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Army leak talks of troops' tears Major calls RAF support 'useless'
(20 minutes later)
More troops and helicopters are desperately needed in Afghanistan, a company commander with the main UK battle group said in a leaked e-mail. The RAF are "utterly, utterly useless" in protecting troops on the ground in Afghanistan, a major with the main UK battle group said in a leaked e-mail.
Major James Loden of 3 Para, based in the north of the southern province of Helmand, also criticised the RAF as "utterly, utterly useless". Major James Loden of 3 Para, based in the north of the southern province of Helmand, said more troops and helicopters were desperately needed.
There had been "plenty of tears" following casualties in the intense fighting with the Taleban, he added.There had been "plenty of tears" following casualties in the intense fighting with the Taleban, he added.
The MoD confirmed the contents of the internal assessment e-mail as accurate. The MoD said the RAF played a "critical role" in supporting ground troops.
The ministry confirmed the contents of the e-mail as accurate.
The "tears" Maj Loden refers to were "not tears of exhaustion or frustration", a spokesman said.The "tears" Maj Loden refers to were "not tears of exhaustion or frustration", a spokesman said.
"This is a reflection of the fact these men are under daily attack and sadly there are often daily casualties.""This is a reflection of the fact these men are under daily attack and sadly there are often daily casualties."
UK INJURED: AFGHANISTAN Wounded in action: 37Non-battle injuries: 40Very seriously ill: 4Seriously ill: 5Medical evacuations: 125 1 January - 31 July 2006Source: MoD href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/5369076.stm" class="">Concern over UK casualties As our troops face increasing violence, we need to see a clear and achievable strategy and an honest assessment of the challenges ahead Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Nick Harvey
BBC defence correspondent Paul Wood said Maj Loden's comments reflected what officers were saying privately, but their tone and emphasis were at odds with the MoD's official statements.BBC defence correspondent Paul Wood said Maj Loden's comments reflected what officers were saying privately, but their tone and emphasis were at odds with the MoD's official statements.
Other Parachute Regiment officers had told him they prefer to call in American A-10 Tankbusters for air support when under fire because of what they see as the RAF's ineffectiveness, he added.Other Parachute Regiment officers had told him they prefer to call in American A-10 Tankbusters for air support when under fire because of what they see as the RAF's ineffectiveness, he added.
However, in a statement released by the MoD, 3 Para operations officer in Afghanistan Capt Matt Taylor said the RAF had "played a critical part in ensuring the security of the lads on the ground".
"They could not have asked for better support during some very difficult times," he added.
Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Nick Harvey called on the government to "provide an urgent statement" in response to Maj Loden's "disturbing comments".
His e-mail showed "the need for a reassessment of the full range of capabilities required to accomplish the Nato mission" in Afghanistan, Mr Harvey added.
UK INJURED: AFGHANISTAN Wounded in action: 37Non-battle injuries: 40Very seriously ill: 4Seriously ill: 5Medical evacuations: 125 1 January - 31 July 2006Source: MoD Concern over UK casualties
"As our troops face increasing violence, we need to see a clear and achievable strategy and an honest assessment of the challenges ahead."
The e-mail, which has been sent to British Army head Sir Richard Dannatt, comes a day after another British commander in Afghanistan said the Army there was sustaining higher casualties than official figures suggested.The e-mail, which has been sent to British Army head Sir Richard Dannatt, comes a day after another British commander in Afghanistan said the Army there was sustaining higher casualties than official figures suggested.
Writing in the Fusiliers' newsletter, Major John Swift said some had argued many casualties had been treated in the field and, therefore, had been omitted from the official statistics for wounded in action.Writing in the Fusiliers' newsletter, Major John Swift said some had argued many casualties had been treated in the field and, therefore, had been omitted from the official statistics for wounded in action.
Casualty numbers were very significant and showed no signs of reducing, he added.Casualty numbers were very significant and showed no signs of reducing, he added.
Maj Swift also said political rather than military imperatives were driving the operation.Maj Swift also said political rather than military imperatives were driving the operation.
He was referring to the Afghan government's demand for British troops to move to isolated fire bases in northern Helmand where they are now under siege by the Taleban.He was referring to the Afghan government's demand for British troops to move to isolated fire bases in northern Helmand where they are now under siege by the Taleban.