I have been listening to the BBC “Beyond Today” six-part podcast: “The Deadliest Day”. The podcast is a series of recordings made by the survivors and the relatives of those who died, were physically wounded or otherwise suffered from 9 Platoon, 2nd Rifles that suffered the highest casualty rate on the day of the highest casualties inflicted on the British Army in Afghanistan since the Victorian period – July 10th 2009.
The interviews are very frank, very enlightening and occasionally very distressing.
I believe that these experiences are common to many soldiers and their families in all the wars of history. The difference is that today the survivors – in all senses of the word – are prepared to talk about it, and that their resulting life problems are officially recognised. Not solved, but at least recognised.
If you want to make a difference, make a donation to http://www.combatstress.org.uk.
All credit to the BBC for making this series of programmes, and to all those who were prepared to open their hearts to us.
Highly recommended.
General Whiskers' semi-historical wanderings 