Soldier, 18, was shot dead in Iraq by insurgents 'using American-made bullets'

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Updated: 02:22 EST, 10 April 2008

An 18-year-old killed in Iraq was one of six soldiers shot by the same gun over a period of several months, an inquest heard today.

Rifleman Aaron Lincoln, of the 2nd Battalion The Rifles, died from a single bullet wound while he was on patrol through Basra's narrow streets on April 2 last year.

He was just weeks from finishing his tour of duty in the city.

Gunned down: Rifleman Aaron Lincoln, 18, who was one of six soldiers shot by the same gun in Basra over a period of several months

The inquest in Spennymoor, County Durham, heard that the American-made high-velocity bullet that killed Rifleman Lincoln penetrated his protective glasses and helmet.

Ann Kiernan of LGC Forensics told the court that it had been fired from the same gun than had killed several other soldiers in the Basra area last year.

"There had been six incidents from March to June where projectiles have all been discharged from the same rifle," she said.

She added that the bullets were manufactured in America by Lake City Arsenal, an arms manufacturer.

Coroner Andrew Tweddle said Ms Kiernan "has been able to corroborate and confirm that this single weapon in Basra has been responsible for a number of fatalities".

He recorded a narrative verdict of unlawful killing, adding that Rifleman Lincoln was shot by enemy fire.

"He sustained a single gun shot wound to the head," he said.

"This 5.56 mm, US manufactured round, was not fired by friendly forces."

Corporal Christopher Tulley was with Rifleman Lincoln when he was killed.

He told the court the pair had climbed the steps of a hotel where they suspected a gunman to be when the first shot rang out.

"It was his killing ground and we just happened to move into it," he said.

He told the court that he spun around and saw Rifleman Lincoln sway slightly before falling to the ground at the second shot.

Another bullet narrowly missed one of the other soldiers as the foot patrol sought cover and returned fire.

"The problem we had was the amount of buildings in that direction," Corp Tulley said.

"It was impossible to actually identify which buildings those shots had come from."

The court heard that Rifleman Lincoln's platoon was sent onto the city streets as part of an operation to divert enemy attention away from a resupply convoy of 30 trucks which was due at the camp.

Major Alexander Baring told the court that the danger to soldiers at the time of the incident was great. "The threat in Basra city was a very heavy threat and I would say [it was] increasing," he said.

He added at that time all soldiers out on patrol would have been equipped with full body armour with bullet-proof plates in the front and back, new helmets and goggles with ballistic protection and gloves.

The court heard, however, that the military is not yet able to provide soldiers with helmets strong enough to withstand the sort of high-velocity bullet that killed Rifleman Lincoln.

Coroner Tweddle said that he had been concerned that the bullet had penetrated his helmet but noted the evidence given that the army were unable to "provide a higher level of protection".

He read a statement from Colonel Farmer on behalf of the army which described Rifleman Lincoln as "courageous" and "selfless".

The 18-year-old from Durham was part of the British battalion based in Basra Palace which had served about six of its seven-month tour of duty.

It has previously been reported that the soldiers killed by the same gun in Basra city last year were the victims of a single sniper.