Our darkest day in war on Taliban: Eight soldiers killed as Afghan death toll overtakes number of troops lost in Iraq
By David Williams and Matthew Hickley
Last updated at 1:30 AM on 11th July 2009
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Eight British soldiers lost their lives with several more left critically wounded yesterday.
Five died when a foot patrol was trapped in a Taliban ambush and blown up by a booby-trap bomb – the highest death toll from a single attack since the war began.
The three others died in separate incidents on what was the darkest day of the war in Afghanistan.
(From left) L/Cpl David Dennis, 29, Light Dragoons. Killed by enemy explosion, July 4. Pte Robert Laws, 18, 2nd Battalion, Mercian Regiment. Killed by grenade attack, July 4. L/Cpl Dane Elson, 22, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards. Killed by enemy explosion, July 5The tragedies took the total killed in that country to 184, passing the grim statistic of 179 UK servicemen and women who lost their lives in Iraq and rapidly approaching the 255 casualties of the Falklands conflict.
The tragedy intensified the pressure on Gordon Brown to provide better support and resources to troops on the front line after a week of mounting criticism over inadequate spending and refusal to commit enough manpower and helicopters to the bloody campaign.
So far this month, 15 Britons have been killed in just ten days in some of the most intense combat since troops were deployed to the Taliban heartland of Helmand province three years ago.
Scores have also been injured and some units taking part in a major offensive – codenamed Operation Panther’s Claw – have been left with barely half their manpower still fit for action after days of gruelling fighting.
With the Taliban still offering fierce resistance – and making increasingly effective use of roadside bombs – assurances from ministers over recent months that the enemy has been ground down by the fighting will be called into question.
(Left) Trooper Christopher Whiteside, 20, Light Dragoons. Killed by enemy explosion, July 7. Capt Ben Babington-Browne, 27, Royal Engineers. Killed in an air accident, July 6Few details of the attack in which the five died and several others were wounded had been released last night as the Ministry of Defence broke the dreadful news to bereaved families.
The men were not taking part in Panther’s Claw but were operating in North Helmand, near the town of Musa Qaleh. It is understood the soldiers were on foot early yesterday helping to deal with the aftermath of one Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion when the Taliban detonated a second concealed bomb.
Amid the chaos and appalling scenes, the Taliban is said to have opened fire with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades on the injured soldiers and those going to their aid.
Apache attack helicopters were called in to strike at Taliban positions and provide cover as a rescue operation was launched with helicopters ferrying the wounded back to the field hospital at the main British base at Camp Bastion throughout the night.
The three others killed were all taking part in the Panther’s Claw offensive.
A soldier from the 2nd Tank Regiment died when his Viking armoured vehicle was caught in another roadside bomb blast. The seventh death was of a soldier serving with 4th Battalion the Rifles. He was killed in a blast while on foot patrol close to the town of Nad Ali, a Taliban stronghold in central Helmand.
Lt Col Rupert Thorneloe, 39, with 1st Battalion Welsh Guards. Killed by enemy explosion, July 1The eighth to die was from the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment attached to the Welsh Guards. He suffered a gunshot wound during a fire fight with insurgents, near the town of Lashkar Gah.
Task Force spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson said: ‘These fine British soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice and their memory will live with us for ever.
‘We mourn their loss and our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends at this very sad time. We know that their deaths were not in vain.’
The grim news came as the bodies of another five British servicemen killed in Afghanistan over the past week – four in Panther’s Claw – were returned to the UK.
With pressure growing over the mounting death toll and shortages of equipment, Mr Brown launched an impassioned defence of Britain’s presence in Afghanistan, saying the mission was designed to block a ‘chain of terror’ which ran from the ‘mountains and plains of southern Afghanistan and Pakistan to the towns and streets of Britain’.
He added: ‘People in Britain today are safer because of the courageous sacrifice of British soldiers in Afghanistan.
‘We knew from the start the defeating the insurgency in Helmand would be a hard and dangerous job, but it is a vital one. This is a very hard summer. It is not over.’
News of the deaths cast a long shadow over Mr Brown’s deliberations on the final day of the G8 summit in L’Aquila, Italy.
After talking by phone to the chief of the defence staff, Sir Jock Stirrup, the Prime Minister rejected criticism over the number of helicopters available to British forces.
He insisted the Government had sent more helicopters to the region, claiming capacity was now double what it was two years ago.
‘We have responded to the requests of the military for extra equipment.’ Mr Brown’s voice appeared to falter as he spoke of his ’sadness that young lives are lost’.
