Customer Reviews

3 Para

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It was April 2006 and 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment (3 Para) Battle Group were deployed to Helmand Province in Afghanistan for a 6 month tour of duty. What they were expecting to encounter and what they found on arrival were entirely different things. The pre-deployment intelligence suggested the tour was likely to pass without a shot being fired whilst they concentrated on a task which required then to provide security for a reconstruction programme.

Six months later, the Battle Group returned home having fought one continuous battle after another during which they defeated the Taliban within Helmand Province. That military success did not, however, come without a price. 18 Officers and men died during the tour after another two had lost their lives in preliminary operations.

It is many years since I served with 3 Para and I well remember the stories of both Sergeant Willetts who saved many lives in Northern Ireland for which he was awarded a posthumous GC in the 1970s and, in 1982, Sergeant Ian McKay who was awarded the last VC of the 20th Century. Now, in just 6 months in 2006, 3 Para had added yet another VC and another GC in addition to many other honours and awards to their illustrious Battalion and Regimental history.

Written by a professional foreign correspondent who was given access to all the information and personal stories required to create this significant, and important, work of literature about a series of modern military actions, Patrick Bishop has done an excellent job in providing an informative and readable account of exactly what happened.

This is what our forces are doing in Afghanistan. Doubtless, in many ways, it will be similar to what our forces are doing in Iraq. It is, therefore, a book which should be read by everyone with an interest in the world at war - today.

As a postscript (and not part of the book itself), readers will be interested to know that the Commanding Officer of 3 Para Battle Group - Lt. Colonel Stuart Tootal DSO OBE (the DSO being awarded for his outstanding service in Afghanistan) resigned in November 2007 after attacking the Ministry of Defence over "poor pay for soldiers, lack of equipment, the standard of army housing and poor medical treatment afforded to his injured soldiers."

Unlike their comrades from the USA, when the modern British Army has finished with it's soldiers - they really are finished with them.

NM
British Army major (Retired)

I've heard a fair bit about Afghanistan and wasn't sure how this book was written. A journalist, he wasn't there but written in an 'after action' style. Bishop has access to the blokes who were and lets them do their bit. Its not glamourous, its not a movie, its dirty, hot and dangerous work. The Paras got the short end of the stick, politics plays its part and the Paras have to save others faces at a cost to themselves.

Get the book, read it for yourself, Well Done 3 Para, and they've deployed again, hopefully the pollies will let them do the job they are trained for and not boxed in those platoon houses day after day!!

I won't repeat what the other reveiwers have said. They give an accurate account of the book. I believe this book is important because it gives a ground level view of whats happening in Afganistan. As a Canadian and former soldier I support our troops and the troops of our Allies. The officers and men of 3 Para are outstanding individuals. I beleive what they and the other Allied troops (that pull their weight) are doing is important but after reading this book.....well....now I have questions. Not about the mission but its execution. How long does it take to hook up a washing machine? Read the book to find out. Its shameful.

I have to say that I really appreciate being able to read about the experiences of British troops so soon after the event.

The content of this book is not what you will see on a 10 second report or read in a vague newspaper article. This book allows the reader some insight into what really goes on in Afghanistan. There is a summary of the "big picture" at the start of the book which sets up things nicely but it is really the story of the individual Paras, what they see, do and how they feel that makes this such a great read.

The author doesn't talk down to the reader and doesn't use too much jargon or simplify. This is a book that can and should be read by everyone, you will enjoy it and appreciate the service of the Paras.

I'm an avid reader of modern military history. I enjoy works that include participants experiances, those recollections from private to the battalion commander, men at the point of the spear. As an american I wanted to know about our partners sacrifice and courage in our current war in Afghanistan. 3 Para met my expectations, by reading their story I pay homage to men like Cpl. Bryan Budd VC. For those with an interest in military operations in Helmand Provence, this book is a good starting point.