The bloodiest battles - Danny Collins

Since the U.S.- and U.K.-led war in Afghanistan removed the Taliban from power in October 2001, coalition forces have remained on the battlefield to try and restrict Al-Qaeda's movement and bring peace and stability to a country ravaged by brutal wars since the 1970s. In often grueling conditions, British troops have been engaged in treacherous operations whose objectives range from rooting out rebel forces, halting illegal drug production, and protecting fragile state institutions,to improving the lives of the Afghan people. Some of the bloodiest fighting has taken place in Helmand Province, the area to the south of the country where in searing temperatures British troops daily take on the Taliban, as well as insurgents flocking into the country to join the holy war. Heroes have been born and medals won as firefights raged across dry wadis and men have died among the mud-walled towns of Gereshk, Mazdurak, and Sangin. Veteran journalist Danny Collins goes to the heart of the campaign to show just how goodthe front-line troops are, giving the full story of army life and service conditions as British troops fight to holda blood-soaked battlefield 4,000 miles from home.