British soldiers’ nazi salutes in Afghanistan

As if nazi infiltration in the United States armed forces … Golden Dawn Greek nazis present in the Greek armed forces … African-hating racist officers in the German army … Czech nazi officers in the NATO occupation forces in Afghanistan … an infamous Australian nazi as mercenary fighter in Afghanistan, are not already more than enough; now, British armed forces.

Wars like in Afghanistan or Iraq seem both to bring out the worst in some people, and to attract some of the worst people.

From Metro daily in Britain:

British soldiers pictured giving Nazi salutes in Afghanistan

Sunday 27 Oct 2013 2:06 pm

By John Corney

Two British soldiers have been investigated by the Ministry of Defence after a photograph emerged of them performing a Nazi salute in front of the Union Flag.

The unnamed pair, apparently pictured while serving in Afghanistan, have their right arms raised and hands straight out in the image, published by the Mail on Sunday.

But their gesture could be an apparent show of solidarity with Northern Irish Loyalists, say commentators.

The Union Flag is inscribed with the words ‘Invicta Loyal’, the name of a Kent-based Glasgow Rangers supporters club, and below it hangs the flag of Northern Ireland.

There is a suggestion the soldiers may be making a ‘Red Hand of Ulster’ salute, once used by Rangers fans as a sign of allegiance with Northern Ireland Loyalists, the Mail said.

Democratic Unionist MP Sammy Wilson said: ‘This is not a salute made by marching bands (in Northern Ireland). It is not clear what the context is but I do not think it can be explained away as some type of Red Hand of Ulster salute.’

His party colleague Jeffrey Donaldson MP added: ‘Anyone who would imitate a Nazi salute in front of the Union Flag, or wearing the uniform, dishonours these flags and the British Army.

‘Any symbolism associated with fascism has no place in the Unionist tradition or any regiment of the British Army.’

It is not known which regiment the soldiers belong to but a MoD spokesman confirmed the men were serving soldiers when the photo was taken.

…

The MoD official went on to say that the incident has been investigated and ‘administrative action’ was taken at the time, in which the soldiers were dealt with by their chain of command.

It is not known if the pair were dismissed by the Army.

‘Individuals are free to join political parties but are expected to abide by our values and standards in all they do,’ the MoD spokesman said.

‘All those who are found to fall short of the Armed Forces’ high standards, or who are found to have committed an offence under the Armed Forces Act, are dealt with administratively (up to and including dismissal) or through the disciplinary process,’ he added.

The publication of the photo, in the run up to Remembrance Sunday, and the salute’s association with Nazism today provoked disgust and outrage.

John Mann, chairman of the Commons’ All Party Group Against Anti-Semitism said: ‘This is an insult to the memory of those who gave their lives to stop the Nazis.

‘These idiots need to be re-educated and they should be sent to visit Auschwitz and see what happened there and witness the evil which so many people fought to stop.

‘So many thousands of people died for this country and the last thing we want is their memory being tarnished by a couple of idiots in uniform.’

He added: ‘As Remembrance Sunday approaches, the MoD should send these guys around the country to clean war memorials.

‘Whether they call it a ‘Red Hand salute’ or whatever makes absolutely no difference – this is one of the most offensive gestures they could make in the modern world.’

Britain: A Royal Marine was found guilty yesterday of murdering an injured Afghan Taliban fighter in September 2011 by a military court martial: here.

Last week, a British Royal Marine was found guilty by a military court of murdering an injured Afghan prisoner. The murder was carried out on September 15, 2011 by an experienced sergeant known only as “Marine A” and witnessed by two other marines. The prosecution described it as an “execution”. The prisoner died after being shot in the chest at close range with a 9mm pistol: here.

A Royal Marine convicted of murdering an injured insurgent in Afghanistan yesterday failed in his bid to retain his anonymity. Three High Court judges ruled that Sergeant Alexander Blackman could be identified: here.

Royal Marines stage protest in London to defend war criminal [Blackman]: here.

An appeal of the sentencing and conviction for war crimes of Royal Marine Sgt. Alexander Blackman has opened at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. Blackman was found guilty of the murder of an injured Afghan prisoner of war by a military court in November 2013. Blackman’s supporters are calling for a review of his case, with a view to reducing or quashing his conviction. The murder was filmed from another marine’s helmet-mounted camera: here.

THE CASE of Alexander Blackman (the former marine sergeant sentenced to life imprisonment in 2013 for the murder of a wounded Afghan fighter) has provided another example of the war crimes committed by imperialism during their brutal occupation of the country: here.

Recently elected Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Labor opposition leader Bill Shorten flew together to Afghanistan on Monday to stage a bipartisan tribute to Australian troops who will be withdrawn from the country over the next eight weeks. Even after the withdrawal, however, around 500 Australian military personnel will remain in the country, including as trainers for Afghan government military units: here.

Each U.S. troop in Afghanistan now costs $2.1 million: here.

Related articles

• Outrage after troops bring shame on Scots regiment in Afghanistan by making Nazi salutes in picture (dailyrecord.co.uk)
• Paper publishes Nazi-style salute picture of British soldiers in Afghanistan (independent.co.uk)
• British soldiers photographed giving Nazi salutes in Afghanistan (theguardian.com)
• British Soldiers, Nazi Salutes – The Story We Had First (ansionnachfionn.com)
• British soldiers photographed making ‘Nazi-style’ salutes in front of Union Flag (mirror.co.uk)
• Controversy rages over British soldiers’ Nazi salutes (irishexaminer.com)