Chora Battle 2

[Michelblade13]

Good report. Timo wasn't the first we lost and wasn't the last. The aussies and dutch always worked great together. Same down to earth humour. Great guys.

And yes, I fought there wile Timo was flown to Holland.

[Blacktulip65]

Highly Traumatised.... slechte woordkeuze voor iemand die van verslaggeving z'n werk probeert te maken of hij snapt het verschil nog niet echt tussen aangeslagen, respectvol en...getraumatiseerd.

[mdomanska]

Why every one is talking about the fact that his country is having the best army??

it is the coalition that,s making the diverence and not the national army,s

No country can win in afganistan, but it is brave that these men offer there life,s fore the purpose of peace in this country

[Mogo86]

You people talk so much shit. These men are dieing. They will never see their families again and you DARE bad moth them? As quoted in a great movie "you have the balls to face me without the balls to face the enemy" - cowards.

[bleushift]

yes i think one of the most and even maybe the most....

[bleushift]

dutch sissy girls? u should be glad were helping man and dutch are the most professional army s in the world so shut the fuck up

[retephslaw]

do you mean one of the most ? or THE most ?

i can agree to the first statement - not the second.

[bleushift]

dude in this battle 3 dutch were killed taliban lost over 500

[retephslaw]

sorry hit enter there before i was done - Dutch Army is awsome. But how can we know who is the best unless the allies all started fighting each other ? I hope we never have to find out who is the best.

[PlaystationNation2k9]

@retephslaw War games.

[kubassa]

All this wasted money on weapons fighting an invisable ghost too funny. Forget all the people that are starving and have no homes lets keep spending billions of dollars on military. Funny eaven with all the war machines they will never stop whats going on there. Army people are brainwashed uneducated loosers making the banking player richer and richer hope your vet friend is happy with that. Not to mention all the people murdered in the years. Grow up people!!!

[retephslaw]

your a fucking tosser - Respect the People who serve - without them your and my countries would be a peice of shit compared to what they are today. Don't agree with the war if you want but always respect your soldiers. if all you think about is banks and money You disgust me.

[xevolve]

banks and money is what war is all about!! did you know that the united states spent 120 million dollars in 2008 in afghanistan to rebuild a single road? big businesses are being handed weapons contracts from the government at impossibly large sums. the only reason president bush started this war was for MONEY. the entire world is at a global recession and we are all fighting spending billions of dollars for what? the war on terror, that by definition cannot end? look at the FACTS faggot

[mo9504]

We are all BROTHERS, it does not matter what country you are from, PEACE to my BROTHER, you are at rest, peace be with you. Your life is not in vain, any vet knows this.

An American Vet

[Kdssow]

mo9504, stfu you damn hippie...

War is in our veins, So deal with it.

and if there cant be war...there will be streetfightings with with local youth groups.

[Dhaune]

yeah, till you die

[Losmoges]

Lol Dhaune, pwnt =P

[ju77yg]

Crazy comrade has brought back the dried scalps of 35 infants and children to show that he did his part to conquer the Gannies.

Dutch and Aussies are sissy girls.

[FlavorOfUranus]

Peronally if i was Barrock Obama. When i got into the white house, my first thing todo would to pull all coalition troops out of the country...

THEN NUKE THE FUCK OUTTA THE PLACE.

See how Allah-Achker (a.k.a massive cocksuckers) cope with Nuclear Raditation.

Do the same with Iraq.

[fr44ed]

I have a charming idea! Let the Aussies and the Dutch have a war with each other! Splendid way to settle the argument.

Its a win win situation for everyone! All the soldiers get to have their fill of thrilling blood letting and the peons in the third world don't have to play the part of the targets!

[demammoet]

Ohh and yeh France and Germany are a disgrace.

Not speaking of the men and women out there abroad.

[Teunioss]

are you a ass?

you moron, German goverment decided after World war 2 that they would never use their army in other countrys then germany.. That was also forbidden for them..

