General Chat

The first dead man I saw in WW2 was our platoon sergeant. His head had gone, otherwise he was quite immaculate. What upset me most was that his fingers were still moving. After that I got hardened to it and a human body was no more upsetting than a side of beef in a butchers shop - except when it was one of my friends. The enemy was the enemy. We had no regard for them as people as they were trying to kill us. Len

War has no rules - the idea is to win -

Many years ago I went to a chess demonstration match, hosted by Mickhail Bottvinnick,( think thats right) and in his introduction,he mentioned that "Would it not be nice, if we could lock up the worlds leaders, in a room,and let them play "Chess" to decide the outcome of a conflict"! might save a few lives...............but probably unworkable...

War is the most inhuman of acts. Much as we might like it to be it will never be a 'gentleman's sport', with both sides playing by a predetermined set of rules.

I am always surprised that people are surprised that these things happen during a war. After all, what is a war but 'an active state of conflict'? Emotions are charged, adrenalin is high and a war is for the most part a 'no holds barred' situation. Every government these days looks for ways to circumvent the Geneva Convention and every soldier knows this. Besides which it's a bit of an idealistic situation isn't it - a war where everyone plays by the rules? The plan is to win, isn't it? War is always a dirty business, we can only pretend it's part of a civilized existence. I'm not condoning or condemning anything, just trying to see and describe things as they are and not as I'd like them to be.

Peaceful discussion ? Try that on men like Hitler, Stalin or even our old friend Sadam Hussain - or some of the lesser psychopathic dictators. I was in the army WW2 and was told, in training, how to despatch captured enemy troops when there was no facility for imprisoning them. Unofficially, of course. I was also instructed on how to immobilise those who may be needed later for interrogation. Nothing in the manuals, of course. Len

Imho........That sort of thing MUST happen,in war, feelings are so charged up. what amazes me is that they must know the cameras are around............so why do it Live,on film? After hearing what the hostage takers did, Showing NO mercy,I am not surprised at these happenings.........

Whatever nationality, I don't believe that anyone should shoot a wounded, defenceless person lying on the ground. Training of soldiers HAS to change! I pray for peace in our world. :-) Joy

I don't think any of these soldiers can be blamed. What would you do if you saw your brother shot by an Iraqi and then had the chance of a reprisal? Difficult, yes! Why did this American take these photos in the first place? Sylvia xxx

Atrocities of war happen (on both sides) - fact. War is itself an atrocity, and the only way to stop it is by peaceful discussion. Hopeless cause? I hope not, otherwise we are doomed as the human race to atrocities forever. Jacqui

I'm not criticising or defending the American. But I believed my Grandad, and wonder if in his situation I may have done the same.

i think the americans are too gun ho/just look at all the british troops that were killed in friendly fire!xxxxxxx):

Andy, It may well be that the injured man was booby-trapped with a device he could detonate as soon as he had enough people round him, this could have happened to the marines in a previous situation, cant really blame them for not taking chances. Len

andy this will only cause more tension in this awful warxxxx):

We are currently hearing the news story that a Us Marine shot an unarmed wounded possibly Iraqi insurgent. My Grandad, 2nd Lieutenant in the HLI in the Great War, told me that when they took wounded Germans he would shoot them through the head with his service revolver. Better dead than cluttering up the field hospitals. Nothing changes