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gyrlversion · 6 years ago

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Northern Ireland Secretary says she is profoundly sorry

Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley was forced to apologise today after claiming none of the deaths caused by soldiers and police during the Troubles were crimes.

Ms Bradley is under pressure to resign after yesterday’s comments, which came just a week before soldiers of the Parachute Regiment will find out if they will be prosecuted over Bloody Sunday in 1972.

Ms Bradley provoked fury when she told MPs on Wednesday that deaths at the hands of the military and police in Northern Ireland were not crimes because ‘they were people acting under orders – fulfilling their duties in a dignified and appropriate way.’

But today she said she was ‘profoundly sorry’ today for the ‘offence and hurt’ caused after an explosion of anger from families who lost loved ones in the conflict and nationalist political leaders.

Support for Ms Bradley appears to be in the minority with former soldiers opposed to prosecuting troops who served in Northern Ireland even slamming the minister’s choice of words, and timing.

Ex-head of the Army Lord Dannatt – who has campaigned against a ‘witch hunt’ of Northern Ireland veterans – branded the remarks ‘extraordinarily embarrassing and naive’.

David Cameron issued an historic apology over the actions of British troops on Bloody Sunday in 2010, admitting the killings were ‘unjustified and unjustifiable’.

Despite the apology there have years of dispute over whether soldiers should be pursued by prosecutions 40 years later and decades after the peace accords.

Ms Bradley was humiliated last year after she admitted to not understanding the province’s politics, which are split on sectarian lines, when she took on the job of Northern Ireland Secretary.

Karen Bradley (pictured yesterday in the Commons) said she is ‘profoundly sorry’ today for the ‘offence and hurt’ caused after she suggested deaths caused by soldiers and police during the Troubles were not crimes

Next week, prosecutors will announce whether soldiers will face trial for the Bloody Sunday killings of 14 innocent civilians in Londonderry (image of tear gas explosions on Bloody Sunday in 1972)

Her latest intervention ahead of a sensitive prosecution decision also sparked a diplomatic spat with Dublin with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar calling her comments ‘insensitive and wrong’ – but he refused to call on her to quit.

Prosecutors to decide on Bloody Sunday charges next week

Prosecutors will announce next week whether soldiers will face trial for the Bloody Sunday killings of 14 innocent civilians in Londonderry.

The Mail has long campaigned against a witch-hunt of British troops. Their treatment stands in stark contrast to members of the IRA who, under the Good Friday Agreement of 1999, face a maximum of two years in prison for atrocities during the Troubles

Seventeen ex-soldiers, the oldest of whom is 77, remain under investigation over the shootings in Londonderry 47 years ago.

One soldier facing two charges of attempted murder, who can only be identified as Sergeant O, is accused of firing into the air and hitting brickwork which may have fallen and injured civilians.

The criminal investigation began following the 12-year inquiry led by Lord Saville, which ended in 2010. Costing £200million, it concluded troops ‘lost control’ on January 30, 1972 when troops from the 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment opened fire on protesters, killing 14 and injuring another 14.

The former soldiers at the greatest risk of murder charges were highlighted in Lord Saville’s report as Lance Corporal F, Corporal P, Soldier R and Soldier U.

Under the rules of the inquiry, the soldiers involved have been granted anonymity. However, they fear they could be identified if the cases end up in court.

In her apology, Ms Bradley said her language was ‘wrong’ and ‘deeply insensitive’ to many of those who lost loved ones – particularly on Bloody Sunday in 1972, where soldiers of the Parachute Regiment killed 13 civilians.

Today the Prime Minister’s deputy official spokeswoman said: ‘She has issued a fulsome apology. She accepts that her language was wrong.

‘That was the right thing to do.’

She said: ‘Yesterday I made comments regarding the actions of soldiers during the Troubles. I want to apologise. I am profoundly sorry for the offence and hurt that my words have caused.

‘The language was wrong and even though this was not my intention, it was deeply insensitive to many of those who lost loved ones.

‘I know from those families that I have met personally just how raw their pain is and I completely understand why they want to see justice properly delivered.

‘I share that aim and that is why I launched the public consultation on addressing the legacy of the Troubles.’

Ms Bradley insisted her and the Government had a ‘clear’ position in favour of the rule of law.

She said: ‘Where there is any evidence of wrongdoing this should be pursued without fear or favour, whoever the perpetrators might be.

‘That is a principle that underpins our approach to dealing with legacy issues and it is one from which we will not depart.’

Mickey McKinney, whose brother William was shot by a Parachute Regiment soldier, said: ‘It’s very hurtful.

‘She should resign right away, is she not aware that there was an inquiry that found our people completely innocent, was she not aware of David Cameron’s apology to the people for the behaviour of the army?

‘For her to come out with ridiculous comments, that is completely outrageous.’

Asked if Ms Bradley should resign, Irish Premier Leo Varadkar said: ‘Not gonna go there.

