No, absolutely not, but it was a drastic measure to prevent the deterioration of morale.

Cees

In many ways LMF mirrored & replaced the Firing squads of WWI,but the effect was stronger on the individual affected,i.e. If you were shot,you would no longer suffer the stigma but your family would,whereas with LMF as it has already been pointed out the individual suffers.

That said,I agree that A, it was grossly unfair & B, it was drastic but prevented a trickle becoming a flood.