World News 12-09-2000 Paras Describe "Scary" Hostage Rescue who: British troops what: Describe hostage rescue mission where: Sierra Leone when: Yesterday snippet: "Brave Paratroopers told yesterday how they carried out the daring mission to rescue six British soldiers held hostage," reports The Sun. "They spoke as a soldier killed in the battle was identified as SAS man Bombardier Brad Tinnion, 26, who had served in the Royal Artillery." "It was a scary experience," says Corporal Simon Dawes, describing the dawn raid on Sunday to rescue the Royal Irish Regiment soldiers held captive by the rebel West Side Boys in Sierra Leone. "This was the first firefight I have been in where rounds were coming my way," he explains, "but once we got into the battle, the training took over". Bombardier Tinnion was wounded in the stomach and died after being airlifted to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Sir Percivale. He "died bravely doing the job he loved, helping to rescue hostages," said a spokesman for the Royal Artillery yesterday. "We will always remember him with great pride." "The majority of the casualties came in with shrapnel injuries caused by flying bits of ordinance mostly affecting their arms and legs," says Surgeon Lieutenant Jon Carty, referring to the twelve British soldiers injured on the mission. "A lot of the wounds were quite big. But the first aid they got from their mates in the field saved the lives of at least one and maybe a couple of the guys". Meanwhile, Brigadier Kally of the West Side Boys, who is now in the custody of Sierra Leonean police, said most of his men had been killed or injured in the attack. Among the 25 rebels killed, reports Michael Evans in The Times, was a boy aged ten. [... more]

What The Papers Say is delivered to thousands of readers every morning by web, WAP and email. Sign up today!