Re Execution of "American Mercenaries". Story first saw the light of day in 'Excursion to Hell', Vince Bramley's autobiography of his time with 2 Para during the conflict, in particular the battle for Mt Longdon, where Bramley alleges the incident took place. The incident, though described in some detail to Bramley by one of the alleged perpetrators, colleagues of his in 2 Para, has never been conclusively proved to have happened.
However, two alleged war crimes by members of the Battalion do have much more credence and are generally accepted as true.
The first concerns Cpl Stuart McGlaughlin. He apparently led a composite section of survivors throughout the better part of the battle for Longdon up and over the summit, on the way taking out several Argentine positions, all in such a manner as would normally befitted the highest of gallantry awards ie VC. He was killed the day after by a mortar round. Upon searching his personal effects, several Argentinian ears were found in his webbing, resulting in the Battalion padre refusing to countersign the award recommendation, even though all who witnessed his actions on the night agreed he should have had the VC.
The second concerns a Battalion Corporal, Louis S*****. On the day following the battle it is generally accepted, and confirmed by several eye witness accounts, that he shot dead an unarmed Argentinian prisoner during burial party duties. He was removed from the scene and, at the time, for public consumption, it was put about that he had been court martialled and dismissed the battalion. In fact his career continued up to 1993 when he retired as a Colour Sergeant. By then, to old salts who had known him at the time of the conflict, he had acquired the nick name 'line ‘em up Louis'. He was the type of soldier found in many Regiments, a good line soldier, very efficient at his job, but widely felt to be just a little too close to the edge to be comfortable around.