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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2013}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox military conflict
{{Infobox military conflict
|conflict=Operation Sond Chara
| conflict = Operation Sond Chara
|partof=the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)]]
| partof = the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]
|image= Operation Red Dagger 01.JPEG
| image = Operation Red Dagger 01.JPEG
|image_size= 300px
| image_size = 300px
|caption=Royal Marines during Operation Red Dagger
| caption = Royal Marines during Operation Red Dagger
|date=11–26 December 2008
| date = 11–26 December 2008
|place= [[Helmand Province]], [[Afghanistan]]
| place = [[Helmand Province]], [[Afghanistan]]
|result= Coalition victory
| result = Coalition victory
|combatant1={{flag|United Kingdom}}, <br>{{flagicon|Afghanistan}} [[Afghan National Army]] (ANA)<br>{{flag|Denmark}} <br>{{Flag|Estonia}}
| combatant1 = {{flag|United Kingdom}}<br>{{Flagicon|Afghanistan|2004}} [[Islamic Republic of Afghanistan]]<br>{{flag|Denmark}}<br>{{Flag|Estonia}}
|combatant2={{flagicon|Afghanistan|Taliban}} [[Taliban insurgency|Taliban insurgents]]
| combatant2 = {{flagicon|Afghanistan|Taliban}} [[Taliban]]
|commander1={{flagicon|United Kingdom}}[[Gordon Messenger|Brigadier Gordon Messenger RM]]
| commander1 = {{flagicon|United Kingdom}}[[Gordon Messenger|Brigadier Gordon Messenger RM]]
|commander2=?
| commander2 = Unknown
|strength1=UK: 1,500 <br>Denmark: 700<br>Estonia: ~140 (total size of regiment deployed in Afghanistan)
| strength1 = {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1,500 <br>{{flagicon|Denmark}} 700<br>{{flagicon|Estonia}} ~140 (total size of regiment deployed in Afghanistan)
|strength2= 500 with 10,000 reinforcements in Helmand Pdovince alone.
| strength2 = 500 [[Taliban insurgency|insurgents]] with 10,000 reinforcements in Helmand province alone.
|casualties1= 5 killed and more (UK)
| casualties1 = {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} 5+ killed
|casualties2=Roughly 100 confirmed killed at minimum (+1 senior commander)
| casualties2 = Roughly 100 confirmed killed at minimum (+1 senior commander)
|casualties3=
| casualties3 =
}}
}}
{{Campaignbox US war in Afghanistan}}
{{Campaignbox US war in Afghanistan}}
[[File:Operation Sond Chara 02.jpg|thumb|Royal Marines taking part in Operation Sond Chara. Photo Cpl. John Scott Rafoss USMC]]
[[File:Operation Sond Chara 02.jpg|thumb|Royal Marines taking part in Operation Sond Chara. Photo Cpl. John Scott Rafoss USMC]]


'''Operation Sond Chara''' ('''Red Dagger''' in [[Pashto language|Pashto]]) was an 18-day-long campaign with its aims and objectives centred on four [[Taliban]] strongholds near the town of [[Nad Ali|Nad-e-Ali]] in [[Helmand]] Province, [[Afghanistan]]. The operation was named after the commando patch worn by members of [[3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines]]. 1,500 British troops were involved, supported by [[Denmark|Danish]], [[Estonia]]n and Afghan forces in the pre-Christmas offensive, commencing on 7 December 2008 with a night attack on Taliban defences in a village south of the operational area.
'''Operation Gaand Mara''' ('''Red Dagger''' in [[Pashto language|Pashto]]) was a campaign in the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]] with aims and objectives centred on four [[Taliban]] strongholds near the town of [[Nad Ali|Nad-e-Ali]] in [[Helmand]] Province, [[Afghanistan]]. The operation was named after the commando patch worn by members of [[3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines]]. 1,500 British troops were involved, supported by [[Denmark|Danish]], [[Estonia]]n and Afghan forces in the pre-Christmas offensive, commencing on 7 December 2008 with a night attack on Taliban defences in a village south of the operational area.


