On Dusty Plains: Memoirs of a Rifleman in Afghanistan

by Charles Addison

'An impressive and powerful description of an infantry soldier in combat.' - Brig. (Retd) Brian Parritt, author of Chinese Hordes and Human Waves.“Within a few steps my stomach drops as I realise the metal detector is useless, and in the darkness, I won’t be able to see the tell-tale signs of IEDs… I have the longest, hardest kilometres of my life to search for IEDs by proving the route safe with my feet.”It’s September 2008 and newly-trained Rifleman Addison (Addy) has landed on the dusty plains of Afghanistan, ready to embark on a tour of duty with 3 Commando Brigade. Eager to play his part, Addy quickly becomes a cog in the machine of war. On patrol through the Taleban-controlled province of Helmand, he is tasked with hunting for IEDs, and evacuating casualties from the front line to field hospitals.As soldiers start to die, Addy is increasingly conflicted between fear and duty. But the war around him continues, and he must navigate the life of a soldier, where any misstep could spell disaster.On Dusty Plains is a searingly honest account of the life of an infantryman on the front lines of the Afghanistan conflict. Perfect for fans of Geraint Jones’s Brothers In Arms and other memoirs of the war in Afghanistan. In this coming-of-age army memoir, Addy learns first-hand that in war, no-one comes out unscathed.

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 20, 2021

About the author

Charles Addison is the author of On Dusty Plains, a coming-of-age military memoir about the life of an infantry man in Afghanistan.

Less than a year after joining the Territorial Army, Charles found himself volunteering for and embarking on a tour of Afghanistan as part of the 6 Rifles.

His debut novel, twelve years in the making, is based on his experience, memories and notes that he made during the Op Herrick 9 campaign.

Charles now lives in Cornwall with his wife and two children, where he continues to write, enjoy running and cider making and taking advantage of the relaxing Cornish lifestyle.

Reviews

[graeme · Rating 2 out of 5]

T A

Granted he had a hard job. To make a very short tour of camp guard sound exciting. His opening pages trumpet Commando Brigade and Rifles Battalion. To a civvy this sounds like big boys stuff. Commando daggers clenched in teeth must be coming soon. Not quite. Not until 33% of the book is read does the author admit to being TA. And I feel he has tried to hide this for as long as possible. A bit like a tabloid hiding an apology at the foot of page 27.
Camp guard is not glamorous or ally in the regular army, but of course someone has got to do it. I'm amazed that anyone would think of writing a book about stagging on. I've never read a book from a reg doing it.
The couple of pages that talk about the one night foot patrol and being lumbered with the ecm had me in stitches. But I guess that wasn't the intended response. A lot of infantry have carried that stuff literally for years.
To balance out this review, the author has my sincere sympathy and respect in carrying out IRT escort. I really hope he is able to put it behind him some day. Glad he and his platoon made it back alive. Condolences to Chris family

[clanger3920 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dusty tale

A tale of operations where routine is the norm and every day could be your last the lottery that is an operational tour.
A young soldiers account of life in Afghanistan without bluster just that's how it was for him.

[P Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A First Class Read

I highly recommend this book. It is an outstanding, thoughtfull and at times brutally honest account of a tour of duty. Thank you Addy for putting into words the thoughts of many an ex squadie.