So here is a guy who clearly can't be bothered to read the BoI before giving us his insight into why XV170 was shot down. "Weird stuff,"
"took out the heart". Wow how did he get to Colonel with this analytical prowess. His understanding of threat effects is impressive, "massive rocket or something". Then he blames the compensation culture that led to the Inquest being held. Has he never heard of English law?
This is the same guy who wants to disband the RAF, me thinks he should switch to selling life insurance. Don't worry about this guy Chappie, you could make toilet paper out of him.
Iraq hero hits out at Hercules inquest
Published Date: 26 October 2008
By Tom Peterkin
THE army officer whose rousing speech famously inspired soldiers before they went into battle in Iraq has criticised the "compensation culture" that led to an inquest being held into the deaths of 10 British servicemen killed when their RAF Hercules was shot down.
Col Tim Collins said "nothing on earth" would have saved the men and added that those serving their country should be aware that "weird stuff" happens at war.
His remarks drew a furious response from families of the men who perished when their aircraft went down in Iraq.
They came as new defence secretary John Hutton said forces were well equipped but "past failures" must not be repeated.
Last week, the coroner for Wiltshire found that the men's lives could have been saved if protective foam around the aircraft's fuel tanks had been fitted when it was shot down flying between Baghdad and Balad in January 2005.
Collins said: "My understanding is that the Hercules was hit by a rocket which took it out right in the heart and nothing on this earth would have saved them."
The former Royal Irish Regiment officer also accused New Labour of fostering a compensation culture and when asked whether an inquest could provide comfort for victims' families, he replied: "What answers are you looking for? They were in a war zone and you're in an aircraft that's been hit by a massive rocket. That's the answer. If you do join up – weird stuff happens in war."
Iraq hero hits out at Hercules inquest - Scotland on Sunday