Aussie Soldier Bravery

[CSP]

Lashed to vehicle in Afghanistan, wounded SAS soldier fought on....
By Ian McPhedran

October 23, 2008 12:20am
Article from: The Courier-Mail


DESPITE being shot twice during an ambush in Afghanistan, an SAS soldier lashed himself to the front of his patrol vehicle so he wouldn't be left behind if he passed out from loss of blood and kept on fighting.

The Digger is expected to be recommended for a high level bravery award.

Suffering from serious upper body wounds, the soldier struggled on to the front of his SAS long range patrol vehicle (LRPV) and, under heavy fire, used a rope to attach himself firmly between the vehicle's bull bar and radiator.

Once he was secured, and there was no chance that he would fall off if he fainted, he picked up his rifle and resumed firing at the enemy during a two-hour fighting withdrawal.

SAS troops and their special forces comrades from the Commando Regiment are well aware of the slow and painful death that awaits them if they are captured by the Taliban.

The Digger, who cannot be identified, faded in and out of consciousness, emptying several magazines as volleys of enemy rounds and rocket propelled grenades, rained down around him.

He was finally evacuated from the battle field at high speed still lashed to the front of the LRPV.

While the Diggers fought for survival, bureaucrats in Canberra docked the pay of more than 100 SAS men, including many serving in Afghanistan.

Several troops had been told they had debts of $30,000 for allowances that shouldn't have been paid and were being forced to repay the funds.

The issue was resolved yesterday when army chief Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie admitted it was a fault with the auto pay system, adding it would be fixed immediately.

A source told The Courier-Mail the Digger was now "up and about" and would recover fully from his serious gunshot wounds. His heroic deeds will be recognised when he is recommended for a high level bravery award.

Several others engaged in the do-or-die battle on September 2 are also in line for top honours.

Meanwhile, Australia has made an "honour payment" to the family of a slain Afghan leader to make amends with the residents of the Chora district.

The army believes Australian soldiers may have shot Rozi Khan on September 18 but there has been no official finding.

[BullittSV6]

That's just ballsy that is, makes you proud to be an Aussie when you hear stories like this. It sounds like something Bruce Willis would do in Die Hard!

[minux]

Tough men our SASR Troopers. If only I had of been mentally more mature on the cadre I'd probably still be there now. Goddamn too young lol.

As for the mil auto pay system, its not the first time its happened, sure it wont be the last. They should be letting them go as bonus' for what these guys are doing. Govt is happy to fork out millions of millions to lower income earners to buy plasma's but wont give a bonus to these soldiers. What a joke.

[xlr8_87]

absolutely ridiculous that pay cut when you hear things like that, if anything, pay them more!
I'd much more rather my taxes go to a good soldier than paying for the prime ministers dinner...

[minux]

absolutely ridiculous that pay cut when you hear things like that, if anything, pay them more!
I'd much more rather my taxes go to a good soldier than paying for the prime ministers dinner...

Or for peoples plasma TV's.

[Julie]

I stumbled across this on another forum too and nearly posted it earlier today. I'm very grateful for the sacrifices these guys make for us to live in the relative safety we now enjoy. I was suprised to read this actually I was a bit naive thinking things weren't anywhere near as volatile there and that our guys would just be over there doing patrols and goofing around. People throw around the terms hero and brave all to often these days with sportsmen and the like but this to me is a true act of bravery from a hero.

[Hillerus]

People throw around the terms hero and brave all too often these days with sportsmen and the like but this to me is a true act of bravery from a hero.

Exactly right. It ****s me when I hear about our "Olympic Heroes" and the like. Whats so heroic about running around a track or swimming in a pool? While their achievements at times can be excellent, and alot of hard work put into the training, could it really be considered "heroic"?

[pow3rslave]

good on the bloke, can't say the front of a bull bar in a firefight is somewhere i'd want to be, especially if a hasty retreat was a possibility.

hope they don't make him pay for his medal.

