Every year, almost 3,000 men and women are selected to join the British army’s Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, North Yorkshire. The BBC has filmed a five-part series that charts the transformation of one platoon. The 45 recruits tackle punishing obstacle courses, learn to handle and fire weapons, and undergo rigorous inspections. Crucially, they learn how to kill at close quarters using only a bayonet.
Dr Iain Overton described to the BBC’s Points of View why it was important that the officers on the programme were clear about the main purpose of the training: to kill in combat, if necessary.
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