Strapped To Apaches And Dodging Fire, How Troops Recovered Fallen Comrade

The Guardian (UK) ^ | 1-17-2007 | Declan Walsh - Richard Norton-Taylor

[blam]

Strapped to Apaches and dodging fire, how troops recovered fallen comrade

· Marine died during failed attack on Taliban fort
· Four soldiers clung to gunships in rescue effort

Declan Walsh in Islamabad and Richard Norton-Taylor
Wednesday January 17, 2007

It was an extraordinary end to a tragic operation. When Lance Corporal Matthew Ford was shot during an assault on a Taliban fortress last Monday, his comrades mounted a dramatic rescue mission that saw soldiers being strapped to the wings of helicopter gunships as they crossed a river under heavy enemy fire. The remarkable mission, dubbed "Flight of the Phoenix" by some, did not save the life of the 30-year-old marine who, it turned out, had died instantly from gunshot wounds. But it may gain four courageous marines an honoured place in British military history books.

The drama unfolded during a British assault on Jugroom fort, a Taliban base in Garmser, a district of southern Helmand racked by violence. The riverside fort - a high walled compound ringed by watchtowers - had been under surveillance for more than two months. Military intelligence believed key Taliban leaders were hiding inside and that it was the command headquarters for insurgent activity across Garmser. On Sunday night a 200-strong British force, led by Royal Marines, launched an operation to flush the Taliban out of the heavily fortified position. They started by launching a diversionary attack on other enemy positions to the north. Then at about 2am, they turned their sights on the real target. B1 bombers and 155mm artillery attacked as a company of marines from 45 Commando gathered on the western bank of the river, across from the fort.

Ground assault

They attacked shortly after dawn, storming across the Helmand river in a convoy of Viking amphibious vehicles. Apache gunships, Scimitar armoured

[Enterprise]

bump

[Dysart]

Great read. Have you noticed the coolest articles on the web are frequently from the UK?

[jch10]

Heroes all. God bless those who fight for us.

[Dustbunny]

GOD Bless them, I am sure he saw their efforts and is proud of them.

[RightOnline]

Welcome Home, Lance Corporal Ford.

[HardStarboard]

A tribute to the military from the Guardian....a very rare occurance indeed!!

We will miss the British fighting with us in Iraq!! Hate to see them leave...they have done great work in Basara...and now it looks like Iran is preparing to establish a foothold there - even before the Brits leave.

[peeps36]

I don't know why the fort wasn't leveled by air power and artillery before sending in the marines? It sounds like they used only a limited number of air strikes and artillery.

[IncPen]

"Where do they get these men?"

[Gunslingr3]

You're right. It doesn't make sense they launched at attack for the hell of it. If the Taliban has the fort they shouldn't be able to stack a stone on top of a stone by the time the B1s are done. Are we not trying to win?

[Natchez Hawk]

Such bravery.

[bobbyd]

The identity of the four marine rescuers remains unknown. But despite their heroism the mission was a failure - the Taliban were not expelled from Jugroom fort, and their defiance may be a harbinger of more hard fighting to come.

What the ?

[fso301]

his comrades mounted a dramatic rescue mission that saw soldiers being strapped to the wings of helicopter gunships as they crossed a river under heavy enemy fire.

Probably safe to say they weren't supply clerks.

[M-cubed]

Trust me..they're growing up all around u...All it takes sometimes is for them to respect YOU and your cause...

[Captain Rhino]

Intending no disrespect to these heroes (both living and dead), a company (no matter how well supported) was probably too small a force to send against the Taliban fort to begin with.

Royal Marines strapping to the Apache gunship stub wings to rescue a fallen comrade is the stuff of legend. Bravo Zulu.

[McGavin999]

God bless you Mathew, you can stand proudly before God and tell him what you did with your life. God and all His angels will smile on you.

[USNBandit]

Too much 5.56 and not enough MK 84.

[olezip]

It looks to me like this is a situation that would benefit from the use of a couple of MOAB (mother of all bombs) to soften them up a bit. Apparently we are not really using the technology we have available for fear of being criticized.

[Bahbah]

They are warriors. They are exceptional. They are men. I thank God for them.

[Dark Wing]

FYI