30af6682   
   From: seegod1@cogeco.ca   
      
   Give that guy a VC. He's earned it, as far as I'm concerned.   
      
   C.   
      
   "Moose47"  wrote in message   
   news:da228aba-8743-44cf-911e-08eadd05dd2e@j39g2000yqn.googlegroups.com...   
   EXCLUSIVE: Hero Royal Marine tackles suicide bomber   
   Monday, November 24, 2008, 18:00   
      
   A FEARLESS city Royal Marine has been hailed a "hero" after tackling a   
   suicide bomber before he detonated 70 kilos of explosives in a village   
   in Afghanistan.   
      
   The 40-year-old – who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of his   
   Plymouth-based family being targeted – hauled the 20-year-old Afghan   
   insurgent away from his explosive-laden motorbike seconds before   
   detonation.   
      
   Major Rich Cantrill, Company Commander of L Company – of which the   
   marine is a member – believes the actions of his marine saved   
   "multiple" lives. More than 130 Royal Marines and Afghans were in the   
   area at the time.   
      
   Had the bomb gone off on the red 50cc motorbike, which had broken   
   down, it would have caused a blast across a radius of up to 180   
   metres.   
      
   The bomber tried unsuccessfully to detonate the first of two charges   
   before the marine intervened.   
      
   The heroic feat happened as 42 Commando's L Company surged south   
   towards the Arghandab River, west of Kandahar, during last week's   
   major operation entitled Janubi Tapu.   
      
   The Herald understands discussions are already under way to recommend   
   the Bickleigh based marine for a gallantry award as a result of his   
   actions.   
      
   The marine said: "I can't really tell you what was going through my   
   head at the time.   
      
   "My immediate assumption was that he was a spotter for the Taliban who   
   were planning an ambush.   
      
   "I just didn't want him to push the button again to detonate the other   
   charge.   
      
   "I had my weapon on him and I shouted for him to stop in Pashtu. He   
   did initially and that's why I didn't take the shot, you have to be   
   sure.   
      
   "He then carried on walking away. I heard a popping sound like the   
   electric sound when you connect a car battery – it was him trying to   
   set the first of two charges off.   
      
   "I ran forward and grabbed him, pushing him over the motorbike   
   bringing him to the ground.   
      
   "I searched him, looked at the motorbike and realised I had searched   
   it 24 hours earlier. The saddlebags, which contained the explosives,   
   were full of potatoes the day before.   
      
   "I looked up and noticed the yellow button in the centre of the   
   motorbike and realised what was going on. I just went into automatic   
   mode."   
      
   But later the marine said other emotions kicked in, adding: "I was   
   angry that he tried to kill us.   
      
   "And I was angry with myself for bringing young marines into the   
   situation. We were very lucky, with that much explosive it would have   
   caused a blast with a 180-metre radius."   
      
   Maj Cantrill said: "He acted with conspicuous gallantry in the   
   situation and put himself at great peril to get the suicide bomber   
   away from the motorbike.   
      
   "He ran over and more or less rugby tackled him to the ground.   
      
   "I got on the radio and I heard mention of hand fighting. He had   
   grabbed him away from the bike after seeing wires and switches.   
      
   "He quickly realised the full implications of it all. Cool as a   
   cucumber he reorganised the marines in the area and took charge of the   
   suicide bomber.   
      
   "He showed great restraint in dealing with him especially as he had   
   tried to kill him and the other lads around him."   
      
   Maj Cantrill added: "It was conspicuous gallantry. He saved multiple   
   lives. Everyone thinks he's a hero."   
      
   The motorcyclist entered the area on November 19 at around 12.30pm,   
   where the Plymouth marines had been conducting clearance patrols, but   
   did not spot them.   
      
   The marines believe the bomber was unable to find a target, so he   
   turned around and began to leave the area. He then got caught up in   
   the motorbike's chain and fell off the vehicle.   
      
   It was around this time the marines received a radio report suggesting   
   a suicide bomber on a motorbike may be in the area.   
      
   When the marine spotted the suspected suicide bomber he was pushing   
   his motorbike away from the area and acting "suspiciously".   
      
   The marine tasked other marines to move into the area to provide cover   
   and he moved in.   
      
   "It was a bungled attempt but he still could have set off the other   
   charge," Maj Cantrill added.   
      
   "Had it not been for his actions there would have been a massive   
   explosion."   
      
   During last week's five-day operation, the marines of L Company also   
   found bomb-making equipment, weapons and ammunition.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)