Mercedes Armored G-Wagon Used by Canadians In
Afghanistan
Posted by www.eMercedesBenz.com on October 6, 2005 at 9:39 AM CST
While browsing the Ottawa Sun Times today, I stumbled upon an
interesting article about the G-Wagon. After losing several soldiers
to suicide bombers and anti-tank mines, outraged Canucks demanded
that the military provide Canadian soldiers with better vehicles than
the 20 year old Iltis jeeps they were using at the time. In response
to the public, the federal government purchased 802 armored Mercedes
Gelaendewagens at the cost of $126 million, and later purchased
another 357 G-Wagons for $81 million, 20 of which were armored.
Unfortunately, Canadian soldiers recently had the mispleasure of
testing whether or not the new armored Gelaendewagens would perform
better than their former jeeps. The incident occurred when a suicide
bomber, armed with an explosive-laden pickup, detonated his truck
near a Canadian patrol convoy. The G-Wagen held up superbly - the
soldiers all escaped with only minor injuries, and the G-Wagon
suffered a broken bumper, smashed headlight, and a few scratches and
dents.
In closing, I am compelled to point out that I wish this story didn't
exist. I wish that the soldiers never had to find out whether or not
the G-Wagons would actually work, and I wish all the lunatics that
feel they should strap a bomb to themselves and blow themselves up
for their cause would realize the error of their ways. At the same
time, I would still like to point out that I'm ecstatic the G-Wagons
did work, and that none of the soldiers suffered major injuries.
One last thing - to all the soldiers serving around the globe, you're
in our hearts every day. We love you, we miss you, and we're praying
for you.
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