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Blood Clot: In Combat with Patrols Pltn

Posted: Thu 15 Jan, 2009 2:14 am
by Alfa
Just came across this book which I thought sounds pretty good. It doesn't appear to be stocked in any of the shops I've been in so far but it only came out in December so that could be why its not in wide circulation yet (although it can be ordered online or by shops like Waterstones for example)

Anyway, just thought it might interest a few people on here so I decided to post a link to it here's the info from Amazon about it:

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Jake Scott (author) wrote:"As you know 'blood clot' means blood cells coming together to form a strong clot that forms and sticks together to keep the wound sealed enabling it to repair. The Parachute Regiment's 'blood clot' acts the same, whether downtown scrapping or in some far away country fighting alongside each other. Our maroon berets come together, they stick together, they close ranks forming the blood clot and fight against anything that comes their way."
Product Description wrote:When the 3 Para battle group departed for Helmand Province, south Afghanistan, nobody really knew what to expect. Within a month of being on the ground the first of many contacts between the Taliban and British forces began.

The British government and media were in shock - for the men on the ground it was what they were trained for. As weeks went on the fighting increased. Resources and manning were poor but for the Paras it was too late - it was back to basics, living in holes in the ground in 60 degree temperatures, often in small numbers and under constant attack from the Taliban. It looked as if it was going to be a long six months...

"Blood Clot" is a personal account of the Parachute Regiment's ferocious tour of duty in Helmand Province, Afghanistan 2006 by a man who was involved in the thick of the action.Born in 1981, Jake Scott joined the Parachute Regiment aged 17, and had already seen service around the world - including Iraq - before becoming part of a small reconnaissance team trained to operate behind enemy lines, known as 'the Patrols'.

Jake and his mates probed, escorted and fought their way in and around some of the most dangerous areas in the whole of the Middle East - virgin Taliban country. After intense fighting against the odds, leaving dead Taliban soldiers in their wake and encountering some very near misses themselves, the Patrols platoon eventually ended their tour of duty.

This is their story - the very beginning of the Afghan troubles in the south, the build up and lack of support and equipment in the initial stages, the close and dangerous fighting, the boredom of the open desert and the uncontrollable sadness of friends killed and injured around them.The Paras and their battle group arrived in small numbers in Helmand in 2006. They set the example for others to follow for many years to come - the aggressiveness of the airborne soldier when it was called for, fighting the Taliban on their turf, up close and personal.
Sounds like it could be a good read, plus it's written by an actual Para rather than a professional author so should be a good insight into the Reg.

Posted: Thu 15 Jan, 2009 4:19 pm
by just_me
Thanksfor that it looks good. I take it Amazon.co.uk stock this book?

Posted: Thu 15 Jan, 2009 5:30 pm
by daz89
looks like a good read, play.com has it in stock for £14.99 mate.

Has anybody read 3 Para by Patrick Bishop? sounds like the same type of book.

Posted: Fri 30 Jan, 2009 7:27 pm
by just_me
Have been reading this and although I'm not far it's a good read. Got it for a bit more than a tenner off Amazon.co.uk.
And yeah, I've read 3 Para and I found it intresting as well.
Blood-clot is a soldier's view account of the same tour "3 Para" was written about, 1st hand instead of Patrick's research.

Posted: Sun 01 Feb, 2009 5:13 pm
by just_me
Finished it and I would reccomend it.

Posted: Fri 06 Feb, 2009 11:34 pm
by Sportacus
Yeah I second that, awesome book.