Lee-Enfield Rifles captured in Afghanistan 2006

[Gil Boyd]

Far be it for me to dissapoint readers of these books, but a followup was done a couple of years ago by an Arab speaking ex SAS lad for a TV programme, going to each location in turn and interviewing those very people the Bravo 20 book highlights, only for it all to be held as untrue..............the jury are still out!!!

[Sentryduty]

but a followup was done a couple of years ago by an Arab speaking ex SAS lad for a TV programme, going to each location in turn and interviewing those very people the Bravo 20 book highlights, only for it all to be held as untrue..............the jury are still out!!!

I recall seeing that programme as well, and really the jury will probably be out forever. Interviewing locals can be pretty hit and miss with the information you get back, in fact look at any local news interview about a big experience, regardless of country, people tend to place themselves in the middle of the event just to be important. On the flip side the events of the fellows in the patrol could be heavily embellished. One opinion I encountered while discussing the events among professionals, is that in Chris Ryan's account once he is separated from the patrol (where no one else can prove or disprove his claims) "he dons his superhero cape" and escapes.

Personally, I think the truth in events lies somewhere in the middle, but in the "fog of war" we may never know.

[Gil Boyd]

Spot on there....................but only he will know from his own conscience I'm afraid.

I do however have to agree about issues surrounding the "fog" of war, having returned from a battle site in 1965 in Borneo last year that occurred 50 years ago with 3 veterans.

Men on one side of a hill, did not witness what occurred on the other side during the QCB for good geographical reasons, and so missing links/and actions occured, that only those who lived could fill!!

The programme when it was made would have been a good opportunity for those that later wrote about it, to stand up and defend their side of the story, which would then have left the viewer to decide....................so until that day the Jury has to still be out !

This may help: SAS Regimental Sergeant-Major : The Real and the Not-So-Real B20

[Sentryduty]

I do however have to agree about issues surrounding the "fog" of war, having returned from a battle site in 1965 in Borneo last year that occurred 50 years ago with 3 veterans.

Certainly agreed, I had a similar experience, but in a much shorter timeframe. A nighttime battle, that weeks later I seen the aerial maps and viewed recorded UAV footage of the event (a marvel of the modern battlefield) and later rewalking the ground, changed not the narrative of the events, but the spatial distances of near/far relations, and ranges in my recollection became much revised. Literally Night and Day as it were.

Everyone sees a different snapshot of a scene, and the "ant's eye view" will always contrast sharply to the all seeing "bird's eye."

The programme when it was made would have been a good opportunity for those that later wrote about it, to stand up and defend their side of the story, which would then have left the viewer to decide.

That would have been a great benefit, a little better than just doing a tabloid style exposé to get viewers on controversy alone.

[Flying10uk]

Warren, have you had time to look through your files yet regarding the Le-Enfield rifles sent to Afghanistan in the 1980s which you mentioned in an earlier post, please? It would be interesting to read some fresh material relating to the matter. Thank-you.

[bigduke6]

Far be it for me to dissapoint readers of these books, but a followup was done a couple of years ago by an Arab speaking ex SAS lad for a TV programme, going to each location in turn and interviewing those very people the Bravo 20 book highlights, only for it all to be held as untrue..............the jury are still out!!!

Never seen the TV programme but picked up the book by Michael Asher, a few years ago........... a very good read and Highly recommended.

[mrclark303]

You have to take all such books at face value and just treat them as a good read .. A bright person once said, only believe what you see with your own eyes, don't believe TV or anything you read.

One military autobiography I would highly recommend though would be Panzer Commander by Hans Van Luck, a superb read, spanning the 1930's to Soviet captivity into the 1950's.

[mrclark303]

This is the No5 captured on an op in Nad e Ali during 2011. Fazakerley 1945 manufacture. This piece wasn't required for evidential purposes and its new owner had to navigate the very significant red tape over an 18 month period to bring her home where she rightly belongs.

Now cleaned, checked over, gauged, head spaced and re-proofed, she's on FAC and back on the range, still sporting the rather cool Taliban fashion accessory she was liberated wearing!

As fellow Enfield enthusiasts, we can all warmly applaud the perseverance and determination to preserve this piece of history and repatriate what I think is the only No5 captured in Afghanistan and the only live (non obsolete calibre) firearm to be brought back and kept as a private firearm in the UK. A job exceedingly well done sir!

Pictures kindly supplied by the owner

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[Sentryduty]

Panzer Commander by Hans Van Luck

I have read that one, quite a story, and well written.

---------- Post added at 08:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:36 AM ----------

This is the No5 captured on an op in Nad e Ali during 2011.

That is most excellent work, and in better shape than some of the used examples that I have seen for sale on the private market in Canada.

Thank you for obtaining the photographs to share.

[Peter Laidler]

You've just beaten me to it Darren. I was just about to comment that the No5 was in GOOD condition for an Afghan capture!!!!! We did get a 7.92 ZB gun up and running after giving it a good power hose on the vehicle washdown point. It had jammed up while attacking a patrol of the Royal Anglians who assaulted the position. Cause of stoppage....... ruptured cartridge!