But many WW2 RAF pilots had a degree of respect for their German adversaries, and in many case after the war met and became good friends. The enemy were, after all, young men following orders and fighting for survival, just like themselves.
Anyone who serves in uniform should have no doubt about the effects of weapons, but revelling in such results would as unhealthy as shying away from them. If an SH pilot says that seeing SH aircrew of a different flag going down in flames and exploding makes uncomfortable viewing it is probably a glimmer of humanity and a 'there but for the grace of God' feeling rather than being a wimp, as Courtney seems to suggest.
It still remains to be seen whether having a hard-arsed secular dictator in charge is better or worse than having fundamentalist Al Quaeda run anarchy within spitting distance of Europe.