Trooper Joshua Hammond, 18, 2nd Royal Tank Regiment. Killed by explosion, July 1‘My sympathies go to every one of the families who have had to endure the pain of losing a loved one,’ he said. But he added: ‘Our resolution to complete the work that we have started in Afghanistan and Pakistan is undiminished, and I think that’s a tribute to the members of our armed forces who have given their lives that we should succeed in the efforts that we have begun.
This week the new Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth drew fierce criticism when he ruled out sending any more troops or helicopters to bolster Britain’s bloody campaign against the Taliban.
The former chief of the defence staff, Lord Guthrie, launched a blistering attack on the Prime Minister, accusing him of putting troops in greater danger through penny-pinching – particularly by refusing to pay for more helicopters or to send the 2,000 extra soldiers which commanders on the ground want.
Following the latest deaths yesterday Lord Guthrie told the Mail: ‘The fine words which come from ministers do not replace actually funding our people properly.
‘It is time for Gordon Brown to put his money where his mouth is. We have to get serious about this conflict if we’re going to do it.’
His criticism came as the former UK ambassador to the United Nations, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, said he did not think the operation in Afghanistan was well enough resourced.
‘We don’t have enough troops in the Army to run these sort of operations any more – we have cut down too far,’ he said. The five to die early yesterday is the highest number of combat deaths in a single incident.
The crash of an RAF Nimrod spy plane in September 2006 claimed 14 lives, although that tragedy was caused by a fuel leak father than enemy action.
And four British soldiers – including Corporal Sarah Bryant, the only woman killed so far in Afghanistan – died when their Land Rover was destroyed by a roadside bomb in Helmand Province last June.
The bodies of Lt Col Rupert Thorneloe and Trooper Joshua Hammond are driven through Wootton Bassett as residents turn out to pay their respectsBritish forces have now suffered 15 fatalities in the first ten days of July, raising the prospect that the monthly death toll will surpass the figure of 19 in September 2006 – which included the Nimrod crash.
Anne Smith, the grandmother of Lance Corporal Dane Elson, who was blown up on Sunday, said a lack of resources contributed to her grandson’s death.
She denounced Bob Ainsworth, the Defence Secretary, for failing to address the basic needs of soldiers.
‘He wants shooting because he’s not fit to be a minister,’ she said.
102 COMMENTS SO FAR..
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This government is showing a shocking lack of respect to our brave troops. They should hang their heads in shame. Unable to find the cash to provide the equipment so desperately needed because they have given it all to the reckless bankers. Disgraceful!
- julie probert, castleford, england, 11/7/2009 3:30
Any apologies from Labour regarding John Reid’s comment a couple of years ago? I recall it was something along the lines of our troops not needing to load their weapons. Yet more politic lies.
- John, Masar, Afghanistan, 11/7/2009 3:20
DRONES are the answer not 5 billion pound aircraft carriers. We need drones with high definition and inferred night cameras. We need Hundreds of them to monitor terrorists in every area. We would be able to detect the placement the IDEs and other militant activity on the ground.
After the conflict they could be used in this country to combat crime. British troops would know where ambushes are being prepared. They will be able to gather intelligence of who are building these IDEs where the ingredients are sourced and the supply route. They will be able to track militant leaders and decapitate the militant leadership. We should destroy the poppy fields ( heroine) that provide revenue for the Taliban and destroy western societies. We need to repair irrigation system that the Russians destroyed so that the Afghans farmers can produce crops and therefore provide viable income and employment. This would greatly reduce casualties. Simples
- Terry don, Andover, 11/7/2009 2:48
I salute the brave dead and curse the government that did not give them all the tools to do the job thereby increasing the risk attached to a dangerous and necessary job.
- Harry Charlton, Brisbane Australia, 11/7/2009 2:46
If the government wont do it why dont the mail readers have an appeal to raise cash to buy helicopters, I know it is not as simple as that, (pilots, logistics, etc), but they used to do a similar thing in the second world war, towns would have aircraft named after them after they had raised funds to buy one, and at least it would show support to our excellent brave troops, even if the prime minister does not give a stuff about them.
- bev, uk, 11/7/2009 2:46
Why Oh why are we even there, this is a conflict forced upon us by lies and deceit by a Labour government to scared to say no to the American.
Our young men are dyeing inorder to help a American President who is no longer in office to fight the terrorism in his country.
Bring our sons and daughters home, bring home our men and women who swore a oath to protect THIS country from enemy’s, both domestic and foreign and not to protect the political and financial interests of America.
- John, Bedford, 11/7/2009 2:35
I feel very sad indeed of this tragedies. Is this war worth of the penny spend? I pray to God Almighty to protect the British Army who is on duty in Afghanistan.
- christopher obos, Kuching, Malaysia, 11/7/2009 2:27
It takes FIVE deaths for our soldiers’ sacrifices to be the top news item! The death of one of our soldiers should be the top news item every time, not buried at the bottom of the newsheet.
