| Submit your comments on this article |
| Great White North |
| Military probe claims Canuck Snipers Were Treated as Traitors |
| 2004-10-01 |
| via Cracker Barrel Philosopher Hailed as heroes by U.S. troops in Afghanistan Hailed as heroes for their crack shots in the mountains of Afghanistan, a group of decorated Canadian snipers were considered traitors by their fellow soldiers for the simple reason they worked alongside American troops. That's the troubling allegation behind a new probe under way by the Canadian military."The chief of defence staff is concerned about the nature of the complaints that he's heard and he wants an independent investigation to get to the bottom of it," Marin told the Star. "These are very serious allegations," Marin said. For the countless American soldiers whose lives were saved by sharp eyes and crack shots of the snipers, the Canadians were seen as heroes. But other Canadian soldiers resented their close affiliation with the American troops and made no secret of it when the snipers returned to their base in Afghanistan and then home to Canada, a source told the Star. ... The snipers, members of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, 3rd Battalion, were sent to Afghanistan in late February 2002 as part of the first deployment of Canadian Forces in that country after a U.S.-led coalition launched its war against terrorism. More than 20 kills were unofficially accredited to the snipers during Operation Anaconda in Shah-i-Kot Valley. Five of the snipers were nominated for one of the highest awards given by the United States military — the Bronze Star, two of them with Vs for Valour, marking exceptional bravery. But in what was a signal of the troubles they were encountering, awarding of the American medal was delayed by Canadian protocol officials. |
| Posted by:Frank G |
| #16 Anti-war feeling is common in most free countries - including the US. I don't remember another case where it has been reported as prevalent in a country's military. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-10-01 10:00:32 PM |
| #15 I got a bronze star for stuff I did in a combat situation, but the one with the V was for action under fire. And the Candians are the best snipers - those guys broke Gunny Hathcock's unofficial recrod. Betcha the snipers are from out west, not from the east. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2004-10-01 8:04:41 PM |
| #14 I doubt it, OldPatriot, since that 65% that's hard left will have a lock on power for years to come ... It's not race that determines my opinion of the person, it's growing to be nationality. ;-) |
| Posted by: Edward Yee 2004-10-01 7:59:41 PM |
| #13 I have quite a few friends in Canada, made over the Internet in the past five years, or from early association with a Canadian-based oil exploration company I worked for briefly. There's a growing divide between Canada west of Ontario and the rest of the country, especially Quebec. Unfortunately for the Canadians and their current particular form of government, the vast majority of the population (65% or more) lives in either Quebec or Ontario. The rest of the nation has little say in matters of state. The resentment is very real, and building. If things continue as they are now, ANYTHING could happen in Canada in the next ten years. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2004-10-01 6:57:40 PM |
| #12 The Bronze Star can be awarded for meritorious service as well as for bravery under fire. I had a friend who got the Bronze Star in WWII for figuring out how to keep the radios working in 8th Air Force. Bronze stars awarded for bravery in combat are distinguished by a V device that is worn on the ribbon. V stands for Valor. |
| Posted by: RWV 2004-10-01 6:32:27 PM |
| #11 2430 meters is a long shot even for the 50 cal rifle they were using. Here is more on the story: http://www.riflebarrels.com/articles/50calibre/50sniping.htm It is heartening to hear that men such as these will fight with us. |
| Posted by: RWV 2004-10-01 6:29:18 PM |
| #10 Maybe America needs to create a Foreign Legion so the Canucks wouldn't have to go home where they aren't wanted. |
| Posted by: Chris Smith 2004-10-01 6:26:41 PM |
| #9 The "V" for valor has been questioned regarding Kerry's medals. That was re Mr. Kerry's Silver Star. Bronze Stars can be awarded with a 'V'. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2004-10-01 6:23:53 PM |
| #8 The "V" for valor has been questioned regarding Kerry's medals. Joe Citizen in Canada is not too supportive of our efforts. Have run into serious anti-war "attitudes" up there. They seem to be satisfied with letting us do the heavy lifting so they can have government sponsored health care. In the past (say WWII and Korea) we had good support from the Canadians. Doubt the 2000 yard kill. |
| Posted by: John 2004-10-01 6:00:54 PM |
| #7 the Bronze Star, two of them with Vs for Valour, marking exceptional bravery. You see, its just not me but these guys too that have V's for valor on their medals. Of course, they use bullets from 2000yards and I used spitballs from 30inches! |
| Posted by: John Forbes Kerry 2004-10-01 3:31:26 PM |
| #6 Isn't one of these guys supposed to have taken the world's record for the longest kill, something like 2,000 yards? |
| Posted by: Chuck Simmins 2004-10-01 3:06:11 PM |
| #5 Even more amazing considering the nature of the gun control laws in Canada... |
| Posted by: BigEd 2004-10-01 1:05:04 PM |
| #4 Shipman, two of the awarded Bronze Stars had "Combat V" ribbons attached. |
| Posted by: Edward Yee 2004-10-01 12:58:43 PM |
| #3 I'm sure you all will be surprised that the Torontonians had no idea how good their snipers are... I'm surprised they knew we had a military at all. Actually, Canada has a lot of things...but no one knows about it. For example, Toronto has a Heavy Urban Search & Rescue team, that could've been used to save a guy trapped in a hole a while ago. But, they weren't called, and the poor guy had to lose his life. Canada also have a Disaster Assistance Response Team, which could have been helpful in Haiti, but...well, even if they were called they don't have the airlift capability to get there. |
| Posted by: Rafael 2004-10-01 12:11:01 PM |
| #2 When I was Toronto last month, the locals were all still abuzz with the story of a recent hostage situation where a police sniper took out the perp with one shot, right out from behind the hostage. I told my friends that the police sniper was prolly ex-military, and that the Canadian snipers were our best allies in Afghanistan. I'm sure you all will be surprised that the Torontonians had no idea how good their snipers are... |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2004-10-01 11:45:10 AM |
| #1 the Bronze Star, two of them with Vs for Valour, marking exceptional bravery ? |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-10-01 11:30:36 AM |