Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!rpi!uwm.edu!linac!att!cbnews!cbnews!military From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: Where do the most casualties occur ? Message-ID: <1991Jan19.034352.1838@cbnews.att.com> Date: 19 Jan 91 03:43:52 GMT References: <1991Jan15.021152.22475@cbnews.att.com>, <1991Jan17.052222.27310@cbnews.att.com> Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker) Organization: The Boeing Co., MMST, Seattle, Wa. Lines: 57 Approved: military@att.att.com From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt) > From: Allan Bourdius > >Without a doubt, the most casualties occur in ground attacks, or in > >assaults on ground forces. > > Point of information: In WWII, 80% of casualties suffered in battle by > the US Army were absorbed by the infantry. This number is even more > shocking when you consider that only 10% of the Army were infantrymen. According to Vietnam statistics on casualty evacuation, 51% of deaths were caused by small arms and 65% of wounds were caused by artillery fragments. Causes Deaths(KIA) Wounds(WIA) Small Arms 51% 16% Artillery Fragments 36% 65% Booby Traps, Mines 11% 15% Punji stakes -- 2% others 2% 2% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Location of wounds are categorized in the following areas: Head and Neck, Upper Chest, Lower Abdomen, Arms, Legs. Location of wounds Fatal Non-fatal Head and Neck 39% 14% Upper Chest 19% 7% Lower Abdomen 18% 5% Multi-sites 16% 20% Legs 7% 36% Arms 1% 18% --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The high proportion of fatalities were due to head and neck wounds attributed to the reluctance of troops in combat to wear their helmets. The proportion of small arms KIA in Vietnam was a significant increase over World War II (32%) and Korea (33%). Medical reports indicate that this was due to the AK-47's lightweight, high-velocity rounds. These bullets caused large entry and exit wounds, left severe tissue damage, and affected blood vessels out of the direct path of the bullet. The AK-47 rapid fire increased the proportion of multiple wounds. (Source: Vietnam Studies, Medical Evacuation, Department of the Army Pamphlet) mike schmitt