Brits in Afghanistan

By Charlie

John over at the Weekly Standard link to this article:

British soldier awarded the Military Cross for fighting off 150 Taliban
A BRITISH soldier who almost single-handedly took on 150 Taliban after he and his 50-man convoy were ambushed in Afghanistan has been awarded the Military Cross.

Fusilier Damien Hields used his grenade machinegun to destroy seven Taliban positions before his ambushers realised he was their main threat. After peppering his vehicle with bullets, they hit the 24-year-old soldier. He had to be dragged off for treatment by his driver after he tried to continue fighting.

This, of course, reminded me of a previous outnumbered engagement by the Brits, a bit earlier in their military history, the Battle of Rourke's Drift, which was the basis for what I consider the best military film of all time: Zulu.

The Zulus lost tactically in the Battle of Rorke’s Drift, but the defeat delayed their advance on the unsuspecting British Corps. This caused news of the defeat at Isandlwana to reach the British main force, and allowed them to counter-attack, decisively defeating the Zulu force and securing the South African region. Since 1856, only 1355 Victoria Crosses have been awarded for extreme valor. 11 were awarded for this engagement, the most awarded to a regiment for a single action.

Good to see this fighting spirit is still there.

March 11, 2008 04:29 PM Terrorism

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Comments

Gotta love british guts.

mindy abraham · March 11, 2008 06:16 PM

ZULU ZULU ZULU!!!

John · March 11, 2008 06:32 PM

I don't think anyone has ever truly questioned the Brit's ability to fight. Last ones to do so, I think, were the Argentines. Sometimes their leadership is wanting, but the common (uncommon?) Tommy has always fought respectably.

Matt · March 12, 2008 06:22 AM

Salute!

Lawrence · March 12, 2008 06:25 AM

One wonders how Bromhead and Chard's men would've fared if they'd had a few automatic grenade launchers of their own. "We have got the Maxim, and they have not," and so forth.

TrustButVerify · March 12, 2008 11:51 AM