A cockpit recording of a US pilot opening fire on UK forces in Iraq was leaked today.
The Sunnewspaper today published the transcript after obtaining a videotape of the moment that one of the jets launched two attacks on a British armoured convoy, killing Lance Corporal Matty Hull.
In the recording, the pilot of one of two US jets involved in the attack says, after they realise their mistake: "We're in jail dude". The other pilot, who opened fire, weeps, saying: "God dammit."
The Ministry of Defence initially told Lnc Cpl Hull's family the recording did not exist, but it found its way into the hands of Oxford coroner Andrew Walker, who is hearing the inquest into the soldier's death.
Last week Mr Walker adjourned the inquest in frustration at the Ministry of Defence's failure to get the permission of the US authorities to use the recording in evidence.
The transcript reveals as many as six errors immediately before the attack near Basra in southern Iraq on March 28th, 2003.
On several occasions the pilots, a major and a lieutenant colonel, both believed to be reservists who had never been in action before, say they can see orange panels on top of the armoured vehicles, which were used to identify them as coalition, rather than Iraqi, forces.
However, they eventually assume the orange panels are enemy rocket launchers.
A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said: "This recording is the property of the United States government, and the MoD does not have the right to release it without their permission.
"There has never been any intention to deliberately deceive or mislead Lnc Cpl of Hull's family."
PA