Pride and Fall

This book provides a detailed account of the British military campaign in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014, as told through the experiences of those who served.  

Following the 9/11 attacks, the British government supported the initial US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 and deployed troops to Kabul from 2002. However, with the expansion of ISAF operations to the south, Britain became deeply involved in a prolonged campaign against a determined insurgency.  

Operation Herrick began in January 2006 when a battlegroup from the Parachute Regiment was sent to Helmand Province with hopes of completing their mission within three years and minimal conflict. Reality proved far harsher. Between 2006 and 2014, British brigade-sized task forces rotated through Helmand on six-month tours. By the time British forces withdrew in 2014, they had suffered 456 fatalities, over 2,000 injuries, and left behind a resurgent Taliban.  

Written by Sergio Miller, who served in Defence Intelligence during the campaign, this book seeks to address the many lingering questions about the conflict. Drawing on extensive open-source material, it focuses not on counter-insurgency theories or geopolitical strategy but on the personal stories of the men and women who endured this demanding and costly campaign.