Canada in Afghanistan

[Gunner]

The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery lost one of its own today.

Captain Nichola Kathleen Sara Goddard was killed in action while carrying out her duties as a Forward Observation Officer at approx 1800 hrs local time near Kandahar.

Capt Goddard joined the CF under the ROTP in June 98. She read English at RMC and graduated on the Dean's List. On completion of artillery officer training in Gagetown she was posted to the First Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery at Shilo, Manitoba as the Gun Position Officer of A Battery. She quickly gained the respect of her superiors, peers and her soldiers with her positive attitude and outstanding interest in the welfare of her Gunners.

On promotion to Capt in Apr 05 she attended the Forward Observation Officers' course and returned to A Bty as a FOO. She deployed to Afghanistan in Jan 06 and would have rotated home in June.

Capt Goddard was supporting C Coy, 1 PPCLI as part of Task Force ORION when she was killed in a heavy firefight involving Canadian and Afghan National Army ground troops supported by USAF ground attack aircraft all attacking Taliban forces some 20km from Kandahar.

Capt Goddard was 26 at the time of her death and is survived by her husband Jason Beam (a retired officer), her father Tim, her mother, Sally and her two younger sisters, Victoria and Kate.

End of Mission, Stand Easy!


Mike

[John McGillivray]

Cdn. captain killed in Afghanistan firefight
Updated Wed. May. 17 2006 7:06 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Canada lost its first female soldier in Afghanistan during a firefight with Taliban insurgents on Wednesday, military officials said.
Capt. Nichola Goddard, of 1st Royal Canadian Horse Artillery based in Shilo, Man., also became the seventeenth Canadian to die in that country since 2002, and the first female combat death since the Second World War.
Goddard was serving with Task Force Afghanistan and was attached to the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (1 PPCLI) Battle Group.
Her age and hometown were not immediately available.
Brig.-Gen. David Fraser, commander of the multinational brigade based in Kandahar, said Goddard was killed in action at 6:55 p.m. local time (10:25 a.m. ET) about 24 kilometres west of Kandahar city in the Panjwai region.
"Our hearts, our prayers and our sympathies go out to the family of Nichola Goddard," said Fraser as he stood in front of a Canadian flag at half-mast.
Members of the Canadian Forces were sent in to reinforce combined operations of the Afghan National Army and the Afghan police, who were involved in a firefight against a group of Taliban fighters.
Fraser said the soldiers had formed a ring around the "outer cordons" of the battle area, while the "inner work was being done by the Afghan security forces.''
Coalition air support was also involved.
Fraser said details surrounding Goddard's death were still sketchy.
"There was a firefight out there and sometime during the firefight she was killed."
There has been intermittent fighting in the region since Monday between Afghan forces and Taliban insurgents. Fighting had stopped Wednesday night, but Fraser said the operation was expected to continue Thursday.
"It's a hard day but it's also a day of achievement,'' added Fraser, saying there were "significant" Taliban casualties in the battle and a number of Taliban members were captured.
CTV's Janis Mackey Frayer, reporting from Kandahar, said the military is providing few details about the incident. Unconfirmed reports indicate Afghan soldiers had killed one suspected insurgent and had captured six more in Wednesday's fighting.
The incident occurred as troops prepared for a concert at Kandahar airfield that was designed to entertain the troops and boost spirits, Mackey Frayer said.
Canadian singer Michelle Wright was scheduled to perform in the Wednesday and Thursday night concert, along with The Wilkinsons and Julian Austin.
Officials had even relaxed a strict no-alcohol policy at the base to allow beer consumption during the party.
There is no word on whether the festivities will continue in light of the death.
Initial reports suggested Goddard was Canada's first female combat death. But later information revealed she is the first since the Second World War, in which five women were killed in action.
Goddard has become the 17th Canadian since 2002 to be killed in Afghanistan. One diplomat and 16 soldiers, including four who died in the friendly-fire bombing by a U.S. warplane, were the other casualties.
Statement from the prime minister
Prime Minister Stephen Harper released a statement Wednesday afternoon on the death of Capt. Goddard.
"On behalf of all Canadians, I wish to express our profound regret and sadness at news of the death of Captain Nichola Goddard.
"Captain Goddard died while helping to bring peace, stability and democracy to a troubled region of the world. She, and the other men and women who serve in Afghanistan, are involved in a difficult and dangerous mission. They are serving our country and its people with distinction. Our nation will not forget their sacrifice.
"I wish to extend our deepest condolences to Captain Goddard's family, friends, and co-workers - particularly those at her home base of 1 Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (1 RCHA) in Shilo, Manitoba. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and with the families and loved ones of all those serving in Afghanistan."
Manitoba Premier Gary Doer also expressed regret.
"On behalf of the people of Manitoba, we respect her life of bravery and honour on behalf of Canada, and we offer our condolences to the family and to the community of Shilo," Doer told CJOB radio in Winnipeg.
Canada's latest fatality comes as MPs prepare are debating and set to vote in the House of Commons Wednesday night on a Conservative motion to extend Canada's commitment in Afghanistan by two years.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...hub=TopStories

