Breaker Morant, have We learned anything?

Bory

Active member
A few days ago, A couple a mates were sitting around, talking about how screwed the wrold is and only generation can fix it, as most teenagers do, and the Abu Ghraib photos came into the conversation. We talked about it for a few minutes, and found similarities between it, and the "Breaker" Morant case of 1902.

For those not Familiar with the Trial here is a link about Lieuntant Morant, that goes into detail about his trail (Eventully)

http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-vc/breaker_morant.htm

Now, the similarites we came up with. The BVC recived lawful orders to "Take no prisoners" and they did so, gaining a reputation on the way.

When the Brown smelly stuff hit the fan, the Brits instantly had them arrested, and made a big fuss about bringing back justice.

Their only defence was that the Army had orders, from Lord Kitchner to shoot Boer Prisoners wearing British Uniforms. However their defence lawyer was not allowed to supenia Lord Kitchner to testify at the court martial. Nor could they call up any sympathetic NCO's or Officer from the BVC.

To cover their bottoms, the British Executed Morant and Hancock, and sentenced Whitton to Life in prison, of which he served 3 years. When Whitton published the book "Scapegoats of the empire" It was removed from the shelves because it was "Defaming Lord Kitchener."

Bar the obviuos exceptions, are these cases not that similar at all.
 
Bory said:
A few days ago, A couple a mates were sitting around, talking about how screwed the wrold is and only generation can fix it, as most teenagers do, and the Abu Ghraib photos came into the conversation. We talked about it for a few minutes, and found similarities between it, and the "Breaker" Morant case of 1902.

It was also one great movie, I heartily recommend it.
 
Compared to back then, I have been happy to be on operations with the Brits. Either as an observer or as an organic part of the unit.
Squaddies are brilliant, officers well trained and experienced and their battlefield tactics and discipline are second to none.
read a couple of books on the Breaker and like the movie. It always stirs up our in born bagging of the mother country!
 
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