Thursday, March 1, 2012

He charged into a hail of flying lead for us

We saw a program on TV last Sunday [check the videos] about Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith, one of our finest SAS soldiers. In the program we got a very rare glimpse into the secretive world of our SAS soldiers, a glimpse that left many of us awestruck at the courage, patriotism, selflessness, dedication and above all the humility of these men. Even the American 101st Airborne Division got a grateful mention for their part flying our soldiers into the hornets nest.
Citation - For the most conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of extreme peril as Patrol Second-in-Command, Special Operations Task Group on Operation SLIPPER.

On the 11th June 2010, a troop of the Special Operations Task Group conducted a helicopter assault into Tizak, Kandahar Province, in order to capture or kill a senior Taliban commander.

Immediately upon the helicopter insertion, the troop was engaged by machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire from multiple, dominating positions. Two soldiers were wounded in action and the troop was pinned down by fires from three machine guns in an elevated fortified position to the south of the village. Under the cover of close air support, suppressive small arms and machine gun fire, Corporal Roberts Smith and his patrol manoeuvred to within 70 metres of the enemy position in order to neutralise the enemy machine gun positions and regain the initiative.

Upon commencement of the assault, the patrol drew very heavy, intense, effective and sustained fire from the enemy position. Corporal Roberts Smith and his patrol members fought towards the enemy position until, at a range of 40 metres, the weight of fire prevented further movement forward. At this point, he identified the opportunity to exploit some cover provided by a small structure.

As he approached the structure, Corporal Roberts Smith identified an insurgent grenadier in the throes of engaging his patrol. Corporal Roberts Smith instinctively engaged the insurgent at point-blank range resulting in the death of the insurgent. With the members of his patrol still pinned down by the three enemy machine gun positions, he exposed his own position in order to draw fire away from his patrol, which enabled them to bring fire to bear against the enemy. His actions enabled his Patrol Commander to throw a grenade and silence one of the machine guns. Seizing the advantage, and demonstrating extreme devotion to duty and the most conspicuous gallantry, Corporal Roberts Smith, with a total disregard for his own safety, stormed the enemy position killing the two remaining machine gunners. I encourage you to read the rest at The Victoria Cross.
On a side note some of our more nasty elitists had some nasty things to say about Corporal Roberts Smith. I'm not quite sure why they said what they said, they didn't give any reason, but I suspect these nasty lefties have trouble keeping the inner ass contained and just can't help themselves.

None the less I'm also happy to report that they have been shamed back into their respective holes by a storm of withering criticism from the public. And being the decent human being these cretins don't want to be, Corporal Roberts Smith has accepted their apology and is looking forward to serving his country. I believe he returns to Afghanistan later this year, God speed and good hunting.