(Thumbnail image: RIA Novosti)

A confidential report says France intentionally exposed its own soldiers to radiation in nuclear tests.

According to the report, after the last of four atmospheric tests in 1961, some 300 infantry and tank crewmen marched to within half a mile from the blast site.

We have perspectives from France 24, AFP, Digital Journal and The Guardian.

France 24 spoke to veterans of the experiment who recalled what happened the day of the tests.

"A quarter of an hour after the explosion, we were given orders to depart for ground zero. We operated there for, I don't know how long, one or two hours."

The soldiers had little to no protection-- just flimsy face masks and gloves. AFP spoke to a veteran diagnosed with cancer--who wants the government to admit it knew what it was ordering was dangerous.

"We were only 19, proud to serve our country. Nobody told us they sent us there to mess up our health. Nobody told us the risks involved or the effects it might have on our own health or the health of our family, our partners, our children 30 or 40 years down the line. It's completely stupid sending people out there knowing full well they'll all be contaminated."

The French government will allow compensation of veterans with certain health problems associated with nuclear testing.

After claiming no knowledge of the report, France's Defense Minister argued the radiation levels at the tests were "very weak."

"[He] confirmed that about a hundred soldiers had been involved in exercises which aimed to test the effects of fallout on human beings. But, he said, the time had come to stop analysing historic events from the standpoint of 2010. 'It was another era,' he said." (The Guardian)

Digital Journal reports that the tests were meant to teach soldiers how to protect themselves during a nuclear blast and prepare them for modern combat.

"The report later stated, 'It appeared from the results that at 800 meters from point zero and outside the fallout zone, the combatant was physically able to continue fighting.'”

So do you think the French government knew the dangers to the soldiers? And should it compensate the veterans?

Writer: Erika Roberts

Producer: Newsy Staff