diff --git a/TileEngine/physics.cpp b/TileEngine/physics.cpp
index b5847a62..ac3761b5 100644
--- a/TileEngine/physics.cpp
+++ b/TileEngine/physics.cpp
@@ -2471,7 +2471,7 @@ void CheckForObjectHittingMerc( REAL_OBJECT *pObject, UINT16 usStructureID )
 		// Is it a guy?
 		if ( usStructureID < INVALID_STRUCTURE_ID )
 		{
-			if ( pObject->ubLastTargetTakenDamage != (UINT8)usStructureID )
+			if ( pObject->ubLastTargetTakenDamage != usStructureID )
 			{
 				// Flugente: if this fails, something is very wrong indeed
 				Assert(usStructureID<TOTAL_SOLDIERS);
@@ -2488,7 +2488,7 @@ void CheckForObjectHittingMerc( REAL_OBJECT *pObject, UINT16 usStructureID )
 
 				pSoldier->EVENT_SoldierGotHit( NOTHING, sDamage, sBreath, pSoldier->ubDirection, 0, pObject->ubOwner, FIRE_WEAPON_TOSSED_OBJECT_SPECIAL, 0, 0, NOWHERE );
 
-				pObject->ubLastTargetTakenDamage = (UINT8)( usStructureID );
+				pObject->ubLastTargetTakenDamage = usStructureID;
 			}
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/TileEngine/physics.h b/TileEngine/physics.h
index 81effb21..249334c8 100644
--- a/TileEngine/physics.h
+++ b/TileEngine/physics.h
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ public:
 	BOOLEAN	 fPotentialForDebug;
 	INT32		sLevelNodeGridNo;
 	INT32		iSoundID;
-	UINT8		ubLastTargetTakenDamage;
+	SoldierID		ubLastTargetTakenDamage;
 	// OJW - 20091002 - mp explosives
 	UINT8			mpTeam; // the intiating clients team
 	INT32			mpRealObjectID; // ID from the initiating client
@@ -183,4 +183,4 @@ INT32  RandomGridFromRadius( INT32 sSweetGridNo, INT8 ubMinRadius, INT8 ubMaxRad
 UINT32 GetArtilleryTargetGridNo( UINT32 sTargetGridNo, INT8 bRadius );
 BOOLEAN GetArtilleryLaunchParams(UINT32 sStartingGridNo, UINT32 sTargetGridNo, UINT8 ubTargetLevel, INT16 sStartZ, INT16 sEndZ, UINT16 usLauncher, OBJECTTYPE* pObj, FLOAT* pdForce, FLOAT* pdDegrees);
 
-#endif
\ No newline at end of file
+#endif