Army three died as heroes
By VIRGINIA WHEELER
and TOM NEWTON DUNN
Defence Editor
It's war: the Paras in action.
THE three British soldiers killed in Afghanistan were part of an ATTACK force launching their fiercest offensive against the Taliban, The Sun can reveal.
Initial reports from the nation’s powderkeg Helmand province suggested the trio were victims of an ambush sprung by insurgents.
But yesterday The Sun learned they were in the vanguard of a massive British assault against Taliban strongholds in which around FIFTY rebels were killed.
Dozens of Taliban compounds in the town of Mesa Qala — a hotbed of militant activity — were flattened during six hours of fighting. The mission was hailed as a major victory for British forces.
And a military source said: “Three brave lads gave up their lives for this. But believe me, the Taliban ended up a damn sight worse than we did.”
The source added: “This was a classic frontal assault on a well dug-in series of enemy positions.
“We went to hit them as hard as we could and it worked as they had no idea we were coming.
“We’ve dealt the Taliban their biggest blow yet and given them one hell of a bloody nose.”
It was the biggest loss suffered by the insurgents since an 8,000-strong Nato force was sent into Helmand in March. The three who died were named yesterday as Lance Corporal Ross Nicholls and 2nd Lieutenant Ralph Johnson, of the Household Cavalry, and Captain Alex Eida of 7 Para, the Royal Horse Artillery.
L/Cpl Nicholls, 27, was the father of a newborn girl, Erin, and two-year-old son Cameron.
A fourth soldier badly wounded in the battle remained in a critical condition in hospital last night.
The assault, launched at dawn on Tuesday, had a twin purpose.
It was aimed at crushing Taliban fighters who have been bombarding Our Boys’ front positions for weeks.
And fresh supplies were forced through to a group of Para reconnaissance experts whose desert outpost had been besieged by the enemy for nearly a fortnight.
Apache helicopters, Harrier jets and a column of around 250 British troops, including elite soldiers from 3 Para, took part in the attack. It was spearheaded by more than 50 armoured reconnaissance vehicles from the Household Calvary.
British Apache helicopters pounded the Taliban.
The three who died were in one of the vehicles, a Spartan, which was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade fired by a rebel.
It is thought to have penetrated strengthened armour plating before exploding inside.
Britain’s most senior military man, Chief of Defence Staff Sir Jock Stirrup, said it was known the campaign would cost lives.
He added: “We knew this was going to be difficult. We knew we were going to take casualties so there’s no surprise at that.
“Of course our thoughts are very much with the families and loved ones of those who died.
“But no matter how much we may regret it, we do take casualties. That’s part of the essence of the use of military force.”
L/Cpl Nicholls lived in Central London with his wife Angela and their two little children — and had resolved to quit Army life.
He served in both Afghanistan and Iraq before transferring in 2004 to the cavalry’s Blues and Royals, Prince Harry’s regiment.
His CO, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Smyth-Osbourne, said he “embraced life with the Household Cavalry with gusto and enthusiasm”.
The CO added: “He volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan despite the fact that he had decided to leave the Army.
“He established himself as a bright, professional and effective operator whose presence was a real asset.”
The other lost cavalryman, 24-year-old 2nd Lt Johnson, from Windsor, Berks, was said to have “adored” the Army. Lt Col Smyth-Osbourne said: “He was brave, determined and thoroughly loyal to his soldiers and superiors. He adored his time in the Army.
“And it was typical that, during the early hours of Tuesday, he was leading from the front when killed.
“He was popular, quick-witted and enthusiastic. Particularly endearing was his devotion to his men.”
Capt Eida, 29, was described by comrades as a “passionate and gifted” soldier. He was single and lived in Hooley, Surrey.
His father Derek issued a moving family statement last night, saying: “My wife Jenny and I and our daughters Tamsyn and Bryony were devastated by the news of Alex’s death in Afghanistan and are finding it difficult to come to terms with.
“Our only consolation is Alex enjoyed every moment of his life in the Army. We can never forget him.”
*************************************************************************************
Marines ready to fight
By JOHN COLES
The Royal Marines are going to Afghanistan
ROYAL Marines prepared to move out to Afghanistan yesterday to take on the Taliban and vowed: “We are ready for anything.”
Hundreds of crack troops from 42 Commando are destined for deadly Helmand province, where three British soldiers died this week.
Marines’ CO Lieutenant Colonel Matt Holmes said: “In my opinion the people of Afghanistan are fed up with war.
“The Taliban know the ground but we will become au fait with that the longer we are there. We have fantastic firepower.
“The Royal Marines will get on with their business — that’s why we attract the calibre of men we do.”
The unit, based at Bickleigh Barracks near Plymouth, is part of 3 Commando Brigade.
Within weeks it will join with other British forces and those from 35 other countries in a NATO drive to create a new order Afghanistan.
