Unfriendly Fire - Three British Soldiers Killed in Helmand

[TonyGosling]

http://news.google.co.uk/?ncl=1119805226

Tensions rise after three British soldiers killed in US airstrike
By Kim Sengupta
Published: 25 August 2007
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article2893882.ece

Three British soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan in a "friendly fire" attack by American aircraft while involved in a clash with Taliban fighters.

The deaths brought the number of British forces killed in action in the country to 50, and came at the end of a week which had exposed rifts between American and British forces.

The fatal incident, a "blue on blue" in military terms, took place at Kajaki in Helmand province, where British troops are trying to create a safety zone around a dam which would enable an American company to start repair work.

A British patrol called in air strikes after coming under fire from the Taliban and were then bombed by mistake by American F-15 aircraft which came in support. The three soldiers died at the scene, while two others who were injured, one described as "seriously" and the other "very seriously", were evacuated for treatment to the British base, Camp Bastion. All the casualties are from 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, which has now lost nine men during its tour of duty.

Tensions between US and British forces have risen after the American General Jack Keene, an advisor to the White House, scathingly criticised British policy in Iraq.....