The officer in command of paratroopers in Derry on Bloody Sunday today defended the conduct of his men on the day 13 civil rights marchers were shot dead by soldiers.
Colonel Derek Wilford told the Saville Inquiry in London that his men acted in a professional manner on January 30th, 1972. A 14th civilian died later.
Col Wilford was in charge of the first battalion of the Parachute Regiment on Bloody Sunday and went into the Bogside area with his men.
He said he believed his troops were shot at and returned fire within the rules of engagement. Colonel Wilford said he saw or heard nothing which led him to believe that paratroopers were out of control at any stage.
"Nor did I see any shameful and disgraceful acts," he added.
In a 25-page statement to the inquiry, Col Wilford said his troops came under fire and he also heard two "crump" sounds which he took to be nail or blast bombs thrown by rioters.
Under questioning from Christopher Clarke, QC, senior counsel for the inquiry, Col Wilford said he did not believe the Parachute Regiment had a reputation for going in fast and hard to quell riot situations. "We had a reputation for being professional," he said.
Brigadier Pat MacLellan, the British army's most senior soldier on Bloody Sunday, said in his evidence to the inquiry last year that it appeared paratroopers disobeyed his orders by driving right into the Bogside in armoured cars.
However, Colonel Wil rejected this and insisted there was nothing to stop him going into the Bogside.
"There was nothing in the orders to say that we could not go into Rossville Street at all," he said. "I had no intention of conducting a running battle chasing the rioters wherever they went, and this did not happen".
"On January 30th, 1972 they [the paratroopers] conducted an arrest operation until such time as they came under hostile fire. At no time did they engage in a running battle".
The officer, who will only give evidence in the mornings, is expected to be in the witness box in Methodist Central Hall in London for up to two weeks.
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness were in London today and attended the inquiry.
PA