But we all know my luck and I’m sure it’s going to hold out the next 5 weeks although with most of us on the countdown to home any deaths or injuries will seem the worst for the proximity of home.
Right, well I’ll call it a day… It’s now just gone seven and I’m lying here on my bed fighting off mosquitoes and sweat so I think a cold shower is in order.
Take care kiddo and I look forward to seeing you soon.
John
As with any conflict, soldiers often became attached to their comrades and felt a strong sense of responsibility to do a good job while they were in Afghanistan. Deployments to Afghanistan for most troops lasted around six months, and very often the soldiers felt they left a job half-finished, particularly when every day proved full of dangers, as Marine John O’Loughlin explained.
06-09-11
Dear Clodagh,
I just received some good news … and yet I’m not happy.
I’ve heard a lot of the guys were going home earlier than the date we had been originally given so I didn’t want to find myself at short notice to move when in my mind I had days or weeks to go. Well it’s now been confirmed – I’m to leave on the 24th of this month, some three weeks earlier than planned. Tony gave me the news expecting a smile on my face, it was as I said good news and everyone else congratulated me as such, but I didn’t feel it that way. I was disappointed. It’s not that I’m not eager to get home; it’s not that six months hasn’t been long enough from all I’ve missed. It’s just that coming home early feels like leaving my job unfinished. But what’s three weeks? Well, there’s still a plan to move my team up into the Gereshk Valley, the Americans are pulling out of an area and the Brits are filling the gap. But it’s a dangerous gap – and yes I can’t deny that the thought of the danger isn’t an attraction but it’s not for excitement that I’m so keen to go. I just don’t want my team going into danger when I’m not there to keep them safe, and that’s not to say they won’t be safe with someone else, it’s just I’d feel safer if it was me.
So I requested to extend my tour to my original dates, to spend those three weeks with my team – much to the dismay and confusion of everyone. Request denied.
So with luck I can just hope what little time I’ve left is busy and to that end it appears it well may be. Tomorrow morning we have a patrol into the green zone to assist in an ANA search operation on a number of compounds. There’s been a lot of assets brought into the planning of this search so they must have some reason for suspicion but I’ve learnt to be sceptical – if not pessimistic when it comes to jobs at this stage … so I’m going to assume we find nothing so that I may be pleasantly surprised if they do. It will be a welcome excursion all the same…
Time has progressed a bit and that patrol just mentioned was this morning.
We were up at 4am and left the gates an hour later. I’ve always loved patrolling at night. It’s not the fearing of what lurks in the shadows it’s the knowing that the biggest fear in those shadows is me. To know you have the upper hand when the imitative is yours. Out here the night belongs to us. There’s also the almost unnoticed change from night to day … so gradual is the change that looking back you can’t recall at what point things changed from black and white into colour.
We patrolled out from the PB down along the main track for a few hundred meters, extended in line and silent. Every one ready we stepped off the track through the wire and into the Green Zone. The first fields we crossed were used only for grazing and the rice fields of Vietnam easily came to mind. It doesn’t rain here in the summer so water comes through flooding, each field runs aside an irrigation ditch and each field takes its share. So in the heat of summer you can find yourself wading ankle deep through either mud or water. We patrolled on across the fields, our sound track the helicopter above, the crack of gunfire and the distant thud of mortar … and us, we were walking ever closer towards it. At the front of our patrol are the searchers, scanning the ground and providing a safe route to follow. Left or right of their blue sprayed markers and you find a foolish man. Even on the way in they detected suspect devices but given the time they were simply marked and avoided. Some were obvious, some without trace but all no more than a foot or two from where we crossed ditches and tracks. We cleared the low flooded grass and entered into the tall fields of corn, we had crossed a number of flooded ditches knee high but some ditches required the use of a ladder bridge across. Martin was in front of me and it was always a moment to smile as a man with the agility and grace of a baby elephant stumbled, wobbled and tripped across every obstacle we came across. He would pick himself up and turn to offer me assistance across this perilous chasm only to watch me spritely bound across with possibly a surmised hint of smugness :)
