HONING IN

Wikileaks Tape Reveals Hint That US Ground Soldiers Were Troubled By Their Discovery

By Elizabeth C.

IF YOU WATCH CLOSELY THE CLASSIFIED VIDEO RELEASED BY WIKILEAKS SHOWING US servicemen gunning down a group of Iraqi men, there's a hint that military higher-ups recognized immediately upon arriving at the scene that something went amiss during the US engagement.

At 15:15 on the uncut version of the chilling video that Wikileaks has posted to YouTube, just as American ground troops arrive at the corner where a pile of men lay dead from shots fired from an Apache helicopter, a call goes out to all troops engaged in the area.

"Bushmaster all elements: Which element called in Crazyhorse to engage the eight elem-eight men team on top of a roof?"

The question, asked with the slightest sense of miff, is the only clue that ground personnel had their own questions upon arriving at the scene where US military engaged a gathering of men that included two Reuters journalists. And it's immediately followed by defensive remarks from the Apache helicopter crew known as Crazyhourse One-Eight.

A soldier responses: Bushmaster Two-Six, This is Hotel Two-Six. Uh, I believe that was me. They, uh, had AK47s and were to our east, so, where we were taking small arms fire. Over.”

Then one of the crew from the Apache calls back to the responding soldier and says: “I just also want to make sure that you knew that we had a guy with an RPG cropping around the corner getting ready to fire on your location. That’s why we, ah, requested permission to engage.”

”Okay, roger that,’’ Hotel Two-Six responds.

Then a request goes out again over the radio: “Can I grid to that one more time please?” It’s then that the injury of a child is first revealed.

”Roger I’ve got 11 Iraqi KIA. One small child wounded. Over.”

”Roger, ah damn, Oh well,’’ another voice responds. After a few seconds, that’s followed by the remark, “Well it’s their fault for bringing their kids kid into a battle.”

Perhaps more revealing is the comment that followed immediately after:

”Got uh, eleven,’’ Crazyhorse One-Eight mutters, referring to the number of dead.

"Yeah, uh, roger. We’re monitoring,’’ comes back over the radio.

Responds Crazyhorse One-Eight: “Sorry.”

Take a listen for yourself.

Read Truth In The Crosshairs: Wikileaks Video Challenges Our Managed Perceptions Of War here.

Comments

I don't see anything wrong with the video. Great job guys. Next our soldiers need to kill the crazy Christians, Jews and all the other ridiculous religions. Not just the silly Muslims.

Posted by: Fuck All Religion | September 29, 2010 10:08 AM

George,

You mentioned our intent is honorable... Just what is that intent, over seven years in, in Iraq? What evidence can you put forth displays this intent you were referencing? I feel for the guys that don't want to even be there that are stuck doing numerous tours in Iraq... the guys on the ground that have to clean up and feel the brunt of actions like this.

Well disciplined, in my mind, does not equate to crews flying machines built to fullfil anti-tank purposes looking for any excuse to light people up. Rationalize impact? They were hoping the guy that nearly survived the initial attack would go for what they thought was a weapon... then proceed to engage a van that attempts to provide aid. They then later destroy an entire building with three missiles because they think there is several armed men in it; that is farthest from restraint and discipline I can imagine.

My two cents...

Posted by: Bryan | April 9, 2010 06:49 PM

So what can you say... "fog of war?"... "no-longer should we ever engage?"... "let's always wait to to be triple-sure before we take weapons off Safe?"
In war, it just simply doesn't happen that way. He who is first to their trigger, stands the best chance of survival; and, in war, you do the best you can with the best information possible.
It is TERRIBLE that collateral damage occurs, everyone knows this; however, were it YOU, taken from your lounge chair and placed square in the middle of the fight, you would almost guaranteed shoot first, and ask questions later. Our troops are some of the best trained, and well-disciplined in the entire history of the world; but... mistakes still occur.
You can hear it in the voices, when they appear to have success; you can also hear it in their conversation as they attempt to rationalize the impact by mentioning their distaste for bringing kids into the battlefield.
We are an honorable country, with honorable intent. Collateral damage happens; and, although it should never be discounted, it must also be measured against a much higher intent, purpose and resolve.

My thoughts...
gds*

Posted by: George Sidler | April 9, 2010 07:59 AM