Roberts Ridge: A Story of Courage and Sacrifice on Takur Ghar Mountain, Afghanistan

A great read for anyone interested in soldiers in combat.

An operation to insert observers onto a mountain overlooking a battle zone goes wrong, as the mountain is found to be occupied by Taliban troops and the helicopter delivering US special forces is hit by machine gun and rocket fire. As an explosion shakes the helicopter, one of the soldiers falls out onto the snow-capped mountain top. The operation then changes into a rescue mission involving Navy SEALS, Army Rangers, Air Force jets and all manner of surveillance aircraft in an attempt to recover the missing man. The result was seven US soldiers killed, with many more wounded.

The men involved were all highly trained and very capable special forces personnel, but rather than being gung-ho comic-book heroes, the author has gone to great lengths to research their personal histories, and so the men are shown to be not only dedicated soldiers, but also dedicated fathers and family men. The effect is to make the tale very personal, as these people are just like ordinary men. They could be your neighbour, your brother in law, someone at work. Therefore, you can see why the US military went to so much trouble to save just one man, even when they don't know if that man is dead or alive.

Not an easy book to put down.

Great read (3/3 people found this helpful)

An enthralling account of the battle and subsequent rescue missions attempted on an isolated mountain top peak in Afghanistan by American Special Forces & Ranger units in March 2002.

The book follows the rescue trail after an initial attempt to insert an American SEAL unit on Takur Ghar mountain goes horribly wrong. The initial insertion attempt leads to a Chinook being shot down and the horrifying predicament of a SEAL operative who falls from the loading ramp of the helicopter onto the snow topped peak. Another Chinook is shot down going to the aid of the SEAL operator and it is only after a series of lengthy and vicious fire fights that a 3rd helicopter is able to be sent in to eventually lift the survivors from the mountain.

The book describes the horror of `hot LZ' ambushes in detail along with the intensity of the fire fights involved in this incident. It also gives an insight into the complexities and dangers of Special Forces and mountain warfare operations in modern warfare.

A gripping one session read if you have the time....excellent!

Would make a perfect movie scenario (4/4 people found this helpful)

A good read. Just as it says on the front page - "Impossible to put down". The story is fair, as it shows that the plan was less than perfect. And the coordination and various units involved was less than ideal. All heroes of the book are presented in a personal way (the author has done some extra effort in this area), which makes them look more human, normal, one of us.

The American equipment is high tech. The Afghanis are wearing pajamas and flip-flops in the area cover with snow. And still they are giving the US elite troops the fight of their life.

If there was a plan for a next good war movie (the last one was "Black Hawk Down") - this would be the scenario. Gripping and highly recommended.

Roberts Ridge: A Story of Courage and Sacrifice on Takur Ghar Mountain, Afghanistan

Malcolm MacPherson

Reader Reviews:

Heroes every one. (8/8 people found this helpful)

Great read (3/3 people found this helpful)

Would make a perfect movie scenario (4/4 people found this helpful)

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