That they are in Afghanistan is a huge exeption and they are in the northern provinces.

And the French just joined Nato..

[Froogleplex]

ok no France was one of the founding nations of NATO and French forces are currently serving in Afghanistan.

[demammoet]

Nice of the Aussies to play the doodle.

I think they understand the Dutch sentiment over what can be considered few casualties more then any nation, pretty odd they actually got stationed with our boys/girls.

They havent been warfaring for decades like us.

Must be frustrating for them to have to sit back while others fight.

Sad.

Ohh and brodcra, the amount of casualties isnt a measure of involvement or succes.

Quite the opposite.

Im glad most Dutch see fighting as a sad necessity.

[Paulus2084]

I'm proud of our forces and I hope they are doing good.

My prayers go with the fallen and their families.

[brodcra]

2 dutch died 0 australian's died. thats how aussies roll

[Akula23]

what are you trying to say dutch are poorly skilled or aussies are major pussy's? either way brodcra go fock yourself!

[paratrooper6]

also remember that there are less Aussies over there, also the situations probably were different brodcra you dickhead

[lauwpilske]

Well, remember that for the fighting over Chora the Australians didn't really take part in the fighting, they refused for some reason. The local Australian commander or the Australian goverment had forbidden that they got in the fight.

But Brodcra is a moron, ignore him. Dutch people are happy with the Australian forces in a dangerous area. They are doing more than our other European "allies."

[DutchPetriot]

yes lauwpilske is very right and germany and france and all those big countrys with much power are not very solidary to the rest of the nato infact it seems they behave quite like pussy's they got a big mouth and have much influence but when it really comes to figting they do the small easy things

[Colbart1]

The Australian '66' did a lot!

[TheOffkilter]

As an Scottish soldier who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan Im glad for the Dutch and Aussie support and share in their eternal frustration between soldiers and their political leaders.Ignore the politics,do your job,and come home safe and proud.The UK is glad to welcome the Dutch Army to the Battle Proven Few.

[freeBTU]

Good luck mates, keep your head down and don't take any chances.

[freeBTU]

In Haig's presence, Kissinger referred pointedly to military men as "dumb, stupid animals to be used" as pawns for foreign policy.

Woodward and Bernstein, The Final Days, chapter 14

Now you know what the politicians think of soldiers.

[MrMeter]

Well, a soldier is always one of two. Either someone knowing and of great moral stature or ignorant and of lesser moral stature. Going to war means you either have no clue what war is like and what it is about, or exactly the opposite. These days however, I don't see how anyone with insight into the matter would choose to fight in Afghanistan or Iraq. There are no moral arguments for the wars in those countries and the arguments that have been presented by politicians are fairly hypocritical.

[Serjith]

dude, whats your problem? lol, seriously? Why are you so ragglebarglearglleeasfksakg'sd­f hmm?

[freeBTU]

Well I had to get your attention.

[scaurus]

So you have it all figured out eh? If the ISAF soldiers are thugs/mercenaries as you so put it then what of the taliban insurgency? Heroes? They will kill you without hesitation; your stance on the true intent of the war notwithstanding not only b/c you're american but also b/c you're infidel.

[freeBTU]

They are in their own country! The Taliban totally eradicated opium production according the the UN's own figures.

Now the opium has been restored and the Taliban is looking the other way because they need the cash to fight the foreign invaders.

Mission accomplished.

Expect the war to wind down as long as production is maintained.

The ruling elite don't care who governs Afghanistan as long as they have unlimited access.

[scaurus]

Y'know, if you look under that romanticized image of freedom fighters trying to free their country from supposed oppression, it's really just a old regime trying to regrab power.The taliban are mainly pashtun who encompass all of the south and specifically NW pakistan where they getting all their recruits. what of the other ethic groups? the uzbeks, tajiks etc?

[freeBTU]

Hey theres always Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, its not like they have to stay if they don't like it there, they can always go home too.

