"I'm curious, Teribus, what is the effect upon your opinion of the standard and calibre of British soldiers?"

Not a simple question to answer. Of soldiers 'A' & 'B' mentioned in my post, Wellington's description seems quite applicable with regard to standard and calibre. These two individuals seem to have deliberately staged photographs, with the intent of making some cash on the side, knowing full well the damage that publication of those photographs would cause. No wonder they wish to remain anonymous, I certainly wouldn't want to be in their boots when they returned to their unit. For the sake of a few quid they have greatly endangered the lives of all their mates and all those serving in Iraq - That, particularly the first bit, you just do not do.

As I said previously, it makes no difference at all now, if it is shouted from the roof-tops by the individuals concerned that these photographs are fakes - not a single person in the Arab world would believe them.

I'd stick the pair of them back out in Iraq and assign them to foot patrol in Basra, then let the world and his dog know that these were the guys in the photographs - a lie? Yes, but what the hell, they seem to have no scruples about disseminating false information. Now should they then be captured/abducted or whatever, they could then compare notes on how they are treated and then possibly wonder why.

In general I have a fairly high opinion of the standard and calibre of the members of Britains armed forces, situation by situation, and, unit for unit, it might vary.