Ubique

[Darrell Zinck]

R.I.P

A good soldier doing a soldier's job.

I imagine this will be more ammo for our withdrawl from Afghanistan. The NDP, PQ, and most Libs say they won't support a continuation of our Mission there.

Many Canadians feel that war-fighting is bad for Canada's perceived image as "Peacekeepers".

I wonder aloud what our "image" will be if we pull out.

Please note I am not publicly stating any personal opinion so the DND watchdogs can p*ss off. Lord help you when I retire tho'.

regards
Darrell

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Yet another FOO joins the ranks of the White Battalion.

RIP, Capt Goddard. We salute you.

[RHClarke]

Originally posted by Darrell Zinck
R.I.P

I wonder aloud what our "image" will be if we pull out.

Please note I am not publicly stating any personal opinion so the DND watchdogs can p*ss off. Lord help you when I retire tho'.

regards
Darrell

The motion in the house to extend the mission passed by four votes. Notable was MP John MaCallum (former Defence Minister)voting against the extension...and MP Bill Graham and Mike Ignataff (sp?) voting for the extension.

Supposedly, these deaths (Cdn and Afghanistanis) won't be in vain. Thankfully, we now have real leadership at the federal level of government.

I do hope though that this recent death will be treated with the dignity due and not turn into a media circus.

Stand easy Capt Goddard.

[rob love]

The media circus has already begun. Today the media contacted the surviving spouse of one of the guys who was killed in Afghanistan a few months back. (They wanted her opinion on this death; She had nothing to tell them). What won't these parasites do to get a story.
When this same spouse requested that the funeral service for her husband be private, and without the media, the vampires were waiting at the gate to film the funeral procession.

I was with A battery until my retirement a couple of years ago, and remember 2lt Goddard's innocent, yet smiling attitude. Being the new guy on the block meant that she was constantly given many of the battery's mundane assignments, all of which she cheerfully accepted. The grin shown in her photograph was the grin one would always see on her.
It was with great regret that I lowered my Canadian flag to half mast this afternoon.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Just found out at lunch today... the sister-in-law of one of my drinking buddies is a 1st cousin of Capt. Goddard. The family is totally confused about the whole thing; I was able to brief him on the duties, responsibilities and risks of being a FOO, but they'd like to know how she died. If you have any information on this, please email or PM me so I can pass along the information. It will remain confidential otherwise.

The damned thing is, for decades we've been covering up the cause of death of many of our troops who died on peacekeeping duty. I don't want to see that happening here. The family wants and needs to know, and has asked me to ask you.

[John McGillivray]

This is on the CTV News site.

Goddard, 26, was killed Wednesday during an intense firefight with Taliban insurgents near Panjwai -- 24 kilometres west of Kandahar city.
She was serving as a forward artillery observer -- helping direct fire at enemy positions from near the front lines -- when the LAV III she was riding in was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...hub=TopStories

[wayne c. petrie]

To those who only think Canada should be "peace keepers"
only.
What effect are we to" peace keeping", if we do not show our resolve and ability as an effecent fighting machine?

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

I heard that earlier... but if it was that kind of penetrating hit, why was none of the other crew hit as well?

In any case, I hope it was quick for her.

