Storia Islandese / Iceland, History Of

Although the important strategic role of Iceland discussed in the war commettees, “Iceland was perhaps one of the safest countries in the world during the WWII (82)”, which was of great help in managing the three counterpart relation in the island. Between 1940 and 1946 the british army suffered only one casualty, in a german airplane strafing during a recognition, in the february of 1941. Nevertheless, life condition for the troops was not easy, and many accidents and mental desease were registered. That was mainly caused by two reasons: the minimum interaction with the locals (as requested to avoid any problem) and the unusual weather condition (83). Between 1940 and 1942 there were three suicides among the troops, and some other soldiers were reimpatriated because of heavy psicological stress. A Camoron Highlander, during a crisis, tried to swim back home (he was saved by camrades). Dozen of deaths were registered for car accident, atmospheric conditions and even alcohol; also fire weapon accidents were registered, as many soldiers were not well trained. 29th june 1940 two soldiers of the Royal Regiment were wounded while they were cleaning the weapons. General brigadier commented:
 “Two men, one of the A company  and one of C company are in hospital for firearm shoots, endured while they cleaned up their gun. Both of them are recruits who, in normal conditions, would not have had ammunitions. This is the result of an anomalous condition, as per orders, of giving ammunitions to all the troops”. (84)

Note al testo:

82) Magg. Harpur, Jacobson, Cannon, Wood, Evans, Princes Louise's Kensington Regiment, Viney Ltd, 951.

83) Bitter, The British Occupation ofIceland 1940-47, 1974.

84) Canada, War Diaries, HD, Z Force, vol 1, 29 giugno 1941.