FALLUJAH TOLL: 623 U.S. troops were wounded

[UpInArms]

http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_showa.html?article=47813

An additional 623 American troops were wounded, said Marine Lt. Gen. John F. Sattler, up from an injury count of 425 issued more than two weeks ago.

The Fallujah offensive made November one of the two deadliest months for U.S. soldiers since the invasion of Iraq in March 2003. The U.S. death toll for all of Iraq in November was at least 134, according to wire-service compilations, one short of the record 135 killed in April, when an aborted offensive in Fallujah contributed to a spike in dead and injured.

U.S. officials said casualty figures during the largely completed fight for Fallujah were among the highest in recent years for any battle involving U.S. troops. But they were relatively low for the kind of close-knit, house-to-house urban warfare that took place in Fallujah, they said.

"They (casualties) were lighter than history would have predicted by a pretty large factor," said Sattler, who heads the I Marine Expeditionary Force. "We were expecting well above that. ... It could have been a lot worse."

...more...

[Bono71]

1. Ugh. I got a feeling we will be out of their in 5-6 years b/c

the next president (whoever that is) will be faced with a war weary nation.

What a waste.

[EndElectoral]

2. Allawi's already been quoted as a decade

[daleo]

3. So, that would indicate about 1 death for every 10 wounded

Assuming about 60 deaths in Fallujah. I think it is pretty much in line with past reports as far as icasualites says, which are about 11% of casualties killed.

I thought the Fallujah assault had about 10000 marines, so the casualty rate was about 7%. I don't think that can be sustained for very long.

This ratio is one military strategists and historians watch quite closely, I believe.

[llmart]

4. "It could've been a lot worse...."

oh, well, that makes me feel a whole lot better and I'm sure it makes those dead soldiers, the wounded soldiers, and their loved ones feel much better also. This is sickening. Meanwhile, did everyone hear how the long-running Jeopardy contestant finally lost? That's what people care about in this country. It was actually the headlines in the two Detroit newspapers yesterday. Dead and wounded soldiers? Nary a mention.

[Voltaire99]

5. "Does It Matter?"

Does It Matter?

Does it matter?—losing your legs?...
For people will always be kind,
And you need not show that you mind
When the others come in after hunting
To gobble their muffins and eggs.

Does it matter ?—losing your sight?...
There's such splendid work for the blind;
And people will always be kind,
As you sit on the terrace remembering
And turning your face to the light.

Do they matter?—those dreams from the pit?...
You can drink and forget and be glad,
And people won't say that you're mad;
For they'll know you've fought for your country
And no one will worry a bit.

Siegfried Sassoon, 1918

[lebkuchen]

6. I saw four busloads of wounded unloaded at Landstuhl in one day

during the Fallujah demolition. 623 is conservative.

[MidEastMan]

7. interesting

i heard more than 700 wounded soldiers !