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'''Friendly fire''' incidents are caused by miscommunication among military and friendly forces on the same side. The two most common types stem from errors of targeting and errors of identification.
'''Friendly fire''' incidents are caused by miscommunication among military and friendly forces on the same side. The two most common types stem from errors of targeting and errors of identification.
*"Fratricide is the employment of friendly weapons and munitions with the intent to kill the enemy or destroy his equipment, or facilities, which result in unforeseen and unintentional death or injury to friendly personnel."<ref>[http://www.defense-update.com/features/du-2-04/feature-fratricide.htm (Eliminating Fratricide In Ground Combat)], ''Defense Update'' </ref>
*"Fratricide is the employment of friendly weapons and munitions with the intent to kill the enemy or destroy his equipment, or facilities, which result in unforeseen and unintentional death or injury to friendly personnel."<ref>[http://www.defense-update.com/features/du-2-04/feature-fratricide.htm (Eliminating Fratricide In Ground Combat)], ''Defense Update''</ref>
In the confusion of battle, it is easy to shoot one's own comrades in arms, accidentally. <ref>It's this combination of increasingly lethal firepower, fluid battlefields, complex communications, and the notorious "fog of war" that can add up to friendly fire losses. [http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0114/p03s01-usmi.html (Brad Knickerbocker)], ''The Christian Science Monitor ''</ref> Nonetheless, U.S. troops are required to exercise care and can be prosecuted if their negligence results in death.<ref> Military commanders have occasionally leveled charges of involuntary manslaughter in high-profile friendly-fire cases, such as one in 2002 when Maj. Harry Schmidt, an Illinois National Guard pilot, mistakenly bombed Canadian troops in Afghanistan. But ... there is no uniform, openly published military case law about when friendly-fire cases cross the line from accident to crime . . . " [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A37679-2004Dec5_4.html] </ref>
In the confusion of battle, it is easy to shoot one's own comrades in arms, accidentally.<ref>It's this combination of increasingly lethal firepower, fluid battlefields, complex communications, and the notorious "fog of war" that can add up to friendly fire losses. [http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0114/p03s01-usmi.html (Brad Knickerbocker)], ''The Christian Science Monitor ''</ref> Nonetheless, U.S. troops are required to exercise care and can be prosecuted if their negligence results in death.<ref>Military commanders have occasionally leveled charges of involuntary manslaughter in high-profile friendly-fire cases, such as one in 2002 when Maj. Harry Schmidt, an Illinois National Guard pilot, mistakenly bombed Canadian troops in Afghanistan. But ... there is no uniform, openly published military case law about when friendly-fire cases cross the line from accident to crime . . . " [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A37679-2004Dec5_4.html]</ref>
Friendly fire losses are common in wars, as exemplified by friendly fire attacks on 53 US naval vessels during World War II that killed 186 sailors and wounded 438. These incidents mostly occurred in large-scale amphibious or aircraft carrier operations late in the war.<ref>Gauker and Blood, (1995)</ref>
Friendly fire losses are common in wars, as exemplified by friendly fire attacks on 53 US naval vessels during World War II that killed 186 sailors and wounded 438. These incidents mostly occurred in large-scale amphibious or aircraft carrier operations late in the war.<ref>Gauker and Blood, (1995)</ref>
==Historical examples==
==Historical examples==
===[[American Civil War]]===
===[[American Civil War]]===
*In May 2 1863, Confederate General [[Stonewall Jackson]] was wounded by fellow Confederate soldiers and died 8 days later in May 10 during the [[Battle of Chancellorsville]].
*In May 2, 1863, Confederate General [[Stonewall Jackson]] was wounded by fellow Confederate soldiers and died 8 days later in May 10 during the [[Battle of Chancellorsville]].
