Iraq speech colonel quits UK army
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Collins was widely praised for his rousing speech.
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LONDON, England (AP) -- A British officer noted for a stirring eve-of-battle speech to troops preparing to fight in Iraq has resigned, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
Col. Tim Collins, 43, was widely praised when he told his soldiers to "wipe them out if that is what they choose. But if you are ferocious in battle, remember to be magnanimous in victory."
The defense ministry said Monday Collins handed in his resignation last week. He is expected to officially leave in the next month after the standard consideration of his application by an army board.
The cigar-chomping Collins was recently awarded an Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II for his 22-year army career.
Prince Charles was so impressed by his speech to his troops on the eve of battle in Kuwait that he wrote to Collins to say how "profoundly moved" he was by the "extraordinarily stirring, civilized and humane" speech.
Collins, who commanded the 1st battalion of the Irish Guards, was investigated for war crimes after a U.S. Army reservist accused him of mistreating Iraqi prisoners, but was cleared of any wrongdoing.
The Mail on Sunday quoted Collins' wife Caroline as saying he was disillusioned with changes in the armed forces.
"Tim is no longer convinced that the army reflects the country with the fourth largest economy in the world," she was quoted as saying. "He fears it is becoming a cottage industry.
"He's worried it is being crippled by political correctness, petty bureaucracy and the refusal of politicians who send British soldiers to war to give them enough money to do their job."
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