[John McGillivray]

Afghan toll: Karzai lays blames
Canadian officer becomes country's first female combat death
Thursday, May 18, 2006 Posted: 2243 GMT (0643 HKT)
CNN) -- Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai has blamed religious schools in neighboring Pakistan for inciting violence in his country, as heavy fighting and a suicide bombing in Afghanistan leaves more than 100 people reported killed.
The dead included a Canadian woman army officer and a U.S. anti-narcotics agent, officials said.
The latest violence in Afghanistan comes as NATO prepares to take over security operations from the U.S.-led coalition, which has been hunting for militants in the region since the 2001 ouster of the al Qaeda-linked Taliban regime.
Karzai said the violence emanated from the border tribal regions of neighboring Pakistan, The Associated Press reported.
These areas are populated by ethnic Pashtuns, who make up the majority of the Taliban militants and are believed to be hiding al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.
"We have credible reports that inside Pakistan, in the madrassas, the mullahs and teachers are saying to their students: 'Go to Afghanistan for jihad. Burn the schools and clinics,"' Karzai said, according to AP.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Tasnim Aslam, called the allegations "baseless," AP reported.
"We have denied them repeatedly," she said.
Canadian Captain Nichola Goddard, 26, was killed as fighting raged overnight Wednesday and early Thursday between Taliban militants and Afghan and coalition forces in the country's troubled southwestern provinces.
Goddard is the 16th Canadian killed in Afghanistan and the first Canadian female soldier to die in combat since World War II. She is also the country's first female combat soldier killed in front-line action.
A U.S. military statement said she died in an "intelligence-based combat operation," in the Panjway district of Kandahar province -- which borders Pakistan. The fighting also left 18 Taliban extremists dead.
The statement said three Afghan soldiers were also injured in the fighting.
In a separate operation near Kandahar, another seven Taliban were killed early Thursday, the military said, adding that up to 20 more may have died in air strikes. One coalition soldier was hurt.
Reports of more fighting in neighboring Helmand province claimed heavy casualties. The Associated Press put estimates of the total dead among Afghan and coaltion soldiers, Taliban fighters and suicide bombers at up to 104.
Also Thursday, a suicide car bomber rammed into two vehicles in the country's main western city of Herat, killing an American working on a counter-narcotics project and injuring two other people.
U.S. embassy spokesman Chris Harris said the contractor, whose name was not released, was working on a police training program to combat the country's booming trade in deadly drugs.
Eight-hour battle
Meanwhile on Wednesday night, Canada narrowly voted to extend its combat mission in the country for two years, saying the fight against terrorism still had a long way to go.
In Helmand attacks, according to AP, several hundred Taliban militants assaulted a police and government headquarters at Musa Qala, a district in Helmand, 150 kilometers (95 miles) north of Kandahar.
The eight-hour battle killed nine police and wounded five, while the bodies of 14 militants were left behind, AP quoted deputy governor Amir Mohammed Akhunzaba saying.
An Interior Ministry spokesman put the casualty figure at 13 police and 40 militants, AP said.
Goddard, one of 2,300 Canadian troops in Afghanistan, died in a separate clash as coalition troops hunted for rebels about 50 kilometers west of Kandahar, a former Taliban stronghold where attacks have been increasing in recent months.
"During the sweeps, Afghan and Canadian troops came into contact with insurgents, those who daily threaten the lives and the livelihood of the local Afghan people," Canadian Brigadier General David Fraser said in a statement.
"Captain Goddard's death was the price today of ensuring that tens of thousands of men, women and children of Afghanistan can have hope that their future will be brighter," he added.

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/as...ban/index.html

[John McGillivray]

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
I heard that earlier... but if it was that kind of penetrating hit, why was none of the other crew hit as well?

In any case, I hope it was quick for her.

Some more info from CTV

She was serving as a forward artillery observer -- helping direct fire at enemy positions from near the front lines -- when the LAV III she was riding in was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade.
CTV's Middle East bureau chief Janis Mackey Frayer said there is no official report yet, but it's been suggested "she was standing in the hatch of that vehicle. She apparently ducked her head, but was hit with the shrapnel from the impact of the grenade on the vehicle's turret."

