Afghanistan - The Forgotten War

The war the world forgot

Yesterday's air crash in Afghanistan brought the death toll to 23 in a month. The Taliban is fighting more fiercely than ever. But frontline troops feel under-equipped, battle weary and ignored. By Cole Moreton in London and Tom Coghlan in Helmand province

14 British troops die in Afghan air crash

· Worst military disaster in war on terror
· MoD says tragedy was an accident

The British forces suffered their most deadly day since the war on terror began when a Nimrod surveillance aircraft from RAF Kinloss in Scotland crashed yesterday while supporting Nato ground operations in Afghanistan, killing all 14 servicemen on board.

Twelve RAF personnel, a Royal Marine and a soldier were among those who died when the aircraft came down in Kandahar province during an operation against Taliban insurgents.

The aircraft, which was due for replacement, was flying out of Oman, and is one of 12 Nimrods in service. It is equipped with some of the RAF's most secret and sophisticated communications, surveillance and communications equipment.

The British army is currently overstretched and underfunded.

The British government wants it both ways - cutting the military budget while insisting the British army takes on more and more responsibilities, especially in Afghanistan.

I would not be suprised if the senior military personnel start resigning en masse, nor if the British army actually revolted and refused to carry out orders.