Our War (Season 2) Season 2 Episode 1 Part 1: Into The Hornets Nest
- September 28, 2015
Our War (Season 2) Episode 1 Part 1: Into The Hornets Nest
Our War is a British documentary series that provides a unique insight into the experiences of soldiers on the front line of the war in Afghanistan. In season 2, episode 1, titled Part 1: Into The Hornets Nest, the viewer is plunged into the heart of the action in one of the most dangerous regions of the country.
The episode opens with an introduction to the 2 Rifles Battle Group, a group of soldiers stationed in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand Province. Viewers are introduced to some of the soldiers, including Kieran, a rifleman, and Andrew, a lieutenant in the British Army. The opening scenes are calm and peaceful, but tensions are high as the soldiers prepare for their next mission.
The mission briefing takes place in a deserted compound, with the soldiers crowded around a table while intelligence officers brief them on the situation. The mission is to clear a Taliban-held compound and search for weapons and explosives. The soldiers are warned that the area is heavily booby-trapped and that they can expect stiff resistance.
The atmosphere in the camp is tense as the soldiers prepare to move out. They check their weapons and gear, and load up into the Chinook helicopters that will take them to their destination. The journey is fraught with danger, as the Chinooks fly low to avoid being detected by the Taliban. The soldiers are jolted around as the Chinooks weave their way through the mountains, but eventually, they land safely and disembark.
As soon as they step off the helicopters, the soldiers are immediately under fire from Taliban fighters. They take cover behind walls and buildings, returning fire when they can. The firefight is intense, with bullets whizzing overhead and explosions rocking the ground. The soldiers are forced to advance slowly, clearing one building at a time, while suppressing enemy fire.
The tension is palpable as the soldiers move deeper into the compound. They are on high alert, scanning every door and window for signs of danger. The sound of gunfire is so close it feels like it's inside your head, as the soldiers push forward, clearing rooms and buildings one at a time.
As they move deeper into the compound, the soldiers come across some particularly gruesome sights. They discover a room full of slaughtered animals, which they speculate is either a butchery or a sacrifice site. They also find a medical building where the Taliban have been using sick and injured civilians as human shields.
The fighting intensifies as the soldiers approach the Taliban's final stronghold, a fortified building in the center of the compound. The soldiers lay down covering fire while a team of snipers attempts to take out the defenders. As the snipers take their shots, the soldiers make their move, charging forward with grenades and bayonets.
The final fight is brutal and intense, with the soldiers facing heavy resistance. Several soldiers are injured, and tension is high as they attempt to extract themselves from the battle zone. The episode ends with the soldiers returning to camp, exhausted and shell-shocked, but ultimately triumphant.
Part 1: Into The Hornets Nest is a gripping, visceral portrayal of modern warfare, offering a window into the experiences of soldiers fighting on the front line. Through the soldiers' eyes, viewers get a sense of the danger, chaos, and confusion that characterizes conflict in Afghanistan, as well as the bravery and camaraderie that fuels soldiers' determination to succeed.