MilitaryForums.co.uk

'Taliban wrong to think they could push us out'

By Thomas Harding, Defence Correspondent
Last Updated: 1:41am GMT 16/12/2006

The Taliban vastly underestimated the courage of British troops sent to fight them this summer, the leader of the airborne brigade in Afghanistan said yesterday.

Speaking after dozens of medals for gallantry were awarded to 16 Air Assault Brigade, Brig Ed Butler said that, after firing 500,000 rounds and killing 1,000 insurgents, a "tactical defeat" had been inflicted.

Reports from the Taliban before the brigade's arrival that they would drive out his troops, as they did to the Soviets in the 1980s, or humiliate the British, as they did during the two 19th century Afghan wars, had led to over confidence among the extremists.

"I think the enemy underestimated the courage, determination and professionalism of the British Army and the Parachute Regiment in particular," Brig Butler said. "They had a view that they would push us out pretty quickly and that was their mistake."

But the terrorists' tactics improved as they learnt from their mistakes and it was likely they would launch strong attacks next spring.

"The Taliban have not been strategically defeated," he said. "They will come back but quite how strong we will see."

Brig Butler was speaking at the brigade's barracks in Colchester where dozens of men from the 3 Bn the Parachute Regiment have been decorated. Lt Col Stuart Tootal, the commanding officer of 3 Para, said "again and again" his soldiers would go back into action after witnessing colleagues being killed or wounded.

"We should have a very grateful nation for the superb level of commitment by our young soldiers," he said.

Among the medal recipients yesterday was L/Cpl Karl Jackson. The Para was awarded the Military Cross for dragging his wounded platoon sergeant out of the line of fire when their building came under attack. He then returned to the roof to direct the attack and beat off the Taliban.

Capt Alex Mackenzie, 28, led his platoon of 16 armed Land Rovers in a two-hour firefight against dozens of Taliban. The officer, from Glasgow, received a Mention in Dispatches for his leadership.

Another to receive a Mention in Dispatches was Pte Johnnie Bevans, 23. As his colleagues sheltered from an onslaught of 80 Taliban, the Londoner braved incoming rounds to set up his 81mm mortar with total disregard to his own safety. The mortar crew then landed dozens of rounds on the enemy killing several and driving off the attack.