It’s been so disappointing and disheartening to read of the Iranian/British hostage situation over the last several days that I’ve not been inspired to write a spot.
Now this is what I like to see.
Marines swoop into Taliban ‘heart of darkness’ – Daily Telegraph.
By Tom Coghlan in Sangeen, Afghanistan
Last Updated: 12:44am BST 07/04/2007An armoured column of 250 Royal Marines smashed into Sangeen yesterday down the main road from the north, driving off Taliban fighters who had been attacking a small British “platoon house”.
Such was the ferocity of the operation that the rebels were taken completely by surprise and, despite mounting a weak counter-attack, could not stop the Marines linking up with American troops from the 82nd Airborne Division from the south.
Embedded with Lima Company of 42 Commando under Major Gill Duncan, I can report that the operation was completed without a single British casualty. “The aim is to shock the Taliban to the point where they don’t have a scoobie [clue] what is going on,” 2nd Lieut Chris Sylven told the men of 7 Troop at a tense desert briefing. Senior officers claimed that it was the biggest Royal Marine raid since the Falklands conflict.
Col Matthew Holmes, commander of 42 Commando, described Sangeen as a Taliban “heart of darkness”.
Intelligence had suggested that there were up to 350 Taliban in the area with advanced munitions, such as Soviet grenade launchers. There was also a warning of reinforcement by 120 fighters from the north. The Marines were told the plan required “a high level of aggression”.
“This is one ballsy shout from the CO, to go up the highway and start smashing heads together,” said Sgt Richard St Louis, warning his men that 16 suicide bombers might be in the town. “If someone comes towards you in a fire fight, he is dead.”
If someone comes toward you in a fire fight, HE IS DEAD. Much better than ‘fighting was not an option’, wouldn’t you agree? No need to comment, it’s a purely rhetorical question.
