When the Russians were backed against the Volga engaged in vicious fighting during the Winter of 42/43. Russian replacement soldiers were ferried by boat at night from the Russian staging area on the East side of the river, to the besieged City of Stalingrad on the other side of the river.(At night so as to avoid being strafed by the Luftwaffe). As these young often peasant soldiers boarded the boats each night, seeing the burning city across the near frozen river some were properly scared and fell out of line in fear. They were summarily shot on the spot. No discussion. "Next!". "Move along and board the vessel!"
Stalingrad was a DESPERATE situation!
Could we get a moratorium on the word "DESPERATE"?
Health Care Reform is "Desperate"?
Education reform is "Desperate"?
Deficit reduction is "Desperate"?
The War on Terror is "Desperate" (and just what is "Terrorism"?)
U.S. crumbling infrastructure is in "Desperate" condition?
Main Entry: des·per·ate
Pronunciation: \ˈdes-p(ə-)rət, -pərt\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin desperatus, past participle of desperare
Date: 15th century
1 a : having lost hope b : giving no ground for hope
2 a : moved by despair b : involving or employing extreme measures in an attempt to escape defeat or frustration
3 : suffering extreme need or anxiety
4 : involving extreme danger or possible disaster
5 : of extreme intensity
