Military inquiry into Aussie war zone actions appalling

THE Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force (IGADF) is conducting an inquiry into rumours of possible breaches of the laws of armed conflict by members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016.

To do this inquiry, the IGADF has placed notices in local Afghani newspapers seeking evidence of possible breaches by Australian servicemen while on operations in a war zone.

What an incredible ask. What kind of un-Australian legal professional suggested this approach.

Basically, they are asking the enemy to list their complaints into Aussie behaviour while at war – no doubt expecting some compensation.

I find the IGADF’s approach positively appalling.

Being a retired serviceman who served as a Forward Air Controller in Vietnam, where I heard of Vietcong atrocities against local village leaders and others, I know that usual standards deteriorate when on the battlefield.

One cannot suppress the emotion of hate for an enemy combatant when one sees the enemy soldier cut his mate’s throat.

Do you kill that enemy soldier or take him as a prisoner during the hectic battle in progress?

If arresting him may cause you to be killed, you kill him.

Changes were made to the military justice system in 1985 where the purpose of the Defence Force Discipline Act is to maintain and enforce military discipline. It applies to all Australian Defence Force members in times of peace and war and includes offences that are uniquely military and other offences that occur in a military environment.

Having legal professionals, or anybody else without battlefield experience making decisions on a soldier’s behaviour on the battlefield is not appropriate. They don’t understand the complex emotions involved in battle.

I often heard the fear in the voices of the infantrymen under attack when they asked me for help when I was in Vietnam.

Prior to 1985, commanding officers in a combat zone heard charges against their subordinates, and understanding the environment in which the offence occurred, made a decision to punish the offender or not.

More serious charges were heard by a courts martial panel comprised of senior, war-experienced officers.

The decision was not handed to higher headquarters in Australia where the legal teams have no clues other than what is written in a book of law.

Peacetime experience cannot be compared.

The Afghanistan inquiry called by the IGADF is a most unAustralian move.

May I suggest that the Australian Government steps in and stops this extraordinary hearing.

To me, it is downright disgusting for the Australian Defence Force to be investigating battlefield actions of our soldiers years after the events supposedly took place. Are they going to go back and examine all of the WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam actions too?

Yes, there are more. Remember, besides hate on the battlefield there is plenty of fear too. The consequences of these emotions, if severe, are unpredictable.

If the inquiry is not stopped then all participants, along with their roles in the inquiry must be named. A shameful episode in the governance of the Australian Defence Force.

PETER CONDON, SOUTHPORT