Hostages sell their Stories - Views

**DP43** · 11-04-2007, 05:22

Originally Posted by ap1

They obviously lack Conduct after Capture training. Although the booties would have certainly received it. My comments made no mention of their conduct during their incarcaration, that is for the military to decide, I only highlighted their media appearances since.

Post the 95 tour of Gorazde, the RWF hostages taken by the Serbs were used to rewite the conduct after capture package given to troops deploying. Up until that point there was only POW training given.

The media appearances made by the RWF hostages were stage managed but to my memory nobody gave a personal account and it was all pretty sterile stuff, then it was get back on the horse because there was still a job to do.

**Dai** · 11-04-2007, 22:07

Originally Posted by DP43

Post the 95 tour of Gorazde, the RWF hostages taken by the Serbs were used to rewite the conduct after capture package given to troops deploying. Up until that point there was only POW training given.

The media appearances made by the RWF hostages were stage managed but to my memory nobody gave a personal account and it was all pretty sterile stuff, then it was get back on the horse because there was still a job to do.

Ere Ere, wish I'd been offerd money....JOKE JOKE!!!!!

A T Marshall · 12-04-2007, 01:11

Hello All, The aspect of this affair that concerns me is the damage that it does to what has been quoted by various people , as 'the covenant' that exists between the British people and the armed forces, now I wonder who'd like to see that damaged? Having said that they are young, were probably lacking in training for the situation they found themselves in, and I'm sure they did their best, and as someone has already said , at the end of it somebody dangled a few years salary in front of them, who am I to judge? It was what must have been a very scary time for all of them.. More port and dry ginger anyone? Regards Alex...

**ap1** · 12-04-2007, 09:57

Originally Posted by A T Marshall

Hello All, The aspect of this affair that concerns me is the damage that it does to what has been quoted by various people , as 'the covenant' that exists between the British people and the armed forces, .

I think that was probably broken after the furore over soldiers housing, inadequate medical care for the wounded and lack of proper livesaving equipment(Body Armour).

I feel very fortunate that all I really had to complain about was barrack damages and DMS boots.

Any bets on the SOS for Defence resigning over the next 3 days? Inspiring bloke

**5haron** · 12-04-2007, 10:07

Do you also think the media are more enticing than they used to be? Some tabloids are really getting their teeth into the inadequacies of provisons for service personnel and these situations provide them with golden oppo's to knock the government. I reckon they approached these sailors with a huge cash offer - knowing they'd find it almost impossible to refuse. Consider the way the world is changing and the apparent freedom these papers have, I don't think they'd even have thought of approaching military personnel 10 years ago - and possibly the same personnel would have been more protected and unapproachable?

**ap1** · 12-04-2007, 10:26

Very true Sharon. The RN made a poor judgement call in allowing them to sell. I don't really make any comment on the two who decided too go down that route. But its telling that "Young Arthur Batchelor" is now critising the decison to allow him to do it, saying he feels hung out to dry. Even the News of the World former editor Phil Hall, is shocked that they dont appear to have been given any sort of proper advice regarding media issues and the potential backlash from fellow service personnel and the public.

Its also interesting that the Royal Marines involved have declined. Different service culture perhaps, with the regimental support system coming into play and perhaps the CO and RSM of the Commando unit having a "Cosy Fireside Chat" with the guys about the rights and wrongs of playing with the media.

**5haron** · 12-04-2007, 11:00

I had to laugh yesterday, one of the online tabloids featuring Fay Tierney (?) announcing that "after her horrific ordeal" she was returning to Iraq and her ship.......Erm??

**Paul Davies 701** · 12-04-2007, 14:55

What we must remember is at the same time as those "hostages" were arriving back in the UK 4 soldiers were killed in Iraq, they didn't get a chance to tell their stories. Shame on this Government for allowing this fiasco to happen in the first place. I believe the Government allowed them to sell their stories to try and deflect from the fact that more soldiers were killed, how much air time or column space did the fact that these soldiers died had compared to the navy & marine personnel returning home..........very little. I'm glad its back fired on them.