Search Website No. Winter is upon us. Cold weather can seriously affect soldiers' health and performance.
History is filled with examples of the significant impact of cold on military operations.
Among US Army and Army Air Force troops, there were over 90,000 cold injuries requiring medical treatment during World War II, and another 10,000 during the Korean War, accounting for 10 per cent of all casualties experienced during these conflicts. German casualties due to cold injury during World War II were comparable or greater than experienced by the US Army. Cold-weather conditions impair many aspects of normal military functioning in the field. Food and water problems are common during cold weather. Cold weather also contributes to increased disease and non-battle injury, since maintaining proper field sanitation and personal hygiene is difficult, sick and injured individuals are susceptible to cold injuries, and the use of indoor stoves may lead to burns or suffocation.