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Message: [QUOTE="Trip_Wire, post: 38907, member: 239"] [b]Conclusion #3 French Para WIA's discuss Ambush[/b] Conclusion #3: Private Vincent Paul (20 years old, sharpshooter, fifteen months of active duty). Image hotlink - 'http://www.valeursactuelles.com/public/valeurs-actuelles/html/upload/img/48d8f2078541apaul.jpg' Paul stood in for the para who got sunstroke in the leading group. He therefore finds himself in the very front line when the insurgents open fire. “Right from the first shots, we’ve flattened ourselves against a low stone wall. We were five, all huddled up, surrounded by the impacts. Bullets were hitting twenty centimeters away from our feet. We returned fire but we couldn’t see anything. Higher up, our buddy at the head of the march was wounded but he was out of sight.” The Talibans are extremely close. “My neighbor informs me that he’s spotted a head between the rocks. In my telescopic sight, I make out a small slit made of flat stones. Behind, there’s a moving shadowy figure. Rear sights 600. I fire a shot without seeing the impact. I adjust my aim: 400 meters. Wham, I got him! Everyone was firing off. Hamada have thrown a rifle grenade. We could only show up for a few seconds because they were aiming at us quickly and accurately. After an hour and a half, we were having a hell of a hard time.” The Talibans enfilade the paras on the right. “Within three seconds, everyone got hit. The wounded and groaning soldiers attempt to make themselves as small as possible. The sole salvation would be to get over the pile of rocks. We dived as one and took cover behind two big rocks. The caporal-chef Grégroire gives Weatheane an injection of morphine. The others treat themselves as far as possible.” Bullets ricochet, unharmed troopers shoot back nonstop. “We were eight, too many behind these rocks. We had to move outta here. The sergeant and another guy left to catch up with the adjudant. Along with Weatheane and Garabedian, we got to a small thalweg that seemed to lead to the village. We progressed through a series of thrusts because they were sniping at us at every possible opportunity. The caporal-chef’s arm was crushed to a pulp. He suffered a great deal.” The fighting does not abate: explosions, bursts, smoke, dust, the whole of the hill is under fire. So are the VABs, but even so the French machine guns keep on spraying the crests relentlessly. “I’ve seen the A-10s coming from the valley and flying above the slope at low altitude. They were firing at the insurgents but also straight at our position. It was dark, I was afraid they hit us. I’ve seized my flashlight and sent out a few SOS: dot dot dot, dash dash dash, dot dot dot. At some point, the plane has flown over me and I’ve seen the pilot’s figure. He’s sent me out signals with a red light. He had understood. It was an enormous relief.” They must keep on moving down. As they approach the first house, Paul sees some figures. “At the shape of the helmets, I knew they were French. “Hey guys, that’s me, Paul!” They have immediately taken up their combat position. I’ve repeated my name a few times and they replied: “Carmin 2?” I went up to them and I recognize Carmin 3’s first lieutenant.” Thanks to Paul, the wounded caporal-chef is safe and useful pieces of information are delivered. Badly affected, Carmin 2 has been repatriated to Castres. Volunteers of the 8ème RPIMa have fallen over each other to take over their comrades. The first section of the third company has been chosen. It also is an adjudant, “a son of the 8ème” – who joined as a simple paratrooper in 1990 –, who is in command of this platoon. The section has arrived in Kabul. The mission must go on for this regiment united more than ever before by the ordeal. [/QUOTE]

Verification: How many letters are in "ShadowSpear?"