Military veterans who say they were not adequately treated for post-traumatic stress disorder have filed suit against the British Ministry of Defence. The case involves more than 250 former combatants who were involved in the Falklands war, policing Northern Ireland, the civil war in Bosnia, the Gulf war and other conflicts. Another 1600 veterans are considering similar action.
The High Court proceedings, which began Mar. 4 and are expected to last 5 months, focus on the experiences of 15 veterans. Lawyer Stephen Irwin accuses the ministry not only of failing to provide treatment but also of not properly preparing the soldiers for combat. He also says the ministry suffers from a “macho culture” regarding psychiatric illness.
One case cited involves a young seaman who has been haunted by the smell of burning flesh since he watched his best friend burn to death on a ship during the 1982 Falklands war with Argentina. According to the South Atlantic Medal Association, which represents these soldiers, 256 British soldiers were killed during that conflict, and since then 264 veterans have committed suicide.
Suicide rates among British veterans of the Gulf War are also high, according to Larry Cammock of the Gulf Veterans Association, with 93 of these deaths occurring in the decade since the conflict ended. Cammock said many veterans have had a hard time obtaining adequate psychiatric care once they leave military service and that civilian health care professionals have trouble comprehending combat conditions.
One of the witnesses, Major-General Robin Short, planned the country's medical deployment during the Gulf war in 1991. He says he tried to raise the issue of post-traumatic stress to his superiors, but received no support. British soldiers currently serving in Afghanistan will likely experience similar effects, he adds.
The defence ministry refused to comment on the case, and war veterans involved in the suit have been told not to make public statements. However, a ministry spokesman told the BBC that it recognized that some personnel have suffered because of traumatic experiences. He said that the department has a duty to ensure that such veterans received proper treatment, and if they do not they “may be entitled to compensation.”