The Truth About Iraq Casualties
I have completed my compilation of the casualties at icasualties.org. The database at that site reports casualties, designating which ones are hostile and non-hostile, but it calculates the total toll in life without regard for the causes of death. It strikes me as slightly deceptive to count our 55 deaths from illnesses, including heart attacks, strokes, etc., as part of the death toll in Iraq. Through the end of August, the Coalition has lost 2,276 soldiers in hostile circumstances, with 595 deaths from non-hostile causes. We had also lost 230 troops from Great Britain and the other Coalition members by the end of August, which is a death toll we never hear about.
We've all been hearing lately about how bad things are in Baghdad - so bad that we are diverting troops to Baghdad from other areas. In fact, we have given the entire provice of Dhi Qar over to Iraqi control, so we've had the troops available for the diversion. As I performed my calculation, I divided hostile casualties by month, province, and monitored the toll in 6-month increments. The war in Iraq has lasted for exactly 42 months, so there are seven 6-month increments on my spreadsheet. In hostile realms, we have lost 83 soldiers in the last six months in Baghdad. That total is tied for the 4th-highest (and 4th-lowest) of the war, and a far cry below the 105 who were killed in the previous six months.
In Anbar province, the largest and most dangerous province, the last six months have only been worse than the previous six months by 7 deaths, going from 137 to 144. In Anbar, the worst period was the Sep04-Feb05 period, when we lost 203 soldiers in hostile encounters.
Additionally, it pays to note that total coalition deaths from March-August 2006 have numbered 370, which is the lowest total since the period ending in February 2004 and the third-lowest overall.
Finally, the realm that is nearest my heart, as a Company Safety Officer: In the last six months only 47 coalition troops have been killed in non-hostile circumstances, such as vehicle accidents, weapons accidents, suicides, etc. This is the lowest total thus far recorded in the entire war.
Sectarian violence is in the news plenty enough, but I take heart knowing that my comrades in arms are improving their chances of survival.
I'll be glad to email my casualty compilation spreadsheet to anyone who requests it.
We've all been hearing lately about how bad things are in Baghdad - so bad that we are diverting troops to Baghdad from other areas. In fact, we have given the entire provice of Dhi Qar over to Iraqi control, so we've had the troops available for the diversion. As I performed my calculation, I divided hostile casualties by month, province, and monitored the toll in 6-month increments. The war in Iraq has lasted for exactly 42 months, so there are seven 6-month increments on my spreadsheet. In hostile realms, we have lost 83 soldiers in the last six months in Baghdad. That total is tied for the 4th-highest (and 4th-lowest) of the war, and a far cry below the 105 who were killed in the previous six months.
In Anbar province, the largest and most dangerous province, the last six months have only been worse than the previous six months by 7 deaths, going from 137 to 144. In Anbar, the worst period was the Sep04-Feb05 period, when we lost 203 soldiers in hostile encounters.
Additionally, it pays to note that total coalition deaths from March-August 2006 have numbered 370, which is the lowest total since the period ending in February 2004 and the third-lowest overall.
Finally, the realm that is nearest my heart, as a Company Safety Officer: In the last six months only 47 coalition troops have been killed in non-hostile circumstances, such as vehicle accidents, weapons accidents, suicides, etc. This is the lowest total thus far recorded in the entire war.
Sectarian violence is in the news plenty enough, but I take heart knowing that my comrades in arms are improving their chances of survival.
I'll be glad to email my casualty compilation spreadsheet to anyone who requests it.
posted by Bountyhawk at 11:33 AM
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