Well, this was unexpected. Of all the things we think about Prince Harry will discuss in the memoir spareopen that has killed a couple of dozen people is definitely not on our Tell-All Bingo card.
We know he has served in the military, we even heard he was a legitimate soldier, a fighter helicopter pilot, and not just some royal token symbolically wearing a uniform. But the fact that he actually killed people? And this is a lot? It was a bit of a surprise if we’re honest. As the frank way he writes about it.
In quotes obtained from various sources, Harry said he went on six separate missions that resulted in “the loss of human life.” Not only that, he explained that while the soldiers did not know the number of kills, “in the age of Apaches and laptops” they could say “accurately” how many people were killed.
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He was deployed to Afghanistan from 2007 to 2008 and again in 2012, his second tour flying Apache attack helicopters. As part of his service there, his unit provided helicopter support to the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan forces in Helmand province. During that time, he wrote, operating the weapon, he knew he had killed 25 Taliban fighters.
25 people. wow
He said that he was taught to destroy the enemy in order to kill the soul, which is that “you cannot kill a person if you see him as a person.” He says he sees them as “chess pieces removed from the board” or “Baddies are eliminated before they can kill the Goodies.” He said to this day he doesn’t feel ashamed of his actions, although he doesn’t feel satisfied either.
The question is… did they really put this in the book??
Many military personnel who have spoken out have since indicated that this public recognition is not a social standard. According to APretired Royal Navy officer Rear Admiral Chris Paris said that making such a public statement was “uncomfortable.” Iraq war vet Colonel Tim Collins agree that publishing the kill count violates the unspoken rules – and it’s just “not how to do it in the Army; not how we think.”
Some were more worried about Harry specifically making such a public revelation. Royal Marines vet Ben McBeanwho actually knew Harry in the military, explained to Sky news:
“I think it’s unwise for him to speak out loud. He’s got a target on his back, more than anyone else.
He wasn’t kidding. The Taliban, which returns to power in 2021, has responded. Distinguished members Anas Haqqani written on Twitter Friday:
“Mr. Harry! What is killed is not chess, but human beings; they have families waiting to return.”
Harry had no more security when he became a member of the royal family. If he wanted revenge, it would be easier now. A pleasant thought…
What do you think about Harry making such a shocking statement??
[Image via Anwar Hussein/WENN/ABC News/YouTube.]