Battle of Doan

Last updated
Battle of Doan
Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present), Operation Slipper
Date9 September 2011
Location
Result

Coalition victory

  • Taliban withdrew
  • Village of Doan secured
Belligerents
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Flag of Afghanistan (2004-2013).svg  Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Flag of the Taliban.svg Taliban
Commanders and leaders
Flag of Australia (converted).svg LT
Flag of Afghanistan (2004-2013).svg LT
Unknown
Units involved
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2 RAR
Flag of Afghanistan (2004-2013).svg Afghan National Army
Flag of the United States.svg 29th Infantry Division
Strength
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Flag of Afghanistan (2004-2013).svg 60+ combined forces
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Several Bushmasters
Flag of the United States.svg air support and QRF assets
Unknown number of insurgents
Casualties and losses
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 1 wounded
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 1 Bushmaster destroyed
Unconfirmed number of fighters killed/or injured
1 local arrested on suspicion.

The Battle of Doan was a ground battle in the War in Afghanistan fought in Doan Village on 9 September 2011 between forces of the Taliban and elements of the Afghan National Army accompanied by units of the Australian Army deployed under Operation Slipper. The Taliban fired harassing fire at an Australian and Afghan patrol near the village of Doan, in Oruzgan Province, an I.E.D causing the loss of one Australian vehicle, with one soldier wounded. One person was arrested, while casualties on the Taliban side are unknown.

Contents

Background

The village of Doan is located in the western part of Oruzgan Province which is often called the "Wild West of Oruzgan" due to the high level of violent attacks. One of the most remote outposts in Oruzgan is Patrol Base Tinsley, which is where Australians train their Afghan colleagues. Part of their training involves patrols in order to halt the advance of the Taliban. The Australians and ANA conducted a three-day joint patrol to the village of Doan. During this time, they were constantly being engaged by sporadic fire from the 'green zone'.

Battle

On 9 September 2011 a joint patrol of Australians from Combat Team Charlie, Mentoring Task Force 3 and ANA troops came under Taliban fire near Doan. The patrol made its way through the village before exchanging fire on the outskirts of Doan. RPGs and a mortar crew added to the coalition's firepower. During the battle, a Bushmaster vehicle was destroyed when it hit an IED whilst under fire, the crew had to bail out and a digger was wounded and airlifted to hospital. The Taliban eventually fortified themselves on a hill and managed to counter all attacks. The fighting dragged on well into the night.

Aftermath

The Australian who was wounded was airlifted to a Coalition hospital in Tarin Kowt and treated for his injuries. A squad of US soldiers of the 29th Infantry Division which had been assigned as the security force for the region's Civil Affairs forces, assisted in the Quick Reaction Force (QRF), casevac, and resupply of Australian forces. Over the previous few days, US forces had conducted combat operations in the Kod Valley to the north of Doan. It is estimated that a small number of Taliban were killed during the battle. During the battle, the Australians arrested a local Afghan on suspicion of aiding the Taliban. No civilians were killed or injured and the village of Doan was secured. [1] [2] [3]

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References

  1. Gary Ramage (9 September 2009). "Video: Battle of Doan". Herald Sun. Retrieved 15 December 2011..
  2. Gary Ramage (11 September 2011). "Video: Battle of Doan". Courier Mail. Retrieved 19 December 2011..
  3. Gary Ramage (9 September 2011). "Video: Raw footage of the Battle of Doan in Afghanistan". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 19 December 2011..