The Tragedy of Friendly Fire: Col. Brad Washabaugh Reflects on an Age-Old Wartime Problem

By Brad Washabaugh

Few problems of modern warfare are more agonizing than friendly fire. Getting wounded or killed by the enemy is one thing. But receiving fire from your own side carries a hint of shame, along with the physical damage. Is it the “fog of war” that causes such incidents or mistakes made by exhausted, frightened, or poorly informed troops? Those who study war know that the…