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hero
woodster - 23/7/08 at 12:04 PM

how brave was this lad a true hero

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_midlands/7521221.stm

paulmw - 23/7/08 at 12:08 PM

Brave or stupid, not quite sure

nib1980 - 23/7/08 at 12:08 PM

indeed, I've always said if you don't stand behind the troops (irrelevant of if you agree with what they are fighting for), feel free to stand in front of them

vinny1275 - 23/7/08 at 12:11 PM

completely. You only get something like 4 or 5 seconds before a grenade goes off. I can't imagine having to make that kind of split second decision - I'm sure a lot of people would be paralysed by the fear and end up killed by it.

Dangle_kt - 23/7/08 at 12:14 PM

I hope his trousers got shreaded as I'm pretty sure they wouldn't be in any fit state to be reused

Mr Whippy - 23/7/08 at 12:16 PM

quote:
Originally posted by paulmw
Brave or stupid, not quite sure


I would not consider it stupid, he made a decision and was willing to simply accept the consequences, he's just very lucky. Certainly a brave thing to do.

Unfortunately from now on he will find he is always at the front of the group and carrying a mattress

[Edited on 23/7/08 by Mr Whippy]

saigonij - 23/7/08 at 12:24 PM

wow. in my mind that guy is awesome....

lay on a grenade to save his comrades.

this guy shows that there are at least a few humans in this world that truly do put others first.

wow. im truly in awe. definitly not stupid.

jabbahutt - 23/7/08 at 12:32 PM

top man, truly deserves the award.

Dusty - 23/7/08 at 12:48 PM

Imagine the count down as he lay on it, knowing he would have to be very lucky to survive but knowing that by taking the blast his mates would be saved. Truly brave.

Dangle_kt - 23/7/08 at 12:50 PM

I'm sure his buddies that lived because of his choice think he is brave....though they probabyly call him a tit for setting it off in the first place.

Mr Whippy - 23/7/08 at 01:29 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Dangle_kt
though they probabyly call him a tit for setting it off in the first place.



LOL good point

it also looks like he now has some nice camouflage netting

[Edited on 23/7/08 by Mr Whippy]

woodster - 23/7/08 at 02:02 PM

HERO with a capital H

DaveFJ - 23/7/08 at 02:25 PM

This is actually more common that you would care to believe! And is often discussed amongst the lads - I think most would act in the same way!

I had a similar experience whilst doing a section attack on a range. someone fumbled a grenade throw and dropped it about 3 feet from me. the instructor dived on my back to protect me and also get his head down... as it was, the slight shallow in the ground deflected the blast and we came away with brown trousers but nothing else.....

But still, bloody good blokes! (both!)

Mr Whippy - 23/7/08 at 02:32 PM

Oh well since so many off you have trained with them maybe you can answer this question...

many years ago when I was in the air cadets (not for very long, marching is boring) we were told that you could hold a grenade above your head on the palm of your hand at let it off, 'apparently' you would not be injured as they were designed to throw all the energy out to the side and not down.

I must add that this is to me is totally ludicrous and I never believed a word of it.



[Edited on 23/7/08 by Mr Whippy]

DaveFJ - 23/7/08 at 02:39 PM

load of cobblers old chum....

the L2 grenade is basically wire wrapped around and explosive core. when it goes off the wire goes in all directions. however it is not a 'hollywood' weapon... no massive explosion and no fireball! just a loud bang and lots of wire flying about!

I wouldn't want to hold one!

that said - the first time I threw one on a range I was so nervous that I forgot to duck and stood watching to see where my throw landed - the instructor had to pull me over!

chrsgrain - 23/7/08 at 03:05 PM

Typical 'Royal' (marine), the best troops I have worked with, and he did what almost all of them would do....

Good effort - only didn't get a VC as wasn't 'in the face of the enemy' I would guess..

Chris