effort or ability.

Medals are given in recognition of bravery, gallantry and honor. They are not earned through effort.

[Arthur McGowan]

You haven’t explained why the rest of the world disagrees with you, as in “He won the Congressional Medal of Honor,” which is what normal people have always said, and will continue to say.

[taxcontrol]

“Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.”

Albert Einstein

People say “... won the Medal of Honor” out of ignorance. I choose to not be ignorant.

[Arthur McGowan]

It has long been my impression that people who make a big deal out of sneering at people who say “...won the Congressional Medal of Honor...” are gnostics. I.e., they have constructed (out of whole cloth) a special “knowledge” that others do not share, providing them with a sense of self-manufactured superiority. Theirs is a novel and minority (because unfounded and preposterous) view, guaranteeing that there will be an unfailing supply of people to sneer at—which provides the sought-after gratification.

You have ably provided powerful confirmation of my original impression. Sneer on and feel good.

[JohnBovenmyer]

I love Poster Girl as well! It brings tears every time I hear it. And her message is bigger than her beautiful country. The rippers have usurped our country and want to make ours the wrong side of the world. We first need to be willing to stand proudly with her, against the rippers, before we can do the job that must be done.

Poster Girl, by Beccy Cole

You won't listen to my songs any more
You ripped my poster off the wall
Cause I'm the singer that went to the war
You see no good in me at all
Well pardon me if I believe I haven't got it wrong
And before you turn your back on me I'll sing you one more song

Cause I shook hands with a digger
On the wrong side of the world
With a wife at home who holds her breath
And brand new baby girl
And the digger fights for freedom in a job that must be done
And I let go of his hand, so proud to be Australian

And if unlike me you feel no pride at all
Then go ahead and take me off your wall
Cause I'd prefer to be a poster girl
On the wrong side of the world

And I'm just the girl that sings the crazy songs
Not qualified to sit and judge
I've been right and I know I've been wrong
But I'm for peace and I'm for love
And I admire the burning fire that causes you to fight
I only wish the wrong side of the world had the same right

Cause I listened to the wisdom of the Aussie brigadier
He spoke of widows and of orphans and the need to dry their tears
And he leads the fight for freedom in a job that must be done
And I've never been more proud to say that I'm Australian

And if unlike me you feel no pride at all
Then go ahead and take me off your wall
Cause I'd prefer to be a poster girl
On the wrong side of the world

Maybe I'm naïve to think we all could get along
And sir, I read your words
And all I ask is hear my song

I shook hands with a digger
On the wrong side of the world
With a wife at home who holds her breath
And brand new baby girl
And the digger fights for freedom in a job that must be done
And I let go of his hand, so proud to be Australian

And if unlike me you feel no pride at all
Then go ahead and take me off your wall
Cause I'd prefer to be a poster girl
On the wrong side of the world

I'm so proud to be a poster girl
On the wrong side of the world

[JoeFromSidney]

Thanks for mentioning the Slim Dusty version. Yes, that's the way it should be sung.