[Sharoo]

My xbfs brother is in the Army and the stories he tell us about peacekeeping are horrible and hes not even on the front line.
After hearing exactly what they go through (not even in extraordinary circumstances like the op) they deserve every cent they get if not more.

[immortality]

sounds like something worthy of a VC. sounds just like a NZ SAS soldier in afganistan. were ambushed during a evening layover. serious firefight. he went over 100meters though sustained heavy weapons fire and RPG's landing around the vehicles to get his mate to safety who was close to bleeding to death. he then picked up a C5 and went back at the attacking force who they managed to drive off with a counter assault. Corporal Winiatta is actually a very quiet and under stated guy. doesn't like the media attention at all that his VC has given him. didn't think what he did was special, just doing his job.

damn shame i injured my shoulder/back when i was enlisted. never made it to basic training

[minux]

My xbfs brother is in the Army and the stories he tell us about peacekeeping are horrible and hes not even on the front line.
After hearing exactly what they go through (not even in extraordinary circumstances like the op) they deserve every cent they get if not more.

I am sure I could tell you some better ones from the frontline. Fact is, peacekeeping isn't what you see reported on the news, in fact it rarely is. Peacekeeping is an absolute joke in many many circumstances.

[Skitz]

Some stories from the front line please Minux.

[hsvpunk]

I am sure I could tell you some better ones from the frontline. Fact is, peacekeeping isn't what you see reported on the news, in fact it rarely is. Peacekeeping is an absolute joke in many many circumstances.

Ive heard all about it too Minux, fair nasty indeed.

Mate of mine is in army. Back in Oz atm.
Did "peace" Keeping in Timor... alot more goes on than what the television says.
He also did Iraq, him and his patrol were doing there thing, and something went bang, and his mate lost 98% of his vision. Coulda been worse, i couldve lost a mate. Many more where that came form, but its really upto the person if they want to talk about them

[minux]

Ive heard all about it too Minux, fair nasty indeed.

Mate of mine is in army. Back in Oz atm.
Did "peace" Keeping in Timor... alot more goes on than what the television says.
He also did Iraq, him and his patrol were doing there thing, and something went bang, and his mate lost 98% of his vision. Coulda been worse, i couldve lost a mate. Many more where that came form, but its really upto the person if they want to talk about them

Yep, not all it is made out to be. I have lost 3 friends due to East Timor, all 3 killed themselves. What you see and hear on the news is usually about 1/10th of the truth of what is actually happening there. As for the stories, I could tell some, but I do not see the point, people will not understand why things were done etc, besides some stories I am not allowed to tell apparently.

[BANKS]

Or for peoples plasma TV's.

minux = plasma tv bandit lol

Ever thought that when your playing a game on the computer, that some solider, somewhere has been and done it? I have nothing but the highest respect for the men and women that serve this country, to deal with that **** and be under those pressures, remarkable men and women.

Would someone explain the auto-pay system.

[CSP]

Ever thought that when your playing a game on the computer, that some solider, somewhere has been and done it?

Nope - nothing like real life at all. When you add in the very REAL threat of death or serious injury, it changes everything. Hence nothing like computer games.

You can't re-spawn when you die, or walk up to a wall and heal yourself back to 100% in real life.

I do understand what you mean though... Respect for any soldier!

[minux]

Would someone explain the auto-pay system.

Basically the mil pay system pays based on regi number and details in scma's system. So if you go on operation it will adjust to pay you field allowance, change tax offsets etc.

Thats how I understood it when it was explained to us. It really requires no personnel to pay you. It relies on information in the system about you. When you get promotoed scma is notified database is updated auto pay ups your wages etc.

[Keepleft]

Exactly right. It ****s me when I hear about our "Olympic Heroes" and the like. Whats so heroic about running around a track or swimming in a pool? While their achievements at times can be excellent, and alot of hard work put into the training, could it really be considered "heroic"?

AGREED, the 'hero' tag is very easily earned in modern, PC Australia.

Sportsmen and women, hero's? Not on my watch. Great - they may be, but not . . .