Tim Collins' book: Rules of Engagement

[rjbhutton]

Has anyone read "Rules of Engagement: A Life in Conflict" by Tim Collins? Remember the British Army officer accused of war crimes in about May 2003? This is the guy. Royal Irish Regt commander, was a little unorthodox in his methods, but appears to have got the job done. He was accused of war crimes by a National Guardsman who he had a run in with. It's an interesting read, esp given that it is the Brit perspective on a very US dominated (in terms of books, at least) topic. Has good background on some "peacekeeping" ops stuff, and "nation building" tactics... and paints a pretty poor picture of some of the US tactics (but also has good things to say about the USMC LNOs/ANGLICOs). Anyone else read this? Thoughts?

[Gringo]

I read it a few months ago. I agree, it is a very good book. And shows how how diplomacy worked over combat, for example when he had help with local Iraqis to convince their fellow Iraqis to surrender.

He's been on the news a lot recently, giving his opinion of the war and occupation of Iraq, and thinking of suggestions of what would be the best exit strategy for Coalition forces.

Funny thing is, he was a political and current affairs program on Channel 4 talking about this, the program being Morgan and Patell. Morgan as in Piers Morgan, the former editor of The Mirror tabloid newpaper, need I say anymore. I got to hand it to Tim Collins though, at how he kept his cool. I bet most of us here would've liked to kicked his head in.

[rjbhutton]

Thanks Gringo.. you provided some of the context I realized was missing when I posted.. focus of the book is on command in N. Ireland in the late 90s, and mostly on the invasion of Iraq (from the lead up to about May 2003). Interesting comparisons of some of the situations in NI and in Iraq. The war crimes allegations were first aired in the British newspaper "The Sun". In the book, at the end, he was reporting for Mail on Sunday... is he now working TV? the speaking circuit?

He was extremely critical of the National Guardsman who lodged the complaint. Pretty much said he was a bumbling part timer. It did not say how the US handled the allegations, or what the outcome for the ARNG Maj was. Seemed like the US just handed it over to the British Army. Collins was extremely critical of the lack of support that he had from the Army and his chain of command. They basically hung him out to dry.

[EsoognomEhT]

I know someone (scaley Major) that was a subbie with him many many moons ago, and apparently hes a **** and a bloke its very easy to dislike..hence why he received precious little support from above when he ran into trouble.

[coverteye]

Yeah good book.

He is working as a manager in a company. (Details withheld, but some people on here know which one).

[catalyst]

He seemed to allude to moving into some Sandline related stuff....great read that I admit did open my eyes to some of the things that occured in a battlefield commanders mind. He did seem to make some bad choices and some good ones at that.

ill give the book a 8.5/10. worth the read

[rjbhutton]

I know someone (scaley Major) that was a subbie with him many many moons ago, and apparently hes a **** and a bloke its very easy to dislike..hence why he received precious little support from above when he ran into trouble.

Interesting. I did get the sense in the book that he recognized that he rubbed some people the wrong way... I wondered if he might not be a bit eccentric, but I figured "unorthodox" might be a better description. Sometimes that's the kind of guy you need in a tough situation... Churchill springs to mind... (cue: abuse!)... based on the previous posts, and his SAS/SF planning background, I assume he is working in the PMC sector now?!

[Johnny_H02]

what did he get pinned for warcrimes for?

[MrScruff]

I'm working my way round to this. At the other end of the scale I'm currently reading Weekend Warrior, the diary of a TA NCO Iraq, pretty good stuff so far :)

[Malc]

I'm working my way round to this. At the other end of the scale I'm currently reading Weekend Warrior, the diary of a TA NCO Iraq, pretty good stuff so far :)

Read that over the summer a very good read interesting reading the perspective of a reservist. Even know he seems to spend a lot of time sitting around or getting lost.

[rjbhutton]

what did he get pinned for warcrimes for?

You'll have to read the book!! ; )
Actually, there were a number of separate charges brought against him by this ARNG Maj., most of which were thrown out because they were bogus. The one or two that stuck were actually "minor misdemeanors" that related to his use of his sidearm to make his point to some Iraqi's who were looting (shots that he claims were placed into safe areas, in the gorund, in the ceiling), and redirecting some of Sadaam's money into getting the local school up and running, when it was supposed to all be turned over to the military powers that be. The ARNG Maj was made to look like a chump who made the claims because his ego was bruised. You'll have to read the book to decide for yourself (apparently the Maj's 2I/C apologized to Collins for his CO's behavior).

[Corinthian]

Well worth a read.