Stepping into the corn is like entering the jungle, a wall of three meter greenery like the walls of a maze. You can see no more than perhaps two foot through it with no points of reference but the sky above, it has a claustrophobic feel, an unwelcome unease…
Finally we arrived at a point where we had to hold firm in a corner of a field to await another call sign to move into place to our front. Every one cleared a space and eagerly dropped their heavy kit, falling with it to take water on and rest. It wasn’t particularly hot in the day yet but it was still uncomfortable, boots and combat wet and caked with mud… Five minutes later an explosion well within 20 meters reminded us we weren’t in Kansas, it was assessed as a UGL round and it meant two things – either they knew where we were and they were close, or they were close and just shooting lucky into our general direction. The patrol that had been sitting in gaggles and groups suddenly dispersed and took up arcs, waiting to see what would follow. Nothing did. In the background we could hear bursts of automatic fire as another call sign tried to draw out the Taliban into firing back but again nothing…
ICOM was picking up groups of insurgents pulling out, others moving in and over head we could hear the Apache circling. We finally stopped short from our original target again still immersed and hidden in the corn, we sat in the thick mud drinking water while events higher up were co-ordinated. It only sounded like the other end of the field as the helicopters above suddenly unleashed with all fury their chain gun and 30mm cannon … the noise of hundreds of rounds spitting out was fantastic, it was as if Zeus himself was throwing down bolts of thunder. No matter how close the enemy had been to us there was soon to be no trace of them… We had spent the morning wet, muddy and exhausted to arrive at a point we should have been hours before… The plan to search the compounds was now under review. We had lost surprise, an enemy alerted and with ample time to remove anything we would have found. It came across the radio that the whole operation was cancelled and all would return to base. Hours spent and for nothing… Finally we arrived back into the PB – exhausted, filthy and with it tempers were a little frayed…
As soon as I’d taken off my armour and kit I made a rush for the showers to cool off and clean up and no sooner was I back in clean shorts than shots rang out over our heads. It would seem the insurgents fancied a pop at us now that we were behind thick walls, it’s a common tactic for them to wait until forces are withdrawing and then claim the propaganda of beating them back into retreat. Stand to was called and every one scrambled back into armour and helmets and mounted the walls. The excitement was palatable and every one had hopes of being there to repulse a mass assault…
I’d come close to danger, been shot at, come to a distance I could shout at the enemy and still finished the day without firing a single round – carrying 300 rounds of belted ammunition, four magazines, grenades, an automatic weapon and nothing!
Anywho, I’ll finish now and as always wish you well, see you soon feels all the sooner these days :)
John.
The conflict in Afghanistan has been played out on TV and online and media organizations play a crucial role in making distant events seem more immediate to those at home.
During his tour in Afghanistan in 2012, Captain Du
ncan Fraser, of the Adjutant General Corps’ Education and Training Services Branch, played host to various television crews in Helmand Province, as he wrote home to explain.
29/06/12
Dear Mum and Dad,
Hello again from sunny Helmand Province. I have had a very busy week indeed. As you know I was hosting a news team from the BBC from Tuesday until Saturday. From the moment the producer Liz, cameraman Nick and presenter Caroline Wyatt arrived I organised every interview, every meal, every road move and ensured they had a pleasant yet productive visit to Nad’ Ali. Although it was exhausting it was also thoroughly rewarding: Caroline said it was one the best visits she had ever had and was at the perfect pace. The Commanding Officer even congratulated me at the evening briefing tonight for a job well done. So good news all round!
I took them to all the local places of interest near [FOB] Shawqat. I organised close protection from the boys in B (Suffolk) Company on the promise they would feature on the news this week. Soldiers seem easily pleased! We saw the district governors new meeting hall, the police HQ, then down to the hustle and bustle of the bazaar. Caroline did a ‘walk through’ piece there before we moved on to see the new girls school and clinic. It was a positive spread of locations and it may feature on the news over the coming weeks.
I am still due to arrive back in the UK on the evening of August 5th, I am trying to jump on an earlier flight and wangle an extra day of leave. Some fellow officers have managed it so I may arrive … with Sam on the evening of the 5th. I will keep you posted.
Well I shall leave you there. All my love and speak soon.
