Times Online
17 September 2010
Mike Irons for the London Times
British forces ambushed
The coalition forces in Tien Hamir, Zekistan, suffered high casualties as British forces were ambushed during a small operation today in Zekistan.
As coalition forces advanced on the Tien Hamir Bridge intelligence reported of a weapons cache in the local art centre. The commander-in-chief of the coalition forces, General Michael Silverman, ordered a small scale operation to secure the art centre and destroy the weapons cache.
- It was no big deal. Intelligence told us that hardly any Al-Zeki forces were in the area. We decided to go ahead with the attack on the Tien Hamir Bridge and send only a small group against the arts centre says Coalition spokesman.
The plan was to send in two British combat teams to open the gates and secure the southern gate of the arts centre, then a Wolf support combat vehicle would enter the arts centre’s yard to provide support while the two teams went on a search and destroy mission. After some limited street fighting the two teams reached the gate only to find that it was impossible to open from the front and after a quick debrief with HQ it was decided to flank the arts centre from the west.
- We knew the Al-Zeki had some troops out in the streets but we felt it was nothing the two teams couldn’t handle the spokesman continues.
When the two British combat teams were approaching the western gate a bus full with Al-Zeki forces arrived from the east. Soon heavy fighting erupted between the British and the Al-Zeki forces.
- We tried to send support but as the streets were blocked with debris the Wolf combat support vehicle couldn’t reach the two combat teams. And the Al-Zeki was defending the Tien Hamir Bridge much tougher than expected so no air support could be sent either.
After the Al-Zeki forces had been driven away from the southern gate and the combat teams were preparing to secure the western gate a previously unnoticed Al-Zeki sniper opened fire from a tower in the Arts centre wounding Lance Corporal Black and keeping the combat teams pinned.
- After a few rounds had been exchanged we were able to take out the sniper sergeant Sims comments.
- But we had one man wounded and we were running out of ammunition he continues.
As the teams approached the western gate in an attempt to reach the CASE VAC (Field medical and supply centre) they came under fire from an Al-Zeki squad of about two or three soldiers covering the Western gate. As the teams were moving to deal with them they came under fire from the east as well.
- We decided that Alpha team would cover us while we tried to secure and open the western gate Sergeant Hyde comments.
After some sporadic gunfire Bravo team reached the Western gate.
- We had left LCpl Black behind in cover so we would not jeopardize his health more than necessary Sergeant Hyde says.
- I sent Private Lewis to get him back to us he continues.
While helping LCpl Black back up Private Lewis was hit by bullets from the Al-Zeki forces.
- We [Alpha team] were short on ammo and more or less pinned down by the Al-Zeki Sergeant Sims says.
- But we decided not to try and fight our way out as we had to drag the fire away from Bravo team so they could get the Western gate open he continues.
Confusion seemed to rule the battlefield as communications were broken and the two teams were cut of from supply. And Bravo team now had two men wounded and stuck in the crossfire.
- I decided that Corporal Jones and I should try and get the Western gate open. And after a few minutes we got it open and the Wolf combat vehicle could enter as planned Sergeant Hyde says.
As Corporal Jones and sergeant Hyde went back to the CASE VAC to get more ammunition the Wolf combat vehicle was attacked from the northern side of the Art centre. Sergeant Anderson, who were in command of the Wolf combat vehicle, decided to hold his position to make sure that the Western gate, and the only route of supply, wasn’t cut of by the Al-Zeki.
When the remnants of Bravo team got back into action its first priority was to save the two men stuck in the crossfire. Smoke was laid out and the two wounded could be taken to the CASE VAC and given medical attention.
- We talked to Alpha team over the radio and it was decide that they would pull back to the CASE VAC to get some more ammunition and a new attack on the Al-Zeki could be carried out says sergeant Hyde.
Smoke was once again planted and Bravo team made their way to the CASE VAC. After about 30 minutes a renewed attacked was launched against the Al-Zeki.
- We decided that we would give cover fire while Bravo team tried to flank them says Sergeant Sims.
- After circa 15 minutes the weapons cache had been found and C-4s were being planted by Alpha team says Sergeant Hyde.
- We are still investigating how intelligence could miss this concentration of Al-Zeki forces says the Coalition spokesman.
- It is always sad when soldiers are wounded or killed because of intelligence misses and had we knew we would’ve never have sent in only two combat teams without air support he continues.
LCpl Black and Private Lewis are reported to be recovering at the coalition military hospital and will be send back to Europe in about a week for rest and better medical treatment.
How the attack on the Tien Hamir Bridge is going he will not comment. Sources tells us that coalition forces are still engaged in heavy fighting with the Al-Zeki and that more troops are being sent to support the attack on the bridge.
