Freethought & Rationalism Archive

mecca777 · 03-23-2003, 02:44 AM

BBC News

'Cause it wouldn't be a Gulf War� without friendly fire�.

Secular Pinoy · 03-23-2003, 03:22 AM

That's one of the things that came to my mind the moment war started. As with the last Persian Gulf War, friendly fire, as well as accidents, might account for most of the casualties. And as I remember an article in Newsweek, most of those in the receiving end were Brits.

Born Free · 03-23-2003, 03:59 AM

Can't say it comes as any big surprise.

Deadend · 03-23-2003, 04:17 AM

Statistics from The American War Library

American friendly fire-casualties

WW II       - 21%
Korea        - 18%
Vietnam    - 39%
Gulf War I - 49%

Vorkosigan · 03-23-2003, 04:23 AM

Blue on Blue, simply the best book on friendly fire.

kwigibo · 03-23-2003, 04:40 AM

Is it still called friendly fire when you knowingly attack your own men?

Shadowy Man · 03-23-2003, 06:11 AM

Just imagine how much friendly fire there would be if the U.S. had more allies in this war.

Loren Pechtel · 03-24-2003, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Secular Pinoy
That's one of the things that came to my mind the moment war started. As with the last Persian Gulf War, friendly fire, as well as accidents, might account for most of the casualties. And as I remember an article in Newsweek, most of those in the receiving end were Brits.

Friendly fire incidents are more likely at the edges between units. The more difference between the units the more likely a mistake is.

Loren Pechtel · 03-24-2003, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kwigibo
Is it still called friendly fire when you knowingly attack your own men?

Friendly fire isn't a matter of *KNOWINGLY* attacking them.

I have heard of cases of knowingly attacking friendly forces but that's a desperation move, not friendly fire. (You're pinned down and being overrun. The best move may be to take cover and call in a strike on your location. The enemy is moving around and will be hit far more than your forces.)

NialScorva · 03-24-2003, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Deadend
Statistics from The American War Library

American friendly fire-casualties

WW II       - 21%
Korea        - 18%
Vietnam    - 39%
Gulf War I - 49%

Vietnam was a clusterfuck, that's not up for a debate. Consider the scale of the action in Gulf War I, where the total death count for the coalition was around 100... 49% becomes somewhat misrepresentative of the situation. Perhaps a more useful metric would be friendly kills per 1000 troops per month of action?

I don't see where these numbers have any bearing.

03-23-2003, 02:44 AM	#1
mecca777 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK Posts: 1,255	US Missile Shoots Down RAF Tornado BBC News 'Cause it wouldn't be a Gulf War� without friendly fire�.

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03-23-2003, 03:22 AM	#2
Secular Pinoy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Quezon City, Philippines Posts: 1,994	That's one of the things that came to my mind the moment war started. As with the last Persian Gulf War, friendly fire, as well as accidents, might account for most of the casualties. And as I remember an article in Newsweek, most of those in the receiving end were Brits.

03-23-2003, 03:59 AM	#3
Born Free Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Scotland Posts: 4,177	Can't say it comes as any big surprise.

03-23-2003, 04:17 AM	#4
Deadend Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 808	Statistics from The American War Library American friendly fire-casualties WW II       - 21% Korea        - 18% Vietnam    - 39% Gulf War I - 49%

03-23-2003, 04:23 AM	#5
Vorkosigan Contributor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Barrayar Posts: 11,866	Blue on Blue, simply the best book on friendly fire.

03-23-2003, 04:40 AM	#6
kwigibo Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Gold Coast, QLD, Australia Posts: 5,814	Is it still called friendly fire when you knowingly attack your own men?

03-23-2003, 06:11 AM	#7
Shadowy Man Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: A Shadowy Planet Posts: 7,585	Just imagine how much friendly fire there would be if the U.S. had more allies in this war.

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