Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has been criticized by retired Colonel Tim Collins for his statements in his memoir, “Spare,” in which he describes killing 25 Taliban fighters as “chess pieces taken off the board.”
Colonel Collins argued that this is not how an army officer should behave. The controversy has reignited discussions around Prince Harry’s relationships with his military and birth families, and has raised questions about the language used in relation to combat and military service.
The public response to the book has been mixed, with some praising Prince Harry for his honesty about the emotional impact of war and others questioning the appropriateness of discussing taking lives during combat.
The debate highlights the importance of considering the complexities of war when discussing veterans’ experiences and creating a supportive environment for them after conflict.
It also highlights the need for better understanding of mental health issues related to combat trauma and ensuring that those affected receive appropriate support.
In his memoir “Spare,” Prince Harry writes about his experiences as a helicopter pilot in Afghanistan, including his involvement in killing up to 25 Taliban fighters.
He states, “It wasn’t a statistic that filled me with pride but nor did it make me ashamed. When I was plunged into the heat and confusion of battle, I didn’t think about those as 25 people. You can’t kill people if you see them as people. In truth, you can’t hurt people if you see them as people. They were chess pieces taken off the board, bad guys eliminated before they kill good guys. They trained me to ‘other’ them and they trained me well.”
These statements have caused controversy and criticism from retired Colonel Tim Collins, who argues that this is not how an army officer should behave.
The controversy has also sparked discussions about Prince Harry’s relationships with his military and birth families, and about the language used in relation to combat and military service.
Prince Harry, also known as the Duke of Sussex, is the younger son of Prince Charles and Princess Diana and the grandson of Queen Elizabeth II. He is a member of the British royal family and has held various military and public service roles throughout his life.
In recent years, Prince Harry’s relationship with his family has been subject to media scrutiny and speculation. In 2020, he and his wife, Meghan Markle, announced that they were stepping down as senior members of the royal family and would be seeking financial independence. This decision was reportedly met with some resistance from other members of the royal family, and there have been media reports of tensions and conflicts within the family as a result.
