Silly John St, dont you know the US Military has very strict rules of engagement? Just ask the citizens of
Fallujah,
My Lai,
al-Majalah, Cambodia,
Laos, South Vietnam,
Panama.... Or what's left of them.
Yes, the US armed forces - like all other armed forces in the world - make mistakes, commit atrocities, etc.
Usually the mistakes are exactly that, misjudging a target or hitting the wrong target, while carefully following ROE (Rules of Engagement) designed to limit civilian loss.
Atrocities, on the other hand, are normally not in accordance with ROE, although Cambodia and Laos were ordered by the politicians and thus in principle covered by ROE.
My Lai was a first rate stinker, a limited, but disgusting atrocity, which we discussed a couple of weeks ago on this board. Most - including the MIL side - agreed that the culprits (including at least coronels) should have been severely punished.
A small US force (one company of "greenhorns", which had suffered 28 casualties with 5 dead and 23 severe injuries within a couple of months) butchered innocent civilians in a populated area, where - according to ROE - US forces were allowed to use air strikes, artillery and mortars in areas. Worst of all, in my opinion, was the attempt to cover-up, because that inhibited changes in ROE, which might have saved civilians elsewhere.
(Then major) Colin Powell was to investigate several claims of atrocities (not just My Lai), and helped cover-up when he wrote that relations between 23rd Division soldiers and the Vietnamese were excellent. A fat lie. The civilians' fear of attacks was massive.
My Lai, however, took place in 1968, more than 45 years ago. A lot has changed since that, although there are every now and then new stinkers and new cover-ups - the top brass don't understand that they are constructing a mountain of mistrust.
Have it ever ocurred to you, that some of those who write of (e.g. US armed forces') atrocities, may have their own agendas?
That they sometimes/often "forget" to tell what is the root cause?
Have you ever considered the possibility that some of those who claim their family members were killed by armed forces may have their own agendas?
Have you ever considered that a quickly buried and absolutely not to be exhumed family member, who died of pneumonia or old age - or never existed in the first place - is as valuable in cash payment for damages as a years hard work.
In wars people get killed.
