The scale of army casualties sustained in Afghanistan has been exposed in an internal memo discussing the possible discharge of 1,500 troops whose injuries are so severe that they cannot return to the front line.
The Ministry of Defence document, dated 30 October, identifies the equivalent of about three infantry battalions of injured soldiers that the army "may not be able or wish to retain".
Although senior army officers have previously suggested that those injured would be found alternative roles, moves are being made to release large numbers of injured who are deemed unfit to be redeployed to the front line.
With the army nearly at full strength for the first time in a generation, as the recession boosts recruitment, officials believe that releasing injured troops will allow the recruitment of more fit troops. Until that happens, sources suggest that the number of soldiers who cannot be deployed means the army will be operating below strength at a time of war.
The Observer – Telegraph (John Major, July 2009)