Mercedes Armored G-Wagon Used by Canadians In Afghanistan

Posted by www.eMercedesBenz.com on October 6, 2005 at 9:39 AM CST

While browsing the Ottawa Sun Times today, I stumbled upon an  
interesting article about the G-Wagon.  After losing several soldiers  
to suicide bombers and anti-tank mines, outraged Canucks demanded  
that the military provide Canadian soldiers with better vehicles than  
the 20 year old Iltis jeeps they were using at the time.  In response  
to the public, the federal government purchased 802 armored Mercedes  
Gelaendewagens at the cost of $126 million, and later purchased  
another 357 G-Wagons for $81 million, 20 of which were armored.

Unfortunately, Canadian soldiers recently had the mispleasure of  
testing whether or not the new armored Gelaendewagens would perform  
better than their former jeeps.  The incident occurred when a suicide  
bomber, armed with an explosive-laden pickup, detonated his truck  
near a Canadian patrol convoy.  The G-Wagen held up superbly - the  
soldiers all escaped with only minor injuries, and the G-Wagon  
suffered a broken bumper, smashed headlight, and a few scratches and  
dents.

In closing, I am compelled to point out that I wish this story didn't  
exist.  I wish that the soldiers never had to find out whether or not  
the G-Wagons would actually work, and I wish all the lunatics that  
feel they should strap a bomb to themselves and blow themselves up  
for their cause would realize the error of their ways.  At the same  
time, I would still like to point out that I'm ecstatic the G-Wagons  
did work, and that none of the soldiers suffered major injuries.

One last thing - to all the soldiers serving around the globe, you're  
in our hearts every day.  We love you, we miss you, and we're praying  
for you.

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