Possible End of the ww2

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 05-03-2005, 05:23 PM

I dont agree with the left behind thing though. No one should be left behind.

plan_D · 05-03-2005, 07:20 PM

That is a big difference between the US and British military systems. The US has always been more humanitarian to it's troops. Not one man gets left behind.
In the British view injuring a man is better than killing them because by injuring a man you take up more of the resources of the enemy. When fighting an enemy like America, Britain would be aiming to injuring more than killing. By injuring a man it would take several other guns from the battlefield, those guns who are trying to help the injured man.

In the Chindit operations the men could not take them, just like they could not take prisoners. They were behind enemy lines, any injured man would hinder the progress and all the men knew that an injury far from any kind of make-shift landing strip would mean they would be left behind.
Men from the theatre all knew that they would be propped up against a tree, a canteen, 3-5 days rations and a pistol given to them and left. Even their rifle was often taken away with it's ammo.

evangilder · 05-03-2005, 10:32 PM

Man, talk about the loneliest feeling a man could have. What is the origin of the name "Chindit"?

mosquitoman · 05-04-2005, 04:08 AM

I think it comes from the river Chindwin in that area

evangilder · 05-04-2005, 07:41 AM

Ah, okay. I had never heard the term before, wasn't sure if it was one of those regional colloquialisms or something.

plan_D · 05-04-2005, 02:41 PM

It actually comes from the guardians of a temple near the Chindwin river.

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 05-04-2005, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plan_D

That is a big difference between the US and British military systems. The US has always been more humanitarian to it's troops. Not one man gets left behind.
In the British view injuring a man is better than killing them because by injuring a man you take up more of the resources of the enemy. When fighting an enemy like America, Britain would be aiming to injuring more than killing. By injuring a man it would take several other guns from the battlefield, those guns who are trying to help the injured man.

That doctrine is actually widly used. You wound a soldier and then you can pic off the other soldiers trying to help him.

plan_D · 05-04-2005, 04:46 PM

Yes but what I'm saying is, the British don't try and help him. Even less so for the Chindits.

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 05-04-2005, 04:52 PM

I understand the doctrine but I prefer the other way, dont leave anyone behind, everyone goes home.

plan_D · 05-04-2005, 04:55 PM

America cares more for it's troops than Britain. In some circumstances it costs more lives than if they had left that one behind.

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 05-04-2005, 04:57 PM

possibly

plan_D · 05-04-2005, 05:03 PM

Especially when you're behind enemy lines. You've got a job to do, you're not going to let an injured man hinder your progress.

The best way to make the point is from the Battle of the Black Sea (Black Hawk Down). When Blackburn fell from the Blackhawk and it took six other soldiers to pull him back to the convoy. British troops would have had him treated and the other five soldiers would have stayed part of the battle. He probably wouldn't have been left behind but they wouldn't have bothered with him while the battle was still raging, only a medic would tend to him.

Or when the first Blackhawk went down and they spent hours cutting out the cockpit to bring out, what they found to be, dead bodies. The British would have left them. They would have probably gone to the crash site, picked up any survivors, blown up the helicopter and gone.

In the Falklands those that died there, were buried there. Most of the time, we don't even bother bringing the bodies home. I think they're starting to do it more and more now though.

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 05-04-2005, 05:05 PM

I just think it is the right thing to do, I would not want to be left behind. I would also not want to risk the lives of my comrads though either, so I can understand it.

evangilder · 05-04-2005, 09:15 PM

It's a tough call. You want to help your buddy. You typically train, eat sleep, **** and fight with these guys for quite a while. Bonds that are deeper than civilians understand are formed. They become your brothers. I would have a tough time leaving someone behind.

plan_D · 05-04-2005, 09:37 PM

I imagine it would be hard but sometimes the choice has to be made, the mission or the man.