Royal Marine gunned down in Iraq

[thedrifter]

Royal Marine gunned down in Iraq

A Royal Marine has been killed by hostile fire during a military operation in Iraq.

Corporal Ian Plank, 31, from Poole, Dorset, died on October 31 but his death had not been announced by the Ministry of Defence.

A Government spokesman said there was no further information about the nature of the incident which claimed the corporal's life.

The killing of Corporal Plank brings Britain's total death toll in Iraq to 52. Of those, 19 have been killed since the end of major combat operations on May 1.

Colonel Jerry Heal, director of the Royal Marines, said: "Ian Plank was an extremely popular and greatly admired member of the Royal Marines, widely respected for his professional excellence, commitment and determination.

"He was particularly well known for his resilience and robustness under pressure, when his leadership, example and sense of humour were especially valued."

A spokesman for Tony Blair added: "The Prime Minister is obviously deeply saddened.

"We have always been aware that the work that our troops do in Iraq is both dangerous and valuable, and the Prime Minister has always been very aware of the risks that our soldiers run at the same time as he believes their work is highly to be valued."


Story filed: 17:29 Tuesday 4th November 2003

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_835445.html


Sempers,

Roger
:marine:

[thedrifter]

Marine 'died in undercover operation'

A Royal Marine killed in action in Iraq was reportedly working with a special forces operation.

Corporal Ian Plank, 31, from Poole, Dorset, was said to have been serving with the Royal Marines Special Boat Service (SBS) when he came under hostile fire last Friday.

The Times reports he had been operating with the SAS near the northern Iraqi town of Mosul, outside the British area of responsibility in the south of the country. Four other special forces troops were injured, although not seriously, according to the report.

Britons are said to be working undercover in Iraq with US special services, in missions aimed at guerrilla units and finding Saddam Hussein. The Ministry of Defence refused to comment on the reports. It has only said that Cpl Plank was killed during a coalition operation.

The killing - which was not announced until yesterday for operational reasons - takes the British death toll to 52. Tony Blair's official spokesman said the Prime Minister was deeply saddened by the news.

"We have always been aware that the work that our troops do in Iraq is both dangerous and valuable, and the Prime Minister has always been very aware of the risks that our soldiers run at the same time as he believes their work is highly to be valued," he said.

Colonel Jerry Heal, director of the Royal Marines, described Cpl Plank as an "extremely popular and greatly admired marine", widely respected for his professional excellence, commitment and determination.

"He was particularly well known for his resilience and robustness under pressure, when his leadership, example and sense of humour were especially valued. He embodied all the personal and professional qualities associated with the Royal Marines and he enriched the lives of those who knew him, both socially and in the workplace.

"His positive outlook, bright disposition and zest for life will be remembered with deep pride and affection by all who knew him, and most of all by his family and those members of the Royal Marines and others with whom he served around the world."

Of the 52 who have died, 19 have been killed since the end of major combat operations on May 1. At least 139 US soldiers have been killed by hostile fire since George W Bush declared combat at an end. Around 377 US service members have died since the beginning of military operations in Iraq.


Story filed: 08:35 Wednesday 5th November 2003

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_835544.html

Sempers,

Roger
:marine: