Ottawa
The Canadian government this week applauded the U.S. for filing manslaughter charges against two American fighter pilots who mistakenly killed four Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan. Investigators ruled that Maj. Harry Schmidt was reckless when he dropped a bomb on Canadian infantrymen training near Kandahar, despite having been instructed to “hold fire.” Schmidt’s commander, Maj. William Umbach, was accused of failing to stop him. The charges showed that the U.S. took the deaths “very seriously,” said Canadian Defense Minister John McCallum. Schmidt released a statement apologizing, and saying he “honestly and reasonably believed” the Canadians were shooting at him.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.