About UPI  |  My Account  |  UPI en Español
Free News Update:
Sign up
United Press International - News. Analysis. Insight.™ - 100 Years of Journalistic Excellence
  • Home
  • Top News
  • Entertainment
  • Odd News
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Science
  • Health
  • Analysis
    • Energy Resources
    • Security Industry
    • Emerging Threats
  • Video
  • News Photos
Search:
Go
Bookmark this Page
You are here:  Home / Emerging Threats / British soldier survives RPG attack

Emerging Threats

View archive | RSS Feed

British soldier survives RPG attack

Published: May 13, 2008 at 6:15 PM
Order reprints  |  Print Story  |  Email to a Friend  |  Post a Comment
LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, May 13 (UPI) -- A British lieutenant in Afghanistan narrowly escaped a Taliban rocket-propelled grenade attack after an RPG bounced off the soldier's chest and exploded nearby.

The British B company, 4th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, supported by an Afghan National Army unit, was recently on an operation pushing into Taliban territory in Afghanistan's volatile Helmand province near Musa Qaleh. The units came under heavy RPG fire from militants, including one RPG that hit British Lt. David Robertson, the British Ministry of Defense said.

Officials say that although Robertson was driving in an armored vehicle, one RPG bounced off his body, split into three parts and then detonated nearby. The explosion left Robertson with burns on his arm and side. Because of the delayed explosion, Robertson narrowly avoided being killed.

"It must have just skipped off me and went to my left and detonated on the fully open gunners hatch," Robertson said in a statement. "I was knocked backwards. I hit the back of the turret pretty hard. I remember a big bang and a heat wave and then felt burning in my arm and side."

Three Afghan National Army soldiers were killed in the attack. Officials say an airstrike was called in to clear out the Taliban stronghold.


News Photos Slideshows
Photos of the Day
Week in Photos
News
Entertainment
Sports
Features
Most Popular
Stories
Photos
Videos
1.
Commentary: Guns of August spiked?
2.
Analysis: U.S. military to patrol Internet
3.
Atlantic Eye: Defending Gen. Wesley Clark
4.
Analysis: Will terrorists go nuclear?
5.
Sunni group warns Assyrians in Mosul
Advertise on UPI.com
Videos
Enlarge Video
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
Bush signs war spending bill
Friday, July 4
Young Americans speak out about D.C. voting rights
Young Americans speak out about D.C. voting rights
Thursday, July 3
Home funerals: Tending to their own
Home funerals: Tending to their own
Thursday, July 3
Students say 'I do' to wedding class
Students say 'I do' to wedding class
Tuesday, June 10
© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
United Press International, UPI, the UPI logo, and other trademarks and service marks, are registered or unregistered trademarks of United Press International, Inc. in the United States and in other countries.
Search: Go
Official_Government_Wires  |   About UPI  |   Site Map  |   Terms of Use  |   Privacy Policy  |   Advertise Online  |   Contact Us
Sponsored Links: Wedding and Honeymoon Experts - Conventions - Trade Shows - Conferences - Motivational Sports Speakers Bureau - Press Release Services - Real Estate Properties in the world