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Topic: At least 41 Chilean recruits missing
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lagatta
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 2534
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posted 22 May 2005 04:36 AM
Yes, the soldiers who are missing and presumed dead (some bodies have already been recovered) were recent draftees and very young. The Guardian Observer states that most were teenagers who had only been serving for a month. troops perish in snow According to a Chilean story (in Spanish) not only was the march ill-advised in the freak weather, but the soldiers weren't properly dressed for winter weather. I'm not directly familiar with the climate in southern Chile, but isn't it a bit early for such a winter storm? It is the autumn there now. I think they were near Temuco, not all the way down south... It is criminal negligence. I suspect that within the army, democracy or no, some of the old ways must still prevail... [ 22 May 2005: Message edited by: lagatta ]
From: Se non ora, quando? | Registered: Apr 2002
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'lance
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1064
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posted 22 May 2005 02:07 PM
quote:
I also noticed that Chile has a draft. So, these young men who had no choice in serving were led to their deaths by incompetents.
Not to defend the Chilean army or government -- or, God forbid, conscription -- but this kind of thing happens in volunteer armies too. In the early 1990s there was a case of several US Army troops dying of hypothermia while taking their Army Rangers course -- in a Georgia swamp, of all places. Their officers hadn't taken enough care to find out about the flood stage of the river. quote:
I'm not directly familiar with the climate in southern Chile, but isn't it a bit early for such a winter storm? It is the autumn there now. I think they were near Temuco, not all the way down south...
Perhaps elevation was more of a factor than latitude. According to this the Antuco Volcano has an elevation of 2979 m, or as near to 10,000 ft as makes no difference. Weather at such heights is simply unpredictable, especially in the Andes in late autumn. quote:
I suspect that within the army, democracy or no, some of the old ways must still prevail...
Almost certainly. It's startling, incidentally, to see old films of Chilean troops goose-stepping. Historically it had nothing to do with Nazism, but dated to the 19th century, when the Chilean army was trained by Prussian officers. In the wake of the coup and Pinochet's fall from power I doubt that they still do it, because of the symbolism, but still. [ 22 May 2005: Message edited by: 'lance ]
From: that enchanted place on the top of the Forest | Registered: Jul 2001
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