Australians vs Iranian gunboats

[Chris OFarrell]

Apparently a few weeks before the Brits were taken, the Iranians tried to make a similar play for an Aussie team doing boarding and searching actions.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21948769-2,00.html

Robust' Aussies fend off Iranians

June 22, 2007 08:38am
Article from: AAP

AN Australian Navy boarding crew in the Gulf of Persia repelled an Iranian gunboat that threatened them a matter of weeks before 15 British sailors were captured in a similar incident, it was reported today.

The capture of the British crew in March developed into a major diplomatic incident before their release was negotiated.

But BBC reporter Frank Gardner, a security specialist, reported the Australians managed to avoid a similar incident - pointing their guns at the Iranians and used "colourful language" before a gunboat withdrew.

Escape

"What I've been told by several sources, military sources, (is that) there was a similar encounter, in this case between the Royal Australian Navy and Iranian gunboats, some months ago, or at least some months prior to the seizing of the British sailors," Gardner said on ABC radio.

"The Australians escaped capture by climbing back on board the ship they'd just searched. I'm told that they set up their weapons.

"No shots were exchanged but the Iranians backed off and the Australians were able to get helicoptered off that ship and they didn't get captured."

Robust attitude

He did not mention the name of the Australian ship.

Australians ships rotate through duties in the Gulf, chiefly searching ships.

"What I'm hearing is that it was a pretty robust attitude by the Australians," Gardner said.

"The words that somebody said to me was that they used pretty colourful language but I'm sure that alone didn't make the Iranians back off.

"They reacted, I'm told, incredibly quickly, whereas the Brits were caught at their most vulnerable moment climbing down off the ship (and) getting into their boats."

Gardner said the British should be embarrassed about the incident, but the issue was whether military intelligence had been passed on.

Apparently the UK MOD is being asked why the RN didn't pay attention and wasn't on alert after this incident.

The Australians were either lucky or just more on the ball, they saw the approaching ship and reacted much quicker, getting back on the ship they had just gotten off, setting up their weapons and telling them to go away using 'colorful language'.

If these guys were like the Australian military guys I know, I'm very surprised they didn't stay World War 3 given what they were likely to say

Still I'm very surprised that the Brits were caught so flat footed and unprepared after this kind of aggressive action had happened.

[Crown]

It's more probable that after their first abortion, the Iranians learned from their mistakes and adapted their tactics with the Brit sailors. From the article it's pretty clear that the Aussie troops got a bit lucky that they saw the boat early enough to be able to quickly climb back up the ship they were searching and set up a favourable position that would allow them to - if not repel a seize attemp - give the Iranians one hell of a black eye and a bloody nose if they pushed the issue.

[The Duchess of Zeon]

It's more probable that after their first abortion, the Iranians learned from their mistakes and adapted their tactics with the Brit sailors. From the article it's pretty clear that the Aussie troops got a bit lucky that they saw the boat early enough to be able to quickly climb back up the ship they were searching and set up a favourable position that would allow them to - if not repel a seize attemp - give the Iranians one hell of a black eye and a bloody nose if they pushed the issue.

As the Liberty Incident demonstrates, it is hard to sink a freighter by its sheer mass alone, so it was a pretty solid decision to fight. They would have got relief long before the freighter was fatally damaged, most likely.

The question is why didn't we adapt our own tactics, then? These Iranian gunboats are not that big--I bet some man-portable anti-tank rockets could fuck them up pretty good.

[Crown]

As the Liberty Incident demonstrates, it is hard to sink a freighter by its sheer mass alone, so it was a pretty solid decision to fight. They would have got relief long before the freighter was fatally damaged, most likely.

I was talking more of a bording action, gun fight on a ship, but yep I see your point.

Although it should be noted that they chose to get themselves airlifted out rather than get back on their dingies and to their ship ... wonder where it was?

The question is why didn't we adapt our own tactics, then?

It's either a lack of communication within the coalition forces, or the Iranians did it better on their second try, they haven't done it since though have they?

(well not considering some drunk scandnavians that is)

These Iranian gunboats are not that big--I bet some man-portable anti-tank rockets could fuck them up pretty good.

I think pretty much raming them with another ship would fuck them up pretty good. They were obviously scared off from a squad of soldiers that had time to set up and get behind cover. They're not looking for a fight, they're looking for a headline.