Afghanistan 2006-2007 : 3 Commando's First Tour of Duty

Following on from 3 Para's deployment in the 16th Air Assault Brigade in Afghanistan, 3 Brigade Royal Marine Commandos took their tour of duty in Afghanistan (2006-2007). They had the benefit of digesting hard "lessons learned" from the previous six months tour by the Paras and a lull ("phoney peace") of a Taliban cease-fire as they came "in country". To the commanding officers and staff can be credited as adopting a new strategy, as they had seen the punishment that static defences brought on garrison troops (Forward Operating Bases and District Centres) and planned for a more "manoeuvre orientated" approach, "going too the Taliban", in their backyard and "kicking the hornet's nest". The political pressures from teh Afghanistan government seem to be more controlled and knee-jerk reaction (that plagued the Para deployment), for teh most part seemed to be avoided. The advantage of the offensive mind-set being you do not sandwich yourself between the civilian population and the Taliban, Identification of teh enemy is easier because you are attacking identified strongholds - giving them no rest and unhinging their confidence. The initiative rests with teh attacker. MOGs (Mobile Operation Groups) were the order of the day to support bastion garrison points and the concept of "advance to ambush". This approach did pay dividends. as it was backed with overwhelming air power in an uncontested air space, tremendous firepower could be deployed "away" from danger close (although when "needs must" it can come in, without civilians to think about) to friendly and civilian population centres (see below, the Royal Marines were continually mixing it but importantly" on their terms"): 

Again a fascinating read. The destruction wrought on the province of Helmand cannot be escaped and one pities the local inhabitants trying to just live their lives. More "country building projects" were initiated, more active OMLTs (Operational Mentoring Liasson Teams) see Doug Beattie's book [as there was an overlap in deployment], the security or secure region around the hydroelectric dam was extended. The work seemed endless, as at the end of 3 Commando's deployment they dutifully handed over to the 12th Mechanised Brigade (see Patrick Hennessy's book) with the COIN war continuing. The distinction 3 Commando seemed to make was in ensuring they killed the more "serious" Taliban, the better trained Pakistani teams (for example, leaders, mortar and weapons teams) rather than the second tier enforced locals. The Taliban losses were painful, but here religious zeal seems to overtake military professionalism.

Read:

• 3 Para by Patrick Bishop (Paratroopers - Afghanistan 2006 - 16th Air Assault Brigade)
• An ordinary Soldier by Doug Beattie (Irish Guards - Afghanistan 2006-2007 - OLMT) 
• 3 Commando Brigade Helmand by Ewen Southby-Tailyour (Royal Marine Commandos -  Afghanistan 2006-2007 - 3 Commando Brigade) 
• The Junior Officer's Reading Club, by Patrick Hennessey (Grenadier Guards - Afghanistan 2007 - 12th Mech)

To go: 

• Joint Force Harrier by Commander Ade Orchard RN
• Apache by Ed Macey
• Apache Dawn by Damien Lewis
• Task Force Helmand by Doug Beattie
• 3 Para, Ground Truth by Patrick Bishop 
• 3 Commando Brigade Helmand Assault by Ewen Southby-Tailyour
• Dead Men Risen by Toby Harnden (Welsh Guards)
• Sweating The Metal by Flt Lt Alex 'Frenchie' Duncan (Chinook)

Still to get: 

• Khandak Fighting with Afghans: Patrick Hennessey

That's another book read: 3 Para - Afghanistan

It all started for the UK with this deployment, other UK troops had been "in theatre" but now it was ISAF, War on Terror and "nation" rebuilding (with the intention of creating a Western mindset nation, in Afghanistan - that swallowed Alexander the Great, the Colonial British Empire [how many Afghan Wars?] and the post war Soviets .. their Vietnam). Good luck. The British intension was to follow the Malayan "ink blot" counterinsurgency plan, so Afghanistan could "nation build" (using their own troops) but "one political favour" right at the start of the deployment scuppered all this. "Hold this place first with your troops then we will take over with ANA (Army) and ANP (Police)". From that moment on 3 Para were forced into a static "blockhouse holding" strategy which at best was a long drawn out "draw". To quote Frazer from Dad's Army "We're doomed!" The ANA and ANP were woefully under resourced, infiltrated by the Taliban and suffered from corrupt levels of officials - taking the official money for themselves. Then to make matters worse, take a world class elite force (full of offensive spirit) and make them sit tight with bullseye targets on their chests! Everybody knew it was wrong but nobody could see a sensible alternative path forward .. Greek tragedy lived out in the twenty first century (see below, it is a very good read and outlines the actions in subtle matter of fact light and tells a fascinating story of professional soldiering): 

It is a harrowing read though, total respect for the boys in 3 Para who were put in all the wrong places, to do a series of tasks that were simply impossible to achieve without destroying the very fabric of society there were trying to nurture. Take for example that Immediate Impact Project for a local hospital, a simple bit of plumbing, it never happened, the washing machine stayed in its original packaging .. as slowly all hell broke loose outside .. sadly, I kid you not. The Paras, 3 Para, showed incredible courage in adversity - "taking it" from the Taliban and then "giving it back" in Spades but under strict rules of engagement (the Taliban free by comparison to do whatever they wished). But after six months - what was it for? The Western political establishment never addressed the endemic corruption at teh core of the Afghan government or understood the Tribal logic or dare I say philosophy, the Afghan way. It was the Afghan Elders who eventually told both sides to stop, the real Afghanistan villagers would not support either of the sides .. they demanded and got a "ceasefire". 3 Para rolled out in this lull and 3 Commando rolled in. No surprises what my next book is then!