‘It’s not for me to determine the composition of any other government, that’s something for the Prime Minister and Karen herself to decide.’

Mickey McKinney, whose brother William was killed in Londonderry on Bloody Sunday, has slammed Ms Bradley’s comments (he is pictured at the Bloody Sunday memorial)

Even former soldiers opposed to prosecuting troops who served in Northern Ireland slammed the minister. Former head of the Army Lord Dannatt (file) branded the remarks ‘extraordinarily embarrassing and naive’

Northern Ireland’s former police ombudsman Baroness Nuala O’Loan urged the Prime Minister to seek Ms Bradley’s resignation.

Ahead of the apology, Baroness O’Loan said: ‘Those comments show a complete disregard for the operation of the rule of law.

‘Moreover, they also demonstrate a total lack of understanding about Northern Ireland and utter contempt for those who suffered the loss of loved ones.’

Asked if Ms Bradley should resign, Irish Premier Leo Varadkar (file) said ‘not gonna go there’ but his government did demand an explanation

Lord Dannatt told Nolan Live: ‘In 1972 when I was a platoon commander on the streets of Northern Ireland I knew who was at the top of the wanted list in Belfast and Londonderry.

‘I became head of the British Army, others became head of the political institutions in Northern Ireland.

‘Life moves on.

‘As far as Bloody Sunday was concerned bad things happened.’

Of prosecutions, he said: ‘If you want life to move on you have got to think about the bigger issues and think about what kind of community and society do people want to live in, in the future.’

Ms Bradley returned to the House of Commons on Wednesday to clarify to MPs that alleged wrongdoing should always be investigated.

Next week, prosecutors will announce whether soldiers will face trial for the Bloody Sunday killings of 14 innocent civilians in Londonderry.

Seventeen ex-soldiers, the oldest of whom is 77, remain under investigation over the shootings in Londonderry 47 years ago.

One soldier facing two charges of attempted murder, who can only be identified as Sergeant O, is accused of firing into the air and hitting brickwork which may have fallen and injured civilians.

The former soldiers at the greatest risk of murder charges were highlighted in Lord Saville’s report as Lance Corporal F, Corporal P, Soldier R and Soldier U.

Under the rules of the inquiry, the soldiers involved have been granted anonymity. However, they fear they could be identified if the cases end up in court.

She later returned to the Commons to say: ‘The point I was seeking to convey was that the overwhelming majority of those who served carried out their duties with courage, professionalism and integrity and within the law.

‘I was not referring to any specific cases but expressing a general view.

‘Of course, where there is evidence of wrongdoing, it should always be investigated – whoever is responsible.

‘These are of course matters for the police and prosecuting authorities, who are independent of Government.’

What is the timeline of the Northern Ireland troubles and peace process?

August 1969:

British Government first send troops into Northern Ireland to restore order after three days of rioting in Catholic Londonderry

30 January 1972:

On ‘Bloody Sunday’ 13 civilians are shot dead by the British Army during a civil rights march in Londonderry

March 1972

The Stormont Government is dissolved and direct rule imposed by London

1970s:

The IRA begin its bloody campaign of bombings and assassinations in Britain

April 1981

Bobby Sands, a republicans on hunger strike in the Maze prison, is elected to Parliament. He dies a month later

October 1984

An IRA bomb explodes at the Grand Hotel in Brighton, where Margaret Thatcher is staying during the Tory Party conference

Early 1990s:

Margaret Thatcher and then Sir John Major set up a secret back channel with the IRA to start peace talks. The communications was so secret most ministers did not know about it.

April 1998

Tony Blair helps to broker the Good Friday Agreement, which is hailed as the end of the Troubles.

It establishes the Northern Ireland Assembly with David Trimble as its first minister.

2000s:

With some exceptions the peace process holds and republican and loyalist paramilitaries decommission their weapons

May 2011

The Queen and Prince Philip make a state visit to Ireland, the first since the 1911 tour by George V.

In a hugely symbolic moment, the Queen is pictured shaking hands with Martin McGuinness – a former IRA leader.

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steenpaal · 8 years ago

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3rd Tank Battalion - Wikipedia

The 3rd Tank Battalion (3rd Tanks) was an armor battalion of the United States Marine Corps.

Insignia[edit]

The coat of arms of the 3rd Tank Battalion is that of the 3rd Marine Division, differenced by surmounting the caltrop with an M4A3 Sherman tank, as used on Iwo Jima during WWII and stenciled with a number "3" on the turret and "USMC" on the hull in gold, all above a Marine Corps emblem of gold. A gold banner appears above the shield inscribed "THIRD TANK BATTALION" and another below the shield inscribed "SHOCK, MOBILITY, FIREPOWER" in scarlet. The M4A3 was the main battle tank of the battalion upon being organized during World War II and represents the origins of the battalion. (From "U.S. Marine Corps Ground Unit Insignia.") Subsequent insignia and devices are variations of this original insignia, typically changing the tank to a more modern version.

