NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2007 13
To the last round
DESPITE imminent
Artillery and air strikes “The Garmsir area under its wing and taught them
relief at the end of a
were the curtain is littered with the art of fi repower.
six-month tour of duty,
raiser to the attack Taleban prepared This was the fi rst time the
which involved positions – it’s Afghan gunners had fi red their
Royal Marines maintained more than 250 troops almost like a World D30 guns in anger. “Considering
their winter offensive
from the Brigade War I battlefi eld,” said they were involved in a complex
against the Taleban to the
Reconnaissance Force, Maj Jules Wilson. plan with UK and US artillery,
very end.
29 Commando Regiment “Reconnaissance had mortars and air assets, they
Royal Artillery, Zulu and identifi ed a number of performed extremely well,”
Among the last acts of 3
India Companies RM, Taleban defences, but said Maj Nick Sargent, battery
Commando Brigade in Helmand
Afghan soldiers and the not to the extent that this commander of the operation.
province was to put an end to
Light Dragoons. operation revealed. Our troops The Royals’ relief, 16
the Taleban’s stranglehold on
Having pummeled the Taleban destroyed a number of trench Mechanised Brigade, began to
the southern town of Garmsir.
positions, Zulu Company led systems, as well as a number of arrive in Helmand in the middle
For the fi rst time Afghan
the assault on three linked compounds which were being of last month.
Army gunners supported the
compounds which served as used to shelter fi ghters from Despite the commandos
commando-led Operation
the insurgents’ headquarters, view.” coming home, an RN presence
Glacier, an all-night
while the BRF secured the Garmsir was once a thriving persists in Afghanistan. The
assault on Taleban
fl ank against attacks by the regional centre, but when the Royals’ Viking armoured
headquarters
insurgents. Taleban seized power the locals vehicles are staying behind
and a
The commandos found an fl ed into the surrounding desert having proved themselves in six
stronghold
intricate network of trenches and the town itself became months of battle. Four Junglie
to the south
and underground bunkers; some deserted and fell into disrepair. Sea Kings of 846 NAS will soon
of the town
of the trenches were more than As for the Taleban, they treated be committed and the Harriers
in Helmand
150ft long with fi ring positions Garmsir as the ‘gateway to of 800 NAS will be sent back to
province.
and dugouts. Helmand’. Helmand later this year.
Once captured from the Before unleashing Glacier,
rebels, the compounds were operation commander Lt Col ● Main picture: A Taleban
put to the torch – another Rob MaGowan held shuras bunker in Garmsir goes up in
step in denying the – traditional Moslem councils smoke following an air strike
Taleban a foothold in – with local elders to ensure no
the southern part of civilians would be in the line of ● (Below left) Mortars pummel
Helmand. fi re. enemy positions by night... and
Gunners were impressed by (bottom left) an RAF Chinook
the effectiveness of Afghan fi re re-supplies Patrol Base Delhi
support; for the past four months before Operation Glacier
29 Commando Regiment has
Pictures: PO(Phot) Sean Clee,
taken Afghan artillery teams RN Photographer of the Year
r
THE past month’s fi ghting in
Helmand has sadly claimed the
oll of
lives of six green berets:
honour
Mne Jonathan ‘Dutchy’ Holland Friends and comrades L/Bdrs Regt the following year.
(Whiskey Company, 45 Cdo) was Ross Clark and Liam ‘Paddy’ Colleagues described him as
Mne Benjamin Reddy (Kilo
fatally wounded by a mine on a McLaughlin (29 Cdo Regt RA) a livewire “with only one setting
Company, 42 Commando) was
routine patrol through the Sangin were killed by rocket fi re in – throttle full-on”, and his ability
killed in Kajaki as he and his
valley. Sangin. to get into scrapes were “hair-
comrades cleared out enemy
Dutchy was the longest serving Ross (left) hailed from Zimbabwe raising and legendary”.
positions.
member of his company – but originally and joined the Army in “Ross was extremely popular
The 22-year-old from Ascot
the 23-year-old was toying with 2002, quickly volunteering for the in the Regiment – a determined,
had joined the Corps in 2005
leaving the Corps to settle down commando gunners. intelligent and motivated young
and immediately made his mark
with his fiancée. Physically strong, he was a keen man,” said Lt Col Wilson.
in 42 Cdo.
Apart from his military duties triathlete, willing to go the extra “Paddy was a real character – he
“Ben was a dedicated Royal
he was a keen martial artist, yard in anything he did. possessed that rare combination
Marine and he will be remembered
keen to try out his moves on his His friend Liam (right) grew of natural verve and determined
as an honest and unselfish man,
comrades. up in Lancashire, enlisting in the professionalism. It was an absolute
always the first to volunteer no
“Jonathan set the very best of Army in 2002 and joining 29 Cdo pleasure to be around him.”
matter what the danger,” said his
examples and was a truly loyal
CO Lt Col Matt Holmes.
friend to many of the marines
in his unit. His death has been
deeply shocking,” said Lt Col
Duncan Dewar, CO 45 Cdo.
LWell placed in the heart of Mayfair, the Naval Club
provides a comfortable and secure environment where
WO2 Michael ‘Mick’ Smith
members can feel at home.
(29 Cdo Regt RA) was killed by
L The Club has a range of reasonably priced bedrooms,
Mne Scott Summers (42 Cdo) grenade fi re which landed in his
from Crawley died following base at Sangin.
with special weekend rates. The magnificent Dining
injuries sustained when his The Liverpudlian had been Room is open for all meals, and private function and
Pinzgauer vehicle crashed. in the Army for more than 20
The 23-year-old had survived years, spending almost his entire
meeting rooms are available.
two dozen fire-fights with the career with the Royals’ supporting L It is NOT necessary to have been a Naval Officer to
Taleban. Characteristically, he artillery unit, 29 Commando
become a Member. We welcome all those with an
volunteered to drive on the re- Regiment RA, serving across the
supply run on which he was fatally globe.
interest in maritime affairs and the sea in general.
injured. Comrades said they had lost
LLadies welcome, both as members and as guests.
“He was selfless to the end “an institution” in the regiment.
– always willing to take on extra “He was an indomitable
For more information visit our website at www.navalclub.
tasks for the good of his friends,” character who defined the levels co.uk or contact
said Lt Col Holmes. of professionalism and commando
Commander John Prichard, Royal Navy, Chief Executive,
“He had a great sense of ethos that we demand of all our
humour and fun which he used to soliders. His loss is an enormous
on 020 7493 7672, Fax: 020 7355 2644
boost the morale of everyone, even blow to every one of us,” said his
email: cdr@navalclub.co.uk
under enemy fire.” CO Lt Col Neil Wilson RA.
13_NN_Apr.indd 1 20/3/07 14:38:47
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