The Devil's Playground: The Story of Two Charlie and The Arghandab River Valley

by Andrew Bragg

“As America assesses the value of our intervention in Afghanistan and involvement in future foreign wars, we must always consider the price. Andrew and his friends’ service was valorous and honorable. His authentic perspective of the environment and the eye-opening costs to our soldiers is sobering. These accounts should be mandatory reading for foreign policy makers and defense department leaders.” — Major General (Ret.) Brian Mennes, United States Army, Former Fury 6

“The Devil’s Playground” was anything south of the second canal to the men of Charlie Company’s 2nd Platoon—Two Charlie—during their 2009–2010 deployment to the Arghandab River Valley in Afghanistan. The valley had been a notorious hot spot throughout history, with the Russians unable to maintain a foothold in the 80s and Coalition forces now facing the same problem during Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Two Charlie paratroopers deployed as part of the 2-508th PIR, Two Fury, of the 82nd Airborne Division, but always seemed to be on their own. They started their deployment attached to Canadian forces in Panjwai but were shortly moved into the Arghandab with one of the battalion’s biggest Areas of Operation. They inherited a bare bones outpost that they worked hard to turn into the defendable position known as COP Tynes, while patrolling the grape fields and orchards of the valley. Little did they know that when the leaves returned to the valley in the spring, so too would the fighting.
As the fighting picked up in the valley, the men of Two Charlie continued to sustain casualties as they fought day in and day out. There was never a dull moment in the Arghandab, and the fact that Two Charlie had to patrol, act as a quick reaction force, and secure their outpost on their own ensured that they never stopped. The men were constantly brought to their breaking point as their numbers dwindled and the fighting intensified. The men all started to believe that they weren’t going to make it out of the valley alive.  The one rule of the valley would be proved time and time in the end, the valley always wins.

This book shares the story of the men of Two Charlie and their fight for survival in the Arghandab River Valley, the Devil’s Playground.

434 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2024

Reviews

[Sabrina Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can I give a 5-star rating to a book that has multiple deaths & hard times? Because this book was written by one of the guys that was in the Arghandab River Valley with the 82bd Airborne’s 2-508 TF Fury for the 09-10 deployment. The Arghandab has a very long, very bloody history, numerous countries have tried to conquer it over the centuries, but it’s a unique place & the tribal-ness runs very deep. I wonder if that is part of a the reason it’s such a hellacious place, even for the Afghans that live there.
I have not, personally, met any of the guys from this deployment, but the Brigade had FB pages set up for each company during the deployment. I’ve become acquaintances & friends with some families from the other units ( my son was with Bravo Co on this deployment), I cherish those relationships dearly. Nothing like the brotherhood the guys share, but the families have different bonds that stand the test of time too.
Andrew’s book is good for so many reasons, but I think that the fact that he wrote from the 3rd person really makes you feel all the emotions that much more. This is not just him relating his POV, he’s spent time talking with the guys, getting their thoughts & impressions too. It’s very hard to read about guys that you know of, knowing that they don’t make it back, but you can also get to know all of the guys because of so many perspectives.
I do recommend this book, but not if you’re squeamish or think that war is glorious, it’s much too real & gritty for that. But read to learn the triumph of love for brothers, of the constant battle with the Devil some of these guys fight, of a reunion to stand in for a father that didn’t make it home.

[Jon Penepent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not just another book about war that gives you the big picture of who won or lost or the names of different battles, this book takes you inside the minds and eyes of the men that were on the ground fighting in Afghanistan. SGT Bragg doesn’t just tell you what Two Charlie went through, he invites you to become part of the platoon as you read. You feel some understanding of what they felt - the joys of a successful mission and the heartbreak of losing squad members to the deadly Arghandab Valley. It’s a truly inspiring book that everybody should read to gain some insight into what kind of sacrifice these soldiers made for their country and to remember the names of the fallen warriors of Two Charlie.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil’s Playground is a must read! Andrew’s description of his and the soldiers he served with experiences while at COP Tynes was so in depth. I laughed, I cried, was surprised, anxious, scared and even angry at times. I am so proud of how well Andrew completed his mission to share the story of Two Charlie and the Arghandab River Valley.

[Ethan Mcdaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a Heartfelt and Gut-wrenching story. You will find yourself connected to all the men of 2 Charlie. You’ll be affected reading this book. It’s very powerful. Wonderfully written. I recommend this book to everyone.

[Jerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

I couldn't put it down. This really was one of my best reads of the year. Enjoyed this book from start to finish.