|
Jeremy Pritchard -> (7/19/2002 8:47:45 AM)
|
Unlike John Wayne movies, veterans are not hard-blooded and totally immune to the weariness of war. In fact, as the British in 1944 proved, sometimes being veteran of war might make you more cautious or prone to morale problems then green recruits. Actually, just saw a John Wayne movie about a bunch of veteran pilots (possilby during Guadalcanal, but they were using Hellcats... probably trying to pass off as Wildcats) were interceptors, but due to necessity were sent on close ground support missions, of which none of them wanted to take part in because of the danger.
Being constantly sent on dangerous missions will piss off even the most die-hard pilots. I am reading Catch-22 right now, which sort of resinates with this concept of veterans and morale. If you are unfamiliar with the book, I will reiterate points...
The Group Commander of a B-25 group in southern Italy has constantly raised the number of missions that a tour of duty runs whenever pilots get close to reaching this number. Currently in the book it is up to 60 missions (from an original 25). Virtually every pilot in the book is a hard veteran, however, they will do anything from changing the war map, faking illness and dropping their bombs in the ocean to avoid going over enemy territory. The more and more they are sent on dangerous missions, the more and more they become disenchanted with the war, and become less effective.
Veterans are probably worse at morale hits then raw recruits, primarily because they have been through so much already, they know full well how dangerous certain types of missions are, and are less inclined to be enthusiastic about participating in them. They may be more experienced in warfare, but this experience does not mean that it is easier for them to take part in difficult missions.
|
|
|
|
