Tested to Destruction
Military training needs to be tough and realistic. But do the 'professionals' know where to draw the line between mock combat and the dangers of the real thing? Every year dozens of servicemen are killed and injured by accidents in basic training. The Ministry of Defence is economical with the details, so the truth escapes only on rare occasions, either because there are civilian witnesses or because relatives have battled for answers.
Hugh Prysor-Jones investigates cases which reveal incompetence on the ground and evasion stretching up to the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall. Research SIAN PENLINGTON Producer BRIAN BARR Editor COLIN CAMERON BBC North West