AFTERMATH OF OPERATIONAL FATIGUE IN COMBAT AIRCREWS
MILTON L. MILLER M. C., A. A. F.
Observation of over 800 cases seen at a redistribution station show uniformity of symptoms of operational fatigue varying from mild to severe in about 30 percent of aircrew returning from combat areas to this country. Three main sources of operational fatigue were observed: (1) Excessive combat and harrowing experiences. (2) Previously masked psychoneurosis which breaks out when the defenses against anxiety become inadequate. (3) Guilt, excessive mourning and unconscious self-destructive reactions after the death of close friends toward whom there has been intense emotional conflict. Attitudes toward further flying, toward civilian life and toward the family, may be profoundly affected by operational fatigue.