- Hal, Liskeard, 11/7/2009 2:19
have you read this BROWN ?
Are YOU hanging your HEAD IN SHAME ?
- Roge Wheeler, Puerto Vallarta Mexico, 11/7/2009 2:03
To Gordons staff who are reading this PLEASE please please bring the lads back home now, I don’t support the war as it’s completely wrong but I support the Troops 100% just like you told me to do with your propaganda…
But to FIGHT A WAR FOR CHEAP OIL, when we are paying £105.9 at the pumps is CRIMINAL…
- Lee, Notts, 11/7/2009 1:57
The weakest most inexperienced government in British history will not be able to take high number of casuaties and will order retreat to barraks as in Iraq..
Would you want to be sent into battle by the nu labor liars?
- john, colombo sri lanka, 11/7/2009 1:56
Astonishing stupidity…stir up an ants nest and walk through it in bare feet…
- Moses David, Australia, 11/7/2009 1:55
Hello , Hello, HELLO.
Can anyone in the government hear me.
As an ex serviceman can you spend my taxes on giving these guys some of the much needed equipment to fight the terroroist tactics being adopted.
I know I’m asking a lot , but if you don’t mind just stopping claiming for everyday items normal have to pay for then I’m sure you could find a few quid spare.
I despair.
- Paul, Derbyshire, 11/7/2009 1:47
If only people still studied history; Afghanistan is a death trap, pull out now.
- tom bowden, perth australia, 11/7/2009 1:46
This war criminal government gives hundreds of billions to greedy banks yet they will not give our army a few billion to buy much needed equipment, especially helicopters.
- robert, Aberdeen, 11/7/2009 1:35
We lost 18 in one day at Warrenpoint……….
We understand……
- Robert, Worcester UK, 11/7/2009 1:30
Yet more families grieve the loss of their sons, brothers, fathers, uncles and husbands – my sincere condolences to them all.
This government needs to start taking Force Protection seriously. The kit is out there and if the government spent less of our money supporting the welfare junkie lifestyles of the congenitally lazy, there’d be plenty of money in the pot to buy the right kit and enough of it to protect our soldiers from the vast majority of IEDs.
- Jess, London, 11/7/2009 1:16
Pull out the troops and Bomb from the air.
- David Stevens, Brisbane Australia, 11/7/2009 1:07
Thanks for taking us to war Tony Blair.
Thanks for lying to us. Thank you New Labour ministers for backing up the lies and making them seem believable at the time.
Condolences to all the families. I support the troops, not the lying thieves in government. They are too busy lining their own pockets to take the time to make sure that our soldiers are safe and have all the necessary euipment.
- RalphJolly, London, 11/7/2009 0:56
The get the boyz & girlz home now !.
- Oliver, Woking, Surrey, 11/7/2009 0:46
179 is a grim statistic? 184 is unbearable? Here’s some perspective for you Brits, 2000+ killed in the battle of Singapore and 4500+ killed in the battle of Hong Kong. More soldiers are killed in non-combat (accidents) every year, than in combat.
It’s almost understandable that people don’t have any perspective. Are we ever told of enemy deaths? Battles won? Successes? Absolutely not! Little wonder why so many think of these soldiers sacrifice as a lost cause. These brave lads died keeping malcontents occupied in a far away land. Honor these men in the best way possible, by crushing the enemy.
- Martin M, St. Louis, MO. USA, 11/7/2009 0:36
This is what happens every time the US sticks there nose in.
- Roy R, Houston Texas, 11/7/2009 0:36
Time for the Army to oust these thieving politicians who took us into war and now will not provide sufficient troops or equipment. We do not live in a true democracy now, so military rule would be a welcome relief from the bunch of idiots in parliament.
- Alan, Bexley, Kent, 11/7/2009 0:36
A pointless and un-winnable war. It really is a tragedy that we ever got into this mess, the end is nowhere in sight. The terrorists have infiltrated every country and eliminating them all is impossible, Afghanistan is just part of the problem.
Blair and Brown hold full responsibility and will go down in History as the worst leaders that this country has ever had the misfortune to have.
- L Hacking, Manchester, 11/7/2009 0:34
This disgusting labour administration sends innocent young men and women to fight wars of agression, the only justifiable wars are defensive wars.
- Terry, Radstock, England., 11/7/2009 0:32
Brown should hang his head in shame.
- anon, London, England, 11/7/2009 0:30
For God’s sake give the British Troops all and more support otherwise pull them out now, enough is enough and if we can’t provide helicopters and the right equipment but can provide taxpayer subsidies to ailing banks then we shouldn’t be there in the first place. What exactly is our stratetgy? just to be there and suffer loss after loss and gain what exactly?. The strategy seems to be carry on as usual but knowing full well that many lives will be lost in the process to get to where we don’t really know where we are going in the first place.
