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War decisions

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by Grand Falcon Railroad (U3267675) on Friday, 3rd March 2006

  Hi all - here's an ethical question for you which I thought about when I was reading about what the Soviet forces did in East Prussia (and yes I know you could just say we'll never know until it happened to us)...
  
  What do you think is the furthest limit you can imagine reaching in war regarding your own behaviour? As far as mine goes I hope that I wouldn't panic in shooting an enemy "resource" if he/she/it/they weregoing to kill a buddy alongside me - do you think this is the real limit of what can be expected in times of conflict?

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Dirk Marinus (U1648073) on Friday, 3rd March 2006

  NEWCFALCON,
  
  
  Believe me if I say that the only thing on your mind in war is:
  
  I have to get out of this alive and hopefully without any loss of limbs.
  
  And you will do anything( and I do mean anything)to archieve that.
  
  
  

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by marduk-slayer of tiamat (U2258525) on Friday, 3rd March 2006

  depends on the circumstances, usually the minimum required though. if i caught some rapist (my side or theirs) id kill 'em real painfully

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by arnaldalmaric (U1756653) on Friday, 3rd March 2006

  NEWCFALCON,
  
  Well, I've never been in combat (and hope never to be) unless you count playground scuffles and an incident in Bristol.
  
  So, I'll give you my honest opinion, there is no limit I can conceive of if I thought I wouldn't get caught and punished.
  
  AA. (And BTW, I fully believe that only a combat soldier has the right to judge another).

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by Grand Falcon Railroad (U3267675) on Friday, 3rd March 2006

  Hi AA,
  
  I think what you said was right - I read that the guy in charge of US troops at My Lai was told he should admit his guilt as then the court-martial/tribunal would be made up of Infantry brass and not Service Corps brass and correspondily he would get more leniant treatment if not a more leniant sentence.
  
  I also think I understand that a lot of people would try to get away with as much as possible if the knew they wouldn't get caught i.e German pictures relating to the round up of Jews in Russia, Poland etc.
  
  
  

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Backtothedarkplace (U2955180) on Friday, 3rd March 2006

  early in a war Id probably obey the rules.
  
  towards the middle Id stop caring.
  
  assuming im still alive at the end then ifthere between me and going home their dead.
  
  Ohh and if i can turn a profit then Im having what ever isnt nailed down.
  
  My dad told me when the war finished he was sent home on leave from Germany and there was a lad on the boat who'd Knicked a washing machine!
  
  Its a target I've always wanted to beat. lol

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by pegasuseddie (U518215) on Friday, 3rd March 2006

  Hi all - here's an ethical question for you which I thought about when I was reading about what the Soviet forces did in East Prussia (and yes I know you could just say we'll never know until it happened to us)...
  
  What do you think is the furthest limit you can imagine reaching in war regarding your own behaviour? As far as mine goes I hope that I wouldn't panic in shooting an enemy "resource" if he/she/it/they weregoing to kill a buddy alongside me - do you think this is the real limit of what can be expected in times of conflict?Β 
  As a highly trained British Airborne sniper during the invasion of Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge and the 270-mile rapid advance across northern Germany in 1944/45 I have often been asked how I felt as I pulled the trigger of my rifle.
  My answer has always been that in a war in which you were literally conditioned and trained to kill and, just as easily, might be killed, I never regarded the Germans as PEOPLE. For me they were simply 'enemy targets' and no different from those on the rifle range except that they had the ability to fire back so it was always a simple case of hitting an 'enemy target' as accurately as possible as this reduced the possibility of them recovering and, at some future time, killing you or one of your comrades.
  I regarded each successful 'kill' as a highly satfsfactory revenge for comrades that had been killed around me. (War has always brutalised otherwise decent and gentle individuals)
  

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