August 19,2008
2 platoons, 60 men, belonging to the 8ème Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine (Airborne ... Marine Infantry) 2ème Régiment Etranger de Parachutistes (Airborne ... Foreign Legion) and Régiment de Marche du Tchad (Motorised Infantry ... Marine Infantry) patrolling with an unit of the Afghan National Army, 30 miles of Kabul, near Surobi have been caught in an important ambush at the end of the afternoon.
Many IED and RPGs hit the patrol, the fight went late into the night until mid morning, 10 French soldiers have been killed in action and 21 wounded.
Circumstances of the ambush: A group of 100 French, ANA and US SF were ending a patrol at high altitude and making a RECO on foot, no UAV available, when a group of 100 Talibans opened fire. 8 French paratroopers of the 8th RPIMA and one medic of the 2nd REP were instantly killed, a dozen of soldiers including the CO were wounded. Firefight last for hours during the night until morning, fire support came from two Apache and two A10 and partly from two Caracal used for MEDEVAC.
30 Talibans killed (their leader presumably among them), 30 Talibans wounded according to available informations.
Looks like the Talebans have really taken an agressive stance for weeks. An american unit had to go through a fierce fight near the border with Pakistan during the night.
Today France mourns it's Heros
....the war on terrorism includes ALL nations,the extremist Muslims care not what country....yes-God bless 'em.....and their families