TAs take on Taliban in first battle

Territorial Army soldiers from the West Midlands have fought their first battle with the Taliban in Afghanistan, the Express & Star can reveal today.

The baptism of fire came near Lashkar Gah in trouble-torn Helmand Province. A patrol from the 4th Mercian Regiment's Normandy Company were attacked with mortars and small arms fire but fought back and put the enemy to flight.

They suffered no casualties during the fire fight that is thought to have lasted less than half an hour and it is unclear if they killed or wounded any of the enemy.

The regiment is made up of TA units from throughout the West Midlands and Staffordshire. Lt Col Martyn Forgrave, 4th Mercian Commanding Officer, said: "This is the first time that they have been in direct contact with the enemy and they acquitted themselves extremely well as you would have expected.

"This demonstrates the utility and relevance of the TA and is further proof of the close support they give to the regular Army.

"They are now an integral part of the operation and indistinguishable from other troops. They are fully trained for the role and would not be sent into action unless those in authority were confident that they could deliver the goods."

A member of the TA's Normandy Company recently brought a wounded soldier back from the dead in an unconnected incident while offering security and support on a Medivac mission to the front line. Lance Corporal Ashley Scriven, aged 20, from Birmingham restarted the breathing of the injured man.

Lt Col Forgrave explained: "He was responsible for saving a soldier's life by conducting chest compression."

The fire fight on Wednesday afternoon came shortly after half the 120-strong Normandy Company switched to new duties.

They began patrols with the Welsh Guards and the Afghan Army in the 'green zone' where the Taliban are more active after previously spending most of their time protecting Camp Bastion.

Lt Col Forgrave, who has spent 23 years in the regular army with the Cheshire Regiment serving in the Balkans, Northern Ireland and East Africa, added: "There is a higher threat profile with the new role but they have been fully trained for it."