What you guys need to do is to try to stay alive till you go home. Don't try to be a hero. I feel sorry for the British lads too.

Are you familiar with what Henry Kissinger said about soldiers?

[scaurus]

If i recalled they banned together as the northern alliance in the 90s to fight the taliban. They fight shoulder with the ISAF and the taliban with foreign extremist organizations.. so really that idea about it being their (own) country is not entirely accurate.

[scaurus]

As for the opium... it's production was at it's peak at the height of taliban rule and they banned it b/c of pressure from the druglords to adjust the excess in supply and low demand as it decreased street profitability. Are the ruling elite the drug cartels you're refering to?

[freeBTU]

1.

Reprinted from Radio Free Europe. By Charles Recknagel.

Vienna, 24 May 2001 (RFE/RL) -- Officials at the UN Drug Control Program, or UNDCP, who recently toured Afghanistan say that the Taliban's ban on opium-poppy cultivation is in almost total effect in the areas the militia controls.

[freeBTU]

1.

The officials, who accompanied a special tour of drug experts from UN-member countries to Afghanistan last month, say they saw no signs of opium-poppy cultivation in the fertile eastern and southern areas that last year produced 75 percent of the world's opium crop

[Serjith]

I salute you Dutch and Australian allies, no doubt you are fighting a war that is of less losses than in Iraq, I think I would contribute that to discipline and a better terrain. Harder for suicide bombers to sneek up to you on open plains, and I know that there is less Iranian/Insurgent support in Afghanistan. Still I salute your bravery and I weep for your losses. Thank you for not being arrogant. -Your friend America ;D

[Skynet2029AD]

The Dutch and Australians are doing a great job under difficult circumstances, the Taliban are the murderers not the Dutch, don't confuse the issue.

[R010tterdam]

Good video m8 thx

[thadutchguy]

thx for the great videos mate 5/5

[klote2314]

ya know funny when 1 dutch soldier gets killed the whole country knowns but when 1 american soldier gets killed in america its just a number

[thadutchguy]

the amaricans are with a lot of more in afghanistan the dutch troops are like 8.000 guys or more. and we are a smaller country

[BrimzX]

Great Dutch soldier !!!

[anzac2404]

You say Aussie's didn't want to go, which mission and where and when?

[epiphaknee]

What an incredibly insensitive and inflammatory comment BTU. You are incredibly ignorant. The Dutch are standing tall in Afghanistan. No surprise, because even while occupied by the Nazi's, their underground provided invaluable assistance to the Allies, at great cost. Their courage never waivered.

You should be thanking their troops and country for fighting in a very hot zone. Doing their share and displaying their courage.

[sanderman1977]

Dutch is not the same as Deutsch/German.

Dutch people, The Netherlands or Holland.. whatever you call it fought with you in the second worlds war. Your country saved us from Hitler so why should we be Hitlers friends? Did you learned you history or what was going through your mind when you wrote this?

I think you made a mistake....

[mike2002X]

Real war journalism from C-SPAN; NOVA, 2-vandaag, SBS en alle andere Nederlandse media: EAT YOU'RE HART OUT!!! (just tell the truth and report this war like it is).

[anzac2404]

The death of any soldier is always hard on those left behind, hardest hit are the mums and dads; I'd like to take my hat off to the Dutch C.O a decent man, 1 with a heart which is rare these days! "Lest we foget"...Timo.

[sellm8]

What about he death of those the soldier kills?

What about all the women and children in the unnamed villages that you carpet bomb?

Stay home and live. When you go off on your crusades to kill and plunder you must expect resistance from your victims.

[anzac2404]

So are you from the Middle East? I know that you're a yank, maybe you should look in your own backyard bfore pointing the finger! I know that we don't live in a perfect world and I am more than aware of what goes on over there but regardless of who or which side, a death brings sorrow to someone!!

