Soldier tells how he threw back Taliban grenade

Shiba-Kun · 03-09-2010, 04:13 PM

I'll think about this fellow the next time I see a Tippmann Squadbuster flying my way.

Soldier tells how he threw back Taliban grenade

Tue Mar 9, 9:22 am ET

LONDON (Reuters) – A soldier serving with the British Army in Afghanistan has told of the moment he threw back a Taliban hand grenade, telling himself: "I've really only got one chance to do this."

Rifleman James McKie from Recce Platoon, 3rd Battalion The Rifles was under fire from three directions on a roof when the grenade hit his platoon commander and landed at his feet.

"My first thought was I hope this doesn't hurt too much," the New Zealander said. "That, and I've really only got one chance to do this.

"If it fails, either way, doing nothing, I'm going to get the same amount of hurt. So I picked it up and threw it off the roof."

It exploded in mid-air just seconds later, sending shrapnel flying.

A media statement from The Rifles at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, which carried McKie's account, said his actions helped to save the lives of his commander and one other soldier who were involved in a fire-fight in the Sangin area of Helmand province, where six British soldiers have been killed in the last week. "We were in a high position on a compound roof," McKie went on. "There was no way you could throw yourself off and not get injured, so I made a decision to pick up the grenade and throw it off the roof.

Link to complete story:
Soldier tells how he threw back Taliban grenade - Yahoo! News

bvdave · 03-09-2010, 04:19 PM

I was half expecting the "pull the pin and throw it back" line :P still pretty cool

Stilgar · 03-09-2010, 04:20 PM

Thats amazing.

HiPointPhotography · 03-09-2010, 04:28 PM

that would be quite terrifying. That man has some big kahunas. but he makes a good point. It would've hurt either way.

ofs · 03-09-2010, 04:42 PM

thats why you count to 3 before you throw it right? stupid towelie..

Talfuchre · 03-09-2010, 04:42 PM

Dude - I would have tossed it back too...

right after I promptly SHAT my pants.

TF

aaron.dangelo · 03-09-2010, 04:50 PM

Not that is the kind of action that deserves a medal. He not only saved his own life but those of his squadmates.

That is some large cojones indeed

Deuce · 03-09-2010, 04:51 PM

Craziest thing involving a 'nade I've seen was one thrown by a 10 year old kid travel over the gunners head, hit the wall on the opposite side of the vehicle bounce off that wall and land in the middle of 5 other guys.

Somehow apparently the thing was damaged from striking the wall and didn't detonate. Those guys I'm sure had skidmarks that night. Never did catch the kid either, he took off like a bat out of hell through the market.

Either way good story, I hate anything involving explosives. I would rather take my chance with poorly trained (hopefully) shooters any day over some guy throwing 'nades or launching rockets. Extra suck points for artillery.

Ir0nExpress · 03-09-2010, 06:51 PM

He pressed the G button quick enough, kudos to him!

Agglet · 03-09-2010, 06:58 PM

I like to think I'd do something similarly heroic but I'd be more likely to push another guy on top of the grenade. It's a character flaw of mine and while people like myself don't have epic movies made about our lives we do tend to live longer.

03-09-2010, 04:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
Shiba-Kun Post Whore Join Date: Sep 2006	Soldier tells how he threw back Taliban grenade I'll think about this fellow the next time I see a Tippmann Squadbuster flying my way. Soldier tells how he threw back Taliban grenade Tue Mar 9, 9:22 am ET LONDON (Reuters) – A soldier serving with the British Army in Afghanistan has told of the moment he threw back a Taliban hand grenade, telling himself: "I've really only got one chance to do this." Rifleman James McKie from Recce Platoon, 3rd Battalion The Rifles was under fire from three directions on a roof when the grenade hit his platoon commander and landed at his feet. "My first thought was I hope this doesn't hurt too much," the New Zealander said. "That, and I've really only got one chance to do this. "If it fails, either way, doing nothing, I'm going to get the same amount of hurt. So I picked it up and threw it off the roof." It exploded in mid-air just seconds later, sending shrapnel flying. A media statement from The Rifles at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, which carried McKie's account, said his actions helped to save the lives of his commander and one other soldier who were involved in a fire-fight in the Sangin area of Helmand province, where six British soldiers have been killed in the last week. "We were in a high position on a compound roof," McKie went on. "There was no way you could throw yourself off and not get injured, so I made a decision to pick up the grenade and throw it off the roof. Link to complete story: Soldier tells how he threw back Taliban grenade - Yahoo! News

03-09-2010, 04:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
HiPointPhotography Active Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Boston, MA	that would be quite terrifying. That man has some big kahunas. but he makes a good point. It would've hurt either way. __________________ Andy Lauzier Photography

03-09-2010, 04:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
Talfuchre Commie Marxist Fascist Join Date: May 2006	Dude - I would have tossed it back too... right after I promptly SHAT my pants. TF __________________ Pumpenstein - NSA National Champions TF's MCB Trust.

03-09-2010, 06:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ir0nExpress Back to paintball. Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New York	He pressed the G button quick enough, kudos to him! __________________ MCarterBrown Feedback (+109/-0) Automags.org Feedback (+16/-0) Pbnation Feedback(+16/-0)

03-09-2010, 04:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
bvdave Newbie Join Date: Mar 2010	I was half expecting the "pull the pin and throw it back" line :P still pretty cool

03-09-2010, 04:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
aaron.dangelo Active Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Williamsburg, VA - Wisconsin originally	Not that is the kind of action that deserves a medal. He not only saved his own life but those of his squadmates. That is some large cojones indeed

03-09-2010, 06:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
Agglet MCB Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Port Hope, ON	I like to think I'd do something similarly heroic but I'd be more likely to push another guy on top of the grenade. It's a character flaw of mine and while people like myself don't have epic movies made about our lives we do tend to live longer.