Duncan x
Captain Fraser wrote to his girlfriend Samantha in mid-September with news of an attack on Camp Bastion, the Main Operating Base for all British forces in Afghanistan, a few weeks before he was due to leave theatre and return home.
15 September 2012
Dear Samantha,
Last night the insurgents attacked Camp Bastion, it’s all over the news. It is really strange to think somewhere we all think of as a vestige of security has been breached. It’s a strange atmosphere in camp today, it’s obvious tensions are high. I don’t envy the Commanding Officer; the new battlegroup start to arrive over the next few weeks and keeping momentum amongst the troops is going to be a challenge.
My big brother flew out of Bastion just a few hours before all the fun and games started. Mum and Dad will be happy to have him home now. All going well I will join him in the UK for a beer on the 16th October. Just one month to push.
The weather had really started to cool down in the evenings. I have actually begun to sleep in my sleeping bag and not on top of it! In a weird way I long for some rain. Some of the other guys and myself have planned a week in the Highlands together in November. We have all spoken at length [about] how we intended to sit in the rain with a beer and forget all about this place!
I think about you everyday. I will be home soon to give you that hug I promised you. Stay safe and I will see you very soon.
All my love,
Duncan
While violence in Afghanistan continues, British troops are gradually withdrawing and handing over their areas of operations to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). Britain is due to end combat operations in Afghanistan in 2014, but it is expected that British forces will continue to assist with the training, advising and mentoring of the ANSF as the Afghan government attempts to build a lasting peace for the country.
* Alexander Haig was the American Secretary of State who conducted negotiations between Argentina and Britain after the Argentinians invaded the Islands. Negotiations broke down and Haig returned to Washington on 19 April.
* Lance Corporal Mortimore had been part of an expedition to the Cusichaca Valley in the Peruvian Andes with Captain Kay Foster, who was the nurse for the expedition. While on the six month trip, Kay taught Mortimore basic first aid.
GLOSSARY
AA anti-aircraft
ADMS Assistant Director Medical Services
ANA Afghan National Army
ANSF Afghan National Security Forces
ANZAC Australian and New Zealand Army Corps
APC Armoured Personnel Carrier
BEF British Expeditionary Force
BFPO British Forces Post Office
BLA British Liberation Army
Boche slang for German
Bt / Btn Battalion
Bully stew Traditional British rations, normally a beef stew of sorts
Casevac casualty evacuation
C.B. confined to barracks
CC casualty clearing (stations)
C-in-C Commander-in-Chief
CMF Central Mediterranean Forces
Co / Coy Company
CO Commanding Officer
C.O. conscientious objector
C.T. Communist Terrorist
Dem demolition
DCM Distinguished Conduct Medal
DFC Distinguished Flying Cross
DSO Distinguished Service Order
ENSA Entertainments National Service Association
EOKA Ethniki Organosis Kyprion Agoniston (National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters)
EPW enemy prisoner of war
F.F.I. Free from Infection
FOB Forward Operating Base
Frag fragmentation
G.A.D. Guards Armoured Division
GHQ General Headquarters
GOC General Officer Commanding
HAA Heavy Anti-Aircraft
HAC Honourable Artillery Company
helos helicopters
HQ Headquarters
Hun British slang for German soldiers
ICOM radio/listening device used to listen to the Taliban’s communications in Afghanistan
IED improvised explosive device
Illum illumination – a round fired from a mortar
Intel intelligence
IRT Incident Response Team
ISAF International Security Assistance Force
ITW Initial Training Wing
Japs slang for Japanese
KAR King’s African Rifles
KD khaki drill
LAA Light Anti-Aircraft
LSL Landing Ship Logistic
LST Landing Ship Tank
MC Military Cross
ME Middle East
M.E.F. Middle East Forces
MERT Medical Emergency Response Team
MO Medical Officer
MT Motor Transport (section)
NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
NBC Nuclear, Biological or Chemical
NCO Non-Commissioned Officer
NVG Night Vision Goggles
OC Officer Commanding
OP Observation Post
PB patrol base
Pl Platoon
POW Prisoner of War
RA Royal Artillery
RAF Royal Air Force
RAMC Royal Army Medical Corps
RAOC Royal Army Ordnance Corps
REME Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
RFA Royal Fleet Auxilliary
RHF Royal Highland Fusiliers
RHU Reserve Holding Unit
RM Royal Marines
RMO Regimental Medical Officer
RPG Rocket Propelled Grenade
R&R Rest and Recuperation
sitrep situation report
TA Territorial Army
TEZ Total Exclusion Zone
UGL Under-slung Grenade Launcher
UN United Nations
US United States
USAAF United States Army Air Force
VAD Volunteer Aid Detatchment
VC Victoria Cross
VE Day Victory in Europe Day
WAAF Womens’ Auxiliary Air Force
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The letters in this book all come from the collection of the Documents and Sound Section in the Imperial War Museum. In all cases I am grateful to the Trustees of the Imperial War Museum for allowing me access t
o these materials and to the following for granting permission to use the various documents.
