This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7510013.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Coroner voices battle 'concerns' Coroner voices battle 'concerns'
(10 minutes later)
A coroner has expressed "concern" that a UK mission in Afghanistan, in which two soldiers were killed, was thwarted by confusion over rules of engagement.A coroner has expressed "concern" that a UK mission in Afghanistan, in which two soldiers were killed, was thwarted by confusion over rules of engagement.
Sgt Craig Brelsford, of Nottingham, and South African-born Pte Johan Botha died in a battle in Helmand last September.Sgt Craig Brelsford, of Nottingham, and South African-born Pte Johan Botha died in a battle in Helmand last September.
An inquest heard the mission had been halted for an hour after it emerged the ground troops had different rules of engagement to their air support.An inquest heard the mission had been halted for an hour after it emerged the ground troops had different rules of engagement to their air support.
The Wiltshire coroner recorded verdicts of unlawful killing on both men.The Wiltshire coroner recorded verdicts of unlawful killing on both men.
Pte Botha, 25, was killed during the ensuing firefight with the Taleban - which one surviving soldier said they had dubbed Operation Certain Death - and Sgt Brelsford, also 25, was shot dead while trying to recover his body. [The confusion over rules of engagement] meant a delay in the impetus of the operation - that is of concern to me Coroner David Masters Pte Botha, 25, was killed during the ensuing firefight with the Taleban - which one surviving soldier said they had dubbed Operation Certain Death - and Sgt Brelsford, also 25, was shot dead while trying to recover his body. What we have heard in this inquest exemplifies bravery at its highest level brought about by the strength of comradeship Coroner David Masters
A number of soldiers involved in the incident were recognised for their bravery, with a posthumous Military Cross awarded to Sgt Brelsford, and their actions were praised by coroner David Masters.A number of soldiers involved in the incident were recognised for their bravery, with a posthumous Military Cross awarded to Sgt Brelsford, and their actions were praised by coroner David Masters.
The inquest heard Maj Jamie Nowell, who had been leading the pre-planned operation, say there had been confusion when he was told his air support was not permitted to fire at the Taleban.The inquest heard Maj Jamie Nowell, who had been leading the pre-planned operation, say there had been confusion when he was told his air support was not permitted to fire at the Taleban.
The British troops had been behind Taleban lines attempting to destroy their vantage points south of Garmsir on 8 September 2007, the hearing in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, was told.The British troops had been behind Taleban lines attempting to destroy their vantage points south of Garmsir on 8 September 2007, the hearing in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, was told.
Maj Nowell said he had told air support to open fire at four members of the Taleban who had been seen in a trench.Maj Nowell said he had told air support to open fire at four members of the Taleban who had been seen in a trench.
He said his soldiers were under "429 A" rules of engagement, which permitted them to engage identified enemy.He said his soldiers were under "429 A" rules of engagement, which permitted them to engage identified enemy.
But he was told over the radio that his airborne colleagues were not permitted to engage the enemy because they were on "Card A", allowing them only to fire in self-defence.But he was told over the radio that his airborne colleagues were not permitted to engage the enemy because they were on "Card A", allowing them only to fire in self-defence.
"I could not understand how it had happened," he told the hearing on Tuesday."I could not understand how it had happened," he told the hearing on Tuesday.
He said the aircraft was "eventually" put on the same rules of engagement but the opportunity to engage the Taleban had been lost.He said the aircraft was "eventually" put on the same rules of engagement but the opportunity to engage the Taleban had been lost.
Heavy fireHeavy fire
While the major said the episode had had "no real impact" on the outcome of the operation, Mr Masters said he believed it would have "put lives at risk".While the major said the episode had had "no real impact" on the outcome of the operation, Mr Masters said he believed it would have "put lives at risk".
Speaking as he recorded the verdicts, the coroner said Maj Nowell had wanted to use an air strike as an "element of surprise" against the Taleban but was thwarted.Speaking as he recorded the verdicts, the coroner said Maj Nowell had wanted to use an air strike as an "element of surprise" against the Taleban but was thwarted.
He said: "That difficulty needed to be negotiated with higher command, perhaps with harsh words spoken.He said: "That difficulty needed to be negotiated with higher command, perhaps with harsh words spoken.
"It meant a delay in the impetus of the operation. That is of concern to me. "It meant a delay in the impetus of the operation. That is of concern to me. They were fighting so gallantly and had the equipment they needed - this is just what happens in war Pte Botha's father-in-law, Gobie Ross
"It did stop for a period what was intended to be done. By the time it was in place, the movement of Taleban couldn't be discovered again so there was no air attack.""It did stop for a period what was intended to be done. By the time it was in place, the movement of Taleban couldn't be discovered again so there was no air attack."
Shortly afterwards, one of Maj Nowell's platoons was confronted with heavy Taleban fire, and the ensuing fight lasted several hours.Shortly afterwards, one of Maj Nowell's platoons was confronted with heavy Taleban fire, and the ensuing fight lasted several hours.
Three MCs, a Conspicuous Gallantry Cross and five Mentions in Dispatches were given to troops as a result of the battle. They were fighting so gallantly and had the equipment they needed - this is just what happens in war Pte Botha's father-in-law, Gobie Ross Three MCs, a Conspicuous Gallantry Cross and five Mentions in Dispatches were given to troops as a result of the battle.
Two other soldiers were seriously injured and a number of the Taleban fighters were killed.Two other soldiers were seriously injured and a number of the Taleban fighters were killed.
Both Sgt Brelsford and Pte Botha, from Pretoria, South Africa, were serving with the 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters).Both Sgt Brelsford and Pte Botha, from Pretoria, South Africa, were serving with the 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters).
Following the inquest, Pte Botha's father-in-law Gobie Ross said: "They were fighting so gallantly and had the equipment they needed. This is just what happens in war."Following the inquest, Pte Botha's father-in-law Gobie Ross said: "They were fighting so gallantly and had the equipment they needed. This is just what happens in war."
Mr Masters said the courage of all those involved needed to be "broadcast in its widest sense of the word".Mr Masters said the courage of all those involved needed to be "broadcast in its widest sense of the word".
"What we have heard in this inquest exemplifies bravery at its highest level brought about by the strength of comradeship.""What we have heard in this inquest exemplifies bravery at its highest level brought about by the strength of comradeship."
He added: "Without exception everyone has demonstrated these qualities and also been honest enough to admit to sheer unadulterated fear.He added: "Without exception everyone has demonstrated these qualities and also been honest enough to admit to sheer unadulterated fear.
"The courage to seek to rescue a fallen colleague in the face of such intense danger is merely beyond belief.""The courage to seek to rescue a fallen colleague in the face of such intense danger is merely beyond belief."