The Fallen

[Jim O]

What a waste of human life. I read somewhere, and I don't know if it's really true, that over three-quarters of Soviet males born in 1923 did not survive the war. Those were "men" who were 18 the year that Barbarossa was commenced, and to a large extent were poorly trained cannon fodder conscripts in 1941-1942.

[cyberia]

Strange you you bring that up, Jim. I just looked that up yesterday and planned to use in the "Points to Ponder" thread.

Eighty percent of Russian males born in 1923 did not survive the war. Most died just as you noted as cannon fodder. The rest, as prisoners.

[Wustenfuchs]

I believe the U Boot arm also lost 80% of their men, making it the highest KIA rate in the German armed forces. Of course that can't compare with losing 80% of all men born in 1923.

[cyberia]

Alright, who hacked my data base!

Bill, of the 40,000 men who served on U-Boats during World War 2, 30,000 never returned.

[Jim O]

Paul,

Do you know if that is specifically German "U-Boats" or does it include submarines of other nations as well?

[cyberia]

Jim, just the U-Boats.

[Wustenfuchs]

The more you study war, the more you understand we can't be doing this anymore.

To all the brave men and women, soldiers, friends and family, of all nationalties, that learned this the hard way.

[cyberia]

I second that.

[Commander Waffle]

Me three. Those men and women, and their families will be the only ones to truly understand.

[Geek44]

Originally Posted by Wustenfuchs

The more you study war, the more you understand we can't be doing this anymore.

And the more you study politics, the more you understand that we still will.