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thedrifter
05-11-09, 08:01 AM
Most Daring Rescue Mission Of War Revealed

Monday, May 11 10:39 am
Sky News 2009

Dramatic new pictures of a daring rescue attempt of a British Royal Marine critically wounded during a battle in Afghanistan have been revealed. Skip related content

The crew of two Apache helicopters braved enemy fire and risked their lives trying to save 30-year-old Lance Corporal Mathew Ford.

LCpl Ford became stranded during a British mission to flush out Taliban fighters from a fort in Helmand Province.

The rescue - captured on video by a Royal Marine - was launched as soon as it became clear LCpl Ford was missing.

The WAH-64 Apaches with four Royal Marines strapped to the sides and under-carriage landed inside the Taliban stronghold.

Insurgents fired on the two aircraft as they touched down but a third Apache hovering above provided covering fire.

It took several minutes for the crew to locate LCpl Ford who was lying on the ground with gunshot wounds.

The team managed to strap LCpl Ford onto the side of one of the Apaches, but had no time to attach themselves safely back on so clung to the wings of the aircraft as it escaped.

Tragically, by the time the crew had returned to Camp Bastion, LCpl Ford had died from his injuries.

As a result of carrying out one of the most daring rescue missions of the war in Afghanistan, three of the crew were honoured with the Military Cross.

The rescue mission took place on January 15, 2007, during the Royal Marines' Operation Glacier mission.

An internal inquiry found LCpl Ford, from Zulu Company of 45 Commando Royal Marines, was probably a victim of "friendly fire" Nato bullets.

Ellie