Afghanistan - Fighting the Taliban with the Royal Irish

In 2006 Royal Irish Regiment captain Doug Beattie helped retake the Taliban stronghold of Garmsir In Helmand Province. The battle was likened to a modern-day Rorke's Drift. It resulted in more British medals being awarded than for any action since Bravo Two Zero. Doug turned his expereinces into the book An Ordinary Soldier. The Daily Mail says of the book: Of the battalion of courageous tales to emerge from the Iraq and Afghan conflicts, this extraordinary account by an ordinary soldier is one of the finest"
It is described by the Sunday Times as a 'riveting read and compelling memoir'. In 2006 Royal Irish Regiment captain Doug Beattie was filmed in Helmand Province for a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary taking part in an action (the Battle of Garmsir, likened to a modern-day Rorke's Drift) which earned him the Military Cross. Now he has turned his life into a book. He started writing as a way of communicating the horrors of war to his family, because he found it impossible to talk to them about his experiences. How do you casually tell your wife you have bayoneted a man to death? Or witnessed the effects of a suicide bomb attack? And he's not only seen conflict in Afghanistan. Doug also talks about his time as RSM to Colonel Tim Collins in Iraq in 2003. Oh, and how, at the age of 15, he shot his best mate in the head with a Walther PPK.
Want more? Take a look at his interview on the BBC TV Hardtalk show. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/programmes/hardtalk/

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Afghanistan
• Death
• Hero
• Doug
• Beattie
• Helmand
• Bravo
• Two
• Zero
• Taliban
• Book
• Royal
• Irish
• Garmsir
• Sean
• Langan
• Blood
• Kill
• Injure
• British
• Soldiers

[Irish16King]

Near the end of the book.

Wow

Respect well deseed to all of them

[londonsw111]

@Irish16King Very pleased to hear you like the book. Please tell others. Feel free to write a review of the book if you get chance. Thank you.

[londonsw111]

By the way, have you read Task Force Helmand? It's what happened next to 'an ordinary soldier'.

[londonsw111]

@Irish16King By the way, have you read Task Force Helmand? It's what happened next to 'an ordinary soldier'.

[anthlocal]

1 R IRSH are based down the road from me. Tough bunch of lads.

[londonsw111]

Tough indeed. Did you see that programm on BBC1 last week? Wounded? It featured a young Irish Ranger who lost both legs in Afghan to an IED. Brave lad. ANd have you read either of the books? Task Force Helmand now out - it's Doug's story but also that of the other guys from Royal Iriah. Cracking read.

[paddyrathmines]

Again proof that no north south divide exists within the RIR, in tim collins book and Dougs book they are irish men serving in her majesty's armed forces. the bravery these men show can not be compared to anything lightly, and noone, unless they have been there and served can imagine what it can be like. god bless them all

[Delboy1616Delboy]

Great job out in Afghanistan and the book was great. GB

[FeignofCordor]

Dougie was one of my instructors back when I was going through basic training and he was a great instructor and good for moral. I knew him and his brother well and I hope he has a good future.

[dwilki1174]

Come home safe lads FAB!!!

[fruitpastilekid]

SUSCRIBE TO ME AND WATCH MY TRIBUTE TO THE ROYAL IRISH

[sony827]

@waxwax16 i doubt it

[Irish16King]

@londonsw111 Im afraid not buts its the next one im going to buy! I was just amazed to find out with what British soldiers have to put up with and how it really is out there.

[Irish16King]

@londonsw111 Sure will if you send me o the place where I owuld need to write it!

[ingo1234100]

Can't wait to join the RIR (am from the south btw)

[ingo1234100]

Can't wait to join the RIR (am from the south btw)