Fragging: Difference between revisions
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{{For|other meanings|frag}} |
{{For|other meanings|frag}} |
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In the U.S. military, '''fragging''' is attacking fellow soldiers,<ref>Robert H. Reid, "U.S. Soldier kills 5 Comrades in Iraq", ''Express'' (Washington, D.C.), May 12, 2009, p. 10.</ref> especially superiors. The term originated in the [[Vietnam War]], used primarily by [[U.S. military]] personnel, and was most commonly used to mean [[assassination]] of an unpopular officer of one's own fighting unit, often by means of a [[Fragmentation (weaponry)|fragmentation]] [[Hand grenade|grenade]], hence the term.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |year= |title =frag |encyclopedia=[[Oxford English Dictionary]] |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]| quote =To throw a fragmentation grenade at one's superior officer | cite = citing the ''[[Times-Colonist (Victoria)|Daily Colonist]]'' and ''[[Courier-Mail]]'' |location= |id= }}</ref> Although the term is derived from the grenade, the act was more commonly committed with firearms during combat in Vietnam.{{fact|date=May 2009}} |
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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A hand grenade was often used{{Fact|date=November 2008}} because it would not leave any fingerprints, and because a ballistics test could not be |
A hand grenade was often used{{Fact|date=November 2008}} because it would not leave any fingerprints, and because a ballistics test could not be performed (as it could to match a bullet with a firearm). The grenade would often be thrown into the officer's tent while he slept. {{Fact|date=November 2008}} |
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Sometimes the intended victim would be 'warned' by first having a smoke grenade thrown into his tent. If he persisted in antagonizing his men, this would be followed by a stun grenade, and finally by a fragmentation grenade. {{Fact|date=November 2008}} |
Sometimes the intended victim would be 'warned' by first having a smoke grenade thrown into his tent. If he persisted in antagonizing his men, this would be followed by a stun grenade, and finally by a fragmentation grenade. {{Fact|date=November 2008}} |
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A fragging victim could also be killed by intentional [[friendly fire]] during combat.{{fact|date=April 2009}} In this case, the death would be blamed on the enemy, and, |
A fragging victim could also be killed by intentional "[[friendly fire]]" during combat.{{fact|date=April 2009}} In this case, the death would be blamed on the enemy, and, because of the dead man's unpopularity, the perpetrator could assume that no one would contradict the story.{{fact|date=April 2009}} |
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==Reasons== |
==Reasons== |
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During the Vietnam War, fragging was reportedly common. There are documented cases of at least 230 American officers killed by their own troops, and as many as 1,400 other officers' deaths could not be explained.<ref>{{cite book |
During the Vietnam War, fragging was reportedly common. There are documented cases of at least 230 American officers killed by their own troops, and as many as 1,400 other officers' deaths could not be explained.<ref>{{cite book |
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| year = 2003 |
| year = 2003 |
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| author = Hedges, Chris |
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| title = What Every Person Should Know About War |
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| publisher = Free Press |
| publisher = Free Press |
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| isbn = 0-7432-5512-7 |
| isbn = 0-7432-5512-7 |
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*[[1815]] – [[Battle of Quatre Bras]]: The commander of the [[92nd (Gordon Highlanders) Regiment of Foot]], Colonel [[John Cameron of Fassfern]], was shot and killed by a man whom he had recently [[Flagellation|flogged]].<ref name=Regana/> |
*[[1815]] – [[Battle of Quatre Bras]]: The commander of the [[92nd (Gordon Highlanders) Regiment of Foot]], Colonel [[John Cameron of Fassfern]], was shot and killed by a man whom he had recently [[Flagellation|flogged]].<ref name=Regana/> |
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*[[World War I]]: An unpopular [[sergeant]] was killed when one of his men came up behind him and dropped an unpinned [[hand grenade]] down his trousers.<ref name=Reganb>Regan, G. Backfire: a history of friendly fire from ancient warfare to the present day. Robson Books, 2002.</ref> |
*[[World War I]]: An unpopular [[sergeant]] was killed when one of his men came up behind him and dropped an unpinned [[hand grenade]] down his trousers.<ref name=Reganb>Regan, G. Backfire: a history of friendly fire from ancient warfare to the present day. Robson Books, 2002.</ref> |
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*[[Vietnam War]]: After the [[My Lai Massacre]], when interviewed by investigators, soldiers serving under [[William Calley|Lieutenant William L. Calley Jr.]] disliked him so much that they considered fragging him.<ref>{{cite web|title=Daily Mail: The Monster of the My Lai Massacre – Oct 6, 2007|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=485983&in_page_id=1811|accessdate=2008-04-15}}</ref> |
*[[Vietnam War]]: After the [[My Lai Massacre]], when interviewed by investigators, soldiers serving under [[William Calley|Lieutenant William L. Calley Jr.]] disliked him so much that they considered fragging him.<ref>{{cite web|title=Daily Mail: The Monster of the My Lai Massacre – Oct 6, 2007|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=485983&in_page_id=1811|accessdate=2008-04-15}}</ref><!--they didn't do it; does this belong here?--> |
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*[[Iraq war]]: |
