MoD Information

UK Tank Crew Killed.

Wed, March 26, 2003

Source: Ananova News

Two British soldiers have died in a "friendly fire"

Two British soldiers have died in a "friendly fire" incident near Basra. The tank crew were from the Queen's Royal Lancers, part of the 1st Royal Regiment of Fusiliers battle group, Colonel Chris Vernon said.

They were killed when they were fired on by comrades in another British tank.

The four-man crew of a Challenger II were locked in a battle with Iraqi forces west of Basra when they were mistakenly targeted by another Challenger, say reports.

Colonel Vernon said: "Regardless of the careful planning and measures taken in the type of operations in which we were engaged and in the heat of battle, there is always a risk that incidents such as this might happen.

"The next of kin have been informed."
UPDATE:

An army investigation is under way into the deaths of two British soldiers whose tank was mistaken for Iraqi armour and destroyed by "friendly fire".

Corporal Stephen Allbutt, 35, and Trooper David Clarke, 19, were in a Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank which was hit by a British tank round during combat on the outskirts of Basra.

Married father-of-two Corporal Allbutt, from Stoke-on-Trent, and Trooper Clarke, a single man from Littleworth, Staffordshire, were from the Queen's Royal Lancers, part of the 1st Royal Regiment of Fusiliers battle group.

Two other soldiers were seriously injured in the incident, which blew the turret from the tank. They have undergone surgery.

Crew members from the Black Watch battle group fired on the vehicle while engaging Iraqi soldiers and militia near a bridge over the Shatt Al Basrah canal running along the western edge of the city. It was pitch dark at the time.

The incident brings the death toll of British troops in the war to 20.

But 18 of the deaths have been a result of so-called "blue-on-blue" friendly fire and accidents.

An opinion poll out today suggested widespread public concern about the number of deaths suffered by British troops not in direct combat.

The Telegraph poll found that 75% of people believe the number of soldiers killed in accidents was "more than would be expected".