Panorama - Britain's Secret Terror Force

The Pontiac

On BBC One now..

"In the early 1970s, the British Army ran a secret undercover unit. Its existence was deniable and its tactics were so controversial that the unit was disbanded after just 14 months. Now, for the first time in 40 years, some of the unit's former members break their silence and talk candidly to John Ware about how they took the war to the IRA, sometimes even imitating the IRA itself. The soldiers believe they saved many lives. But Panorama's new evidence reveals that some members of the unit operated outside the law, firing on and killing unarmed civilians. The Ministry of Defence says it has referred Panorama's allegations to the police."

Should be interesting.

strongback

Didn't make for pleasant viewing.

More details on who they killed might back up their claims of being very successful.

Some pretty heartless characters on display.

RobertKK

I watched it, and the first thing I have to say is well done to the BBC on this, exposing the British army and how they shot unarmed people in Belfast.

Total disgrace that bearded ex soldier who was cold and defended his role in shooting unarmed people.

Mr.Crinklewood

Is this repeated at any stage?

Zebra3

Black & Tans and Auxies during Britain's War on Irish Independence.

Death Squads during the Troubles.

Gulags in Kenya.

Torturers and killers on the loose in Afghanistan.

Now where's my poppy? :rolleyes:

jd1983

Disappointing end to that documentary, in a subtle way they concluded that measures like this was the reason why the IRA gave up their arms. This is a ludicrous conclusion, firstly it happened more than 30 years before IRA gave up their arms and secondly measures like this would have drove recruitment into the IRA rather than resolve any crisis. Pretty poor journalism!

The Pontiac

jd1983 wrote: »

Disappointing end to that documentary, in a subtle way they concluded that measures like this was the reason why the IRA gave up their arms. This is a ludicrous conclusion, firstly it happened more than 30 years before IRA gave up their arms and secondly measures like this would have drove recruitment into the IRA rather than resolve any crisis. Pretty poor journalism!

I also couldn't understand that statement. As you say, it did the exact opposite and provided a recruitment opportunity for the IRA, just like Bloody Sunday did.

It was great work by the BBC, other than the bizarre statement at the end.

That undercover unit was obviously made up of psychopaths. Even to this day they're in denial that they killed totally innocent civilians and show no remorse whatsoever.