WaPo: U.S. Casualties in Iraq Rise Sharply

[jefferson_dem]

U.S. Casualties in Iraq Rise Sharply
Escalating Violence Sends Number of Wounded to Highest Point Since 2004

By Ann Scott Tyson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, October 8, 2006; A01

The number of U.S troops wounded in Iraq has surged to its highest level in nearly two years as American GIs fight block-by-block in Baghdad to try to check a spiral of sectarian violence that U.S. commanders warn could lead to civil war.

Last month, 776 U.S. troops were wounded in action in Iraq, the highest number since the military assault to retake the insurgent-held city of Fallujah in November 2004, according to Defense Department data. It was the fourth-highest monthly total since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003.

The sharp increase in American wounded -- with nearly 300 more in the first week of October -- is a grim measure of the degree to which the U.S. military has been thrust into the lead of the effort to stave off full-scale civil war in Iraq, military officials and experts say. Beyond Baghdad, Marines battling Sunni insurgents in Iraq's western province of Anbar last month also suffered their highest number of wounded in action since late 2004.

More than 20,000 U.S. troops have been wounded in combat in the Iraq war, and about half have returned to duty. While much media reporting has focused on the more than 2,700 killed, military experts say the number of wounded is a more accurate gauge of the fierceness of fighting because advances in armor and medical care today allow many service members to survive who would have perished in past wars. The ratio of wounded to killed among U.S. forces in Iraq is about 10 to 1, compared with 3 to 1 in Vietnam.

<SNIP>

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/07/AR2006100700907_pf.html

[Marrak]

1. Last month, 776 U.S. troops were wounded in action in Iraq...

the highest number since the military assault to retake the insurgent-held city of Fallujah in November 2004, according to Defense Department data. It was the fourth-highest monthly total since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003.
:wtf: :kick:

[saigon68]

6. "BRING EM ON" shouted the AWOL CHIMPANZEE

[Tin Man]

2. 300 more wounded during first week of October

Also from the WaPo article:

The sharp increase in American wounded -- with nearly 300 more in the first week of October -- is a grim measure of the degree to which the U.S. military has been thrust into the lead of the effort to stave off full-scale civil war in Iraq, military officials and experts say.

Yep, the instability has gotten completely out of hand: the recent surge in casualties is the result of a last ditch effort to reestablish some semblance of control and prevent the complete collapse of the Iraqi government. Iraq is totally fucked up.

[babylonsister]

3. Cripes. And how many of them lost limbs? How many

are damaged for life? It's unconscionable!

[AwakeAtLast]

4. Thank God my husband is out. God help those still there. n/t

[ConcernedCanuk]

5. And WHY exactly is the US in Iraq anyways?

.
.
.

It ain't their country

Iraq never attacked the US

Iraq was never a threat to the USA

Saddam had better control of the country than the USA does

Less people died under Saddam than under the "wing" of the USA

Iraqis had cheap fuel, consistent hydro, safe water, and security under Saddam.

Enter the USA

Everything is f*cked up

The Bush Gang is doing a WONDERFUL job

It ain't gonna last, you PNACers,

NO-ONE likes bullies . .

No one . .

[mhatrw]

7. More good news from the meaingless war front. n/t

[JoFerret]

8. 776

That's a terrible high number.

[moondust]

9. Must be the "throes" of something.

Ask Dickem.

[ckramer]

10. Goooooooooooooood Morning Vietnam!

[rodeodance]

11. the Front page.

[superconnected]

12. I just can't wait for the mcdonalds shootings to commence from these

soldiers coming back.

I was too young to remember vietnam but I do remember the aftermath in the late 70's and 80's.