# Did these (Iraq related) events happen? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 29, 2003, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-these-iraq-related-events-happen/171917 "2003-04-29T14:28:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tuco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tuco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuco)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2003, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-these-iraq-related-events-happen/171917/1 "2003-04-29T14:28:58Z")
I’ve heard a couple of anecdotes about British troops in the Iraq war and was wondering if anyone here knew if they are true or not? Snopes doesn’t have any info on them. 1. From the London Daily Mirror, Monday April 7th 2003, page 4 Brit Pilot’s Punch-up A Furious British Helicopter Pilot who came under “friendly fire” from American troops landed yards from them, leapt out and exchanged punches with a US Marine. The Chinook pilot shouted at him: “When was the last time you saw a f\*\*\*\*\*\*\* Iraqi in a helicopter?” The pilot and the marine had to be pulled apart as American troops advanced on the north of Baghdad, according to US reports from US Central Command in Qatar. British military spokesman Group Captain Al Lockwood said: "I’m afraid it would be an RAF kind of thing to do. “These guys are not known for tolerating fools gladly.” 2) The following was broadcast live on CNN on the 24th of March… In front of camera is the CNN anchor. He is joined by three American military experts (one being a retired two-star general from the ‘elite’ Delta Force) and an ex SAS soldier. Footage on side-screen shows Iraqi soldiers surrendering to coalition troops. CNN Anchor: “We’ve no current verification as to whether these are US or British troops the Iraqis are surrendering to.” Yank 1: “They look to be ours - only US troops wear boots like those.” Yank 2: “Indeed, and they appear to have the standard issue camouflage fatigues.” Yank 3 (Delta Force): “I’m not sure - we’ll have to get close-up images of them to be 100%. We’ll definitely be able to tell from the shape of their Kevlar helmets if they’re ours.” Ex SAS: “I’m surprised to learn you’re all experts. Since when did US forces carry the SA80 rifle as standard issue? Their DPMs could’ve been bought, as could their boots and webbing for that matter, so you’re chasing rainbows if you can I.D them from their clothes!” Anchor: “I think you’re right.” Ex SAS: “Of course I’m bloody right - anyone with half a brain and basic military training worth their salt should be able to I.D a British soldier by his rifle unless he’s special forces! Not to mention the fact that they’re covering all their arcs of fire properly, not shouting “woo yeah!” randomly and haven’t raised a flag in direct contravention of their orders!” …At this point one of the Americans pulls his mic off and leaves the floor. The other two look very uncomfortable… Anchor: “I think we can safely say that the soldiers on your screen are British…Now for these messages…” ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2003, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-these-iraq-related-events-happen/171917/2 "2003-04-29T15:46:29Z")
> [@](#): > > “When was the last time you saw a f\*\*\*\*\*\*\* > Iraqi in a helicopter?” > [@](#): > > “Of course I’m bloody right - anyone with half a brain and basic > military training worth their salt should be able to I.D a British soldier > by his rifle unless he’s special forces! Not to mention the fact that > they’re covering all their arcs of fire properly, not shouting “woo yeah!” > randomly and haven’t raised a flag in direct contravention of their orders!” YIPES. I can’t confirm either incident, but I’ve read similar, um, irritated comments from the British here and there. So I suppose it’s not implausible. You could go to the websites of the papers in question and poke around a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Slugworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4bbf92/32.png) [@Slugworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slugworth)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2003, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-these-iraq-related-events-happen/171917/3 "2003-04-29T16:06:27Z")
First story seems pretty clearly made up, just because of how outlandish it is, but stranger things have happened… The second story seems full of obvious holes, though I’m no expert. [http://www.specialoperations.com/Army/Delta\_Force/default.html](http://www.specialoperations.com/Army/Delta_Force/default.html) “As an officer in 1st SFOD-D, you will have added opportunities to command at the CPT, MAJ, and LTC levels” Meaning, I’m fairly sure there’s no such thing as a retired 2 star general from delta force. And uniforms exist for a reason - I hardly think british troops would buy US equipment and run around in it. It’s sort of frowned upon by the geneva convention. Even if the second story _did_ happen, the ex-SAS soldier, while being able to identify a rifle, doesn’t seem to know much more about the various aspects of war. I’m also forced to wonder at what kind of person, other than perhaps my sister, would try to ID a person by their shoes - Especially at such a range that the shape of their helmets couldn’t be made out.