A major Taliban offensive in Helmand has been thwarted by British forces and the resulting counter-offensive has the group running for the hills.
The local leader is unwilling to loss his most valuable supplies and has set up a rear-guard operation in advance of the main bridge across the Sittang to give him time to evacuate his headquarters.
![Sittangbad](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6126/5927484607_3b3a996c62.jpg)
The Taliban supply dump is a hive of activity
![Taliban Supply Dump](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6128/5927486955_ded6803bb4.jpg)
The first echelon of the British raiders advance
![British Raiders](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6023/5928047970_38ed058e1d.jpg)
The advance to Ishaghar is interrupted by the outlying Taliban groups
![Advance to Ishaghar](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6128/5927491407_c41202aa28.jpg)
The Warrior targets the group inside Ishaghar at point blank
![Warrior at Point Blank](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/5942221359_2851fcf317.jpg)
Civilians on the Front Line complicate matters
![Civilians on the Front Line](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/5942222437_2eb4c4d8e9.jpg)
The medic renders aid to them, before long he's called over to help the sniper team
![Rendering Aid](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6127/5942782228_e15f864460.jpg)
Taliban snipers are cornered by WMIK, which jumps ahead of the main body to prevent their withdrawal
![Snipers cornered by WMIK](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/5942852372_5436ddb4ed.jpg)
The WMIK stays behind poppy fields, hoping that the cover will protect it
![WMIK behind poppy fields](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6123/5942237113_6ef12fe22e.jpg)
The drivers (well, some of them at least) spring into action
![Drivers into action](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6030/5942795966_13e4bd84bd.jpg)
A driver getting onboard
![Getting onboard](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6134/5942796880_750fc65b7b.jpg)
The DShK team setting up a hot reception
![Setting up a hot reception](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6011/5942797962_0c21fcc487.jpg)
The senior Taliban leader leaves his advanced position
![Discretion better part of valour](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6139/5942798868_396f7b7919.jpg)
Taliban set up firing position on the tomb
![Taliban set up firing position](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6028/5942799796_dd8c35dfc4.jpg)
Technical's MG cuts out
![Technical's MG cuts out](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6144/5942800730_f43a23f3b8.jpg)
Moving through the ravine - this Taliban team intends to cut off the advancing British at Ishaghar
![Moving through the ravine](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6139/5942801734_01666a4900.jpg)
Setting up on overwatch inside the village
![Setting up on overwatch](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6026/5942802632_3805185210.jpg)
Civilians in the line of fire - maybe the heavy machine gun next door is going to sour the goats' milk!
![Civilians in the line of fire](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6015/5942803596_fd35e1042a.jpg)
Fireteam feels confident that it's bringing enough firepower to the party
![Fireteam feels confident](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6147/5942246929_e4c2b20fca.jpg)
Warrior tries to get Technical, but the 4x4 speeds away just as it opens up
![Warrior tries to get Technical](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/5942805708_337b5280a2.jpg)
Leader gets back to Sittangbad to pick up a lift out of the town
![Leader gets back to Sittangbad](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6023/5942806508_57c2574eb0.jpg)
WMIK driving around the poppy fields - it's hoping to slow down the withdrawal - its engine has been damaged in an exchange with the .50cal
![WMIK driving around poppy fields](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6150/5942249733_990b5a9b65.jpg)
Second batch of trucks gets ready to move out
![Second batch of trucks](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6012/5942250867_a81b2051ba.jpg)
Holed up in the town - the British snipers attempt to suppress these Taliban to cover the advance - but they come off second best
![Holed up in town](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6020/5942809428_541189f857.jpg)
IED triggered, but somehow the WMIK is unscathed - it drives back the way it came, who knows how many IEDs are nearby?
![IED triggered](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6121/5942810304_624bffc6a8.jpg)
IED goes off in the house a fireteam have chosen to set up in too - again they luck out and none are injured
![IED goes off in house too](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6010/5942253505_9195f61f66.jpg)
GPMG team humping along behind Warrior (why did we get out of that again Herby?)
![GPMG humping behind Warrior](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6026/5942812312_fa917216cd.jpg)
Fireteam moves around village, trusting the fireteam inside the village to cover its flank as it passes the ravines
![Fireteam moves around village](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6121/5942255443_8af3658668.jpg)
The Mastiff roars into action, a fireteam is inside, due for a bumpy ride right into Sittangbad!
