Scott
09-18-2009, 11:06 AM
Our Boys need gear to survive
By TOM NEWTON DUNN
and ANDY CRICK
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w10/StonedSOD/SNN1808PX-280_891336a.jpg
A FORMER British forces commander in Afghanistan last night backed the family of a tragic serjeant who have blamed lack of resources for his death.
Colonel Richard Kemp slammed the "penny-pinching" Government for letting down troops.
And he said PM Gordon Brown needed to act NOW to make sure Our Boys in hard-hit front line bases get the vital equipment they need to stay alive.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w10/StonedSOD/SNN1808F-380_891290a.jpg
Killed ... Trooper Brett Hall
Colonel Kemp said: "There are nowhere near enough troops or helicopters to operate effectively, dominate the ground and collect vital intelligence, all of which are essential, not optional in this kind of fighting.
"They must also be given the best-protected, high mobility vehicles... whatever the expense."
He spoke after the family of fallen hero Paul McAleese, son of SAS siege legend John, criticised the Government.
The 29-year-old serjeant died in the IED-littered terrain surrounding 2 Rifles' embattled Sangin base.
Paul's father-in-law Stephen Minter - backed by the hero's mum Kim Early and sister Hayley - wrote to Mr Brown telling him the lack of kit had turned soldiers into sitting ducks.
Colonel Kemp agreed.
He added: "The time has come for the Prime Minister to form a war cabinet to drive forward our campaign.
"This should include putting the relevant parts of industry on to a war footing so vehicles, equipment and ammunition can be produced round the clock in order to meet demand.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w10/StonedSOD/SUN_891299a.jpg
"Soldiers volunteer to join the Army and to fight in Afghanistan. Most go into theatre with professional zeal.
"But when the Government sends our troops into battle there can be no penny-pinching half measures, as there have been, or we will be condemning some to die unnecessarily."
The MoD admitted last month that commanders moved troops away from the Taliban stomping ground of Sangin to form the attacking force for Operation Panther's Claw. That left 2 Rifles dangerously exposed.
The 13th soldier from the battalion to die in Sangin was named as acting Serjeant Stuart McGrath, 28, from Princes Risborough, Bucks.
He leaves behind wife Emma, three sons, Ryan, Daniel and Dylan, and baby daughter Niamh, who was born in June.
Emma said: "Stuart was a loving husband, amazing father, son, brother, cousin and a friend to many. We are very proud of him."
The battalion has lost more than any other UK unit to fight in the Afghan badlands. Seventy members have been wounded by IEDs in the last four months alone.
In a further snub to Paul's family, it emerged yesterday that the PM's aides have been sitting on their letter for ten days. Downing Street last night insisted the PM is now drafting an urgent reply.
Another Brit hero to die in Afghanistan was named last night as Trooper Brett Hall, 21, from 2nd Royal Tank Regiment.
He was blown up in a Viking armoured vehicle near Musa Qala. Brett, from Dartmouth, Devon, was flown home for treatment but died at Birmingham's Selly Oak Hospital surrounded by his family.
Trooper Hall's CO, Lt Col Marcus Simson, said: "His death leaves an indescribable hole in our hearts. He was loved by all."
Meanwhile the new head of the British Army, General Sir David Richards, yesterday warned defeat for the international coalition in Afghanistan would convince terrorists "anything might be possible".
And former special forces commander Lieutenant-General Sir Graeme Lamb said an offer of cash could persuade Afghan insurgents to drop their weapons.
A SUICIDE car bomber yesterday killed six Italian soldiers and ten Afghan civilians in Kabul.
[Source - www.thesun.co.uk ]
By TOM NEWTON DUNN
and ANDY CRICK
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w10/StonedSOD/SNN1808PX-280_891336a.jpg
A FORMER British forces commander in Afghanistan last night backed the family of a tragic serjeant who have blamed lack of resources for his death.
Colonel Richard Kemp slammed the "penny-pinching" Government for letting down troops.
And he said PM Gordon Brown needed to act NOW to make sure Our Boys in hard-hit front line bases get the vital equipment they need to stay alive.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w10/StonedSOD/SNN1808F-380_891290a.jpg
Killed ... Trooper Brett Hall
Colonel Kemp said: "There are nowhere near enough troops or helicopters to operate effectively, dominate the ground and collect vital intelligence, all of which are essential, not optional in this kind of fighting.
"They must also be given the best-protected, high mobility vehicles... whatever the expense."
He spoke after the family of fallen hero Paul McAleese, son of SAS siege legend John, criticised the Government.
The 29-year-old serjeant died in the IED-littered terrain surrounding 2 Rifles' embattled Sangin base.
Paul's father-in-law Stephen Minter - backed by the hero's mum Kim Early and sister Hayley - wrote to Mr Brown telling him the lack of kit had turned soldiers into sitting ducks.
Colonel Kemp agreed.
He added: "The time has come for the Prime Minister to form a war cabinet to drive forward our campaign.
"This should include putting the relevant parts of industry on to a war footing so vehicles, equipment and ammunition can be produced round the clock in order to meet demand.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w10/StonedSOD/SUN_891299a.jpg
"Soldiers volunteer to join the Army and to fight in Afghanistan. Most go into theatre with professional zeal.
"But when the Government sends our troops into battle there can be no penny-pinching half measures, as there have been, or we will be condemning some to die unnecessarily."
The MoD admitted last month that commanders moved troops away from the Taliban stomping ground of Sangin to form the attacking force for Operation Panther's Claw. That left 2 Rifles dangerously exposed.
The 13th soldier from the battalion to die in Sangin was named as acting Serjeant Stuart McGrath, 28, from Princes Risborough, Bucks.
He leaves behind wife Emma, three sons, Ryan, Daniel and Dylan, and baby daughter Niamh, who was born in June.
Emma said: "Stuart was a loving husband, amazing father, son, brother, cousin and a friend to many. We are very proud of him."
The battalion has lost more than any other UK unit to fight in the Afghan badlands. Seventy members have been wounded by IEDs in the last four months alone.
In a further snub to Paul's family, it emerged yesterday that the PM's aides have been sitting on their letter for ten days. Downing Street last night insisted the PM is now drafting an urgent reply.
Another Brit hero to die in Afghanistan was named last night as Trooper Brett Hall, 21, from 2nd Royal Tank Regiment.
He was blown up in a Viking armoured vehicle near Musa Qala. Brett, from Dartmouth, Devon, was flown home for treatment but died at Birmingham's Selly Oak Hospital surrounded by his family.
Trooper Hall's CO, Lt Col Marcus Simson, said: "His death leaves an indescribable hole in our hearts. He was loved by all."
Meanwhile the new head of the British Army, General Sir David Richards, yesterday warned defeat for the international coalition in Afghanistan would convince terrorists "anything might be possible".
And former special forces commander Lieutenant-General Sir Graeme Lamb said an offer of cash could persuade Afghan insurgents to drop their weapons.
A SUICIDE car bomber yesterday killed six Italian soldiers and ten Afghan civilians in Kabul.
[Source - www.thesun.co.uk ]