Spoken from the Front (27 page)

While this was going on, we received the go-ahead that we
could push through. Mortars were still coming down in and
around the area. As we came around this corner, the first
thing I saw was a WMIK from the first packet on its side – on
fire. It was one of the most horrible times of my life. My
immediate thought was: Someone's dead; one of our guys is
dead. Can we identify whose vehicle it is? We had desert
bergen [rucksack] covers – DPM [disruptive pattern
material]. There were a couple of them on fire on the floor
and, at first glance, it looked to me like a couple of the guys.
So at one point I thought that the vehicle had been hit and the
crew had been killed. But it turned out that the vehicle had
been hit and could no longer carry on so our forces had
denied [to the enemy] the vehicle and the equipment that was
on there. If we have to abandon a vehicle, we try to take what
we can, then we blow it up. You throw a grenade or another
explosive in there. That was what had happened.

After the contact was over, we assessed the damage. We
had no fatalities but we had four serious casualties. Bravo
Company's OC had a serious injury to his face and one of our
guys [from Fire Support Company] had been shot in the leg,
and later lost it. One of the guys from Recce Platoon had been
shot through the back of the leg, which had shattered his
kneecap. Fusilier Damien Hields [who was later awarded the
MC for his bravery that day] was shot: the round came
through the side of his body armour but, instead of penetrating
his ribs, it ricocheted around and came out again. He
carried on firing his grenade machine-gun despite his
injuries. But we secured an HLS to get our casualties back to
[Camp] Bastion. Eventually, two Apaches and a Black Hawk
helicopter arrived but we were out of contact by that point.
They were firing in the distance – engaging contacts –
[Taliban] targets that were withdrawing.

A lot of the other vehicles as well had been damaged,
including two of the Snatches. One Snatch was no longer
operable: two wheels had been blown up on one side and an
RPG had hit it but it hadn't detonated. But the windscreens
were all bowed in where they had stopped the rounds. We
called in an Apache gun-ship which destroyed the Snatch. A
lot of kit was denied to the enemy because we couldn't take
it back. So, in all, we had to leave behind one of the WMIKs
and a Snatch – they were written off.

Basically we were still on this road for four to five hours
before we got back to Kandahar. We were quite happy to be
out there, quite excited, but still, whenever someone gets
injured in your team, you feel for them. But then you have to
put that to the back of your mind and crack on with the job in
hand. Who was to say that we wouldn't get contacted again?
So we got our weapons squared and just moved off. But there
were no more contacts after that. We had a report that more
than forty-five Taliban had been confirmed killed. It was
believed the ambush had involved more than a hundred
insurgents.

When we finally reached Kandahar, I took a look at my
vehicle. There were quite a lot of bullet holes. I looked in the
headrest of my seat and there was a hole there. I stuck my
finger in and pulled out a round – a 762 short – the Taliban
had actually fired at the vehicle. You could still see the swirls
on the barrel [of the bullet] where it had been fired through
the rifle. And I remember thinking how different that could
have been. A couple of inches to the left and it would have
been all over for me. At any time, in a contact you can be only
two inches away from life or death.

Captain Adam Chapman, The Mercian Regiment

It seems that I am only writing in this [diary] occasionally at
the moment. That's probably as I've not actually done much,
just been in the same routine. Unfortunately I've just found
out that a soldier killed today in the Gereshk area was someone
I knew. L Cpl Paul ['Sandy'] Sandford was in my platoon
back in Battalion. He was shot dead today as my old
company were in a large contact. I don't know much else. It's
very upsetting as I knew him personally. I bumped into him
just before coming out here. It was great to see each other and
share a joke or two: we always did. The last thing he told me
was that he got married; now he's dead and she's a widow. I
know he will be sorely missed by all who knew him – he was
a great lad.

Rest in peace, Sandy.

