Dear RO1SIN, I was not fighting the people of Northern Ireland, nor did I claim to have been at war. I was ordered there to help *keep the peace* as were the paras in question. In war things are a bloody sight more simple for the common soldier. You know who the enemy is, and you shoot the bugger or he shoots you. As a *peace keeper* you get shat on from all directions, not least by those who you are obstensibly protecting.
In Northern Ireland it was initially the catholic minority we were defending from the excesses of protestant bigots. Then we ended up in the middle of a sectarian fued, fuelled by bigots on both sides. It was in N.I. that I learned not to believe anything untill I had seen it for myself, to treat propoganda for what it was worth, and to beware of *friendly* natives, whatever their religeon, creed or ethnic background, and to trust only my comrades. Unless you have served in some sort of uniform, this may seem strange, but it is a fact of life.
I feel sorry for the victims in both cases, but have perfect understanding of the soldiers lot.
Death to the bigot.
That may or may not include yourself! Only you can tell.