The offensive was intended to secure the area around the provincial capital of [[Lashkar Gah]] after an increase in insurgent attacks there (including a 300-man Taliban assault), as well as helping to safeguard a planned voter registration programme.
The offensive was intended to secure the area around the provincial capital of [[Lashkar Gah]] after an increase in insurgent attacks there (including a 300-man Taliban assault), as well as helping to safeguard a planned voter registration programme.


The hard fought battles were against well-armed insurgents, who held fast and retaliated with 107mm rockets but eventually withdrew under a barrage of British mortar, tank, and missile fire. British troops were fighting knee-deep in mud during First World War-style trench battles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7810323.stm|title=UK forces take key Taleban bases|publisher=BBC|accessdate=2009-01-05 | date=2009-01-04}}</ref> Some sections of the Marines fought while advancing over 60&nbsp;km under fire and in poor conditions. [[Close Quarters Battle|CQB]] fighting was common, and some commanders reported fighting at ranges of 30 metres or less.
The hard-fought battles were against well-armed insurgents, who held fast and retaliated with 107mm rockets but eventually withdrew under a barrage of British mortar, tank, and missile fire. British troops were fighting knee-deep in mud during First World War-style trench battles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7810323.stm|title=UK forces take key Taleban bases|publisher=BBC|access-date=2009-01-05 | date=2009-01-04}}</ref> Some sections of the Marines fought while advancing over 60&nbsp;km under fire and in poor conditions. [[Close Quarters Battle|CQB]] fighting was common, and some commanders reported fighting at ranges of 30 metres or less.


By its climax on 25 December 2008, 100 Taliban fighters, one reportedly a senior commander, were killed. By the end of the offensive five British soldiers, including an Australian serving with British forces, had been killed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5440404.ece|title=Taliban bases fall after major offensive|last=Smith|first=Michael|date=4 January 2008|publisher=Timesonline.co.uk|accessdate=2009-01-10}}</ref>
By its climax on 25 December 2008, 100 Taliban fighters, one reportedly a senior commander, were killed. By the end of the offensive five British soldiers, including an Australian serving with British forces, had been killed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5440404.ece|title=Taliban bases fall after major offensive|last=Smith|first=Michael|date=4 January 2008|publisher=Timesonline.co.uk|access-date=2009-01-10}}</ref>


After a raid south of [[Lashkar Gah]], £2 million worth of opium was found, alongside [[Improvised explosive device|IED]]s and other assorted drugs and explosives.
After a raid south of [[Lashkar Gah]], £2 million worth of opium was found, alongside [[Improvised explosive device|IED]]s and other assorted drugs and explosives.
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In respect of the Muslim festival of [[Eid al-Adha]], a two-day ceasefire starting on 8 December 2008 was upheld.
In respect of the Muslim festival of [[Eid al-Adha]], a two-day ceasefire starting on 8 December 2008 was upheld.


Recommencing operations on 11 December, 42 Commando Royal Marines attacked both from the ground and the air on [[Nad-e-Ali]], securing an area which had been an insurgent stronghold. Commandos backed by the 2nd Battalion The Princesses of Wales's Royal Regiment and the Afghan National Army attacked and captured the town of [[Shin Kalay]], west of [[Lashkar Gah]]. K Company (Black Knights) fought in the trenches surrounding the area, forcing the withdrawal of the insurgents. Royal Engineers found their efforts to build patrol bases hampered by heavy rain turning the ground into a sea of mud.
Recommencing operations on 11 December, 42 Commando Royal Marines attacked both from the ground and the air on [[Nad Ali|Nad-e-Ali]], securing an area which had been an insurgent stronghold. Commandos backed by the 2nd Battalion The Princesses of Wales's Royal Regiment and the Afghan National Army attacked and captured the town of [[Shin Kalay]], west of [[Lashkar Gah]]. K Company (Black Knights) fought in the trenches surrounding the area, forcing the withdrawal of the insurgents. Royal Engineers found their efforts to build patrol bases hampered by heavy rain turning the ground into a sea of mud.


