Comments for Allies, Post 2

Allies, Post 2

2009-07-10T11:34:42Z

Next is a helmet cam view of Brit infantry reacting to an attack in Afstan. There's no real gore in this one, though there is a brief glimpse of a dead Talib fighter (who was alive when the clip opened) at the very end. I put this one up because I want you to note the Brits aren't playing cowboy, they're very professional. They hold their return fire as they try to ensure that the incoming fire is being fired with hostile intent by hostiles (vice friendly fire) and when the Brits do return fire, the do so with deliberate, aimed fire - not just blazing away at anything that moves and randomly pocking the landscape and it's inhabitants.

Take a moment to notice how empty and confusing that little battlefield is. Lots of fire, but lots of uncertainty, too.

A disclaimer - if you click through on the LiveLeak videos, the sidebar ads at LiveLeak are *not* worksafe. And there is very unworksafe soldiers in combat language. H/t, Kevin.

Comment from 11B40 on 2009-07-10

2009-07-10T17:34:24Z

Greetings:

I was watching the movie "Zulu", with Stanley Baker and Michael Caine in the leading roles, last night. The British tradition of fire discipline goes a long way back. As an ex-infantryman, I enjoyed the British infantrymen's response when they were given the "Fire at will" order. It's very rare that people appreciate the importance and difficulty of good firing discipline. One of my initial surprises was how tough it was to get soldiers to stop firing.

Comment from JohnW on 2009-07-10

2009-07-10T16:55:02Z

I hate to say it, but that clip reminded me of nothing so much as a first person shooter computer game! Down to the magazine changes.