Read:

• 3 Para by Patrick Bishop (Paratroopers - Afghanistan 2006)
• An ordinary Soldier by Doug Beattie (Irish Guards - Afghanistan 2006) 
• The Junior Officer's Reading Club, by Patrick Hennessey (Grenadier Guards - Afghanistan 2007)

To go: 

• 3 Commando Brigade Helmand by Ewen Southby-Tailyour (Afghanistan 2006) 
• Joint Force Harrier by Commander Ade Orchard RN
• Apache by Ed Macey
• Apache Dawn by Damien Lewis
• Task Force Helmand by Doug Beattie
• 3 Para, Ground Truth by Patrick Bishop 
• 3 Commando Brigade Helmand Assault by Ewen Southby-Tailyour
• Dead Men Risen by Toby Harnden (Welsh Guards)
• Sweating The Metal by Flt Lt Alex 'Frenchie' Duncan (Chinook)

Still to get: 

• Khandak Fighting with Afghans: Patrick Hennessey

Another physical book read: "An Ordinary Soldier" by Doug Beattie - Afghanistan 2006

This certainly was a read from the "sharp end" of Afghanistan combat with a spoiler alert, after surviving and thinking that is it for Captain Beattie he goes back for more (see below, the cover seems to sum up teh combat very well): 

Interesting back story of why and how Doug Beattie joined the Army, the hideous hazing he got as a recruit, then sanctuary as he joined up with the Irish Guards and his older brothers, his early career - then Afghanistan. Very emotional in his reflections and understanding of the paradoxes that is Afghanistan in a power vacuum.

Read:

• An ordinary Soldier by Doug Beattie (Irish Guards - Afghanistan 2006) 
• The Junior Officers Reading Club, by Patrick Hennessey (Afghanistan 2007)

To go: 

• 3 Para by Patrick Bishop (Afghanistan 2006)
• 3 Commando Brigade Helmand by Ewen Southby-Tailyuor (Afghanistan 2007) 
• Joint Force Harrier by Commander Ade Orchard RN
• Apache by Ed Macey
• Apache Dawn by Damien Lewis
• Task Force Helmand by Doug Beattie
• 3 Para, Ground Truth by Patrick Bishop 
• 3 Commando Brigade Helmand Assault by Ewen Southby-Tailyour
• Dead Men Risen by Toby Harnden (Welsh Guards)
• Sweating The Metal by Flt Lt Alex 'Frenchie' Duncan (Chinook)

Still to get: 

• Khandak Fighting with Afghans: Patrick Hennessey

 

Proud to have .. read a Book! "The Junior Officers Reading Club"

This makes a welcome change from my usual Audible listening to a book behaviour, actually opening and leafing through the pages of a physical book. I found it most enjoyable (see below, I also found it a different form of history from the norm, as you stepped inside the mind of a British Army infantry officer as his career built up to the expectation of combat and then experienced the elephant, albeit the new asymmetrical warfare of Afghanistan):   

This was a book from the pile of "many" paperbacks I have acquired over the years on this peculiar piece of history. "Their time" of reading has appeared to have now come. The Afghanistan list to date (in a sort of chronological order) is as follows: 

COIN:

• An ordinary Soldier by Doug Beattie (Irish Guards)
• 3 Para by Patrick Bishop
• 3 Commando Brigade Helmand by Ewen Southby-Tailyour
• Joint Force Harrier by Commander Ade Orchard RN
• Apache by Ed Macey
• Apache Dawn by Damien Lewis
• Task Force Helmand by Doug Beattie
• 3 Para, Ground Truth by Patrick Bishop 
• 3 Commando Brigade Helmand Assault by Ewen Southby-Tailyour
• Dead Men Risen by Toby Harnden (Welsh Guards)
• Sweating The Metal by Flt Lt Alex 'Frenchie' Duncan (Chinook)

Further recommendations list (still to get):

• Khandak Fighting with Afghans: Patrick Hennessey

Russian invasion of Afghanistan:

Still to get:

• The Bear Went Over the Mountain: Soviet Combat Tactics in Afghanistan by Grau and Glantz
• The War in Afghanistan by Mark Urban (Google Book preview) https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/War_in_Afghanistan/D-i-DAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA1&printsec=frontcover

In the library: 

• War in a Distant Country Afghanistan: Invasion and Resistance by David Isby

Any further recommendations to the above greatly appreciated. So perhaps with this background knowledge I should be able to finally get into GMT's COIN "A Distant Plain" (another 'Bucket List' item). 

GMT Board Game: "A Distant Plain" Third Reprint

This one has been on the "bucket list" for some time now - alongside Matrix Games. "Out of Print" and at ridiculous eBay prices prohibited my earlier attempts at getting it. However after signing up on the GMT P500 reprint scheme (one year later) I am the proud owner of said game (see below, see Board Game Geek listing: https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/127518/distant-plain):

It is part of the Counter Insurgency (COIN) genre of games, asymmetrical warfare. It has also been promoted by various speakers over the years at the Connections UK Conference. More impressively it has been acknowledged as a respected and informed narrative on the dynamics of the conflict. The co-designers Brian Train and Volko Ruhnke alongside their keynote addresses at UK Connections 2018 gave de-construction insight to a military replay by active serving officers and governmental officials. So in the same vain that I "had to" get Advanced Squad Leader (ASL) because the 1st Royal Irish Commander Ivor Gardiner recommended it, this was a "bucket list" must for me! The hidden bonus is that it has "high" solitaire play (bots can run three of the sides) so there is no excuse in not getting it played over Xmas.

You Tube Videos explaining the game:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJnCTsej-0o
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=a+distant+plain