Proceeding contribution from Lord Blaker (Conservative) in the House of Lords on Tuesday, 31 October 2006. It occurred during Debate on bill on Armed Forces Bill.

Armed Forces Bill

My Lords, I had not intended to intervene in this debate, but one point is not being sufficiently stressed. I was an infantry officer in a line regiment in 1944. I fought from Normandy to Belgium. During the last action in which I took part and was wounded, we were informed that there were no Germans on the start point of the operation. In fact, there were Germans at that start point, greatly to our surprise. If I ask myself whether I would have had time to think about the rules of engagement in that situation, I believe that I would have been shot, and so would some of my men. The decisions have to be made instantly.

Secondary information

Type: Proceeding contribution
Reference: 686 c208-9
Session: 2005-06
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Complaints Disciplinary proceedings Disclosure of information Criminal proceedings Discipline Crime Alcoholic drinks Detainees Armed forces Age Conduct Deployment Courts martial Civilians Desertion Certification Defence equipment Jurisdiction Drugs International law Membership Prisoners Misuse Life imprisonment Officers Sentencing Tribunals Young people Rules of engagement
Legislation: Armed Forces Bill 2005-06
Link: View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk

Armed Forces Bill

Secondary information

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