On 2016 Aug 25, thomas samaras commented:

Geneticist and statistician Francis Galton calculated the risk of being hit in combat was 33% greater for taller, heavier men. This increased risk makes sense since larger men make bigger targets. Certainly, in attacking enemy trenches, it would seem to be true. In addition, if a soldier is in a defensive position and is being attacked by three enemy soldiers, I'm sure the defender would focus on the larger of the three attackers since he would be more dangerous in hand-to-hand combat.

Sarna et al. researched Finish athletes who were in WWII. They found that tall basketball players had the highest mortality rate from combat compared to shorter athletes.

In view of the preceding, it appears that some other factors led to the study results that taller, bigger men had better survival.

On 2016 Aug 25, thomas samaras commented:

Geneticist and statistician Francis Galton calculated the risk of being hit in combat was 33% greater for taller, heavier men. This increased risk makes sense since larger men make bigger targets. Certainly, in attacking enemy trenches, it would seem to be true. In addition, if a soldier is in a defensive position and is being attacked by three enemy soldiers, I'm sure the defender would focus on the larger of the three attackers since he would be more dangerous in hand-to-hand combat.

Sarna et al. researched Finish athletes who were in WWII. They found that tall basketball players had the highest mortality rate from combat compared to shorter athletes.

In view of the preceding, it appears that some other factors led to the study results that taller, bigger men had better survival.