Q&A · 6:03:28-6:03:38

Friendly fire was under-recorded in both world wars

The surviving record understates friendly-fire incidents in both wars, preventing a confident comparison from the brief answer.

Friendly Fire Historical Method Military Records World War I World War II

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Question

How often did friendly fire occur in the First World War compared with the Second?

Short answer

It occurred more often in both wars than the records show; no numerical comparison is offered.

Notes

Friendly fire occurred in both world wars more often than the surviving records indicate. No figures or ranking between the wars are offered. Recorded incidents alone therefore cannot establish the comparison requested.