The Taliban force retreat after barrages of airstrikes from:
Apache helicopters,
500 pound bombs dropped by B1 bombers and
withering cannon fire from A-10 attack jets
Apache helicopters,
500 pound bombs dropped by B1 bombers and
withering cannon fire from A-10 attack jets
Taliban repel British assault in Afghanistan (Reuters)
Garmser, Afghanistan
British Marines attacked a Taliban-held valley in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday but withdrew after a ferocious counterattack that withstood repeated airstrikes and artillery fire.
Scores of soldiers ran across a bridge over the Helmand River. The Marines initially faced only sporadic resistance but when they advanced, Taliban fighters launched a ferocious, organised riposte with heavy weapons and tried to outflank the British troops.
The Taliban withstood barrages of airstrikes from Apache helicopters, 500 pound bombs dropped by B1 bombers and withering cannon fire from A-10 attack jets before the British finally withdrew after a 10-hour battle.
The British forces opened fire from light armoured vehicles and engaged small groups of guerrillas with mortars and machine guns. Tuesday's assault was the latest in a series of battles by British forces around the bridgehead.
Major Andy Plewes, who led the Royal Marines on the assault, said he considered the assault a success as they had cleared out areas near a tiny strip of road and ruined buildings on the eastern side of the Helmand River. He said that what he didn't know was how strong resistance would be. "We don't currently have enough forces in the area to hold ground completely.”
UK marine killed in Afghan clash (BBC)
Garmser, Afghanistan
A British Royal Marine has been killed and another wounded.
Both marines were airlifted to a hospital in Camp Bastion, but one died from his wounds. The second Royal Marine has undergone surgery and is in a stable condition, the task force added.
RECALL: Blair insists NATO is winning the war in Afghanistan
Garmser, Afghanistan
British Marines attacked a Taliban-held valley in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday but withdrew after a ferocious counterattack that withstood repeated airstrikes and artillery fire.
Scores of soldiers ran across a bridge over the Helmand River. The Marines initially faced only sporadic resistance but when they advanced, Taliban fighters launched a ferocious, organised riposte with heavy weapons and tried to outflank the British troops.
The Taliban withstood barrages of airstrikes from Apache helicopters, 500 pound bombs dropped by B1 bombers and withering cannon fire from A-10 attack jets before the British finally withdrew after a 10-hour battle.
The British forces opened fire from light armoured vehicles and engaged small groups of guerrillas with mortars and machine guns. Tuesday's assault was the latest in a series of battles by British forces around the bridgehead.
Major Andy Plewes, who led the Royal Marines on the assault, said he considered the assault a success as they had cleared out areas near a tiny strip of road and ruined buildings on the eastern side of the Helmand River. He said that what he didn't know was how strong resistance would be. "We don't currently have enough forces in the area to hold ground completely.”
UK marine killed in Afghan clash (BBC)
Garmser, Afghanistan
A British Royal Marine has been killed and another wounded.
Both marines were airlifted to a hospital in Camp Bastion, but one died from his wounds. The second Royal Marine has undergone surgery and is in a stable condition, the task force added.
RECALL: Blair insists NATO is winning the war in Afghanistan
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