Over the past eight weeks in Helmand province, British forces have requested Op Minimise 37 times, more than once every day-and-a-half. Yet, despite this being the bloodiest period for British troops in Afghanistan since the US-led invasion eight years ago, few first-hand accounts from Helmand's front line have emerged.

 

Now the Observer can publish the diaries of a serving combat soldier engaged in the fiercest fighting of recent weeks. He tells how his unit was embroiled in up to six "contacts" a day, sometimes against Chechnyan snipers, on other occasions highly trained Pakistani militia. The author himself is credited with killing more than 30 Taliban.

You have done your duty, you served your country, you fought a good fight, you survived the war, you have been honorably discharged and you are finally home with your family. You are met with open arms, hugs, tears and welcomed home by family, friends, neighbors and the American people.

 

You have done your duty, you served your country, you fought a good fight, you survived the war, you have been honorably discharged and you are finally home with your family. You are met with open arms, hugs, tears and welcomed home by family, friends, neighbors and the American people.

 

You are one of those soldiers who has been wounded in battle, lost a limb or maybe both legs.  You may be suffering from PTSD, cancer from chemicals warfare or brain injury.

 

The parties, parades, speeches, the crowds, your friends, neighbors have all ended and have gone home and you are left all alone now with your conpanion and children.  Now what?  Where do you go from here?