Some of the men of 42 Commando have already done a stint out there this year.
thesun.co.uk
By VIRGINIA WHEELER
and TOM NEWTON DUNN
Defence Editor
It's war: the Paras in action.
THE three British soldiers killed in Afghanistan were part of an ATTACK force launching their fiercest offensive against the Taliban, The Sun can reveal.
Initial reports from the nation’s powderkeg Helmand province suggested the trio were victims of an ambush sprung by insurgents.
But yesterday The Sun learned they were in the vanguard of a massive British assault against Taliban strongholds in which around FIFTY rebels were killed.
Dozens of Taliban compounds in the town of Mesa Qala — a hotbed of militant activity — were flattened during six hours of fighting. The mission was hailed as a major victory for British forces.
And a military source said: “Three brave lads gave up their lives for this. But believe me, the Taliban ended up a damn sight worse than we did.”
The source added: “This was a classic frontal assault on a well dug-in series of enemy positions.
“We went to hit them as hard as we could and it worked as they had no idea we were coming.
“We’ve dealt the Taliban their biggest blow yet and given them one hell of a bloody nose.”
It was the biggest loss suffered by the insurgents since an 8,000-strong Nato force was sent into Helmand in March. The three who died were named yesterday as Lance Corporal Ross Nicholls and 2nd Lieutenant Ralph Johnson, of the Household Cavalry, and Captain Alex Eida of 7 Para, the Royal Horse Artillery.
L/Cpl Nicholls, 27, was the father of a newborn girl, Erin, and two-year-old son Cameron.
A fourth soldier badly wounded in the battle remained in a critical condition in hospital last night.
The assault, launched at dawn on Tuesday, had a twin purpose.
It was aimed at crushing Taliban fighters who have been bombarding Our Boys’ front positions for weeks.
And fresh supplies were forced through to a group of Para reconnaissance experts whose desert outpost had been besieged by the enemy for nearly a fortnight.
Apache helicopters, Harrier jets and a column of around 250 British troops, including elite soldiers from 3 Para, took part in the attack. It was spearheaded by more than 50 armoured reconnaissance vehicles from the Household Calvary.
British Apache helicopters pounded the Taliban.
The three who died were in one of the vehicles, a Spartan, which was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade fired by a rebel.
It is thought to have penetrated strengthened armour plating before exploding inside.
Britain’s most senior military man, Chief of Defence Staff Sir Jock Stirrup, said it was known the campaign would cost lives.
He added: “We knew this was going to be difficult. We knew we were going to take casualties so there’s no surprise at that.
“Of course our thoughts are very much with the families and loved ones of those who died.
“But no matter how much we may regret it, we do take casualties. That’s part of the essence of the use of military force.”
L/Cpl Nicholls lived in Central London with his wife Angela and their two little children — and had resolved to quit Army life.
He served in both Afghanistan and Iraq before transferring in 2004 to the cavalry’s Blues and Royals, Prince Harry’s regiment.
His CO, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Smyth-Osbourne, said he “embraced life with the Household Cavalry with gusto and enthusiasm”.
The CO added: “He volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan despite the fact that he had decided to leave the Army.
“He established himself as a bright, professional and effective operator whose presence was a real asset.”
The other lost cavalryman, 24-year-old 2nd Lt Johnson, from Windsor, Berks, was said to have “adored” the Army. Lt Col Smyth-Osbourne said: “He was brave, determined and thoroughly loyal to his soldiers and superiors. He adored his time in the Army.
“And it was typical that, during the early hours of Tuesday, he was leading from the front when killed.
“He was popular, quick-witted and enthusiastic. Particularly endearing was his devotion to his men.”
Capt Eida, 29, was described by comrades as a “passionate and gifted” soldier. He was single and lived in Hooley, Surrey.
His father Derek issued a moving family statement last night, saying: “My wife Jenny and I and our daughters Tamsyn and Bryony were devastated by the news of Alex’s death in Afghanistan and are finding it difficult to come to terms with.
“Our only consolation is Alex enjoyed every moment of his life in the Army. We can never forget him.”
*************************************************************************************
Marines ready to fight
By JOHN COLES
The Royal Marines are going to Afghanistan
ROYAL Marines prepared to move out to Afghanistan yesterday to take on the Taliban and vowed: “We are ready for anything.”
Hundreds of crack troops from 42 Commando are destined for deadly Helmand province, where three British soldiers died this week.
Marines’ CO Lieutenant Colonel Matt Holmes said: “In my opinion the people of Afghanistan are fed up with war.
“The Taliban know the ground but we will become au fait with that the longer we are there. We have fantastic firepower.
“The Royal Marines will get on with their business — that’s why we attract the calibre of men we do.”
The unit, based at Bickleigh Barracks near Plymouth, is part of 3 Commando Brigade.
Within weeks it will join with other British forces and those from 35 other countries in a NATO drive to create a new order Afghanistan.
Some of the men of 42 Commando have already done a stint out there this year.
thesun.co.uk
