1944 U.S. ARMY PTSD TRAINING FILM INTRODUCTION TO COMBAT FATIGUE 23284

The 1944 U.S. Army training film Introduction to Combat Fatigue (T.F. 8-1402) is designed to help U.S. soldiers suffering from combat fatigue understand the origins of their physical and emotional symptoms. An officer narrates the short film, which uses combat scenes to recreate the stresses that lead to combat fatigue, following U.S. Marine Ben Edwards as he experiences combat situations that lead to combat fatigue. The narrator explains that fear is a universal emotion, and it has its uses. Soldiers storming across a field bunker down when taking fire (02:56), before pushing forward. However, the negative impact of fear on humans is that humans continue to remember the fear-inducing events, and this can take a toll on the person’s psyche. The narrator introduces viewers to a hospital ward (04:13) where Edwards is struggling with combat fatigue. The story of Edwards begins in a ship’s sleeping quarters, where Edwards and several other soldiers discuss the upcoming assault. The narrator explains that the anticipation of fighting can wear on a man’s nerves. The soldiers then descend the side of the ship into LCPs (09:11) and make their way to shore. As Edwards and his unit step onto the beach, the narrator explains that Edwards is a good fighter because he uses his fear as a useful tool to be cautious and alert for signs of danger. The troops move into the jungle and dig in (11:25). According to the narrator, their fear disappears as they realize that the enemy doesn’t know where they are. However, after four weeks of no fighting, the anticipation of fighting and its consequences make the men irritable. This is then followed by the death of a soldier and an aerial attack on the men while eating at base (15:37), which increases the soldiers’-and especially Edwards’-stress. Sleep deprivation and constantly being on alert compound the stress levels. The narrator notes that these factors are not enough to cause combat fatigue: a climax is needed to trigger the disorder. For Edwards, the climax is when a soldier in his unit trips a land mine while out on patrol (20:10). The death of his friend and the realization that it could have been him who died causes Edwards to develop combat fatigue, though he doesn’t realize it. Edwards is no longer on constant alert; rather, he falls into a dazed and somewhat disoriented state of mind. It is Edwards’ breaking point, and his inability to admit he hit his breaking point results in frustration and increased irritability. Edwards becomes paranoid and eventually fires his weapon at a phantom Japanese soldier (25:35), an action that is then determined to have no actual justification. This leads to Edwards being diagnosed with combat fatigue. The narrator explains that other signs of combat fatigue include vomiting, diarrhea, hostility, headaches, and insomnia. The film ends with the narrator emphasizing that the consequences of being in a constant state of fear and always on alert can be combat fatigue, and its cure is far from easy. The road to recovery for men struggling with combat fatigue involves accepting that they suffer from combat fatigue and acknowledging the constant fear, seeing a doctor, going to support groups, and staying physically active.
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[@HexagonalMan6]

Remarkably empathetic understanding of how trauma affects people in this movie, especially for the 40's.

[@hatuletoh]

Very interesting: this is the only one of the old wartime Signal Corps solider educational films I've ever seen that isn't scored with stirring patriotic music, at least during the opening title sequence. I guess they figured if they were going to show guys with PTSD (or "general combat fatigue") scenes of battle, explosions, and death, that maybe a jaunty Sousa number by a brass band wasn't in the best taste. I was also a little disappointed to not hear the mantra they gave to every serviceman returning from combat, including my grandfather who first told me about it: "act normal and you'll feel normal." That's actually not totally wrong, and similar advice is given to combat vets today, except they phrase it as, "get into the normal routines of home life," which is a lot more compassionate in that it's not phrased as an order with an implied consequence for failure, i.e., if you don't act normal, you won't feel normal. I know the military genuinely meant well by the advice, but "act normal, and you'll feel normal" seems like it could stand as the embodiment of the mid-century American ethic of "fitting in" and/or worrying about what the neighbors will think.

[@teddyboragina6437]

psssst. (leans over to person sitting next to him) all the explosion sounds are muted cause this is a video for people with PTSD.

[@drewgoin8849]

I noticed that too. It's strange that I suspected it upon the first few minutes, but later was wondering why that mortar splash in the water was silent, or a why a bright flash and smoke cloud weren't accompanied by a loud explosion.

[@dadasaurusrex5461]

I wish they would have showed us this. All we got was some crappy acting filled video about a guy that came back and had a drinking and anger problem. This was more relatable than that hot pile of shit they showed us.

[@johnthackery827]

I spy James Gregory the actor who portrayed inspector Luger from the TV show Barney Miller .

[@helenel4126]

Yeah, I just saw him last night on a Bonanza re-run.

[@reddevilparatrooper]

It is never easy for anyone. Everyone is different. From jumping out of airplanes to combat. Everyone is different. People can conquer one fear but never the other because from what I can personally explain because a person can understand one hazard and see it happen to another person in a good way or a bad way and understand. That is what I saw it when I jumped out of an airplane. I then understood people do get hurt to include me when doing this activity. Combat is more stressful because I and others know once we are in it. Any second can mean the end of any of our lives. With real enemy combatants and real bullets, my chances are half. When your chances are half from your known fears. That can be stress upon yourself. To majority of people like me is to accept the fact that I could die at any moment. Any guy can and will accept that and survive till the end. The end of it will become the problem for me. I often ask questions to myself like how did I survive? Some guys will ask themselves the same question to why he survived and his friends or buddies didn't? Got wounded and really affected them. Very sad situation. I can't have a definite answer but I still do have bad dreams once in a while to what had happened to me. I think for myself it is based on my personal experience and have to deal with it. My own Dad had to deal with his own stuff from combat in late WWII and the rest of Korea. From what he told me personally. I do understand. Anything tragic that happens in your life, we all can never forget it no matter what. That is a normal human condition. We can make good of it by telling others or avoid getting into it. Every human being is equipped of memory. Use it for good and be positive about it. Others have no control over it which they need help, or use it to cause harm to others whom they have no part to their experience but to take negativity upon those whom they encounter. That is bad and that is their fault for causing harm to others and no excuse what so ever! To do that. Insanity is no defense!!!

[@Morris_012]

I don't know why, but those times look like goofy lovely adventure toons Nowadays is much more evil (people's mentality and behaviour, and sure events) I think today we have more severe PTSD than in 40s

[@martialmusic]

At that time it was not called ptsd

[@bsteven885]

Exactly -- in WWI it was called "shell shock."

[@dennisgauthier8587]

At 7:50 that's the inspector from Barney Miller.

[@seabee12333]

the USN woody wagon @ 30:50

[@databasekitten]

For once I will bow to peer pressure and say "first"

[@JuiceManGames]

second

[@mrgrimsdale6733]

Good to know that after watching something so poignant and sensitive, that has and will effect hundreds and thousands of poor souls..you bowed to peer pressure and got in there first. I usually see that childish comnent on Top 10's or other such mindless youtube trash, very rarely on educational videos like this, so I guess you have gone against peer pressure in a way. Well done you.

[@lindathrall5133]

I LIVE WITH PTSD2 COMPLEX MY PTSD2 COMPLEX IS CAUSED BY A DRUNK DRIVER AND I GOT ROBBED OF MANY FEATURES OF LONG AGO I DO TURN AROUND AT THE IDIT AND ASK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE SMART ENOUGH TO PUT THE ALCOHOL POISON THAT'S NOT NEEDED