First Soldiers Down
Canada's Friendly Fire Deaths in Afghanistan
- Publisher
- Dundurn Press
- Initial publish date
- Apr 2012
- Category
- Afghan War (2001-), United States, Canada
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9781459703278
- Publish Date
- Apr 2012
- List Price
- $28.99
-
eBook
- ISBN
- 9781459703292
- Publish Date
- Apr 2012
- List Price
- $9.99
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Description
On April 18, 2002, "friendly fire" killed four Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan, Canada’s first combat deaths since the Korean War.
On April 18, 2002, Alpha Company, Third Battalion of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, was on a training exercise at Tarnak Farms, a former Taliban artillery range in southern Afghanistan. The exercise had been underway for nearly seven hours when two American fighter pilots flew overhead. One, Major Harry Schmidt, saw the artillery fire below, and thinking he was under attack, dropped a laser-guided bomb.
Four Canadian soldiers died that night, the first Canadian combat fatalities since the Korean War. For many in Canada the tragedy signalled the true beginning of Canada’s lengthy combat mission in Afghanistan.
First Soldiers Down recounts what happened that evening through archival material and the recollections of troops. It also tells the personal stories of the fallen Sergeant Marc Lger, Corporal Ainsworth Dyer, Private Richard Green, and Private Nathan Smith as well as what happened to the loved ones of each of the four in the decade since the incident.
About the authors
Ron Corbett is a writer, journalist, and broadcaster whose writing has won numerous prizes, including two National Newspaper Awards. Previously, he published the books The Last Guide and A Grand Adventure. Corbett has taught journalism at Carleton University and has worked for the Ottawa Citizen, the Ottawa Sun, and CHUM Radio. He lives in Manotick, Ontario.
Editorial Reviews
Ten years after the incident, Corbett is able to give a complete picture of the events that led to the first deaths of Canadian troops in a combat zone since the Korean War. His take on the deployment is distinctly Canadian, and right on target.
Waterloo Record
Overall, the book is engaging and powerful. The writing is strong, and the emotional narrative moves quickly. I strongly recommend the book to anyone interested in the event in general, and the impact upon those it touched in particular.
Canadian Military Journal