General Discussions
This is the place to discuss general issues related to the U-boat war or the war at sea in WWII.
RE: Okay, let\\\'s settle this matter once and for
Posted by:
Fin Bonset
()
Date: March 08, 2001 01:06PM
<HTML>Hi Frank and everyone,
I have to add some more cents to this :-)
Ok there are two things I would like to address here. One: Frank, I totally respect your posting and opinion, however, is there proof of such looting by American soldiers in the Gulf War? As true as it may be, I have to think that this was not the case in the gulf war. I may be wrong, but I really don\'t think that happened. Perhaps on the Iraqi side it did as that is matter surroundings and beliefs.
I back this up by my second point by trying to explain why people loot in the first place. In my opinion, and I stress the \"my opinion\" part, a lot of looting went on in the second world war and Vietnam because of two things: the Draft and the immense atrocities committed during battles. When a draft occurs, all types of people join the army. This includes many people from lower ranks of society as well. It is these people that are used to a difficult life in their own country and keep those values of theft, and disregard for others. I am not saying that they didn\'t fight gallantly or did their job, it is just a fact. In addition, more atrocities went on during those two wars because they were more savage than anything ever experienced. That causes certain people to have even more disregard for other human lives. This in turn leads to disrespecting the dead and taking their belongings.
Now, back to the Gulf War. As the Gulf War was not a draft war, most everyone was a volunteer or chose to do service. There are mandatory drafts for some European countries, but they are very selective about their personnel. This leads to a more professional organization of more professional men. The atrocities were less than any war as there were only few casualties on the American/Allied side and most of the damage was inflcted by air forces. There were substantial Iraqi losses, but there was minimal ground fighting anyway. So, that really minimizes looting with the sole intent of doing so. I\'m sure those things must have been controlled somehow.
Anyway, I just want to go on record here that none of this is meant to be an offense to any soldiers in any war as I have never experienced such a matter. I have a great deal of respect for any man willing to put his life on the line for his/her country and beliefs. So this is purely an opinion based on historical facts and my reading of many related books and first-hand accounts.
Frank, I would love to here a counter argument as I think we can all learn from this. I\'m not saying I\'m right here, but I\'m just trying to contemplate this logically. How does this relate to u-boats? Well, many people have no respect for history and those who fought and gave their lives in unstable times. This is exactly what causes people to become grave robbers, plain and simple, no respect.
Anyway, thanks for letting me put in my two cents.
Best wishes to all,
Fin </HTML>
I have to add some more cents to this :-)
Ok there are two things I would like to address here. One: Frank, I totally respect your posting and opinion, however, is there proof of such looting by American soldiers in the Gulf War? As true as it may be, I have to think that this was not the case in the gulf war. I may be wrong, but I really don\'t think that happened. Perhaps on the Iraqi side it did as that is matter surroundings and beliefs.
I back this up by my second point by trying to explain why people loot in the first place. In my opinion, and I stress the \"my opinion\" part, a lot of looting went on in the second world war and Vietnam because of two things: the Draft and the immense atrocities committed during battles. When a draft occurs, all types of people join the army. This includes many people from lower ranks of society as well. It is these people that are used to a difficult life in their own country and keep those values of theft, and disregard for others. I am not saying that they didn\'t fight gallantly or did their job, it is just a fact. In addition, more atrocities went on during those two wars because they were more savage than anything ever experienced. That causes certain people to have even more disregard for other human lives. This in turn leads to disrespecting the dead and taking their belongings.
Now, back to the Gulf War. As the Gulf War was not a draft war, most everyone was a volunteer or chose to do service. There are mandatory drafts for some European countries, but they are very selective about their personnel. This leads to a more professional organization of more professional men. The atrocities were less than any war as there were only few casualties on the American/Allied side and most of the damage was inflcted by air forces. There were substantial Iraqi losses, but there was minimal ground fighting anyway. So, that really minimizes looting with the sole intent of doing so. I\'m sure those things must have been controlled somehow.
Anyway, I just want to go on record here that none of this is meant to be an offense to any soldiers in any war as I have never experienced such a matter. I have a great deal of respect for any man willing to put his life on the line for his/her country and beliefs. So this is purely an opinion based on historical facts and my reading of many related books and first-hand accounts.
Frank, I would love to here a counter argument as I think we can all learn from this. I\'m not saying I\'m right here, but I\'m just trying to contemplate this logically. How does this relate to u-boats? Well, many people have no respect for history and those who fought and gave their lives in unstable times. This is exactly what causes people to become grave robbers, plain and simple, no respect.
Anyway, thanks for letting me put in my two cents.
Best wishes to all,
Fin </HTML>
