Two Dutch soldiers are to lodge an official complaint against their former platoon commander in Afghanistan.
The Dutch television programme Zembla, which is to broadcast a feature about the incident on Sunday, says the complaint has been prompted by a controversial incident that took place in September 2008. A platoon of 21 soldiers refused to carry out a risky reconnaissance patrol in Uruzgan province, saying that they needed more time to prepare. Although they were suspended from duty, the Public Prosecutor’s Office later found them not guilty of any punishable offences such as mutiny or dereliction of duty.
The two squad leaders say they are bringing the complaint because they are unhappy with the way the case was handled. In the Zembla broadcast, they accuse the platoon commander of excessively authoritarian behaviour and say he had made it clear he was prepared to accept fatalities on the patrol.
The officer has since been promoted to major and will shortly return to Uruzgan. The squad leaders say they are worried for other soldiers who may have to serve with him in the future.
© Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Photo by Remko Tanis (flickr)
Email this Article
Printer-friendly version
Can't really pass judgement with so little information. From what I've heard the the commander said some outrageous things. But the source is Zembla which isn't known for it's journalistic integrity.
"In the Zembla broadcast, they accuse the platoon commander of excessively authoritarian behaviour and say he had made it clear he was prepared to accept fatalities on the patrol."......I doubt very seriously that the platoon commander took it upon himself to set the missions he and and his platoon went on while serving in the military. All missions in combat zones are "risky reconnaissance" and the mind set should be that all comarades will return but the platoons should know that fatalities will happen. The commander was given his his missions by a higher command and he had no choice but do his job or be court-martial. Those who refused their mission were wrong for doing so. Does a soldier pick the missions he chooses to be safe or does he perform his job as he swore to do?
Post new comment
Please be reminded all comments must be in English, short and to the point - guideline 250 words. Abusive and inappropriate comments will be removed.