Given the events in Kabul over the last few weeks and the anniversary of 9/11 yesterday I debated if it was appropriate to write this and another book review about the Royal Irish Battlegroup in Afghanistan. One of the reviews about this book stated:

“This is an intensely sad and moving book. Sad because of the futility it portrays, and moving because of the heroism it recounts.” Peter Cunningham in the Irish Times.

On reading this I made up my mind to proceed.

I have had three books about the Irish Battlegroup in Afghanistan on my bedside table for some time and have finally finished all three. This is the first of three posts that I will write over the next few days on reviews of each.

The book covers the story of Bury’s career from Sandhurst through to his returning home from tour.

In summer 2006 Helmand Province erupted into violence as NATO forces struggled to crush Taliban strongholds. For six weeks the Royal Irish Regiment and the Paras defended Sangin in the face of ever-mounting attacks. At this point young officer Patrick Bury was learning the trade of the infantry in the Brecon Beacons.

Paddy had always wanted to be a soldier – a desire fraught with the contradictions of a complex history overridden by a ‘warrior calling’. When he arrived in Afghanistan with 1st Royal Irish, he was surrounded by men oozing bloody combat experience. This was not Sandhurst. It was extreme violence and killing. Hades Four One was his callsign and the infantry mantra rang in his ears: ‘To close and kill the enemy, in all weather conditions, in all terrain, by day or night.’ Over six months, Paddy and his company dealt with over a hundred IEDs, of which 60 exploded on them, killing his comrades in the most vicious of ways and fuelling a sense of ever-growing dissatisfaction in the young captain.

“This powerful and thoughful first-hand account about the ‘eternal truths of military life’ places the reader in Paddy’s boots, sharing every thought, ache, smell and taste of life on the frontline in Afghanistan. He describes modern warfare in a way that creates an understanding of the myriad complexities soldiers are faced with, the conditions in which they operate and the moral and emotional challenges they endure.” Google Books.

If you are interested in modern military history this book gives you a tremendous insight with a “hands on” account by someone who was at the coal face. I cannot recommend the book highly enough. I am glad it is on my shelf.

Unfortunately the book is currently unavailable from Book Depository although you may be more successful elsewhere.