Setting the record straight

The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) categorically rejects the assertion by United States’ President Donald Trump that allied forces "stayed a little back, a little off the front lines" in Afghanistan.
This claim is factually wrong, historically ignorant, and deeply offensive to the 47 Australian service personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice, the 261 wounded, and the nearly 40,000 Australians who served in our nation's longest war.
The facts speak for themselves:
Australian forces were among the first coalition troops into Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks. The SAS was on the ground two weeks after 9/11 with the US Marine brigade of the legendary General James Mattis.
RSL Australia National President, Peter Tinley, was there as Deputy Commander of the Special Forces Task Group in those opening months.
“For two decades, Australians operated in Uruzgan Province, one of the most dangerous regions in the country. Our troops didn't "stay a little back." They conducted offensive counter-insurgency operations, cleared Taliban strongholds, defused roadside bombs, mentored Afghan forces under fire, and fought in sustained close combat.
“Four Australians were awarded the Victoria Cross, our nation's highest honour for battlefield gallantry, for actions in Afghanistan. Corporal Cameron Baird was killed in action in 2013 after charging an enemy position three times to protect his mates. Trooper Mark Donaldson ran through enemy fire to rescue a wounded interpreter. Corporal Daniel Keighran deliberately drew enemy fire away from wounded colleagues. Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith mounted an assault against an enemy fortification, exposing his own position, drawing fire away from members of his patrol who were pinned down, storming two enemy machine gun posts, silencing them.
Peter Tinley said these were not the actions of men who “stayed behind the lines”.
“To our veterans, I say I understand what you are feeling today. I feel it too. Many of you deployed multiple times, missed births, funerals, and years of your children's lives. Some of you carry visible and invisible wounds that will never fully heal. And some of you are caring for mates who are struggling or grieving those who didn't make it home.
“To have that service dismissed so casually is a profound insult. Your service mattered. Your sacrifice mattered. No ill-informed comment can diminish what you did for this nation and our alliance.
“To the families of the fallen, I tell you that we hold your loved ones in sacred trust.
“The 47 names on the Australian War Memorial’s Roll of Honour, from Sergeant Andrew Russell, killed in 2002, to Corporal Cameron Baird in 2013, represent the finest of our nation. They were sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters. They gave everything. Australia will never forget them, and RSL Australia will never allow their sacrifice to be dishonoured or disrespected.”
Lest we forget.

Ok

Well said bigpair and I completely agree

Well said bigpair.

Right on, @bigpair.
The good news is that outside of a small (but irritatingly loud) fringe of his supporters, no one believes that buffoon’s lies anyhow.

Between October 7, 2001, and the withdrawal on August 30, 2021, a total of 2,456 to 2,461 U.S. military service members were killed in Afghanistan. Additionally, over 20,700 U.S. service members were wounded in action during the 20-year conflict

Couplex123, who is disputing that?

who is disputing that?


YOU would had trump said it.

So what's your point?

Wilma.. Try and keep up, ok?

I'm no lover of the armed forces, but I'm appalled at the recent comments made by Trump regarding the role of the allied forces in Afghanistan. His apologists have suggested us brits shouldn't take him literally, and that his pronouncements are for American ears!!! So to those from the USA, especially vets I'm interested in your reaction to his words 'they were a little behind the front line'

Mk54, thank you for your service.
The brave who fought on behalf of the US, should be afforded the same respect and gratitude, even if flag they wear on their patch is not the Stars and Stripes.

The Whole world knows Donald Trump is a pathetic liar, except for his Kool-Aid drinking Maga followers.

Don’t you mean pathological liar

I enlisted and served during the most unpopular US war ever and have a history of family members serving in different wars, I respect our military.

Really despicable comments from a U.S president.

This slur by Donald Trump may well lose him any support from within Australia. Many Australians support Trump in fighting back the undue and excesses of the left and feel that he could do a good job in sorting out our pathetic Federal Government.
What we are missing now is that our spineless Prime Minister won't "shirt front" Trump for this sad comment from the POTUS.
Australian forces have often felt that they are in greater danger from friendly fire whenever they have to work with US forces against a real enemy.

Thanks for the post Bigpair. I was offended on behalf of all Aussies & Allies.
Trump is off the planet - I just wish he would go back to that planet.

In my opinion, add the Brits to the Australian, and Allies comments
In fact I’m sure our American cousins would, if would quote, would confirm Allies, were shoulder to shoulder at the front line

Let's cancel AUKUS that place is full of ....

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