Tri-Service

British Army Report Reveals Afghanistan Failings

A British Army report into the war in Afghanistan has found that the UK deployment to the south of the country was poorly planned, leading to troops on the ground being put at greater risk.

A Freedom of Information request from the Sunday Times newspaper uncovered the review, which says British military leaders were seen as arrogant and unwilling to accept ideas by coalition partners.

It also points to a “messy” command structure and a failure to comprehend the complexities of the region before the mission got underway.

The report says British bomb disposal experts died in Afghanistan after being left exhausted because of a shortage of specialist equipment.

They weren't able to transport the best remote-control robots with them in Helmand due to a lack of armoured vehicles, forcing them into highly-dangerous “hands-on” work.

And after being left "physically degraded" by having to carry heavy equipment in extremely high temperatures en route to the site of hidden Taliban bombs, the conflict saw:

"The worst loss of IEDD [improvised explosive device disposal] operators and Royal Engineer search team members since the early 1970s in Northern Ireland."

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson, meanwhile, said:

"Our Armed Forces served with professionalism and bravery throughout the span of our operations in Afghanistan, risking danger and injury to deliver vital security gains for the people of that country.

"This review rightly identifies that no campaign will be perfect, and will help inform future planning, but it should not distract from the heroism of our people, including those 454 service personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice."

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