More "friendly fire"
- Thread starter #juan
- Start date
I'm beginning to wonder with all this alleged high tech and procedures in place how many friendly fire incidents took place during WWII. I don't even want to know.
Check this out: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/08/07/ING95E1VQ51.DTL
In particular, here's a key paragraph from it: "Army historians have estimated ground casualties from friendly fire in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War at approximately 2 percent, while they soared to 17 percent during the 1991 Gulf War."
Doesn't look like high tech helps in that department.
Edited to add this: that's specifically the U.S. Army it's referring to. I didn't find anything in a quick search about other forces.
In particular, here's a key paragraph from it: "Army historians have estimated ground casualties from friendly fire in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War at approximately 2 percent, while they soared to 17 percent during the 1991 Gulf War."
Doesn't look like high tech helps in that department.
Edited to add this: that's specifically the U.S. Army it's referring to. I didn't find anything in a quick search about other forces.
Dexter Sinister said:
I believe Dexter that there were relatively few U.S. casualties in the gulf war, and the friendly fire stats were padded considerably when a stray missile knocked down a chopper full of soldiers.
Here is a link to a fairly accurate accounting of friendly fire casualties.
F.F. link
It's estimated that up to 20% of allied deaths in WW2 were friendly fire (8,000 Candians killed this way). When I was in the military it was considered part of the price for actually being successful in moving large combat forces forward. Every death is tragic and I'm not sure I support the mission in Afghanistan but the numbers of deaths due to both enemy and other allied operations is quite low consideraing how much fire power and air support is being used. Without that overwhelming Ameircan air superiority there might be 100 Canadians killed for every incident of friendly fire for the success on the ground.
Yes, I know they were American.
Who else would arrogantly blast people on the ground without first identifying them. The Canadian soldiers were camped around their armored vehicles on open ground where they had just spent the night. U.S. forces use identical vehicles. Wouldn't this have given somebody a hint.
Who else would arrogantly blast people on the ground without first identifying them. The Canadian soldiers were camped around their armored vehicles on open ground where they had just spent the night. U.S. forces use identical vehicles. Wouldn't this have given somebody a hint.
When Canadians accidentally kill Afghan police and civilians, it's justifiable.
When Americans accidentally kill Canadian troops, they are bungling idiots.
:roll:
When Americans accidentally kill Canadian troops, they are bungling idiots.
:roll:
Before anyone goes on another anti-American rant perhaps we should remember that Canadian forces were responsible for directing air assests onto the targets. Errors could have been made by a few or by many, by Canadians or Americans, we should await the results of the investigation before pointing fingers.
I think not said:
Yes they are... and its not the first time they've done this. Just wait, they will come up with some bs excuse.
And yes they are bungling idiots. We are cleaning up the mess the yankees left in Afganistan, and look at the mess the bunglers have created in Iraq.
Just curious Hotshot but how will you blame the Americans if it's found it was a Canadian error? You have No idea what you're talking about. You're answer to everything is "blame the Americans!" It's WAR, it's being fought by humans, and errors will be made by all sides, very unfortunate, but inevitable.
Re: RE: More "friendly fire"
First, it is the yankees fault that we are there in the first place in case you have forgotten. It they weren't so damn arrogant in the first place, the rest of the world wouldn't hate them and 9-11 wouldn't have happened.
In the previous case, the yankees were definitely in the wrong, but they wormed their way out of accepting responsibility.
In this case the Canadians were just waking up for crying out loud. The damn yanks were just trigger happy.
Canada and NATO should just pull out and leave the yanks alone with their butts hanging out.
Lineman said:
First, it is the yankees fault that we are there in the first place in case you have forgotten. It they weren't so damn arrogant in the first place, the rest of the world wouldn't hate them and 9-11 wouldn't have happened.
In the previous case, the yankees were definitely in the wrong, but they wormed their way out of accepting responsibility.
In this case the Canadians were just waking up for crying out loud. The damn yanks were just trigger happy.
Canada and NATO should just pull out and leave the yanks alone with their butts hanging out.
Again you show your will to jump to conclusions without the facts. The pilot, National Guard Maj. Harry Schmidt, in the first instance was charged with dereliction of duty. As for the Canadians just sitting around having breakfast and suddenly an A-10 decides to attack them? No information on the incident has been released and I doubt they would be calling in air support if it wasn't needed. Just speculation on my part but they were more likely engaged with the enemy and were very close. Remember, air support has to be called in, it just isn't loitering above attacking what it wants and when it feels like it. By the way we're part of NATO. We've signed a treaty, we're obligated. Same as our allies would be if we were attacked. Or is not living up to your commitments more your style?
who was it that said "friendly fire is where one side blows up the other one, then the americans bomb the chinese embassy"?
I think not said:
A typical yankee non-response. Of course the bunglers didn't leave Afganistan: they are keeping on killing friendlies.
Why don't you address the truth when it comes to the illegal action in Iraq? Your prez should be up on charges. I can't believe you simps have not impeached him
Hotshot said:
You did a pretty good job yourselves there a couple of weeks ago.
Hotshot said:
That's our business, you're irrelevant.
So you still didn't answer Hotshot, how will you blame the Americans if it's found it was a Canadian error or a combination of both?
Re: RE: More "friendly fire"
By far the most sensible post on the subject so far.
athabaska said:
By far the most sensible post on the subject so far.