Tim Blair

AUSTRALIA started the war: General

AUSTRALIA started the war:

General Peter Cosgrove yesterday revealed details of how Australia's SAS fired the first shots in the Iraq war.

The mission has been cloaked in secrecy, and General Cosgrove said much of the covert operation must remain secret.

He said the attack was launched hours after the deadline for Saddam Hussein to stand down expired on March 20.

"At the first moment, with support of other coalition forces, our people crossed the border into Iraq and made a significant dash by night to our operating area. On the way we encountered several dozen Iraqis, whom we dealt with," he said.