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...hub=TopStories

[Garry Shipton (RIP)]

The "Mother Battery of the artillery,late of Kingston Ontario,the home of artillery.
I had the privilage to tour the regimental museum a few years ago in Kingston with my wife and daughters.The curator(I forget his name at the moment)was exemplory.I explained that my two grandfathers were artillarymen from Kingston.He asked me their names and service.I told him that Walter Shipton served in the Boer War with C battery detached from A Battery and that Steve Williams came out to Canada from the Royal School of Artillery and that, my three Williams uncles,who he knew were artillerymen.This gentleman got on his computer,and led ud to pictures of family.When my daughters saw great grandpa Shipton's picture on a wall,sitting astride a horse,made them very proud,plus seeing photos of their great uncles Williams brothers .Later that day,I took them to Cataroquai cemetary(between shopping trips to the malls),where,not fifty feet from John A,McDonalds' grave,showed them their great grandpa's military gravestone,which freaked them out ,as it did to me the first time I saw the grave with my last name on it.So I think that this lady's death in combat will enrich our society,showing that anything can happen,even to an Artillary Forward Obersatio n Officerwoman.

UBISQUE

[John McGillivray]

Originally posted by Garry Shipton
UBISQUE

???? Is this some type of do-it-yourself biscuit mix??? Or is it a doggie treat?

Canadian and Afghan troops may have caught a big fish.

Coalition forces may have caught Taliban official
Updated Fri. May. 19 2006 3:44 PM ET
CTV.ca News
A top Taliban leader may have been captured earlier this week in a joint operation by Canadian and Afghan coalition forces during the firefight that killed Capt. Nichola Goddard, an Afghan general said Friday.
The rebel fighter with only one leg was seized in a battle in Kandahar province on Wednesday, Gen. Rehmatullah Raufi, head of the Afghan military's southern region, told The Associated Press.
He is currently said to be unconscious in a military hospital.
Raufi said there was a good chance that the captive was Mullah Dadullah, who was the top general in the country's north during the Taliban regime, but he didn't know for sure.
"If this does prove true it means that this is one of the most dangerous Taliban commanders in this part of Afghanistan," CTV's Middle East Bureau Chief Janis Mackey Frayer reported from Kandahar.
Dadullah, who lost a leg fighting for the Taliban during its rise to power in the mid-1990s, is responsible for operations in eastern and southeastern Afghanistan.
He later became one of the Taliban's most feared field commanders and has been accused of orchestrating attacks across much of Afghanistan's violence-ridden south.
Neither the coalition nor the Afghan government in Kabul said they could immediately confirm that forces had captured Dadullah.
"We currently do not have any information but are looking into the claim,'' Lieut. Tamara Lawrence, a U.S. military spokeswoman, told AP. "Right now we don't have any information that would support it.''
But Raufi claims the insurgent was captured during the firefight in the Panjwai district of Kandahar province on Wednesday, that killed Capt. Nichola Goddard and 18 militants. About 35 rebels were reported captured in the battle.
A spokesman for Afghan President Hamid Karzai told Reuters some high-ranking Taliban had been captured this week but could not confirm the report.
"There was an operation and three high-ranking Taliban commanders have been captured but I cannot confirm that Mullah Dadullah was one of them," Karim Rahimi told the wire agency.
Mackey Frayer said that more than 20 Taliban suspects were taken into custody in the Canadian operation over the past few days
"They are now in the hands of the Afghan National Army, they will be detained and questioned. We may learn more in next couple of days of exactly who they are and what their roles were in the Taliban."
In December 2005 a court in Pakistan sentenced Dadullah to life in prison for trying to kill a member of parliament Maulana Mohammad Khan Sherani.
In an interview with The Associated Press via satellite phone in December, Dadullah claimed that more than 200 insurgents were willing to become attack U.S. forces and their allies as suicide bombers.
Dadullah dismissed the possibility of reconciliation and talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai's government, saying it "owed its existence'' to non-Muslims, and to do so would amount to "joining Christianity and working for Christians.''
Meanwhile, the casket carrying Goddard began the long journey home from Kandahar Friday.
The casket is expected to arrive at CFB Trenton in eastern Ontario on Saturday, before being flown back to Goddard's family in Calgary, Alta.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...hub=TopStories

Ubique

[Garry Shipton (RIP)]

Interprate it as you will.Perhaps a slip of the typing finger !!

