This film presents some of the suffering civilians went through; you can just imaging the PTSD they had!
Interesting you mention the PTSD aspect...From personal observations I would say my fathers' and grandfathers generation seemed to be far more well adjusted than many of todays.
Considering the scale of those who's lives were ruined by the war, mental health issues and PTSD seemed remarkably rare in the 1950's and 60's?
The other week, a well known British singer pulled out of a stint on a TV series and gave the excuse he was suffering from recurring PTSD following a live stage show he did a few years back..Pardon me, but I thought that was "stage fright"!!
I think my grandfathers/fathers generation must have been made of sterner stuff or perhaps life was simpler when you had less to loose/lower expectations?
I will offer a different perspective.
In WW2 the primary means of transport was still ships. Men who were casualties often spent multiple months being transported from the battle front, to their home.
During this time they were among other men who had suffered/shared similar experiences. There was not a whole lot to do during these times, so men talked, shared their experiences, and essentially had their own "therapy" sessions with other who understood.
Fast forward to modern times: Casualties are airlifted, transported back to the States (or home country) via aircraft. They can be taken straight from a warzone, and be back at home in a matter of a few days or less.
Generally speaking they are not among their friends/peers who have shared similar experiences. They don't have anybody to discuss these things with who is genuinely going to understand.
Doctors, therapists, counselors are not going to understand, and to say that they do will on breed contempt/mistrust.
I have personally seen a know it all, narcissistic counselor tell a group of combat vets that she understood completely after her "in depth" research on the subject. Instantly she lost any credibility she might have ever had.
The vast majority of guys do not want to talk to a shrink. They prefer to work things out with friends/coworkers who have shared similar experiences.
It is my observation that such things like modern transportation, and "counselors" have actually hurt guys dealing with PTSD issues more so than helped.
Bearing that in mind, and looking at the flip side of the coin, now that PTSD is a "condition" that guys can get a disability rating for, you have a BUNCH of twats that are flat out faking a condition, in search of both attention and money. I honestly think there are more guys who fake a PTSD condition than there are guys genuinely suffering, that are receiving help.
Most guys who are having real issues are not likely to even bring it up, and try to deal with it internally. The douche bag "coffee shop poets" who are very vocal about their PTSD and seeking attention, are more often than not full of schit.
I actually sat on a mental health board where a group of vets were brought in who were allegedly suffering from PTSD. 1, maybe 2 of the 8 guys were legit. The one guy who I had no doubt about being legit was by far the quietest and most reluctant to speak.
One douche nozzle was on full disability for PTSD because during the Gulf War he was in Kuwait in the Air Force. He never was in Iraq, never heard a shot fired in anger, never was on the receiving end of indirect fire, nothing. He alleged that he had PTSD because he was a bomb loader (or whatever they call it).
He stated that because he strapped bombs underneath the wings of aircraft, and knew that those bombs would be dropped on targets in Iraq, that he suffered a mental breakdown and could no longer work or function normally. Full disability check. He went around writing poems and "rap" lyrics that he would perform, detailing his tragic PTSD issues.
Those are the guys I personally wanted to beat the living schit out of, and absolutely infuriated me. There were/are guys who have genuine issues, and don't get the help they need, due to A-holes like the coffee shop poet.
When people ask me about personal PTSD issues, after they find out I did 13 rotations in Iraq, I tell them it is because I have a solid group of buddies with whom I can discuss absolutely anything with, so I have no need for a shrink or to take a check that could otherwise be used to help guys who genuinely need it.
Anyways, that is my long winded perspective.