Afghanistan… When Europe came to the aid of the Americans
(B2) 17 years after the start of NATO's intervention in Afghanistan, it is good to remember...
In the balance of European and American efforts, and of the celebration of the vital American effort for Europe in the wars of 14-18 and 39-45, we often forget the more recent but equally notable effort of the Europeans in response to the American call for help in Afghanistan. An intervention set up within the framework of NATO, on the initiative of the Americans and according to their main orientations, after the attacks of September 11, 2001, but which aroused a clear commitment from the Europeans.
A third of the workforce...
According to the B2 database on Afghanistan, the Europeans indeed provided (all countries combined, Denmark and the United Kingdom included) around a third of the troops — which is not negligible.
... and a quarter of the losses
They suffered during the 17 years of intervention - in ISAF, the international security assistance force (or International Security Assistance Force IFAS) then in the operation Resolute Support —, 25% of the losses: at least 875 deaths recorded exactly out of the 3557 totaled on the intervention by the site icasultaties (1). And again, this figure is a minimum because it does not take into account the soldiers who died afterwards.
The United Kingdom was by far the most 'committed' country with 455 deaths, followed by France (90 deaths) and Germany (57 deaths) (2). In proportion to its size, however, it was Denmark that paid the heaviest price (43 deaths). Outside the EU, it is Canada (with 158 deaths).
The count of the injured more difficult
The count of the wounded is more difficult to identify. On the one hand because countries do not really bring these statistics to light. On the other hand because these data are more complex to compile.
2188 wounded in action among the British
To get an idea, we can take the example of the British commitment, the most notable and the most documented. Over the period 2001-2014, the British counted 7436 wounded and sick (all causes combined) admitted to their field hospitals. Of this figure, there are 5248 sick and wounded out of combat and 2188 wounded 'in action', including 616 seriously injured. This leads to a death/injury ratio of 1 to 5 if we take only this last figure (and a ratio of 1 to 16 in total). 250 soldiers suffered amputation according to official statistics compiled by the daily The Guardian. This does not include victims, in particular of psychological disorders, who would then declare themselves.
And 450 among the French
For France, over the same period according to an epidemiological study carried out by the army doctor at the Percy hospital, Clément Hoffmann, with several colleagues (3), there are 89 deaths and 991 wounded and sick, including 450 in combat or by IED. Either a death / injury ratio of 1 to 5, substantially identical to the British.
An estimate of 4300 injured
If we apply this ratio to European losses, we thus reach a figure of around 4300 wounded resulting from the engagement in Afghanistan for the troops of the various countries of the European Union.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
- European Union countries only (UK included). Figures provided by icasualties, compiled for the EU by B2.
- The statistics of icasualties are sometimes underestimated compared to national figures which take into account subsequent deaths.
- To download here
