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Honourable Warriors: Fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan: A Front-line Account of the British Army's Battle for Helmand Kindle Edition

by Richard Streatfeild (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 310 ratings
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In 2009 Major Richard Streatfeild and his men fought for six months against the Taliban in Sangin, northern Helmand. They were engaged in over 800 fire-fights. They were the target of more than 200 improvised explosive devices. Ten men in his company were killed, 50 were wounded. This is their story and it is the story, from the front line, of Western intervention in Afghanistan. His graphic personal account gives an inside view of the physical, psychological and political battle to come to terms with severe casualties and the stress of battle while seeking the support of the local population. It is also an account of strategy being turned into action - of the essential interplay of the personal and professional in the most testing of circumstances. He describes the day-to-day operations, and he provides a fascinating record of the Taliban's guerrilla tactics and the British response to them. His narrative gives a direct insight into the experiences of soldiers who had to face down their fear throughout a prolonged tour of duty on the Afghan battlefield.His narrative is essential reading for anyone who cares to understand the nature of the war in Afghanistan and how the odds are stacked against the army's success. For the British intervention in Helmand is a microcosm of the Nato-led mission launched against the Taliban and al Qaeda.As seen in The Daily Mail, The Guardian, The Mail on Sunday, Sussex Express and The Argus, Featured on BBC Radio 4 ' The Today' programme and on BBC South East Television
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  1. Print length
    398 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Pen & Sword Military
  5. Publication date
    April 30, 2014
  6. File size
    32192 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00ONZQ7XW
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pen & Sword Military; Reprint edition (April 30, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 30, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 32192 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 398 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 310 ratings

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Richard Streatfeild

Richard Streatfeild

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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
310 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Qwerty
5.0 out of 5 stars Richard Streafeild did a great job with this book
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2017
Verified Purchase
Richard Streafeild did a great job with this book. His accounts made me feel like I was back in Helmand. He was very transparent with his opinions of how his government failed to follow through on this operation and made clear as to why there were so many casualties and why the Americans who took their place had such a difficult time securing the region. He also did well to give admonishment to the men who served under him. Overall, this is a good piece on Helmand and the delicate situation that possibly could describe the entire country.
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T. Fowler
4.0 out of 5 stars The Story of a Courageous Struggle by One British Rifle Company for a Patch of Land in Helmand Province
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2015
This is the unadorned account of a full tour in Afghanistan by the CO of A Company, 4 Rifles, in their struggle to control a patch of land north of Sangin in Helmand province. He reveals what an intense and unremitting threat his men faced from the Taliban, and he is proud that his men faced these dangers without complaint or hesitation.

At the same time, he reveals his frustration and anger that they lacked sufficient and proper equipment, and that the chain of command right back to England did not really understand the scope of the task given to the unit. This all culminates in the last pages of his book where he vents his criticism that the progress he made in winning over the local residents and insurgents appeared to come undone after his tour by a lack of cohesive strategy. He concludes: "Afghanistan has all the elements of a Shakespearean tragedy, except of course, that it is all too real."

He finally gives credit to his warriors, the men that served under him: "We all wanted to fight for a cause worth fighting for, knowing that death might come. I could never say we died for nothing because I know they did not. Their lives were laid down for their friends in the service of their country and greater love hath no man than that."
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Tony D
5.0 out of 5 stars Tactical heroism and strategic tragedy
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 26, 2023
Verified Purchase
Well-written and emotional account of the fighting for the hearts and minds of the population of that most dangerous corner of Helmand. It covers the strategic mistakes - which some men should be ashamed of - and the tactical detail. The everyday acts of heroism are a moving reminder of the men who lost their limbs and lives in what became a useless war.
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CCG
5.0 out of 5 stars I can only say that I was moved greatly by ...
Reviewed in Canada on January 7, 2016
Verified Purchase
I can only say that I was moved greatly by this book. I cant say more than that. Read it and see, I couldn't put it down.
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Please,can I shoot!
Reviewed in Australia on May 30, 2015
Verified Purchase
War fighting with morals? Hands behind your back,one round each,seek consent before engaging,for God's sake!
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GrahamP
4.0 out of 5 stars Spoiled by the ending chapter
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
The reason I gave it four instead of five is purely the last chapter, no need, in my opinion, to include graphs to show what is total supposition. Other than that, a good insight as to what went on I Afghanistan, and the issues common to the UK Armed Forces - politicians and budget!
It would be rather different if those same politicians and accountants had to be on the front line methinks.
One person found this helpful
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T. Fowler
4.0 out of 5 stars The story of a heroic but unrecognized struggle by a British battalion for a small patch of Helmand province
Reviewed in Canada on October 29, 2015
Verified Purchase
This is the unadorned account of a full tour in Afghanistan by the CO of A Company, 4 Rifles, in their struggle to control a patch of land north of Sangin in Helmand province. He reveals what an intense and unremitting threat his men faced from the Taliban, and he is proud that his men faced these dangers without complaint or hesitation.

At the same time, he reveals his frustration and anger that they lacked sufficient and proper equipment, and that the chain of command right back to England did not really understand the scope of the task given to the unit. This all culminates in the last pages of his book where he vents his criticism that the progress he made in winning over the local residents and insurgents appeared to come undone after his tour by a lack of cohesive strategy. He concludes: "Afghanistan has all the elements of a Shakespearean tragedy, except of course, that it is all too real."

He finally gives credit to his warriors, the men that served under him: "We all wanted to fight for a cause worth fighting for, knowing that death might come. I could never say we died for nothing because I know they did not. Their lives were laid down for their friends in the service of their country and greater love hath no man than that.
Report
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