===[[World War 2]]===
===[[World War 2]]===
===[[Suez Crisis]]===
===[[Suez Crisis]]===
*November 6th, 1956: During a raid to capture Port Said, [[Egypt]], a British [[Royal Navy]] carrier-borne aircraft attacked the British Army of No. 45 Commando Royal Marines and HQ, causing heavy casualties.<ref>[http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/suez_crisis_1956.htm The Suez Crisis of 1956]</ref>
*November 6, 1956: During a raid to capture Port Said, [[Egypt]], a British [[Royal Navy]] carrier-borne aircraft attacked the British Army of No. 45 Commando Royal Marines and HQ, causing heavy casualties.<ref>[http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/suez_crisis_1956.htm The Suez Crisis of 1956]</ref>
===[[Korean War]]===
===[[Korean War]]===
===[[Vietnam War]]===
===[[Vietnam War]]===
*August 11th, 1966: The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Point Welcome (WPB-82329) was on a routine patrol off the coast of Vietnam when they were attacked by [[USAF]] warplanes, killing two U.S. sailors and wounded five others. An inquiry blamed the incident on a lack of coordination between the air force and navy on rules of engagement identification procedures.<ref>William R. Wells, II, "Friendly Target," ''Naval History'' 1998 12(3): 33-36. 1042-1920</ref>
*August 11, 1966: The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Point Welcome (WPB-82329) was on a routine patrol off the coast of Vietnam when they were attacked by [[USAF]] warplanes, killing two U.S. sailors and wounded five others. An inquiry blamed the incident on a lack of coordination between the air force and navy on rules of engagement identification procedures.<ref>William R. Wells, II, "Friendly Target," ''Naval History'' 1998 12(3): 33-36. 1042-1920</ref>
===Falklands War 1982===
===Falklands War 1982===
*British Patrol units of 45 Commando Royal Marines fired on a British mortar section who were mistaken for an Argentinian unit in the Falkland Islands, killing five Royal Marines.
*British Patrol units of 45 Commando Royal Marines fired on a British mortar section who were mistaken for an Argentinian unit in the Falkland Islands, killing five Royal Marines.
*June 2, 1982: British Special Boat Service(SBS) Commando, Sergeant Ian Hunt, was killed in a firefight with British Special Air Service(SAS) Commandos in the Falkland Islands.<ref>[http://www.eliteukforces.info/special-air-service/history/falklands Special Air Service (SAS) - The Falklands Conflict]/</ref>
*June 2, 1982: British Special Boat Service(SBS) Commando, Sergeant Ian Hunt, was killed in a firefight with British Special Air Service(SAS) Commandos in the Falkland Islands.<ref>[http://www.eliteukforces.info/special-air-service/history/falklands Special Air Service (SAS) - The Falklands Conflict]/</ref>
*June 6th, 1982: A British Royal Navy HMS ''Cardiff (D108)'' ship shot down a British Gazelle helicopter in the [[Falkland Islands]]. Four British soldiers on board were killed.<ref>[http://www.naval-history.net/F51opsweek10.htm Part 41. 3 COMMANDO REACHES STANLEY DEFENCES]</ref>
*June 6, 1982: A British Royal Navy HMS ''Cardiff (D108)'' ship shot down a British Gazelle helicopter in the [[Falkland Islands]]. Four British soldiers on board were killed.<ref>[http://www.naval-history.net/F51opsweek10.htm Part 41. 3 COMMANDO REACHES STANLEY DEFENCES]</ref>
*June 11th, 1982: A British Royal Navy HMS ''Avenger (F185)'' ship fired a 4.5 inch explosive shell into a house while shelling a port in Stanley, Falkland Islands, killing three British women and several others were wounded. They are the only British civilian casualties of the war.<ref>[http://www.sama82.org.uk/1982-history-pages/june.aspx Falkland Wars]</ref><ref>[http://www.ppu.org.uk/falklands/falklands3.html Remembering the victims of the Falklands war]</ref>
*June 11, 1982: A British Royal Navy HMS ''Avenger (F185)'' ship fired a 4.5 inch explosive shell into a house while shelling a port in Stanley, Falkland Islands, killing three British women and several others were wounded. They are the only British civilian casualties of the war.<ref>[http://www.sama82.org.uk/1982-history-pages/june.aspx Falkland Wars]</ref><ref>[http://www.ppu.org.uk/falklands/falklands3.html Remembering the victims of the Falklands war]</ref>
===First Gulf War===
===First Gulf War===
===War in Afghanistan===
===War in Afghanistan===
*April 18, 2002: In the Tarnak Farm incident, four Canadian soldiers were killed and eight others injured when U.S. Air National Guard Major Harry Schmidt piloting his [[F-16]] fighter aircraft dropped a laser-guided 500 lb (230 kg) bomb on the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry regiment which was conducting a night firing exercise near Kandahar, [[Afghanistan]].<ref>[http://articles.cnn.com/2002-04-18/world/afghanistan.canada_1_canadian-soldiers-canadian-military-officials-laser-guided-bomb?_s=PM:asiapcf U.S. Friendly fire pilot reported being fired upon]</ref>
*April 18, 2002: In the Tarnak Farm incident, four Canadian soldiers were killed and eight others injured when U.S. Air National Guard Major Harry Schmidt piloting his [[F-16]] fighter aircraft dropped a laser-guided 500 lb (230 kg) bomb on the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry regiment which was conducting a night firing exercise near Kandahar, [[Afghanistan]].<ref>[http://articles.cnn.com/2002-04-18/world/afghanistan.canada_1_canadian-soldiers-canadian-military-officials-laser-guided-bomb?_s=PM:asiapcf U.S. Friendly fire pilot reported being fired upon]</ref>
*April 22, 2004: American Ranger [[Pat Tillman]], a former famous football player, was shot and killed by American fire in Afghanistan.
