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