Sheepdog Tip of the Day, During Combat tip 81
It is widely understood that most killing happens after the battle, in the pursuit phase (Clausewitz and Ardant du Picq both commented on this), which is apparently due to two factors. First, the fleeing victim has his back turned. It appears to be much easier to deny his humanity if you can stab or shoot him in the back and not look into his eyes when you kill him. Secondly, in the midbrain of the pursuer, the opponent apparently changes from a fellow male engaged in a primitive, simplistic, ritualistic, head-to-head, territorial or mating battle, to a prey that must to be pursued, pulled down, and killed.
Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, On Combat
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