Lima Company, 42 Commando saw the most ferocious close-quarters fighting during the 360-degree battle for [[Zarghun Kalay]], northwest of [[Lashkar Gah]], on 17 December. They were supported by Juliet Company during the following days.
Lima Company, 42 Commando saw the most ferocious close-quarters fighting during the 360-degree battle for Zarghun Kalay, northwest of [[Lashkar Gah]], on 17 December. They were supported by Juliet Company during the following days.


By the end of the operation the Marines of Lima Company Group had covered over 60&nbsp;km on foot in the most arduous conditions. Involved in intense firefights by day, and 'yomping' (walking) by night, the Marines slept rough, eating wherever and whenever they could for 17 days.
By the end of the operation the Marines of Lima Company Group had covered over 60&nbsp;km on foot in the most arduous conditions. Involved in intense firefights by day, and 'yomping' (walking) by night, the Marines slept rough, eating wherever and whenever they could for 17 days. As usual the British forces self proclaimed it a success.


==Troops involved==
==Troops involved==
Recce Platoon 1st Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment 1PWRR
Recce Platoon 1st Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment 1PWRR


The following troops were involved in the operation <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/InPicturesOpRedDaggerStrikesInHelmand.htm|title=IN PICTURES: Op Red Dagger strikes in Helmand|date=5 January 2009|publisher=MoD|accessdate=2009-01-05}}</ref>
The following troops were involved in the operation<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/InPicturesOpRedDaggerStrikesInHelmand.htm |title=IN PICTURES: Op Red Dagger strikes in Helmand (mod.uk) |access-date=5 January 2009 |archive-date=7 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107225202/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/InPicturesOpRedDaggerStrikesInHelmand.htm |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>


*42 Commando [[Royal Marines]]
*42 Commando [[Royal Marines]]
*C Company [[Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment|2PWRR]]
*C Company, [[Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment|2 PWRR]]
*A Squadron and 1 Troop C Sqn [[1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards|QDG]]
*A Squadron and 1 Troop C Sqn [[1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards|QDG]]
*B Company [[The Rifles|1 RIFLES]]
*B Company, [[The Rifles|1 RIFLES]]
*United Kingdom Land Forces Command Support Group (UKLF CSG)
*United Kingdom Land Forces Command Support Group (UKLF CSG)
*[[29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery|29 CDO Regt RA]]
*[[29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery]]
*[[24 Commando Regiment (United Kingdom)|24 Commando Regiment Royal Engineers]]
*[[24 Commando Regiment (United Kingdom)|24 Commando Regiment Royal Engineers]]
*Armoured Support Group Royal Marines
*Armoured Support Group Royal Marines
*Viking Troop, The Queen's Royal Hussars
*Estonian Company (Including Mortar Troop)
*Estonian Company (Including Mortar Troop)
*Danish Troops [[Jydske Dragonregiment|Jutland Dragoon Regiment]]
*Danish Troops [[Jydske Dragonregiment|Jutland Dragoon Regiment]]


:*(B Coy (Armoured Personnel Carriers)
:*B Company (Armoured Personnel Carriers)


:*A troop ([[Leopard 2|Leopard tanks]], Medical Section)
:*A troop ([[Leopard 2|Leopard tanks]], Medical Section)
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{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


*{{cite web |url=http://www.nato.int/isaf/docu/pressreleases/2009/01/pr090103-010.html |title=Joint ANSF, ISAF operation leads to hope in Helmand |accessdate=2009-01-20 |last= |first= |coauthors= |date= January 3, 2009 |publisher=[[NATO]]}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.nato.int/isaf/docu/pressreleases/2009/01/pr090103-010.html |title=Joint ANSF, ISAF operation leads to hope in Helmand |access-date=2009-01-20 |date= 3 January 2009 |publisher=[[NATO]]}}


{{Military operations in the war in Afghanistan}}
{{Military operations in the war in Afghanistan}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sond Chara}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sond Chara}}
[[Category:NATO operations in Afghanistan]]
[[Category:NATO operations in Afghanistan]]
[[Category:Military operations of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present) involving the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Military operations of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) involving the United Kingdom|Red Dagger]]
[[Category:2008 in Afghanistan]]
[[Category:2008 in the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]
[[Category:The Rifles]]
[[Category:The Rifles]]
[[Category:Military operations of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) involving Estonia]]
[[Category:Military operations of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) involving Denmark]]
[[Category:December 2008 events in Afghanistan]]

