Soldiers pray for dead reporter

US soldiers said prayers for a French television reporter killed in an accident during the biggest American military exercises since the Gulf War as the manoeuvres ended with a terrifying display of military might near the Iraqi border.

Troops from the US Army’s 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Unit offered prayers for French journalist Patrick Bourrat, who died yesterday, after suffering massive internal injuries when he was struck while crossing the path of an incoming tank.