Analysis of casualties since 1st of May (iraqwar.ru)

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(On edit: can't get link to work right -- to follow it, copy and paste, then change the characters at the end to "10964&=en")

http://www.iraqwar.ru/iraq-read_article.php?articleId=10964〈=en

During the occupational period of the war 82 coalition troopers have been killed, 32 of which as a direct result of enemy action. The coalition has also lost two helicopters and a fighter plane during the occupation period. One of the helicopters was a trasport UH-60 called for medevac and rammed by M2 Bradley during a chaotic firefight, another was a AH-64 Apache shot down during a raid north of Baghdad. The reason of the F-16 crashing is still unclear but it also happened during this raid so low flying and anti-aircraft fire probably contributed in the crash. During the first weeks of occupation many of the ambushes against colaition troops were clumsy affairs of drive-by shooting which almost invariably resulted in the ambushers themselves being cut down by overwhelming american firepower. Lately the strikes have become more effective and a number of old but effective guerrilla tactics like sniping, road-side ambushes and remote controlled explosive chrages have been used. The weapons have also evolved and an increasing number of attacks have been made with mortars and RPGs instead of assault rifles.

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38 of the 82 killed coalition troopers have died in helicopter crashes, traffic accidents and other similar reasons. Recent evidence suggests that in many of the incidents the accidents and crashes happened during very chaotic situations during or immeadeatly after an ambush or attack against coalition troops. In many incidences helicopters have crashed while flying very low at high speeds, during the night and probably in great haste. Similar situation also aplies to many of the traffic accidents which have happened during a firefight following ambush or while the vehicle was on its way to respond to an ambush. Enemy fire may also have contributed to the deaths.

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It is a wonder and a great copliment to the veteran NCO’s of the US troops that the number of misdeameanors, crimes and excessive use of force by the US combat troops against the Iraqi civilian population has stayed as low as it has. During the following months it is probable that such incidents will increase as combat fatigue, stress and traumatic stress disorders continue to plague the troops.