Captain Dave Rigg, MC, The Royal Engineers

There had been speculation for some time that I might get
decorated for what I had done at Jugroom Fort [retrieving
Lance Corporal Mathew Ford's body under fire]. I was on a
course in Wales, and my colonel back in Germany, Colonel
Phil Sherwood, told me on the phone that I had been
awarded the Military Cross – the MC. It was a wonderful
honour to be recognized. There had been a lot of acts of bravery
and exceptional soldiering feats – even during my short
period out there – but very few of them receive official recognition.
I was very proud but I also felt a sense of guilt that the
other three guys who had volunteered weren't honoured too.

Captain Adam Chapman, The Mercian Regiment

This time tomorrow I'll have deployed on Op Bataka, the
biggest op down here in a long time and the brigade's main
effort. Over 700 [men] will be involved and my troop has an
integral part as one of three assaulting platoons. I'm pretty
excited as it will be a dangerous op, crossing the canal for the
first time and clearing enemy positions. We'll be fixing
bayonets, which is not something I ever envisaged
doing, especially in 2007 – it's not 1917! But it's something
impressive to have done especially as an infanteer
[infantryman].

After the op, the [Grenadier] Guards go north and A
Company, the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters, will
take over, which I am looking forward to as they are a
different bunch, my bunch.

I received another set of mail yesterday – as always, a great
thing. I was hoping to call back home tonight but the phones
are out of use. There's been a casualty not far from here and
his family needs informing before the phones go back on.

McNab:
Many servicemen and women prepare for the worst by
writing letters to their loved ones to be read in the event of their
death. The girlfriend of Guardsman Neil 'Tony' Downes, aged
twenty, who died this month in a landmine explosion, received this
poignant letter: 'Hey beautiful! I'm sorry I had to put you through
all this, darling. I'm truly sorry. All I wanna say is how much I
loved you and cared for you. You are the apple of my eye and I will
be watching over you always. Jane, I hope you have a wonderful and
fulfilling life. Get married, have children etc. I will love you forever
and will see you again when you are old and wrinkly! I have told
my parents to leave you some money out of my insurance, so have
fun ... gonna go now.' Jane Little said of Downes, who was from
Manchester: 'His major told me after he died that he was thinking
of asking me to marry him. I would have said yes straight away. He
was a perfect boyfriend. I am immensely proud of him.'

Captain Adam Chapman, The Mercian Regiment

Op Bataka was put on hold for twenty-four hours after there
was a problem with the helicopters. It was extremely disappointing
at the time because we'd got prepared to go and
did not find out that we weren't till the last moment. So we
spent the whole of the next day waiting. The worst part was
the waiting; knowing that we were taking part in such a huge
operation was a buzz.

Fortunately, we finally departed on the op twenty-four
hours late. We spent the night in the ground in Eastern
Check-point as the battle group reserve. We eventually left at
0300 to attack a small village at first light, quite an exciting
prospect.

Everything went according to plan and my troop cleared its
objective without incident, meeting no resistance. I got to
issue the orders 'fix bayonets', which is a personal highlight
as an infantryman. Not many soldiers fix bayonets in this day
and age. The lads then cleared two buildings using grenades.
There was a massive amount of fire-power supporting us –
and it was proper war fighting with artillery and attack
helicopters battering enemy positions. We then extracted. The
whole thing was a great experience and the highlight of my
military career so far, I think. And overall the whole thing
was successful. All our boys came home, but not the same can
be said for the Taliban.

I saw my first dead person up close. He was killed by the
first platoon into the compounds and we had to pass him.
He was a real mess and had been shot up pretty bad.
He resembled a mannequin rather than a man. It was quite
strange, almost fake. I had a good look at him, probably about
my age, long beard, but now no longer. It didn't really affect
me. I was just cold to the whole thing. I'm not squeamish and
we are just doing our job.

Fusilier Daniel Wright, The Royal Welsh

F
ORGOTTEN
W
ARS

Through the valley we tread the desolate sand,
The presence of death haunting this barren wasteland.
All emotions are dead bar discipline and fear,
Unbeknown to us all our enemy draws near.
We mount up and travel through IED alley,
Their ambush is sprung at the shadow of Death Valley.
A sound like thunder, incoming like rain,
Their mortars drop short,
Their efforts in vain.
Countless enemy attacks, but we send them to Allah
For in this company of warriors lies an uncommon valour.
Top cover opened fire, like a wall of lead,
In a bloody wave the Taliban crashed down dead.
Another man down in the blood and the dust –
Give covering fire, it's time to de-bus.

