Taliban Ambush

Story

Afghanistan

This photograph was taken by Sergeant Rupert Frere, who was 16 Air Assault Brigade's photographer in Afghanistan, and it was judged the best operational image in that year's Army Photographic Competition.

It was taken near Checkpoint Shingul in the Nad 'Ali area of Helmand Province in September 2010 and it shows Ranger Mawhinney of B Company the 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment returning fire with a General Purpose Machine Gun after a patrol had been ambushed by the Taliban.

Welcome to the Virtual Military Gallery

'I turned over one poor chap on a rocky, bloody crag on Tanngoucha. He was facing the right way, the last round of a clip in the breech and three dead Germans in front of him. His name was Duff. After all is over - and the remainder of the Empire is understandably irritated with Ireland - I hope these countless Duffs, from both the North and the South, and in all three services, will be remembered.
(Brigadier Nelson Russell, Commander 38 (Irish) Brigade, 1942-44)

Museums

For individual museum opening times and information, please click on the relevant museum below:
- Inniskillings Museum
- Royal Ulster Rifles Museum
- Royal Irish Fusiliers Museum
- Royal Irish Regiment Museum

Research Database

We have a large archive of soldier records. Trace your military heritage through our Research Database.

Find out more

Support by

Related Content

Taliban Ambush

Welcome to the Virtual Military Gallery

Museums

Research Database