[freeBTU]

Your reply is true. But it doesn't address the fact that a modern civilized country is sending its soldiers to improve their killing skills on simple people in remote villages.

When they are done they will go home and sit in the pubs and brag about how their "kills" died.

The remnants of families left behind will grieve for their dead loved ones the rest of their life. Thank God the old axiom "you will reap what you sow" is true.

[JMP98251]

kay now I know ur american, these soldiers r proffesionals, they dont brag about the people they killed, they dont even want to kill, they only do it on a as needed (to stay alive) basis

[Serjith]

Dude, right on, im sure this person you replied to is a fucking redneck hick, or a 12 year old, He is a bad impression of well educated and wise Americans. You can't be an extremist, that goes both ways, (Liberal Douch----------Conservative hick) Ya need to be in the middle and understand both sides, they both make good and stupid points, sort it out. But freeBTU your a lost cause, so go eat shit you Liberal Douch.

[rpgplayer101]

What kind of ignorant invidual are you?

You have not got even the slightest idea what this war is about and why we (the dutch) are there.

We are not there to improve our killing skills on people, we are there to help them.

We are there to try and create schools,create work, to HELP them.

The Taliban, those are the problem, and if they attack, then the dutch will attack back.

[rpgplayer101]

I suggest you do your research next time before you post these messages that have absolutly no ground or standing whatsoever and are nothing else but the random mumbo jumboing of a 12 year old.

[CavaFootball]

R.I.P. Timo!

[sleezball1]

Thanks David, it's a good documenary. The Dutch won't take that much troops with them but they surely are most effective as you have seen, now everyone can. As former soldier I'm proud to see these man and women do such great work in a country which isn't theirs, building up a country isn't done in a day, nor in a year. Probably not even this decennium but they'll make the start for those who need a stable country.

[stealthyshogun]

LOL, not in the early 20th century, that's true, but The Netherlands has fought and won more wars than Germany has, i can tell you that much. read up on the 80 year war, the coalition wars, the indonesian campaigns, and more...

[jobenenen]

The dutch army rules although through history they haven't been to sucsesfull.

[comepost]

@jobenenen Black devils have been very succesfull.

[italyalex]

i,m dutch and i,m proud of what they r doing in afganistan if i,m old enough i,m olos going to the dutch army

[davidaxe]

Prove I'm wrong. I was in Tarin Kowt during the bombing. Were you?

[kostompe1]

Nice reporting. It's a shame you are the same journalist who wrote a lousy article about the suicide attack on Private Timo Smeehuyzen, which in my opinion is unworthy of a good journalist. Everyone can make mistakes, it takes a real man to admit he's wrong...

[davidaxe]

YPR,

Thanks for the helpful insight.

[YPR34]

But it's true that our politicians are fighting for the reputation of the Netherlands of being a country of peace and human rights. The Dutch military is fighting for their reputation of being an effective, reliable and serious military force. So whatever happens in Afghanistan is being monitored here (in the Netherlands) very closely.

[YPR34]

So far 68 Britons and 66 Canadians died in the provinces of Helmand and Kandahar, both bordering Uruzgan province (which is also the birthplace of Mullah Omar). This makes a lot of people here nervous.

[YPR34]

But it's not just a matter of our guy's getting killed, also being the party who kills (the enemy or civilians) can hurt our reputation regarding international law (Housing the international war crimes tribunal). The Netherlands doesn't wanna lose that reputation and therefor any 'kill' is one to many.

[YPR34]

Also..We knew very wel what we were getting ourselfs into from the start. We knew the risk and we learned from the Srebrenica disaster not to be armed to lightly again. But the Netherlands is like a big village of 16 million people. Any soldier's death feels like it was someone from around the block.

[YPR34]

Great report indeed. I do wanna say that the Dutch government at the time found it inappropriate to start a debate on our presence in Afghanistan. But understandably there are always some political parties who react on bad news from Afghanistan.

[Morris1962]

An excellent bit of reporting David Axe. Thank you.