This appeared to be common knowledge in the Danish armed services several weeks ago so why does it take so long to be publicised over here? I am married to a Dane and she told me of the incident at the start of October.

We are very lucky to have DK as allies and my sympathies go out to all involved from both sides.

David B, Milton Keynes, UK

This incident proves the pressue the British troops are under and Lays bare the extent that they would go to in conducting their day-to-day activities. Besides it reveals the panic caused during these ecounters that blind them to turn their guns to one another. Are these casualties of regular occurance- given the persistents attack on them- or is it just a one-off that was a mere mistake and that the British troops are efficent and good-enemy spotters that take their aims soley at their enemies?

Chadi Salim, London, UK

This incident was a tragic mistake, and a terrible tragedy. I would like to send condolences to the people of Denmark and sympathy to the people of the UK.

Charles Hall, Durham, NC

I would like to see the TIMES carry out an investigation to determine which country has had the highest rate of friendly-fire incidents in multinational conflicts over the last 2 or 3 decades. Now I didn't say which country has had the MOST friendly fire incidents; I said the HIGHEST RATE. Based on the huge amount of air sorties that the US is responsible for, I doubt that the US has a higher rate than any other country.

James Jones, Columbus, USA/ Ohio

i think you should put aside your silly bickering over u.s. v british friendly fire incidents and forward our condolences and sorrow to the families of the danish soldiers involved.
sorry. very, very sorry.
a national of the united kingdom.

james morrell, doncaster, england

I'm sorry, but I'm not prepared to put up with this crap from an American. The high incidence of friedly-fire casualties caused by Americans is rediculous. The gung-ho attitude of the armed forces is the major cause.
The British armed forces, as with any army, will as a nature of course acccidentally damage, maim or kill other friendly combatants. But to do so with such regularity and disregard for those concerned, their families or friends is a uniquely American experience.
There is no comparison there, and for anyone to try and draw one smacks of blatant idiocy. Everyone makes mistakes, but the frequency of these mistakes demonstrates the intelligence and discipline of those involved.

James, Kokura, Japan

As a Dane it would be easy for me to think badly about the British troopers who made this tragic mistake.

But I don´t.

This is what war is like. Not an honest and dignified battle between fair-playing parties. A battleground is no doubt a confusing, mean and chaotic hell-hole where you´ll have to cope as you best can. A perfect place to make errors.

I think of all involved with empathy - the killed Danish soldiers, the poor guys who made the fatal error and the families of them all. In fact all people involved in that bloody war. I hope all of you will be able to find peace of mind eventually.

Allan Vestergaard Nielsen, Aarhus, Denmark

Sadly - these things happen in war. My sympathies to the families of the deceased and to the British soldiers, who fired these missiles by accident. They must feel horrible.
Get home safely.

Morten Andersen, Copenhagen, Denmark

It must be noted, however, that the US troops do seem to have a much higher rate of 'friendly fire' than any other nation in these warzones. Of course there will always be errors but more often than not it is simply the ineptitude of those in command

Rob, Singapore,

Let this serve as a reminder to the people of Great Britain who criticized the US troops just a few short months ago: friendly fire does not occur because of negligence, lack of intelligence, or blood lust. It occurs because humans, despite all the technology and gadgets, will always make honest mistakes.

My condolences to the families of the Danish troops who passed. I also give my support to the British troops who made the tragic mistake, for they must live for the rest of their lives with such a burden on their minds. Thank you to the British and the Danes for your courage in Afghanistan.

Solo, Atlanta, USA

Investigation? Board of inquiry? Bollocks. These are the silly games of armchair generals and dilettantes who have not slogged through the trenches or smelled the death of the battlefield. The sad fact remains that blue on blue, or own goals have historically been an unavoidable part of human warfare. Anyone who believes that technology will end it is, of course, just plain daft!

Bob Evans, Anaheim, California

Lets be honest here....its a lot easier to blame American troops than any other military outfit. Soldiers and Marines from all over the world understand what the "Fog of War" really means. That said special attention is always directed as American servicemen by people who have no clue what warfare is about. The British soldiers will feel just as awful as American servicemen have in such accidents in the past. I am quite shocked at just how differently people perceive the same sort of accident. Its just a horrible accident, and I feel for the families of the Danish soldiers who were killed doing their duty for their country.

Ed , NYC, NY, USA

The article states:

The firefight between the British and Danes lasted for about two and a half hours.

I can understand it if there was a random incident of friendly fire. But if the friendly firefight lasted for about two and a half hours, I think that the British have to go back to basics of identifying friend or foe. They badly need such a lesson.

SM Hussain, Hyderabad, India

SR - I couldn't have said it better myself.

Jim , Manila , PI

Raymond for Taunton – does it ever cross a British persons mind that since WWII the American contribution level in any military situation dwarfs the UK’s 10 to 1? Put your pride aside and do the numbers. Where would you guess most of the friendly fire comes from?

Jacob , Taipei , Taiwan

last time the British vilified the Americans for the same. Given that there is much more US soliers than British soldiers, the margin of error for friendly fire is much more frequent by the British soldiers.

chris, dubai, uae

Greatest sympathies to the families. A crying shame for sure

Phill, The Wirral, England

If this desperately sad news has a positive side, it is that it highlights the important work the Danes are doing in Afghanistan and the risks their people are taking - Denmark's efforts and sacrifices put the timid, half-hearted contributions of some much larger NATO countries to shame.

David, Ely, UK

"When a bullet leaves the barrel it's got no friends."

Andrew Milner, Yokohama, Japan

Well Derek in Seattle, there's usually a fuss when the Americans shoot their Allies because of the circumstances of the incidents. Accidents in the heat of battle are a tragic inevitability, killing your alliess after the fighting has long ceased is sheer incompetence, and happens with depressing regularity by US forces.

Raymond, taunton,

Derek,Seattle, At least the British had the decency to own up, unlike the Americans who didnt even have the guts to own up to many of their "mistakes" let alone be open and honest about anything. And that from our supposed "special friends" (I think the US think us Brits are "mugs" not really "friends" )

Simon, London, UK

war= bussiness.
stop the war

daneel, madrid, spain

Brian - Isn't it Afrika Borwa? As you are in Durbs, it should actually be Iningizimu Afrika. Who is an idiot now?

Angus, London,

What a bunch of idiots!!

Brian O Cinneide, eThekwini, Africa Borwa

OH MY GOD! Imagine what a fuss there would have been if the shooters had been American soldiers. The Danes and everyone else would not have been referring ot this incident as a "tragic mistake".

Derek, Seattle, USA

Dear Allies

I am offcource not in a position too talk on behalf of the families who lost their loved ones in that incident. Still let me as a Dane express my deepest respect for the British military. This goes especially for the poor guys who shoot those missiles. Its not your falt!, its your job and things like this have allways happen in war, we all know.
Fight on, you make a real difference for millions

Morten, Værløse / Copenhagen, Denmark

Such tragedies have always happened and always will, until wars are fought no more.

If ever again UK service personnel are killed by US allies, let us remember this incident before we lapse into the usual tabloid xenophobic bile.

SR, Knowle, UK