Combat 18

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Combat 18 logo, which is based on the Totenkopf of the 3rd SS Division
Combat 18 logo, which is based on the Totenkopf of the 3rd SS Division

Combat 18 (or C18) is the "armed wing" of the British neo-Nazi organization Blood & Honour. The "18" in its name is commonly used by neo-Nazi groups, and is derived from the initials of Adolf Hitler; A and H are the first and eighth letters of the Latin alphabet. Not much is known of the secretive organisation, as it tends to operate in small groups and tries not to attract much attention. It is however known it is armed, and has members from the United States Of America, Australia, Britain, and other nations.

Contents

[edit] History

Combat 18 was formed in the early 1990s from a British National Party breakaway group composed largely of former members of the party's security team who were disillusioned with its increasing focus on electoral politics.[1]

C18 soon attracted national attention for its members' violent attacks on immigrants, members of ethnic minorities and its left-wing opponents. In 1992, it started publishing Redwatch magazine, which contained photographs, names and addresses of political opponents. The later, more well-known website of the same name was set up by Simon Sheppard, who had been expelled from the BNP for a matter unrelated to the website.[2]

Between 1998 and 2000, dozens of Combat 18 members in the UK were arrested on various charges during dawn raids by the police. These raids were part of several operations conducted by Scotland Yard in co-operation with MI5. Those arrested included Steve Sargent (brother of Charlie Sargent), David Myatt, and two serving British soldiers, Darren Theron (Parachute Regiment) and Carl Wilson (1st Battalion, The Queen's Lancashire Regiment).[3][4]One of those whose house was raided was Adrian Marsden, who later became a councillor for the British National Party.[5] Several of those arrested were later jailed, including Frain (seven years) and Marriner (six years). The number of arrests led some members to believe Combat 18 was a government operation to entrap neo-Nazis.[citation needed]

A group calling itself the Racial Volunteer Force split from C18 in 2002, although it has retained close links to its parent organization.[6] Some journalists believed that the White Wolves were also a C18 splinter group. They alleged that the group had been set up by Del O'Connor, the former second-in-command of C18 and member of Skrewdriver Security.[7] The document issued by the White Wolves announcing their formation has been attributed to David Myatt, whose Practical Guide to Aryan Revolution allegedly inspired nailbomber David Copeland, who was jailed for life in 2000 after being found guilty of causing a series of bombings in April 1999 which killed three people and injured many others.

On October 28, 2003, German police officers conducted raids on 50 properties in Kiel and Flensburg that were believed to be linked to German supporters of the group.[8] The Anti-Defamation League says there are Combat 18 chapters in Illinois and Florida[9].

[edit] Combat 18 in Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, Combat 18 has tried to forge alliances with loyalist paramilitary groups, but has been largely blocked by loyalist support for Israel, whose flag is sometimes flown alongside the British Union Flag in loyalist areas[10]. Loyalists claim to identify to some extent with Israel's position as a small country under threat from more numerous enemies who have the sympathies of the wider world. Combat 18 has stronger links with the Loyalist Volunteer Force than any other loyalist paramilitary group.[11]

[edit] Notable members

  • Charlie Sargent
  • David Myatt
  • Dave 'Raggy' Stephens
  • Blair 'the bear' Anderson
  • Wilf "the Beast" Browning
  • "Catford Chris" Castle (deceased)- murdered by Cahrlie Sargent and Martin Cross.
  • "Fast Eddie" Whicker

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ N. Copsey, Contemporary British Fascism: The British National Party and the Quest for Legitimacy, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2004, pp. 65-66
  2. ^ Error Handler Page
  3. ^ An Phoblacht/Republican News
  4. ^ MI5 swoops on Army 'neo-Nazis'
  5. ^ BBC News | Programmes | Under the skin of the BNP
  6. ^ Combat 18
  7. ^ Anti-terror police seek White Wolf racist over bombs | UK news | guardian.co.uk
  8. ^ BBC NEWS | Europe | German raids target neo-Nazis
  9. ^ http://www.adl.org/racist_skinheads/skinhead_alpha_list.asp
  10. ^ Israeli flags not welcomed by Jewish community (The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland)
  11. ^ Britain's Nazis help bankroll the loyalists

[edit] Further reading

  • Lowles, Nick (2003). White Riot: The Violent Story of Combat 18. Milo Books. ISBN 1-903854-00-8. 
  • O'Hara, Larry (1996). Searchlight for Beginners. Phoenix Press. ISBN 0-948984-33-3. 
  • O'Hara, Larry (1994). Turning Up the Heat: MI5 After the Cold War. Phoenix Press. ISBN 0-948984-29-5. 

[edit] See also

[edit] External links