Kings of War teaching aide
A short PPT on the UK campaign, nothing startling, but "all in one place" and critical: http://kingsofwar.org.uk/2010/02/3424/
British Army Chief of Staff plus
Two rather laudatory articles as General Sir David Richards tours Afghanistan: a general report:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...ve-turned.html and an article around an interview:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...ghanistan.html
On the strategic front very different opinions see the "round up" thread:http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...ead.php?t=9718
I note the speculation on how many Taliban commanders were thinking of reconciliation.
Also on the battle for Marjah thread.
UK troops to remain in Afghanistan 'for five years'
General Sir David Richards adds to the BBC:
Quote:
Britain will be "militarily engaged" in Afghanistan for a further five years, the head of the Army has said.
General Sir David Richards told the Daily Telegraph, while on a visit to Helmand, that he expected the military conflict to "trail off in 2011". But British troops will continue in training and support roles, he said.
From:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8540402.stm
Morale at home affects the front
A leaked document written by General Sir David Richards and his response when in Afghanistan:
Quote:
In a confidential draft memo prepared for ministers he wrote that soldiers and their families felt “undervalued” (and now comments)....'We need our soldiers to be ready, mentally and physically, to endure repeated tours in Afghanistan, in a harsh environment, with the real prospect of significant casualties each time. To maintain the necessary morale and cohesion, they must see tangible signs between tours that they and their families are valued'.
Link:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...army-head.html
Sangin: a report on why more Brits die there
The BBC Newsnight Defence Correspondent, Mark Urban, reports from Sangin:
Quote:
Sangin in Afghanistan is the most dangerous place in the world for UK troops, with six UK servicemen being killed there since the beginning of this month.
Link:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programme...ht/8555922.stm
Black Watch Military Crosses, Mention in Dispatches
From the Press and Journal, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK, March 20, 2010:
Quote:
Black Watch heroes honoured for brave deeds in Afghanistan against Taliban
By Jane Candlish
Published: 20/03/2010
Four Black Watch heroes have won the Military Cross for their bravery in battles against the Taliban in Afghanistan.
A comrade of the Inverness-based soldiers was also given the armed forces’ oldest accolade for gallantry – a Mention in Dispatches – posthumously.
Acting Sergeant Sean Binnie threw a grenade that killed insurgents a split second before he was fatally wounded by a round fired from one of their guns.
The Military Cross is the third-highest decoration given to the British Army and is awarded in recognition of exemplary gallantry during active operations.
To read the entire article click here. The Black Watch is continuing a long and honorable tradition.
Critic catches up with General
I'm sure I posted this article before (Post 85), based around General Sir David Richards, the UK's top soldier, on a visit to Afghanistan, on 26/2/10: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...ve-turned.html
Quote:
I do not think we can afford to fail in Afghanistan because of the intoxicating effect failure will have on those militants who oppose democracy and our freedoms,” he explained. “It would create the view that we are not prepared to fight for that which we hold precious.
A critic Patrick Porter on his blogsite:http://offshorebalancer.wordpress.co...set-about-you/ has commented:
Quote:
Of all the defences for fighting in Afghanistan, this is the weakest. We must stay and win just in case we excite a group of beleaguered, largely ineffectual and marginal militants?
Read on for more.
I like this comment:
Quote:
Here's what a CIA veteran who was deputy national intelligence officer for transnational threats, has to say about AQ:
'We must see jihadists for the small, lethal, disjointed and miserable opponents that they are." Al Qaeda "has only a handful of individuals capable of planning, organizing and leading a terrorist operation," Carle notes, and "its capabilities are far inferior to its desires.
McChrystal pays tribute to courage of British special forces
Quote:
General Stanley McChrystal, the American commander of Nato forces in Afghanistan, has paid tribute to the extraordinary courage of British special forces.
Link:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...al-forces.html
Prince Charles in Afghanistan
Quote:
A frank, high-level memo which lays bare the "frustration" felt over the Prince of Wales's trip to Afghanistan has been leaked in Whitehall, causing embarrassment to senior figures in the Foreign Office.
Link:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...hall-memo.html
An earlier report:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...ghanistan.html
davidbfpo & baboon6 Reply
Thanks, gents, for keeping us in touch with views of this fight from your side of the fence. I'm appreciative.
British forces to withdraw from Helmand......
Quote:
British forces are to be withdrawn from Helmand and replaced by United States Marines under controversial new plans being drawn up by American commanders.
Link:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...ghanistan.html
Not exactly a surprise to me, if only for the expected gaps created when the Canadians and Dutch leave the combat role. How this will play out in the UK is unclear, with all the commitment made and deaths since 2006.
General Dannatt, the UK's previous senior general, has weighed in:
Quote:
If British forces are indeed asked to re-deploy from Helmand to Kandahar, Uruzgan and Zabul, it would pose a major dilemma for policymakers, writes former Chief of Defence Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt.
Link:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...ghanistan.html