Callsign Hades
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4.6 • 34 Ratings
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- £5.99
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- £5.99
Publisher Description
In summer 2006 Helmand Province erupted into violence as NATO forces struggled to crush Taliban strongholds. For six weeks the Royal Irish Regiment and the Paras defended Sangin in the face of ever-mounting attacks. At this point young officer Patrick Bury was learning the trade of the infantry in the Brecon Beacons.
Paddy had always wanted to be a soldier - a desire fraught with the contradictions of a complex history overridden by a 'warrior calling'. When he arrived in Afghanistan with 1stRoyal Irish, he was surrounded by men oozing bloody combat experience. This was not Sandhurst. It was extreme violence and killing. Hades Four One was his callsign and the infantry mantra rang in his ears: 'To close and kill the enemy, in all weather conditions, in all terrain, by day or night.' Over six months, Paddy and his company dealt with over a hundred IEDs, of which 60 exploded on them, killing his comrades in the most vicious of ways and fuelling a sense of ever-growing dissatisfaction in the young captain.
This powerful and thoughful first-hand account about the 'eternal truths of military life' places the reader in Paddy's boots, sharing every thought, ache, smell and taste of life on the frontline in Afghanistan. He describes modern warfare in a way that creates an understanding of the myriad complexities soldiers are faced with, the conditions in which they operate and the moral and emotional challenges they endure.
Customer Reviews
Callsign Hades
Only the few will really understand all of this book, the rest of us will read it in wonder and amazement.
Written from the heart by a brave man, about brave men who do us the honour of protecting us as we sit at home comfy and safe.
I recommend we all read Callsign Hades, and learn a little about the people who wear the uniform and do the business
Callsign Hades
The most in depth account of war I have read. The author really does write a account bar no holds account, with his own thoughts and emotions laid on a page. Introduction to the author and Army training made for a good read as was the posting to 7 Platoon and the hurdles the author had to overcome as young officer.
I thought the early part of the deployment in Afghanistan seemed to blur and was a bit hap hazard, however that being said that could be a portrayal of the authors state of mid during this period.
The recollections of the Platoon under contact, dealing with the constant IED threat and descriptions of inter platoon relationships I thought was excellent and left me wanting to read more.
Repatriation was moving and sombre told in an emotive way.
Would have liked a bit more detail in the conclusion. The author went to great detail throughout the book as to his motivations and thoughts and morality. However at the end of the book there is just a reference that he author had left the army. Would have Been great to find out a bit about this era in similar detail as the rest of the book.
Overall, a good read and found myself not wanting to put it down. I thought the author did a good job.