Anyway "Right of the Line"

UBIQUE

[John McGillivray]

Goddard died in Taliban ambush: commander
Updated Fri. May. 19 2006 11:46 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
The commander who led Canadian troops into one of the biggest and fiercest battles they've faced in Afghanistan described Friday how Capt. Nichola Goddard met her death in a Taliban ambush.
"We were in the process of doing final searches in the village when one of our call signs came in 'ambush,'" said Lt.-Col. Ian Hope, commander of Task Force Orion's battle group.
"A well co-ordinated Taliban ambush which unfortunately resulted in the death of one of our soldiers."
Hope confirmed that Goddard was killed by a rocket-propelled grenade, or RPG, on Wednesday while riding in a light-armoured vehicle during an intense firefight with Taliban insurgents near Panjwai -- 24 kilometres west of Kandahar city.
As crew commander, Goddard was exposed from the shoulders up. "She was our eyes and ears," said Hope.
"She was standing in the hatch of that vehicle," CTV's Middle East Bureau Chief Janis Mackey Frayer reported from Kandahar on Friday. "She apparently ducked her head, but was hit with the shrapnel from the impact of the grenade on the vehicle's turret."
Canadian troops returned fire from LAVs and 155-millimetre M777 howitzers. Hope then called in an air strike from a U.S. B-1B bomber, which dropped a 225-kilogram bomb on the compound sheltering enemy forces.
"That ended the engagement," said Hope.
After about 45 minutes, Afghan forces were able to go in and clear out the area, which included mud-walled compounds, a complex of farms houses and a mosque in which armed Taliban were hidden.
"It was very canalized terrain -- a series of connected compounds and villages with orchards,'' said Hope."You can't see behind every wall and into every compound."
Military officials said by Thursday about 40 Taliban were killed, another 40 wounded and 17 captured.
The operation involved 200 Canadian soldiers, and another 200 from the Afghan army and police. Intelligence sources said the Taliban were planning an attack against government offices in Kandahar.
"We have detailed reports that there were as many as 300 Taliban fighters from three different provinces concentrating in the Panjwai area with the intent of operating in Kandahar city against the Afghan government, against the provincial governor himself," said Hope.
Casket begins journey home
Meanwhile, Goddard's casket began the long journey home from Kandahar Friday, after eight pallbearers carried her remains aboard a waiting Hercules transport aircraft.
Goddard's coffin, draped in the Canadian flag, first passed long lines of soldiers from countries around the world, including Afghanistan's own national army.
"Go forth upon your journey, Nichola, go forth from this world," a chaplain said in prayer.
The casket is expected to arrive at CFB Trenton in eastern Ontario on Saturday, before being flown back to Goddard's family in Calgary, Alta.
The pallbearers, all from the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery where Goddard served, will stay with her body for the duration of the journey.
Goddard's fellow soldiers in Afghanistan remembered her Thursday as a strong leader who inspired in them loyalty and courage.
Her contribution to the mission in Afghanistan was noted during a musical revue put on by some of Canada's top performers, including country singer-songwriter Michelle Wright.
Goddard was the 17th Canadian to be killed in Afghanistan since the current mission began in 2002, and Canada's first female combat death since the Second World War.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...hub=TopStories

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Well, Captain Nichola Goddard is on Canadian soil this night. The ramp ceremony, as always, was solemn and impressive, even if only viewed from afar.

Her funeral will be next Friday in Calgary, and the family has invited both the public and the media to attend.

[Garry Shipton (RIP)]

Just watched her dad's eulogy on Newsworld for the funeral of Capt. Nicola Goddard,Mother "A"Battery of the RCHA.This has to be the most moving speech that I've heard in a long time.I don't know about you members that viewed the funeral,but I was driven to tears.What really moved me was when the choir sang "Lord of the Dance",the same tune they played when we buried my good friend,Flight Lieutenant Stan Mathews,navigator,RCAF,433 Squadron.Halifax bombers.At the end of Stan's eulogy,I ordered the Airforce Piper in a loud command which all present in the church could hear to play "The Airforce Marchpast"Boy,did we play right on,with applause as we marched down the central aisle of the church.I couldn't see because of the tears.Somehow I made it down the stepasfrom the altar.But we celebratwd a lost life.

