The Battle of 9/11

A Company has been patrolling out of FOB Inkerman all day in response to intelligence reports. Simultaneously all over Helmand ISAF troops have been making heavy contacts with the Taliban. A mile and a half out of the FOB the marines begin to notice strange activity – there’s a small pause as both sides go for cover and then all hell breaks loose…

The Taliban lie in wait along the British route British move towards landing zone Firing at Taliban compound ahead - a Taliban DShK is behind the compound wall, supported by a rooftop sniper The Taliban threat is wiped out in short order, this fire team moves in to clear the compound On the other flank, the Taliban who stood and fought are outgunned and this lone survivor takes point blank fire as the British shut down the rat run A suspicious civilian approaches a fireteam on the right flank - they see IED wiring under the clothes and shoot to kill The last Taliban group on this side of the Landing Zone is forced into the fields British fire team begin closing the net around the LZ - their counterparts are clearing the market on the other side Taking refuge in large tomb - this overlooks the LZ and will provide a good base of fire for the final sweep A huge group of Taliban arrives just beside the LZ! Firing on British in tomb - which turns out to be a death-trap. Walls made of polystyrene it seems The Landing Zone is still hotly contested, and some careful manoeuvring is required for the British to ferret out the Taliban A victory for the British - one KIA, but their methodical closing down of the hotspots won them the day