Posted on 12/01/2001 3:40:12 PM PST by Pokey78
THE SAS units quietly closing on the Al-Qaeda cave complex knew that they were facing a potential disaster. Before them lay darkness, enclosed spaces and an enemy familiar with every tunnel and outcrop of their hiding place. What happened over the next four hours was to rank as one of the most daring engagements that 22 SAS Regiment has undertaken in 30 years. It was also the first big battle success for British forces in the war on terrorism. Last month’s assault on mountain caves near Kandahar was carried out by a complete SAS Sabre squadron, about 60 men. Each move was monitored far away inside a quiet control room on a small wooded island in the south of England. The order to attack came moments after the “boss” of Alpha 11, the lead unit — a senior non-commissioned officer with 15 years’ SAS service — had reported back through his tiny 319 radio set that the enemy was unaware of the SAS presence. Enemy soldiers near the cave mouth were instantly cut down by fire from SAS snipers who had been watching them for more than 40 minutes. Almost simultaneously, other soldiers moved in on secondary entrances while more troopers dropped high explosive and white phosphorous grenades down ventilation pipes. Deep underground, at the heart of the cave, bedlam began as those hiding within realised they were under attack. Cornered, they fought desperately to stop their cave being stormed. Using AK-47 derivative rifles, with heavy 7.62mm bullets which can remove a limb on impact, they poured heavy automatic fire down on the SAS soldiers, before retreating further inside under a barrage of rifle fire and grenades. Two SAS men were wounded before the cave entrance had been reached. One, a 26-year-old married father, was seriously hurt, shot through the abdomen and leg and already unconscious. Two medics set to work, opening a trauma pack and applying field dressings to stem the flow of blood. Back in Britain, the small group at the control room, known as Zero Alpha, listened as the SAS units spoke loudly to each other over the “net”, their words punctuated by the crack of small arms fire and the crump of grenades. Inside Zero Alpha, secure telephone calls were being made to the military’s nerve centre bunker at Northwood, northwest London. The centre, known as Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ) was in contact with Geoff Hoon, the defence secretary, who had given the final command. This was the most dangerous part of the mission. Moving in teams of three along the walls, the SAS troopers inched their way through the cave mouth as fire was poured down ahead of them. Many men used modified rounds designed to ricochet less underground. It was here that the SAS’s brutal ethos came into play, for no prisoners were taken on the way into the caves. Any visible enemy received volleys of fire and many were “finished off” by the advancing teams in case they set off grenades. Two more of the squadron were hit by enemy fire as they advanced, although neither had life-threatening injuries. Four hours later, 18 Afghans lay dead and four SAS soldiers were wounded. Dozens of terrorists were wounded and captured. The defeated men emerged outside at gunpoint, their hands cuffed behind their backs with plastic strips. As the American helicopters landed to take the wounded, they lay face down in the dust, many pleading for their lives in the mistaken belief that they would be executed. The action proved that the SAS could take out the Al-Qaeda cave complexes. The four wounded SAS soldiers were flown back to Britain and are now in the Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham. The most seriously wounded man regained consciousness on Wednesday morning, having already been operated on by US army surgeons in Afghanistan. He will live but may lose his leg. At Hereford, the SAS’s headquarters, there has been no celebration but just a quiet assurance of getting the job done.
Another myth shattered -- cave attacks are dangerous, but possible.
The most seriously wounded man regained consciousness on Wednesday morning, having already been operated on by US army surgeons in Afghanistan.
In Afghanistan? Sounds like the Marines have been busy.
Dozens of terrorists were wounded and captured.
Note to Times U.K. headline writer: read the article first.
Remainds me of the Tunnel Rats from the Vietnam War.
What would white phosphorous do? Suck the o2 out? Cause fire?
Yep...and burn and burn and burn....
White Phosporous or Willy Pete as it's called in a mortar platoon will "Cause fire". It'll burn through steel quite handily.
Little optimistic for a 7.62x39 round, isn't it?
I find it a little hard to reconcile the heroics of the SAS with the anti-gun hysteria of the British, who will put a farmer into jail for life for killing a home intruder.
Is Amnesty International going to demand an investigation into this, too?
The SAS are part of the GOV'T, therefore it is needful for them to have weapons.I note that people who are unfamiliar with guns ascribe magical powers to them-I knew a man who stated " a 38 will make a hole you can put your fist through".(My 38 isn't anywhere near that powerful).
Once the people of England were subject to death if found carrying a knife, and not under royal authority to carry one. Do you REALLY think people liked the cruelties of the lords and ladies ? But after hundreds of tears of killing or transporting the rebellious, the population is rather docile. A well-trained Doberman can be brave and effective but if he acts without his owners' command he is likely to be put down.
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