Two soldiers' deaths highlight crisis in US morale

The troops are exhausted. They need reinforcements. Tanks are broken and there is no money to repair them. Fighting is fierce, morale low.

These sound like the complaints of British soldiers in Afghanistan - only last week an officer there declared he was quitting in disgust after his men had to borrow bullets from Canadians during a battle.

But the loudest complaints are not from the British. It is the US Army that is now in revolt. General Peter Schoomaker, its leader, is refusing to submit a budget to the Pentagon because he says his troops need billions of extra dollars to go on doing what is expected of them.

The news has shocked British squaddies, who are used to seeing the Americans as better equipped, better supported and better paid. If even the Yanks are in trouble, what hope can the Brits have?

Lance Corporal Jon Hetherington and Specialist Andrew Velez were both 22 when they died in Afghanistan this northern summer. They held similar ranks. Their lives and deaths reveal the differences between the allies, and puncture the myths.

The British Army says its soldiers are better equipped now than ever. The Ministry of Defence says troops on the frontline "have all got everything they need". Extra helicopters have been sent and the Army has spent $1.4 billion on new Mastiff vehicles to replace its ageing Land-Rovers.

The gear is arriving, even as the fighting has eased. But when troops like Lance Corporal Hetherington were deployed to Afghanistan this year, they were equipped to keep the peace and rebuild schools.

They coped, heroically, with the unexpected ferocity of the Taleban, some units fighting night and day for a month. But when equipment broke down under extreme use, roads became impassable and air support failed, they were in trouble. Reports suggest some ran out of ammunition, food and water.

Hetherington died in Musa Qala in the early hours of August 27. He had served his country for six years, a length of service which earns a British corporal $67,293 a year. A US equivalent, such as Specialist Velez, is paid around $70,246. The difference is that the US soldier in a war zone pays no tax. He may also have received up to $71,680 for enlisting, enough to lift a family from poverty. The British get no such payment, but the idea is being considered as recruiting levels fall.

The two forces have very different attitudes. British troops are now experienced peacekeepers, but those serving alongside Americans complain their allies believe "peacekeeping is for wimps". This has led to claims of excessive force.

The British Army has been based on regimental tradition, but some disgruntled soldiers say it is being dismantled by a reorganisation that has seen famous regiments such as the Black Watch absorbed into others.

Links with areas of the country where sons followed fathers into service were being broken, said a former Black Watch officer, along with the sense of belonging. "The Americans think, 'God, if only we had that system'. But now everything we value is under attack."

Few US soldiers can fault the immense investment in their kit, but the psychological demands on them appear greater. The British spend six months in action before returning to their home base to rest and train.

This has been eroded lately, but the intention remains. Americans must complete a two-year tour of duty before a year off. Some returning from Iraq have been stopped and told to go back.

The pressure got to Velez. In 2004 his brother, a corporal, was killed in the battle of Fallujah. He escorted the body home to Texas, asking his father, "Do you know how hard it was to talk to Fred when he was in a box of ice?" Despite hallucinations, he returned to the frontline. But on July 25, in camp in Sharon, he shot himself.

"Poor sod," said a British infantryman when told the story.

"We get bollock-all support from home, from the politicians and you lot in the media, but at least we get to come home, if we're lucky.

"What the Yanks expect from their boys, frankly, it shocks me."

THE GI v THE SQUADDIE - WHOSE KIT IS BEST?

Helmet
The M6 worn by British troops (right) weighs 1.4kg, so is marginally lighter than the US version. But the 1.6kg Modular Integrated Communications Helmet is newer. Both British and US soldiers (below) wear an earpiece and microphone.

Body armour
The Ministry of Defence says British supply problems have now been solved. The US spent $460 million on its more advanced boron carbide ceramic system, which weighs 16kg. Both suits can stop 9mm bullets at 400m.

Load-carrying equipment
British belt, yoke and pouches have been used since 1988, but are tried and trusted. US kit is only five years old, but Marines say it falls apart in battle, so a new version is being researched.

Rifle
After a disastrous start and costly refit, the British SA80A2 is seen as among the best, though stories persist of it failing in heat. The US M4 is a reliable compact version of M16.

Accessories
One in four British infantry soldiers has under-slung grenade launcher fitted to the rifle barrel as replacement for cumbersome mortars. Trusted US M6 bayonet is also a hand weapon, field knife and saw.

Fatigues
British Soldier 2000 is traditional combat gear. Expensive new loose US uniform features "visual white noise" of shapeless pixellations that blends with desert or city, and flag that can be seen with infrared sights.

Boots
Britain bought thousands of new pairs from Spain after previous issue disintegrated in the heat in 2003. Tougher rubber soles can withstand up to 300C. US has replaced all black leather footwear in the frontline military with light tan suede that requires no spit-and-polish.

Truck
The British Land-Rover was not designed for the desert. It is vulnerable to roadside bombs and ambushes, but is slowly being replaced. Some crews bolt on their own improvised armour.

All of which also applies to the US M998 Humvee.

Pay
A British corporal with six years' service, operating in a war zone, will be paid $67,293. A US specialist of equal rank and service, also in battle, can receive $70,510 including bonuses for combat and family separation. But, unlike his ally, he will pay no tax.

- INDEPENDENT