God bless Nicola Goddard
"UBIQUE" " RIGHT OF THE LINE"

[Garry Shipton (RIP)]

Who owns the Ford FAT-caisson-25 pouder in calgary ??Beautiful piece of history.

[Al Nickolson]

Photo of FAT

Al

[rob love]

Originally posted by Garry Shipton
Who owns the Ford FAT-caisson-25 pouder in calgary ??Beautiful piece of history.

I believe the FAT belongs to the RCHA museum here in Shilo. I think it was one of Bill Gregg's.
The limber looks like the one that used to grace the base commanders front lawn (painted semi-gloss green), and there is one 25pdr set up with the shortened shield and tray for this purpose. There is at least one and possibly two more of the modification kits floating around the base.
I found one of the kits laying in the dustbowl years ago; it had layed there so long it had sank into the ground.

[Col Tigwell]

I always enjoy and have learnt a great deal from Garry's post. but his latest one really got me thinking.

We as men are often taught not to show emotion, but now in my old age, I am learning one more lesson of life.

We should allow the emotive moments, to agena feelings of joy, gratitude and sorrow.

This latest loss of life, proberly brings its home more, because she was an attractive young lady, with a very good life ahead of her. I feel very sad for her husband and her family, and was proud and gratefull, that in this screwed up world there are people like her who not only put their life on the line, but often have given up their life, so that we in our older years can live in peace and relative safety.

My old CO was an ex NCO pilot from WW2, and when I was posted in to his unit, the Wing Commander in welcoming me on board gave me some very serious advice.

He said son, here you will learn the real lessons of life. You will put your life in the hands of your brothers, and they in turn will trust you likewise, do not betray that trust, or it will haunt all your life.

Then he said three rules for you to remember

DUTY

HONOUR

COUNTRY

Those same comments apply just as much today in my life, as they did in 1965.

I think they also describe the Captains service, and I for one am glad, they could bring her home, to lie amonst her friends and family.

Sleep well fair lady, your duty has been nobley done.

Col Tigwell

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Well-spoken, Col, and thank you.

[RHClarke]

At 1400 hrs, the remains of Capt Nichola Goddard were interred at a military ceremony at Beechwood National Cemetery in Ottawa. The next of kin of Capt Goddard requested that her remains receive the full entitlement to military honours at the interment ceremony in accordance with her rank, and the customs and traditions of the CF.

Freedom isn't free...

[Garry Shipton (RIP)]

The funeral was different.Have done a lot with me piper.It was unusual in that the piper played "The Skye Boat Song"We usually play "Going Home".Amazing Grace",then rhe tune she did play "Lochaber no more".Different but good for a Canadian hero.

[John McGillivray]

Here is a link to some videos of Canadian Troops in combat in Afghanistan. It takes some time to download.

http://media.militaryvideos.net/vide..._firefight.zip

Wow. Certainly makes it far too real when I can't do a thing to fix and stop it all so stuff like this isn't necessary. I pray for them all. Want them all home and safe. I feel great proudness for what these guys are doing ... and fear for them.

[sapper740]

Originally posted by John McGillivray
Here is a link to some videos of Canadian Troops in combat in Afghanistan. It takes some time to download.

http://media.militaryvideos.net/vide..._firefight.zip

As a former Peace Keeper its good to see Canadian soldiers doing some Piece Kicking for once.
Like ma Yappy I pray for their safe return.
That one Troopie might want to raise his rifle a little higher though...I don't think shooting that mud wall 3 feet in front of him is going to kill many bad actors.

CHIMO!

Originally posted by sapper740
That one Troopie might want to raise his rifle a little higher though...I don't think shooting that mud wall 3 feet in front of him is going to kill many bad actors.

CHIMO!

I wondered about the wall shooting too ... he got it good though, a number of times!!! KILL KILL KILL

[John McGillivray]

Are you referring to the guy in the second video? If so he is just firing over the top of the wall, but the muzzle blast is kicking up debris and dust. If you pause the video and trace a straight line along the barrel it passes above the wall. The “impacts” are below the level of the muzzle.