*April 22, 2004: American Ranger [[Pat Tillman]], a former famous football player, was shot and killed by American fire in Afghanistan.
*March 29, 2006: American soldier, Sergeant John T. Stone, was killed and another wounded, Canadian soldier, Private Robert Costall, was killed and three more wounded, and another Afghan soldier was wounded in which an American Special Force soldier manning a Humvee-mounted M240 machine-gun fired on their positions while defending a coalition outpost against the Taliban assault in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.<ref>[http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=15572 Officials to Investigate Incident that Killed U.S., Canadian Troops]</ref><ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2007/07/02/friendly-fire.html Canadian soldier died by friendly fire: U.S. report]</ref>
*March 29, 2006: American soldier, Sergeant John T. Stone, was killed and another wounded, Canadian soldier, Private Robert Costall, was killed and three more wounded, and another Afghan soldier was wounded in which an American Special Force soldier manning a Humvee-mounted M240 machine-gun fired on their positions while defending a coalition outpost against the Taliban assault in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.<ref>[http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=15572 Officials to Investigate Incident that Killed U.S., Canadian Troops]</ref><ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2007/07/02/friendly-fire.html Canadian soldier died by friendly fire: U.S. report]</ref>
*March 24, 2003: Sergeant Steven Roberts, a tank commander with the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, was killed when a fellow British soldier manning a tank-mounted machine gun mistakenly fired at him while trying to shoot a wielding Iraqi protester near [[Basra]], [[Iraq]].<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/dec/18/military.iraq Bureaucratic delay resulted in soldier's death] ''The Guardian''</ref>
*March 24, 2003: Sergeant Steven Roberts, a tank commander with the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, was killed when a fellow British soldier manning a tank-mounted machine gun mistakenly fired at him while trying to shoot a wielding Iraqi protester near [[Basra]], [[Iraq]].<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/dec/18/military.iraq Bureaucratic delay resulted in soldier's death] ''The Guardian''</ref>
*March 25, 2003: Two British soldiers, Corporal Stephen John Allbutt and Trooper David Jeffrey Clarke, were killed when their Challenger 2 tank was hit by a round fired on from another British tank in southern Iraq.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2886715.stm UK soldiers killed by 'friendly fire']</ref>
*March 25, 2003: Two British soldiers, Corporal Stephen John Allbutt and Trooper David Jeffrey Clarke, were killed when their Challenger 2 tank was hit by a round fired on from another British tank in southern Iraq.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2886715.stm UK soldiers killed by 'friendly fire']</ref>
*March 30th, 2003: British Royal Marine Christopher Maddison was killed when his river patrol boat was hit by missiles fired upon by British Royal Engineers who mistook him for an enemy vessel in Al-Faw Peninsula, Iraq.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/north_yorkshire/6187414.stm Failings' behind death of marine]</ref>
*March 30, 2003: British Royal Marine Christopher Maddison was killed when his river patrol boat was hit by missiles fired upon by British Royal Engineers who mistook him for an enemy vessel in Al-Faw Peninsula, Iraq.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/north_yorkshire/6187414.stm Failings' behind death of marine]</ref>
*April 2, 2003: A U.S. F/A-18 fighter aircraft was shot down by a U.S. Patriot missile in west of Karbala, Iraq, killing U.S. Navy pilot Lieutenant Nathan Dennis White of VFA-195, Carrier Air Wing Five.<ref>[http://www.aviationtoday.com/pressreleases/8587.html Widow of U.S. Naval Pilot Shot Down by Friendly Fire in Iraq Sues Raytheon Company for Wrongful Death]</ref>
*April 2, 2003: A U.S. F/A-18 fighter aircraft was shot down by a U.S. Patriot missile in west of Karbala, Iraq, killing U.S. Navy pilot Lieutenant Nathan Dennis White of VFA-195, Carrier Air Wing Five.<ref>[http://www.aviationtoday.com/pressreleases/8587.html Widow of U.S. Naval Pilot Shot Down by Friendly Fire in Iraq Sues Raytheon Company for Wrongful Death]</ref>
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[[category:military]]
[[Category:Military]]
[[Category:Veterans]]
[[Category:Veterans]]