Iraqi-made cigarettes, olive helmets, black berets and rusty bayonets -- these are just some of the most sought-after prizes from the war in Iraq for marines.

War trophies are a time-honoured tradition of any conflict. Although it is officially banned by the military, marines have been taking souvenirs off Iraqi soldiers on their way to Baghdad.

While some marines consider it immoral, others view it as their right to bring something home from the enemy.

The practise is tolerated as long as it does not go beyond small items and cross over into the realm of weapons or munitions.

"I was going to take some bullets to show my dad," said Lance Corporal Alex Sanchez, 19, a gunner with the 1st battalion of the Marines 5th Regiment.

"But it would bring real dishonour to what we fight for as marines. We have to maintain our respect for the dead."

Others agreed with Sanchez but, faced with the tempation, said that they could not stop themselves.

"I wasn't going to take anything but then it's like, wow, this is my enemy. It's the thrill factor," said one marine who had nabbed the belt of dead Iraqi soldier.

However, others expressed no remorse and believe that the Iraqis would have done the same to them.

One marine described coming across a dead soldier lying next to a motorcycle and grabbing a green headscarf from his body.

Someone had even squirrelled away a 1999 copy of Playboy that he had found with a dead Iraqi soldier, he added.

"I don't feel bad about it. They would do the same to us," he said. "I would only feel bad if someone took a picture from me of my kids."

Another marine described finding a bayonet next to the body of a soldier who had been shot in the head.

"He smelled like rotten meat," he said, but the desire for a memento outweighed any queasiness. "I want a memory, more than just something in my head to bring back home."

A staff sergeant acknowledged that rank and file marines were taking mementos. But while he disapproved, he could not crack down on the practise unless the souveniers were openly flaunted.

"If I don't see it, I don't see it," he said, but admitted to understanding why younger marines wanted their souvenirs.

"If you go to Iwo Jima (the Japanese island where the marines secured a famous victory in 1945), you want to take some sand. If you are in Iraq you want to bring back a beret," he said.

In a bid to set an example to the younger marines, the staff sergeant said he would buy his own beret at a market in Baghdad.

SPACE.WIRE