Iraq battle stress worse than WWII

Times Online ^ | 11-6-05 | Michael Smith

[Firefigher NC]

SENIOR army doctors have warned that troops in Iraq are suffering levels of battle stress not experienced since the second world war because of fears that if they shoot an insurgent, they will end up in court.

The two senior Royal Army Medical Corps officers, one of whom is a psychologist, have recently returned from Basra, where they said they counselled young soldiers who feared a military police investigation as much as they did the insurgents.

The revelations follow the collapse last week of the court martial of seven paratroopers accused of murdering an Iraqi who died near al- Amarah just after the war and amid signs of a dramatic drop in morale among frontline infantry soldiers.

The doctors’ warnings came in post-operational reports submitted by senior officers to their formation commanders after serving in a battle zone. They are exceptional because of their content.

One source said: “There doesn’t appear to be any overt consideration or understanding of the pressures that our soldiers are under.

“The unpopularity of the war at home and a belief that firing their rifles in virtually any circumstances is likely to see them end up in court are sapping morale.”

[Firefigher NC]

Rediculous.

[Flavius]

This is the real problem. News media and idiotic rules of combat.

[Terpfen]

"Ridiculous," you mean. And yes it is.

[ClearCase_guy]

But the Democrats support the troops. Until the troops make a teeny tiny mistake -- and then WHAM! the Dems will nail them to the wall and make them pay for their evil crimes!!!

[FlingWingFlyer]

I'm all for sending all of the politicians, lawyers and "judges" to Iraq and bringing the troops home. If those morons want to fight the war, they should be subject to getting killed over there.

[A CA Guy]

Iraq battle stress worse than WWII

have warned that troops in Iraq are suffering levels of battle stress not experienced since the second world war

How does the story relate to the title of this being WORSE? The story doesn't say worse.

[fooman]

you didnt get court marshelled for shoooting a kraut!

[Firefigher NC]

Just the news guys exaggerating the headline to catch your attention.

[gaijin]

I'm outraged at this report. To think that the possibility of a courtmarshal worries them more than the possibility that they might let slip a homosexual slur against one of their comrades?

And what of the worry of injury to a camel, I wonder?

We've got to get to work on this.

[ARCADIA]

Iraq battle stress worse than WWII

So the battle stress from the present Iraqi war is more damaging to the geopolitical well being then the sum distructive impact of World War II. Remember the old days when news services employed copy editors?

[skeeter]

I have some ideas for post traumatic stress therapy involving soldier patients feeding various traitors in the ACLU & MSM the butt end of their M4.

[Enterprise]

"The two senior Royal Army Medical Corps"

These are Brits, but you are correct in that it still applies to the Democrats as well.

[gaijin]

Foul language. I want to hear more about troops worrying they might drop an "F-bomb" or two...

[A CA Guy]

If you shoot them, who is there to sue you?

Just don't get caught trying to reenact a Madonna video with a prisoner. That will get you years in a Federal prison.

[A CA Guy]

The bastards are making the exaggerated title the news and the impression to the world though.

There needs to be more truth in news.

[fooman]

you forget about the embeds and that mslsd dude that filmed a marine who investigated.

many freepers supported the investigation and we were closer to 911 than we are now.

[crazyhorse691]

If you shoot them, who is there to sue you?

---

Kinda was our thought on patrol. Plus, if they be dead they can't shoot you.

[Sterm26]

The American Criminal Liberties Union seems to have no problem defending and litigating on behalf of our avowed enemies.

[Radix]

"This is the real problem. News media and idiotic rules of combat."

You are right, and it is infuriating.

[Fruitbat]

SENIOR army doctors have warned that troops in Iraq are suffering levels of battle stress not experienced since the second world war because of fears that if they shoot an insurgent, they will end up in court.

This was my first instantaneous thought when I read the title to this piece. These guys can't even do their jobs. The ones they ought to be shooting is all the damned lawyers, in any country.

Yeah, I'm being sarcastic. :shiftyeyes: