From: Ken McLeod, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Kiwi rifles -East Timor BoP Times 10 October 2000 NZPA Kiwi rifles jammed in fatal ambush Several Kiwi soldiers involved in a fatal ambush with East Timorese militia suffered jammed rifles from faults known to the Army, troops claim. A group calling themselves Concerned Soldiers of East Timor expressed reservations about the army-issue Steyr rifle. The rifle is seen as cumbersome by some marksmen once a grenade launcher is fitted In the contact with the militia, several members of the section had stoppages with their rifles after firing the M203 40mm grenade launcher, a problem about which the Army knows To avoid the rifle jamming, soldiers said they had to re-cock the Steyr after firing the grenade launcher, losing one rifle round Private Leonard Manning was killed in a confrontation with armed militia in July. He had his ears cut off and his throat cut. Possibly Afghanistan style. The soldiers also said they were ordered not to mention pay or conditions in East Timor during the recent visit by Major-General Maurice Dodson. Major-General Dodson said on his return that no soldier had complained about his pay (You could bet on that ! ) The soldiers said pay was still an issue, with Australian soldiers receiving $A220 ($NZ295) a day allowance plus a tax-free salary, compared with New Zealand's $NZ80 a day and a salary that was taxed. Ken McLeod "Ipsa scientia potestas est" [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cybershooters website: http://www.cybershooters.org List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___________________________________________________________ T O P I C A The Email You Want. http://www.topica.com/t/16 Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics