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**Captain Phillip Esposito and 1st Lieutenant Louis Allen [[Deaths of Phillip Esposito and Louis Allen|were killed]] on June 7, 2005, by a [[Claymore mine]] placed on Esposito's office window at [[Forward Operating Base Danger]] in [[Tikrit]], [[Iraq]]. The unit's supply sergeant was charged with the murder, but was subsequently acquitted at court martial.{{fact|date=May 2009}} |
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*May 11, 2009 (Iraqi conflict): US soldier guns down 5 fellow soldiers at Camp Liberty outside Baghdad Iraq. (motive unknown)<ref>http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9846HMG0&show_article=1</ref> |
**May 11, 2009 (Iraqi conflict): US soldier guns down 5 fellow soldiers at Camp Liberty outside Baghdad, Iraq. (motive unknown)<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9846HMG0&show_article=1 US soldier guns down 5 fellow soldiers in Iraq].</ref> Although fragging incidents in Iraq are said to be rare (as opposed to "not uncommon" in Vietnam), at least five have been reported.<ref>Robert H. Reid, ''op. cit.''</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 14:57, 12 May 2009
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2008) |
In the U.S. military, fragging is attacking fellow soldiers,[1] especially superiors. The term originated in the Vietnam War, used primarily by U.S. military personnel, and was most commonly used to mean assassination of an unpopular officer of one's own fighting unit, often by means of a fragmentation grenade, hence the term.[2] Although the term is derived from the grenade, the act was more commonly committed with firearms during combat in Vietnam.[citation needed]
Description
A hand grenade was often used[citation needed] because it would not leave any fingerprints, and because a ballistics test could not be performed (as it could to match a bullet with a firearm). The grenade would often be thrown into the officer's tent while he slept. [citation needed]
Sometimes the intended victim would be 'warned' by first having a smoke grenade thrown into his tent. If he persisted in antagonizing his men, this would be followed by a stun grenade, and finally by a fragmentation grenade. [citation needed]
A fragging victim could also be killed by intentional "friendly fire" during combat.[citation needed] In this case, the death would be blamed on the enemy, and, because of the dead man's unpopularity, the perpetrator could assume that no one would contradict the story.[citation needed]
Reasons
Fragging most often involved the murder of a commanding officer (C.O.) or a senior noncommissioned officer[citation needed] perceived as unpopular, harsh, inept, or overzealous. Many soldiers were not overly keen to go into harm's way, and preferred leaders with a similar sense of self-preservation. If a C.O. was incompetent, fragging the officer was considered a means to the end of self preservation for the men serving under him. Fragging might also occur if a commander freely took on dangerous or suicidal missions, especially if he was deemed to be seeking glory for himself.
The very idea of fragging served to warn junior officers to avoid the ire of their enlisted men through recklessness, cowardice, or lack of leadership. Junior officers in turn could arrange the murder of senior officers when finding them incompetent or wasting their men's lives needlessly. Underground GI newspapers sometimes listed bounties offered by units for the fragging of unpopular commanding officers.[citation needed]
During the Vietnam War, fragging was reportedly common. There are documented cases of at least 230 American officers killed by their own troops, and as many as 1,400 other officers' deaths could not be explained.[3] Incidents of fragging have been recorded as far back as the 18th century Battle of Blenheim.
Notable incidents
- 1704 – Battle of Blenheim: An unpopular major of the 15th Regiment of Foot was shot in the head by his own men after the battle had been won.[4]
- 1815 – Battle of Quatre Bras: The commander of the 92nd (Gordon Highlanders) Regiment of Foot, Colonel John Cameron of Fassfern, was shot and killed by a man whom he had recently flogged.[4]
- World War I: An unpopular sergeant was killed when one of his men came up behind him and dropped an unpinned hand grenade down his trousers.[5]
- Vietnam War: After the My Lai Massacre, when interviewed by investigators, soldiers serving under Lieutenant William L. Calley Jr. disliked him so much that they considered fragging him.[6]
- Iraq war:
- Captain Phillip Esposito and 1st Lieutenant Louis Allen were killed on June 7, 2005, by a Claymore mine placed on Esposito's office window at Forward Operating Base Danger in Tikrit, Iraq. The unit's supply sergeant was charged with the murder, but was subsequently acquitted at court martial.[citation needed]
- May 11, 2009 (Iraqi conflict): US soldier guns down 5 fellow soldiers at Camp Liberty outside Baghdad, Iraq. (motive unknown)[7] Although fragging incidents in Iraq are said to be rare (as opposed to "not uncommon" in Vietnam), at least five have been reported.[8]
See also
References
- ^ Robert H. Reid, "U.S. Soldier kills 5 Comrades in Iraq", Express (Washington, D.C.), May 12, 2009, p. 10.
- ^ "frag". Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press.
To throw a fragmentation grenade at one's superior officer
{{cite encyclopedia}}: Unknown parameter|cite=ignored (help) - ^ Hedges, Chris (2003). What Every Person Should Know About War. Free Press. ISBN 0-7432-5512-7.
- ^ a b Regan, G. (2004). More Military Blunders. Carlton Books.
- ^ Regan, G. Backfire: a history of friendly fire from ancient warfare to the present day. Robson Books, 2002.
- ^ "Daily Mail: The Monster of the My Lai Massacre – Oct 6, 2007". Retrieved 2008-04-15.
- ^ US soldier guns down 5 fellow soldiers in Iraq.
- ^ Robert H. Reid, op. cit.
External links
- "Fragging" and "Combat Refusals" in Vietnam - provides year by year estimates of fragging incidents.
- 1961-1973: GI resistance in the Vietnam War - Overview of the widespread mutiny of US troops during the war in Vietnam.
- Harass the Brass: some notes on the subversion of the US Armed Forces. "Love and Treason" web page