Mr D. Anderton for the papers of H. Anderton (446); Mrs Wallis for the papers of F. Baker (2521); Mrs Baylis for the papers of L.G. Baylis (7969); Mrs J.E. Overall for the papers of J.B. and W.G. Beer (2295); Major S. Bradley for the papers of Major S. Bradley (WS 0695); Mr D. Russell for the papers of Colonel G.S. Brighten (1376); Ms S. Campbell Cross for the papers of Rifleman B. Britland (577); Ms J. Marsden for the papers of Dr W. Bullock (9546); Mr G. Canham for the papers of G. Canham (2690); Mr S. Chater for the papers of Captain D. Chater (1697); Mr A. Nixon for the papers of Lieutenant Sir P. Duff (799); Mrs M. Durant for the papers of Captain N. Durant (4885); Captain D. Fraser for the papers of Captain D. Fraser (WS 0848); Ms Y. Gautier Long and Mr A. Tann for the papers of F.H. Gautier (2296); Mr R.S. Gill for the papers of R. Gill (13204); Mr P.J. Houghton Brown for the papers of P.J. Houghton Brown (15316); Mrs L. Eltringham for the papers of W. Hymers (250); Mr R. Innes-Ker for the papers of W. Innes-Ker (1349); Mrs J. Weston and Mrs J. Coward for the papers of J. Jarmain; Marine M. Kemp for the papers of Marine Mark Kemp (WS 0607); Mrs W. Stock for the papers of J.H. Leather; Major N. Lock for the papers of Major N. Lock (15501); Imperial War Museums for the papers of Captain C.K. McKerrow (2886); Maurice Benton, Joanne Goody-Orris, Antony Gibbs, Kit Kyte and Captain Kulbahadur Gurung for the papers of Mo and Jo (Misc Mo and Jo 1); Mr A. Mortimore for the papers of A. Mortimore (3922); Marine J. O’Loughlin for the papers of Marine J. O’Loughlin (WS 0535); Mr R. Jepson and Seafarers UK for the papers of Captain R.H. Owen (748); Trevor Campbell Smith for the papers of Lieutenant H.S. Payne (196); Mrs A. Bowlam for the papers of A. Peterkin (9290); Mrs R. Philips for the papers of D. Philips (3903); Mr J. Potter for the papers of J. Potter (6882); Mr M.J. Rugman for the papers of M.J. Rugman (14435); Mrs B.J. Siddons for the papers of Reverend V. Siddons (9143); Mr J. Paine and Mme Serin for the papers of Captain E. Simeons (2808); Mrs E.A. Smith for the papers of E.A. Smith (7913); Mr L.G.G. Smith for the papers of G. Smith (1665); Mr P.G. MacPherson-Smith for the papers of P. Smith (1165); Mr B. Wynick for the ‘Letter Containing the Poem In the Trenches from Isaac Rosenberg, 1916’, the papers of Special Misc 5; Mr J. Thraves for the papers of J.W. Thraves (7776); Mr N. van der Bijl for the papers of N. van der Bijl (3893); Mrs P. Clegg for the papers of Major T.H. Westmacott (1290).
Letters from the Front: From the First World War to the Present Day Page 27