Revision as of 02:32, 7 July 2024

Operation Sond Chara
Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)

Royal Marines during Operation Red Dagger
Date11–26 December 2008
Location
Helmand Province, Afghanistan
Result Coalition victory
Belligerents
 United Kingdom
Afghanistan Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
 Denmark
 Estonia		 Afghanistan Taliban
Commanders and leaders
United KingdomBrigadier Gordon Messenger RM Unknown
Strength
United Kingdom 1,500
Denmark 700
Estonia ~140 (total size of regiment deployed in Afghanistan)		 500 insurgents with 10,000 reinforcements in Helmand province alone.
Casualties and losses
United Kingdom 5+ killed Roughly 100 confirmed killed at minimum (+1 senior commander)
Royal Marines taking part in Operation Sond Chara. Photo Cpl. John Scott Rafoss USMC

Operation Gaand Mara (Red Dagger in Pashto) was a campaign in the War in Afghanistan with aims and objectives centred on four Taliban strongholds near the town of Nad-e-Ali in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. The operation was named after the commando patch worn by members of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines. 1,500 British troops were involved, supported by Danish, Estonian and Afghan forces in the pre-Christmas offensive, commencing on 7 December 2008 with a night attack on Taliban defences in a village south of the operational area.

The offensive was intended to secure the area around the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah after an increase in insurgent attacks there (including a 300-man Taliban assault), as well as helping to safeguard a planned voter registration programme.

The hard-fought battles were against well-armed insurgents, who held fast and retaliated with 107mm rockets but eventually withdrew under a barrage of British mortar, tank, and missile fire. British troops were fighting knee-deep in mud during First World War-style trench battles.[1] Some sections of the Marines fought while advancing over 60 km under fire and in poor conditions. CQB fighting was common, and some commanders reported fighting at ranges of 30 metres or less.

By its climax on 25 December 2008, 100 Taliban fighters, one reportedly a senior commander, were killed. By the end of the offensive five British soldiers, including an Australian serving with British forces, had been killed.[2]

After a raid south of Lashkar Gah, £2 million worth of opium was found, alongside IEDs and other assorted drugs and explosives.

Brigadier Gordon Messenger, commander of Task Force Helmand, classes the campaign as "very successful".

In respect of the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha, a two-day ceasefire starting on 8 December 2008 was upheld.

Recommencing operations on 11 December, 42 Commando Royal Marines attacked both from the ground and the air on Nad-e-Ali, securing an area which had been an insurgent stronghold. Commandos backed by the 2nd Battalion The Princesses of Wales's Royal Regiment and the Afghan National Army attacked and captured the town of Shin Kalay, west of Lashkar Gah. K Company (Black Knights) fought in the trenches surrounding the area, forcing the withdrawal of the insurgents. Royal Engineers found their efforts to build patrol bases hampered by heavy rain turning the ground into a sea of mud.

Lima Company, 42 Commando saw the most ferocious close-quarters fighting during the 360-degree battle for Zarghun Kalay, northwest of Lashkar Gah, on 17 December. They were supported by Juliet Company during the following days.

By the end of the operation the Marines of Lima Company Group had covered over 60 km on foot in the most arduous conditions. Involved in intense firefights by day, and 'yomping' (walking) by night, the Marines slept rough, eating wherever and whenever they could for 17 days. As usual the British forces self proclaimed it a success.

Troops involved

Recce Platoon 1st Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment 1PWRR

The following troops were involved in the operation[3]

  • B Company (Armoured Personnel Carriers)
  • Royal Danish Engineers Regiment
  • Combat Engineers Section

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Operation Sond Chara.

References

  1. ^ "UK forces take key Taleban bases". BBC. 4 January 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2009.
  2. ^ Smith, Michael (4 January 2008). "Taliban bases fall after major offensive". Timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
  3. ^ "IN PICTURES: Op Red Dagger strikes in Helmand (mod.uk)". Archived from the original on 7 January 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)

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