Shock toll of British injured in Afghan war

· Half of frontline troops 'patched-up'
· Senior officers fear exodus

Mark Townsend, defence correspondent
Sunday August 19, 2007
The Observer

"The human cost of the war in Afghanistan to British soldiers can be revealed today as figures show that almost half of frontline troops have required significant medical treatment during this summer's fighting.

In a graphic illustration of the intensity of the conflict in Helmand province, more than 700 battlefield soldiers have needed treatment since April - nearly half of the 1,500 on the front line. The figures, obtained from senior military sources, have never been released by the government, which has faced criticism that it has covered up the true extent of injuries sustained during the conflict......."