Fatal Timor patrol was under-strength, says trooper

Private Leonard Manning's patrol was undermanned because of sickness, injuries and leave when he was shot in East Timor, says a soldier from his company.

The soldier also claims that a shortage of helicopters meant 26 soldiers were crammed in to two utility vehicles to clear the area and rescue the body.

Private Manning's corpse was not retrieved for five hours after he was shot and mutilated by pro-Indonesian militiamen.

But the Army says that even a full-sized platoon would not have saved his life.

He was killed when militiamen opened fire on a tracking patrol of six on July 24.

In an interview recorded shortly after and only recently released, the unnamed soldier said patrols at the time of Private Manning's death were three members short.

The man says soldiers usually patrolled the border area in nine-strong sections, but in July they were in groups of six because of leave, sickness and injuries.

The Army has said that it is focusing on seeking "more accurate" intelligence on militia movements since the killing, but says a full-sized patrol would not have saved Private Manning.

"An extra three people would not have made a difference," said Joint Force commander Brigadier Jerry Mateparae.

This was also the finding of the Army court of inquiry, he added.

Sickness and injuries in July were irrelevant to the size of the patrol, which was deemed sufficient by the commanders considering enemy movement up to that day, he said.

Asked if the risk was misjudged, he replied: "Hindsight is a neat thing."

"It would be unfair to say that the risk had been underestimated ... It was a sudden change of approach by the militia," who had previously run away.

The soldier said helicopters would have been useful in retrieving Private Manning's body, but air support was often not available.

Admitting that he was initially concerned over the delay, Brigadier Mateparae said: "What has been explained to me ... would lead me to conclude they did their best."

- NZPA

Herald Online feature: Timor mission

UN Transitional Administration in E Timor