French Casualties in Afghanistan

This is a place for veterans of military service to remember and reflect. War time or peace. Any service.

Moderators: DuncaninFrance, Niner Delta

Post Reply
1886lebel
Sustaining Member
Posts: 242
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2005 8:57 pm

French Casualties in Afghanistan

Post by 1886lebel » Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:47 pm

August 19,2008

2 platoons, 60 men, belonging to the 8ème Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine (Airborne ... Marine Infantry) 2ème Régiment Etranger de Parachutistes (Airborne ... Foreign Legion) and Régiment de Marche du Tchad (Motorised Infantry ... Marine Infantry) patrolling with an unit of the Afghan National Army, 30 miles of Kabul, near Surobi have been caught in an important ambush at the end of the afternoon.

Many IED and RPGs hit the patrol, the fight went late into the night until mid morning, 10 French soldiers have been killed in action and 21 wounded.

Circumstances of the ambush: A group of 100 French, ANA and US SF were ending a patrol at high altitude and making a RECO on foot, no UAV available, when a group of 100 Talibans opened fire. 8 French paratroopers of the 8th RPIMA and one medic of the 2nd REP were instantly killed, a dozen of soldiers including the CO were wounded. Firefight last for hours during the night until morning, fire support came from two Apache and two A10 and partly from two Caracal used for MEDEVAC.

30 Talibans killed (their leader presumably among them), 30 Talibans wounded according to available informations.

Looks like the Talebans have really taken an agressive stance for weeks. An american unit had to go through a fierce fight near the border with Pakistan during the night.

Today France mourns it's Heros

http://www.postimage.org/aV2zxmN9.jpg[/pic]

http://www.postimage.org/PqYWXS.jpg[/pic]

http://www.postimage.org/aV29b1i.jpg[/pic]

http://www.postimage.org/aV29dwr.jpg[/pic]

God Bless these fallen soldiers
Vive la République Française, le Lebel et le poilu
Verdun 1916: "Ils ne Passeront pas" "On les aura!"
Fusil d'Infanterie Modèle 1886 Modifié 1893 dit "Lebel"

Vive le Pinard !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axfM1sFqIK0
User avatar
DuncaninFrance
Global Moderator Sponsor 2011-2017
Posts: 10946
Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2006 3:08 pm
Location: S.W.France
Contact:

SOUVENIR............

Post by DuncaninFrance » Fri Aug 22, 2008 2:59 am

Duncan

What contemptible scoundrel has stolen the cork to my lunch? -- W.C. Fields
"Many of those who enjoy freedom know little of its price."
You can't fix Stupid, but you can occasionally head it off before it hurts something.
User avatar
Tom-May
Leading Member
Posts: 633
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 3:18 am
Location: Carshalton, Surrey

SOUVENIR............

Post by Tom-May » Fri Aug 22, 2008 3:23 am

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b313/ ... flower.jpg[/pic]

I believe that the French use the cornflower where we use the poppy
The Truth IS Out There, The lies are in your head. (T. Pratchett - 'Hogfather'))
User avatar
DuncaninFrance
Global Moderator Sponsor 2011-2017
Posts: 10946
Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2006 3:08 pm
Location: S.W.France
Contact:

Post by DuncaninFrance » Fri Aug 22, 2008 11:37 am

That is right Tom. I went to the same page as you mate!
In France it is the symbol of the 11th November 1918 armistice and, as such, a common symbol for veterans (especially the now defunct poilus of World War I), similar to the poppies worn in the United Kingdom.
Duncan

What contemptible scoundrel has stolen the cork to my lunch? -- W.C. Fields
"Many of those who enjoy freedom know little of its price."
You can't fix Stupid, but you can occasionally head it off before it hurts something.
User avatar
Tom-May
Leading Member
Posts: 633
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 3:18 am
Location: Carshalton, Surrey

Post by Tom-May » Sat Aug 23, 2008 2:08 am

DuncaninFrance wrote:That is right Tom. I went to the same page as you mate!
In France it is the symbol of the 11th November 1918 armistice and, as such, a common symbol for veterans (especially the now defunct poilus of World War I), similar to the poppies worn in the United Kingdom.
Duncan,

What site was that?

I got it from a Great War re-enactor site when we were discussing wreaths, a couple of years back.

Tom
The Truth IS Out There, The lies are in your head. (T. Pratchett - 'Hogfather'))
User avatar
DuncaninFrance
Global Moderator Sponsor 2011-2017
Posts: 10946
Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2006 3:08 pm
Location: S.W.France
Contact:

Post by DuncaninFrance » Sat Aug 23, 2008 2:30 am

Tom,

Wikipedia page on Cornflowers. That is the exact picture on their page! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornflower Folklore and symbolism.
Duncan

What contemptible scoundrel has stolen the cork to my lunch? -- W.C. Fields
"Many of those who enjoy freedom know little of its price."
You can't fix Stupid, but you can occasionally head it off before it hurts something.
User avatar
Tom-May
Leading Member
Posts: 633
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 3:18 am
Location: Carshalton, Surrey

Post by Tom-May » Sat Aug 23, 2008 6:42 am

Duncan,

I just pinched it off Google Image (t seemed the best image on the page)

Tom
The Truth IS Out There, The lies are in your head. (T. Pratchett - 'Hogfather'))
Post Reply