3 Commando Brigade: Helmand Assault

by Ewen Southby-Tailyour

When the Royal Marines Commandos returned to a chaotic Helmand in the winter of 2008, they realized that to stand any chance of success they would need to pursue an increasingly determined Taliban harder than ever before. This time they were going to hunt them down from the air. With the support of Chinooks, Apaches, Lynx, Sea Kings, and Harriers, the Commandos became a deadly mobile unit, able to swoop at a moment's notice into the most hostile territory. From huge operations like the grueling Red Dagger, when 3 Commando Brigade fought in Somme-like mud to successfully clear the area around the capital of Helmand, Lashkar Gar, of encroaching enemy forces, to the daily acts of unsupported, close-quarters 360-degree combat and the breath-taking, rapid helicopter night assaults behind enemy lines—this was kind of battle that brought Commando qualities to the fore. An ex-Marine Lieutenant Colonel brings unparalleled access to the troops, a soldier’s understanding of the conflict, and a visceral sense of the combat experience. This is the real war in Helmand as told to him by a hand-picked band of young fellow marines as they encounter the daily rigors of life on the ground in the world’s most intense war zone.

Genres: Military Fiction

284 pages, Paperback

First published August 19, 2010

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is awful. I ploughed my way to more than half way in and hated it so much I couldn't force myself to continue. Seriously, don't bother. So many acronyms which are not used consistently (sometimes the Afghan National Police is written out in full, others it's called the ANP, so you trip up figuring out what he's talking about) and so much jargon that getting to the bottom of what the author is talking about is a long process. There is a glossary at the back and I spent the entire time flicking back and forth to find out the meaning of words, and there were several which weren't in the glossary making this an even more frustrating read.

The first chapter shows a bit of action and demonstrates the human side of the conflict, the expertise and bravery of troops etc but the rest of it is all very dry strategy. It seems like it was written for a soldier who is familiar with it all - but what would be the point of that? The soldiers already know all this and the point of a book like this should be to convey what is going on to people not familiar with that world.

What made me finally give up on this book once and for all was the sheer number of typos I kept seeing. Clearly not even the author was interested enough in what he was writing to proof-read it. The same goes for the editors and publishers, it was embarrassing spotting all the mistakes. If I had thought a decent amount of effort had gone in to portraying what was going on in Helmand I would have stuck with it, but the way the book is written shows an inherent laziness which made me wonder why I was bothering. Waste of money.

[Trevor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Apparently, according to the testimonials on the book it is:

"Jaw-dropping" and "Excellent"

I thought it was boring and laboured.

I've ready many books like this about Afghanistan and Iraq and whilst I had high hopes for this, it just didn't deliver.

There's nothing wrong with the writing of the book, it is excellent in that respect but the content was lacking. I was expecting a real edge of the seat book, what I got was more edge of the toilet seat.

Having said that, I have full respect for the people involved, just maybe these events aren't as exciting as it seemed to them at the time.

[Gav Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF
Got bored fairly quickly unfortunately and I don't usually when I'm reading this sort of book. No doubt a great read for some people but not for me this time.

[Tony Scott · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish. Did not capture my interest, and gave up trying to force my way through it.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmmm. Not what I was expecting and not very well put together.
The book claims to be the "excellent" and "jaw-dropping" account of 3Commando Brigade in Afghanistan during Herrick 9.
The first thing to note is that the author keeps chopping and changing the tactical level here's referring to in a somewhat confusing manner.
Secondly the only thing jaw-dropping about the book is the appalling lack of proof-reading. Spelling and grammar mistakes proliferate throughout, to the extent that it actually becomes annoying.
Thirdly, the author is apparently a military journalist who has written numerous books, especially about the Royal Marines. Yet his use of military language throughout the book is highly confused. He injects idioms which are massively out dated; uses abbreviations inconsistently and inaccurately; and uses doctrinal language in a way which shows he blatantly doesn't understand what he's talking about.
In conclusion the book was a disappointing narrative about a truly fascinating and groundbreaking deployment. A shame really.

[Ben Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was different from other books about Afghanistan that I had read and was expecting something slightly different than what I got.

It focussed a lot more on the bigger picture, more of the entire theater of operations from the command point of view.

Would have loved to read more about the accounts of battles etc. from the soldiers points of view. Great book overall, was hard reading, but worthwhile in the end.

[Sp25327 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shows what it truly means to be selfless. Kate Nesbitt is a corpsman in the British military. She risks her life to save another soldier despite the orders to retreat. This speaks to me on a fundamental level because I hope to be an army medic later in life. In addition, I understand the need to help others who are in danger, from my personal experiences

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is account of 3 Commandos events in Afghanistan over the course of a few months fighting the Taliban.

What these guys had to endure was pretty horrific, from relentless bombing, mortars IEDs and persistent small arms fire, or as they call it Afgan bees.

In my opinion they all deserve a medal, but the outstanding soldiers for receive medals for their heroism.