News Search Search this site or the web powered by FreeFind Site search Web search Story archive		12-8-2002 Scotsman Attack on brigadier damaged marines' morale By Gethin Chamberlain A CAMPAIGN of criticism and backstabbing aimed at the commander of British troops in Afghanistan had a damaging effect on the morale of the men serving under him, it is claimed today. One of the chaplains who accompanied the Royal Marines on their operations says they were frustrated and disgusted by apparent attempts by unnamed Ministry of Defence officials and some newspapers to undermine and replace their commanding officer, Brigadier Roger Lane. In May, the Sunday Telegraph carried a report from a "senior MoD official" claiming Operation Jacana was becoming a farce and Brig Lane was a man out of his depth who should be removed from his post. Amid the claims and counter claims, Geoff Hoon, the Defence Secretary, felt obliged to publicly deny there were any plans to remove Brig Lane from his job. Now, the Rev Mike Hills, a chaplain who was attached to 45 Commando, has revealed that the attacks on the popular commander did more to damage the morale of the troops than any of the dangers they faced in the field. "To have him bad-mouthed unfairly was the source of much disgust among the troops," he said. "It was total nonsense but it did actually get to them because we were a soft target in that there was no way we could respond . "They were disappointed by the hammering that Brig Roger Lane took because that was unwarranted and he is held in great regard by his men because he came from the bottom rung and rose to the top."
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