Lack of planning made occupation a shambles, says officer
BRITISH soldiers had not received any proper training in the transition period between war and peace-keeping, it was claimed during the trial.
A high-ranking Army officer admitted a lack of planning had turned the occupation into a shambles.
Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas Mercer, the Army's senior legal officer for the invasion, said: "There was a total failure to plan for the occupation. There was only enough time to prepare for war.
"There was no planning by higher headquarters, no planning or direction was received from the headquarters in Qatar or from Permanent Joint Headquarters in Britain.
"There were simply insufficient troops to carry the responsibilities of an occupying power in a belligerent occupation.
"In Basra, with a population of roughly half a million, there were only 64 military policemen and they had other duties to perform as well as dealing with criminals.
"In reality the British were massively undermanned. We did the best we could with the time available."
But a spokesman for the Ministry of Defence insisted troops had received the necessary training.
"The Armed Forces are fully aware of their obligations. They are given thorough training courses that include specific guidance on handling prisoners of war, detainees and dealing with the local population.
MoD spokesman Colonel Peter Davies added: "Our soldiers are not above the law and must operate within strict legal guidelines at all times."
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