"I'm not also 100% that the 'scalp' thing wasn't overblown as a form of propaganda to justify no quarter - best to make your enemy as inhumane as possible, don't want your troops sympathising, they might make friends in a sticky situation - death or glory and all that."
Somewhere I got the idea that it was basic accounting - proof of work done in order to validate payment.
Back in those days there were no cameras, so some other form of documentation was needed.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