- Mike_L, Manchester, 11/7/2009 0:29
THE MAIL
4 responses so far ↓
centurean2 // July 11, 2009 at 9:42 am |
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
President Obama & Afghanistan
President Obama is getting ready to send another 17,000 troops to Afghanistan. No doubt, things are not going well in that war and Taliban have gained ground lately. But is sending more troops a wise move or will Afghanistan become for Obama what Vietnam became for Johnson – a great folly?
After 9/11 United States had justification to attack Afghanistan because that is where Al-Qaeda planned and perpetrated attacks on New York. The initial military operation was well accomplished, but the subsequent political moves have not been savvy. United States has a fundamental deficiency that not having been a colonial power like U.K. and France, it has never had detailed ground knowledge of far off places like Afghanistan.
The British fought the Afghans for nearly 200 years and could never gain complete control. The Soviet Union occupied Afghanistan with 140,000 troops, air planes, tanks, artillery and all kinds of weaponry and yet it lost the war and had to withdraw in shame leading to its break up. Now the U.S. and its NATO allies want to gain control of Afghanistan with just over 50,000 troops, so what are the chances of NATO’s success?
The Afghan problem is no longer military (that purpose was achieved immediate after the US dislodged the Taliban), but it is a political problem. The ethnic Afghan make up comprises Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks and other smaller groups. Pashtuns are in majority and all of the Taliban are Pashtun. Though Mr. Hamid Karzai is a Pashtun, but for many years now the US has vested major power centers with Northern Alliance players and that is not acceptable to the Pashtun majority. After Taliban were dislodged, what was needed was a unity Government with fair representation to all including majority representation to Pashtuns, but that has not happened to this day and that is the root cause of the Afghan problem.
Some of the moderate Taliban were willing to talk to the US to become part of Afghan Government. The former Taliban Foreign Minister, Mullah Mutawakkal offered to mediate with Taliban but because of domination by Non-Pashtun Northern Alliance, both the US and Afghan Government refused to deal with the Taliban. Over time sympathies for Taliban have increased. Various Pashtun Government officials, businessmen and warlords may appear to be with Karzai Government, but they not only sympathize but also fund the Taliban’s fight because they feel it is their fight too.
Another disastrous policy that has had enormous impact on Afghan situation is re- plantation of poppy (Taliban Government had completely eradicated it). Some brilliant minds in the CIA & Bush Administration felt that if allowed to grow poppy, Afghans will be happy and content and not fight against them! Well, the outcome has been the opposite, funds generated by sale of poppy are flowing into Taliban hands to purchase more guns and hardware to extend the fight with.
Another significant difficulty in fighting this war is that NATO is a foreign force and Taliban are local. The populace supports the fighters the same way they supported Mujaheddin against Soviet invasion. They consider NATO forces as foreign invaders and feel justified to fight them. The Afghan Government of Hamid Karzai is impotent and considered a puppet regime despite being democratically elected. In reality Mr. Karzai’s domain does not extend beyond Kabul and the rest of the country is the wild wild west.
The resolution of Afghan situation is in bringing all parties to the table for a dialogue including the Taliban. After all, it is their country too. Fresh elections need to be called based on fair representation for all to replace the current Northern Alliance dominated Western backed Government. Also NATO troops need to leave Afghanistan as they will always be treated as a foreign occupying force and as long they remain in Afghanistan, Taliban will fight them. They need to be replaced by UN troops drawn from a broad spectrum of nations to oversee peace.
What Afghanistan needs more than anything else is a major reconstruction effort to bring the country out of fifteenth century into the twenty first. Instead of wasting money on fighting, a $50 billion Marshall Plan is needed to build infrastructure, educational and health institutions and capacity building. That entire Frontier region of Pakistan and the whole of Afghanistan could benefit substantially from such an effort. Taliban could be history if an honest effort is made in this direction. Just sending more troops could increase the fight and make Afghanistan into another Vietnam with no end in sight.
http://blameislam.blogspot.com/2009/02/president-obama-afghanistan.html
centurean2 // July 11, 2009 at 9:47 am |
WARLORD OBAMA.
centurean2 // July 11, 2009 at 9:50 am |
19 August 2007
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On August 7, 2007
the Democratic Party candidates were in Chicago to hold a national debate at Soldier Field. Barack Obama scheduled earlier in the day a fundraiser at a restaurant in Chicago’s Pak…
CHANGE-YES WE CAN! 2007
centurean2 // July 11, 2009 at 9:56 am |
JANUARY 2008—WE’RE WE NOT TOLD IT WAS SAUDIS THAT FLEW PLANES ON 9/11