![Mastiff roars into action](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6150/5942814264_f86c4da7b8.jpg)
Demolitions team sets up with a view on the bridge, but very well hidden from other directions
![Demolitions team sets up](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6126/5942815362_053d0abb62.jpg)
Sticking to cover as it advances
![Sticking to cover](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/5942816426_197b669174.jpg)
MOnty, the Warrior commander licks his lips - his shot completely obliterates the truck
![Warrior commander licking his lips](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6017/5942817530_e0808f47fb.jpg)
Traffic jam not helped by exploding truck, which must've been carrying ammunition
![Traffic jam not helped by exploding truck](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6135/5942260425_bdc9f48ff4.jpg)
The first Taliban truck makes it across the Sittang
![First truck makes it across](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6126/5942261451_c0c6a314ed.jpg)
The Taliban's senior leader takes this opportunity to trash-talk - he's nearly safe and across the bridge
![Trash talking as he crosses the bridge](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6131/5942820742_2e7678019d.jpg)
The fireteam inside Ishaghar takes more fire from the ravine
![Taking more fire from the ravine](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6002/5942263381_a51f02f621.jpg)
The action inside Sittangbad heats up
![Action at Sittangbad](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6012/5942822604_87647f0474.jpg)
An RPG team shows up just beside the WMIK and Sniper team
![RPG team shows up](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6010/5942265339_fb707a477a.jpg)
Warrior's advance stopped by IED near bridge - it was intending to drive right up to the bridge, shooting at the 4x4 and the demolitions team
![Warrior's advance stopped by IED near bridge](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6008/5942267161_61e5881dbd.jpg)
Technical knocked out by the Warrior - the leader, a bodyguard and the driver all bail out and run for the other side of the bridge
![Technical knocked out](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6145/5942268005_d5fb6af35b.jpg)
Mastiff trains MG on Taliban leader - wiping out the small group as it crosses the bridge
![Mastiff trains MG on Taliban leader](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6144/5942268809_a7b5b78cf3.jpg)
The bridge is blown after the leader is gunned down
![Bridge blown after leader is gunned down](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6027/5942269711_e2e522ddc3.jpg)
The goat herder leaves the killing zone unharmed
![Goat herder unharmed](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6140/5942828866_d0c964ae78.jpg)
You'll never guess what happened to my truck!
![My truck!](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6125/5942829832_bea4999894.jpg)
Fireteam disembarks from Mastiff, and starts taking control of Sittangbad
![Fireteam taking control of Sittangbad](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6131/5942272421_2ef494390a.jpg)
GPMG team runs across open ground - even though the battle may seem over, there are still plenty of Taliban on this side of the river
![Run across open ground](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6020/5942831714_7022273e62.jpg)
Lurking RPG team takes a shot at the WMIK
![Taking shot at the WMIK](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6025/5942274331_a93296675c.jpg)
Sniper team takes punishment - again the snipers are beaten to the punch and take a casualty (and their return fire is entirely ineffective)
![Sniper team takes punishment](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6138/5942275369_b3cf22ba7c.jpg)
A groggy Taliban leader is taken prisoner outside the tomb
![Prisoner](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6017/5942591925_ab6efa7cda.jpg)
The aftermath - Sittangbad has survived the maelstrom
![Aftermath](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6029/5942593455_d1a9e9b3eb.jpg)
The British win this one 20-13, miraculously there were no serious casualties on their side. At the end the escape of the senior Taliban leader would've made it a marginal victory for the Taliban so pretty close all things considered.
Wonderful models, great terrain and a good read as always! Keep posting!
ReplyDeleteFinally taking the plunge. I'm gathering up the pieces to put together a small force of Lybian freedom fighters with technicals. Look forward to deploying them soon as the paint dries.
ReplyDeleteGreat looking game - looks heaps of fun.
ReplyDeleteFrank
http://adventuresinlead.blogspot.com/
I agree with Jonathan !! Just fantastic
ReplyDeleteLook upon my blog ye readers and despair!
ReplyDeletehttp://joyandforgetfulness.blogspot.com/2011/07/donoghs-contest.html
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