History[edit]

World War II[edit]

The 3rd Tank Battalion was formed during World War II on 16 September 1942. Each of the three regimental combat teams of the 3rd Marine Division had their own tank company and a scout car platoon. The 9th Marines tank company became Company A, 21st Marines company became Company B, and the 23rd Marines (later redesigned Third Marines) company became Company C.

When the battalion was formed it absorbed the three companies; a Headquarters and Service Company, Company D, and Company E (a Scout and Sniper Company). Company E (Scouts) was a combined arms reconnaissance (CAR) unit that had three scout platoons. They were formed from a group of reassigned recon scouts from the Scout and Sniper companies within the 3rd Marine Division.[1] They became the forerunner of the Marine Division Reconnaissance assets used by the Marine divisions today.[2] For greater mobility and firepower, the division commander equipped his scout company with light armored tanks to reinforce his regimental infantry units; especially useful for reconnaissance in force (RIF) tasks.[3] Its mechanized armor uses are also in effect today. During the 1980s, the Light Armored Reconnaissance battalions were formed, revitalizing the same methods used during World War II.

In January–February 1943, they deployed to Auckland, New Zealand.[1]

They participated in the Battle of Bougainville, Battle of Guam and the Battle of Iwo Jima. Arriving on the island on 20 February 1945, the battalion played an important role in the capture of Iwo Jima. Following the end of the war the battalion staged through Guam, sailing to San Diego in December, 1945. On 7 January 1946, the battalion was deactivated at Camp Pendleton.

Korean War[edit]

With the outbreak of the Korean War the battalion was reactivated at Camp Pendleton on 5 March 1952. In August 1953, the battalion sailed for Yokohama, Japan for service with the 3rd Marine Division at Camp Fuji. In February 1956, the 3d Tank Battalion was relocated to Okinawa and the following year moved to Camp Hansen, Okinawa.

Vietnam War[edit]

On 3 March 1965 SSG John Downey, 3rd platoon, Company B, 3rd US Marine Corps 3rd Tank Battalion, drove his M48A3 Patton tank off the landing craft onto Red Beach 2 in I Corps, South Vietnam. SSG Downey's USMC Patton tank became the first US tank to enter the Vietnam War.[4] The 3rd Tank Battalion conducted combat operations in South Vietnam from 1965 to 1969 and set up a command post at Da Nang. In 1965 the 3rd Tanks engaged the Viet Cong 1st Regiment southwest of Da Nang, pushing them into the sea, and killing over 700 men.[5] However, after the two-day battle, seven of the 3rd Tank Battalion's M48s had suffered hits, three of which were hit so badly they could no longer traverse their turrets, and one of the three was so damaged that it had to be destroyed by a demolition team.[5]

Eventually two full battalions, consisting of the USMC 1st and 3rd Tank Battalions, would end up conducting combat operations in northern I Corps, South Vietnam. They participated in combat actions against communist forces during the Tet Offensive of 1968, and during the re-taking of the city of Huế, and the siege of Khe Sanh during that same enemy offensive.[5] Until their re-deployment in 1969–70, the 3rd Tanks served as an armored defense at the DMZ along the 17th Parallel.

Post Vietnam[edit]

This was a period of desert tactical doctrine development for the Marine Corps and the 3rd Tank Battalion played a major role developing the concept of the tank battalion as a maneuver element in extended inland warfare during a multitude of Combined Arms Exercises (CAX) and the 1981/82 joint training operation, Gallant Eagle.

Around the time of the Iran-U.S. Hostage Crisis (1979-1981) the US Department of Defense developed a concept for rapid deployment of forces which became the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force (RDJTF). The 3rd Tank Battalion (-) Reinforced, along with an infantry battalion and an artillery battalion all collocated at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC), Marine Corps Base 29 Palms, California became the combat power of the newly reformed 27th Marine Regiment in the newly formed 7th Marine Amphibious Brigade (MAB). The two headquarters for the 27th Marines and the 7th MAB received Navy Meritorious Unit Citations for the period May 1980 - Aug 1983.

Gulf War I[edit]

The battalion joined the 1st Marine Division upon that unit's arrival in Saudi Arabia on 15 August 1990. They remained in support of the 7th Marine Regiment known as Task Force "Ripper." Alpha company was attached to 1/7 during the war. During Operation Desert Storm, the battalion fought a four-day ground campaign from 24–28 February 1991, and returned to the United States in April 1991. 3rd Tank Battalion and all of its subordinate companies were awarded the Navy Unit Citation for the period 14 Aug 1990 - 16 Apr 1991.[6] The battalion was deactivated on 1 June 1992

Unit awards[edit]

A unit citation or commendation is an award bestowed upon an organization for the action cited. Members of the unit who participated in said actions are allowed to wear on their uniforms the awarded unit citation. 3rd Tanks was presented with the following awards: