[Cyclefrance]

Human habit of repeating previous errors - the knowldge that could prevent this all too often dies with the relevant generation.

Additional info:

- the incident actually dates back to 2003 - it's just happened to have taken 3 years to get to the inquest stage

- the tank-buster crew were subjected to investigation but no blame was attached to their actions and the ruling was that correct procedures had been followed

- the US administration denied initially that no such recording of the event ever existed - I'm not sure how it came about that the existence of a tape eventually became known

- the individual who fired on the British vehicle has advanced through the ranks since the incident - it was reported on BBC news last night that he is now a colonel - The Sun newspaper today names Col Gus Kohntopp as the pilot who fired the shots.