From a comment on Doody's thread about the soldier in Iraq trapped in a burning Humvee unable to be rescued. I commented on a story related from a russian friend who was a conscript in the Russian army from 1994-1996. He had told me of an incident in Chechnya where another soldier was wounded and strapped to a board and hoisted up in a window. Behind him at least one sniper had set up shop and had effectively closed an avenue of approach. After being pinned unable to advance his unit was ordered to retreat and the officer then shot this hostage soldier, killing him.

Now Russians are culturally given to hyperbole and I bear that in mind with the story. There is also no love lost between conscripts and the career soldiers of the Russian army and this conflict was and still is highly unpopular and very political. But even in the west stories of this type persist in rumour and hollywood if no where else. I personally have never seen anything of the like but have heard more than one story of this nature about past conflicts of "mercy killings".

My question is this, is this myth or fact? Do these indeed happen or is it the stuff of popular legend?

i believe true. lots of snipers in vietnam also would injure one, and he would lay there and scream till a rescue team came out and the sniper would pick them off too.

I would of shot him. Leave no man behind.

I assume all other methods have been tryed to recover him and we were being forced to give ground. I fear being captured by a muslim insurgent over death I would expect my comrades to do the same.

I can see the logic of it but I know I could NOT do it. I was a medic and I never killed anyone and even when I have been in fights more often than not I have had great remorse when the odd person was permanently injured. I am too soft.

hey, theres nothing wrong wtih that bulldog

I know there is nothing "wrong" with it. But then again there is. I agree completely with Sleepy's sentiment. I would rather my buddies put me down if I was being dragged off or held and they absolutely could not get me out. I saw the videos of the hostages who have been beheaded and I am absolutely scared of that. I would never let myself be taken if I have the means. I have read accounts of the war in Chechnya and believe that if this story is true and I do believe it is that the officer did the right and humane thing.

I say there is something wrong with my conscience in that I am pretty sure if I was taken and if my buddies did not put me down and let me be taken I would reserve equal hate for them as my captors. Its just a situation from the get go in my opinion.

But then part of me thinks that this all smacks of too much Hollywood false bravado. However my experience is limited and thus my reason for posting this here for comment from those who know more than I.

oh. yes, the best time to escape is always right when your captured, but if i got caught i would be scared less of what they would do to me.

Same. Kill me before the tourture. Put me out of my misery, PLEASE.
Hopeful

I agree with the die before taken option, but I would make a request of my comrades if they say me being carried off and they couldnt stop it. I would ask them to use their last round on me and take as many of the other F*****S out aswell

F*ck that, i'd take my chances with the torture/questioning. Screw guaranteeing a death there's always tomorrow when you're alive.