| The following is Cpl Guillaume Monette’s first-hand account of his experiences in Afghanistan. Cpl Monette is with the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group. |
Afghanistan — We’ve now been in our new position at the gates of another village for almost 10 days and already the insurgents are showing us what they can do.
This is not our first time in this corner of the country, it’s the third; and this time we came to stay. We intend to set up housekeeping and live right here on the border of enemy territory. What’s more, we’re not alone.
Company in, insurgents out
Cpl Boudreault and Cpl Foster practice handling their weapons.
The whole company is moving into platoon houses. We now live in our sector of operations to keep the insurgents out of it. With this mission taken to heart, we are constantly pushing the insurgents far from our lines.
The platoon’s situation has changed dramatically. One day, we do reconstruction and development work in a village; the next, we are under enemy observation on the frontier of one of their sanctuaries.
Under cover of night
It was relatively simple to pick a spot to settle down on. Unlike the other times, none of the enemy tried to tangle with us. Instead, they took advantage of the cover of night to plant improvised explosive devices on our re-supply route.
Despite all our precautions, one of these devices exploded under one of our vehicles, killing a comrade, which distressed us greatly. We consequently redoubled our vigilance and continued our mission as safely as we could.
One fine day
Lt Bériault and A Coy soldiers in one of their platoon house defences in the heart of an Afghan village.
One fine day on our Strong Point, where we currently live, we spotted an insurgent reconnaissance patrol watching us from on top of a building. We immediately confirmed the sighting and then engaged the enemy as our mission requires us to do. Then, a little after, a series of shots erupted from the village in our direction.
We quickly replied to the enemy fire, effectively sounding a battle cry, but the insurgents didn’t give us an easy victory. From several different positions, they laid down intensive fire from light and heavy machine-guns, a grenade-launcher and a mortar.
Important victory
At this point, we poured a hellfire of ordnance in their direction to break the contact. In effect, we broke their will to continue fighting and put them in fear for their lives. It was an important victory for our platoon.
Everything seemed to calm down after those emotional days, but we are nevertheless convinced that the insurgents are watching us. This is why we have to stay on our guard, maintaining vigilance, as we wait for the new incoming rotation to relieve us.
Article by Corporal Guillaume Monette, 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group
