02-20-2003, 06:50 PM
'One million US troops could die'
By Jeremy Campbell in Washington, Evening Standard
17 February 2003
As many as a million casualties can be expected if Iraq uses anthrax against invading troops, according to the results of a simulation using Pentagon computer codes today. Experts at the US Natural Resources Defence Council in Washington have concluded that the substance, stocks of which UN weapons inspectors say have not been accounted for, would result in mass deaths. Thomas Cochran, a weapons analyst at the council said: "The risk is huge. Depending on which way the wind is blowing, you get casualties of a million or more."
Having spent some time in large war games run by similar computer programs a number of years ago, I will comment that the million casualties figure has been extrapolated into 1 million US troops. My guess is that the wargame included US and Allied troops, and friendlies not in uniform. So, our misinformed reporter or his editor made a brilliant intuitive leap in crafing the headline sound byte and of course, looks quite the ass when taken literally.
A million dead if a dense salvo of Ballistic Missiles, such as Scuds, heading for the more denseley populated areas of Israel . . . aint that gross of an exaggeration depending on the weather and the wind.
By Jeremy Campbell in Washington, Evening Standard
17 February 2003
As many as a million casualties can be expected if Iraq uses anthrax against invading troops, according to the results of a simulation using Pentagon computer codes today. Experts at the US Natural Resources Defence Council in Washington have concluded that the substance, stocks of which UN weapons inspectors say have not been accounted for, would result in mass deaths. Thomas Cochran, a weapons analyst at the council said: "The risk is huge. Depending on which way the wind is blowing, you get casualties of a million or more."
Having spent some time in large war games run by similar computer programs a number of years ago, I will comment that the million casualties figure has been extrapolated into 1 million US troops. My guess is that the wargame included US and Allied troops, and friendlies not in uniform. So, our misinformed reporter or his editor made a brilliant intuitive leap in crafing the headline sound byte and of course, looks quite the ass when taken literally.
A million dead if a dense salvo of Ballistic Missiles, such as Scuds, heading for the more denseley populated areas of Israel . . . aint that gross of an exaggeration depending on the weather and the wind.
Cry 'Havoc' and let slip the Men 'O War!
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete