Takur Ghar Book Review
By Rachel E. Veres
| Date of Review | June 2013 | Title | Takur Ghar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Chris McNab | Publisher | Osprey Publishing |
| Published | 2013 | ISBN | 9781780961989 |
| Format | 80 pages, softbound | MSRP (USD) | $18.95 |
Review
Subtitled "The SEALs and Rangers on Roberts Ridge, Afghanistan 2002", Osprey's Takur Ghar recounts a tragic episode of Operation Anaconda – the biggest US military air assault since Vietnam – during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Author Leigh Neville briefly recaps the Taliban government's disintegration and Takur Ghar's origins. Throughout the Soviet–Afghan War, mujahideen used the location as a sanctuary and logistical hub.
Successive sections describe initial US military strategy leading to Operation Anaconda. Neville thoroughly discusses each course of action – undertaken and overlooked – beginning in October 2001 through H-Hour.
Real nail-biting dominates subsequent sections. Here, the author recounts Takur Ghar's unfortunate mistakes and selfless bravery over 17 harrowing hours. In total, seven US personnel died – beginning with Petty Officer First Class Neil Roberts, for whom "Roberts Ridge" is named.
Neville finishes his account with statistics and analyses. And he concludes that, of every issue encountered, confusing command and control ultimately impacted the mission.
Campaign maps and 34 photographs compliment Neville's narration. Action paintings and "bird's eye" views metaphorically drop readers amidst Takur Ghar fighting. And a bibliography and index conclude this informative effort.
Highly recommended!
My sincere thanks to Osprey Publishing for this review sample!