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Actual suicide attacks are not generally common; but the celebration of casualties as 'martyrs' and role models is much commoner. On the whole, professional soldiers do not welcome martyrdom, but civilians certainly celebrate 'martyrs' on their side. Most Brits have probably encountered Tennyson's "Charge of the Light Brigade", about an incident where lots of British soldiers got killed due to their commander fucking things up rather thoroughly; and Tennyson ardently extolled their martyrdom:
"Was there a man dismayed? Not though the soldiers knew Someone had blundered. Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die...
Honour the Light Brigade! Honour the charge they made! Noble six hundred!"
Terrorists, paramilitary groups and militant rebels (not mutually exclusive groups, of course) seem more likely to seek and celebrate martyrdom. The IRA, for instance, had many songs celebrating people who died during, or as a result of, attacks on the British. A famous 20th century song, "The Patriot Game", deals with a teenager who joined the IRA, and was killed at the age of 16. It was apparently based on a real person and intended to encourage others to 'do likewise'.
"This Ireland of ours has for long been half-free. Six counties are under John Bull's tyranny. I've read of our heroes; I've wanted the same, And so I am part of the Patriot Game.
They told me how Connolly was shot in his chair. His wounds from the battle, still bleeding and bare. His fine body twisted, all crooked and lame. They soon made me part of the Patriot Game...
And now as I lie here, my body all holes, I think of our leaders who bargained and sold. I wish that my rifle had given the same To Quislings who sold out the Patriot Game."
And many more where that came from.
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