Out the back, hit the ground, move fast, stay low,
My rifle lets rip engaging my foe.
Ammo runs low for their pain and my sins,
I throw another wounded soldier on the back of our Pinz.
His eyes drift away, their draining of life,
His words of devotion and love for his wife,
He drifts in and out, embracing his death,
'Stay with us, Richie, this won't be your last breath.'
Bullets hail from an enemy unseen
As this hero's red hand gives me a fresh magazine.
Back in open fire as my enemies fell,
Their cut-off position smashed by my UGL.
Bullets ricochet from the Pinz on one side,
RPGs explode, our vehicle denied,
Metallic taste in my mouth,
Face and hands deep red,
My uniform stained with the blood of the dead.
To the lowest depths of hell we've sunk,
Hard to believe how much blood these deserts have drunk.
To punch through the killing area the WMIKs break track,
The Chinooks circle for the wounded casevac.
Back in the camp all safe, but how long can peace last?
The Union Jack in the breeze, it flies at half mast,
'Royal Welsh, stand together, and you won't fall alone.'
Our orders were simple, destroy the Green Zone,
Rifle company push through us, a further two clicks,
Their weapons grasped firm, their bayonets fixed,
Their heads held high, their eyes open wide,
I'd gladly give my life to fight by their side.
A red mist consumes me, my fury is driven,
But behind the front-line fire support must be given.
Our barrels glow from another fire mission,
Our mortars crash down on another enemy position.

The death count rises, our target's neutralized,
'This one's danger close, men, so all be advised.'
The hunters' moon waxes, with ambient light,
In my hand my St Christopher is held so tight.
I think of my friends behind enemy lines,
I fear for the worst, but no prayers spring to mind.
Then hope in the eyes of battle-weary soldiers
As Apaches take flight, like angels on our shoulders.
The battle rages throughout another night,
Illuminated skies as hellfires ignite.
Days turn to weeks before our battle is won
But throughout Helmand province the forgotten war carries on.
Will they ever know the sacrifice,
In these bloodthirsty wars,
Safe in their homes behind their locked doors,
Comfy and warm, content in their bed,
Their dreams never haunted by enemy dead?
The reflection of war makes us question our sanity –
Do we fight for humanity, or one nation's vanity?
It's not for honour of queen and country we fight,
But for our brothers in arms to the left and right.
With their selfless courage, commitment and unwavering nerve,
In this company of heroes, my honour to serve.

Captain Adam Chapman, The Mercian Regiment

I found out today that my regiment lost another soldier and
that four others were badly injured. Drummer Wright was
killed when his vehicle was blown up. I don't remember him,
but I know two of the others who were injured, one of whom
is in intensive care. Another sad day for British forces and my
regiment in particular.

We've now got Internet access here in Garmsir, which is a
massive bonus as it gives us a little more access to the outside
world. No bad thing!

RIP Dmr Wright.

It's been raining. The place has flooded; it's unbelievable how
much it has rained. It's nice and refreshing after the heat, but it's
turned into a quagmire. The flood water has receded today but
there is still a dark cloud over the camp tonight. I've just found
out that Captain Sean Dolan was killed today [it was eventually
revealed he died from enemy mortar fire]. His vehicle was hit
by some sort of explosive device and he was killed instantly.
Sean was a friend; he was, more importantly, a husband and
a father. He was an ex-regimental sergeant major and a
legend in his own right. His death will be felt hard across the
battalion.

There has been another dozen or so casualties across
theatre in the last twenty-four hours, meaning our ambush
has been cancelled tonight, as all our aircraft are deployed to
assist with casualty extraction. I suppose this is what you
would call a war. Back home there have been a number of
terrorist attempts to kill innocent civilians in both London
and Scotland. Three British soldiers were killed in Iraq
also.