ShabbyChick

When the POWs were shown on Al Jazeera in late March, there was also a picture aired of dead US soldiers. There was speculation that the soldiers were executed - shot in the head at close range - powder burns to the forhead, etc. Then, when Jessica Lynch was rescued, bodies were also recoverd that may have been the soldiers from the photo. Has there been any confirmation of the speculations that these men were executed? Does anyone have a link to more information about this?

Thanks!

Gurdur

So far, not one single case has been confirmed, and all claims have now been withdrawn.

I'll have to work hard to find the relevant links -- it'll take me a day to answer.

But no, repeat no, captured coalition soldiers appear --- as yet --- to have been summarily executed, and in fact most seem to have been quite decently treated following capture.

Cap'n Jack

As Gurder says, there isn't any confirmed cases of executions of POW soldiers.

In the UK it was suspected for a while that two Royal Engineers, who went missing and then shown on Al-Jazeera TV dead, were executed a claim that was later played down but not ruled out. Two men were recently arrested in connection with the killing of the two soldiers near Basra. I would say that it is increasingly less likely that any soldiers were executed, but until all of the investigations are complete, no-one will know for sure.

Heres a news article about the Royal Engineers and the capture of two men in connection with their deaths.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2917847.stm

ShabbyChick

Thanks for the info. There are so many that "know for certain" (like my family members) that there are soldiers that were executed.

JimLefferts

that's nothing. My girlfriend was told by a friend of hers that she had actually seen the executions broadcast by Fox News by mistake. No matter what evidence (or lack of) I pointed out to show that this could not possibly have happened, my girlfriend steadfastly believed that this other girl had seen this. *sigh*.

Corwin

Every report I've seen as yet agrees that the POW's were well treated after capture. Best guess is that their guards knew they were screwed and treated the prisoners well hoping for leniency after they were recovered.

Sojourner553

She probably really did see this on FOX.

Doesn't mean it happened of course. The problem is FOX and not your girlfriend (except for her news sources.)

JimLefferts

I'm speaking of actual video broadcasting the executions as they are taking place, not some anchor sitting at the desk spouting off.

Of course, you may have just been kidding.

Hayden

Maybe they were just decent people, doing a shitty job for someone they hated and didn't want to cause any more misery than they had to.

:banghead:

HR

Corwin

The two aren't necessarily mutually exclusive. However, on balance you have to admit that the situation would suggest that they knew they were screwed.