Episode 04 - Operation Medusa
Canadian soldiers launch Operation Medusa, saving Kandahar City from the Taliban’s summer offensive, but forcing an elusive enemy to resort to Improvised Explosive Devices.
September 2006. Under command of Canadian Brigadier General David Fraser, Canadian soldiers launch Operation Medusa, the largest battle in NATO history. Fought primarily by Bravo and Charles Company of 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment and 2 Combat Engineer Regiment, NATO saves Kandahar City from the Taliban’s summer offensive, but at heavy cost.
The battle begins in earnest on 3 September, following a concerted campaign to convince the civilian population to move and a shortened artillery salvo against the infamous Bayenzi White School. Charles Company fords the Arghandab River, but is ambushed by a large Taliban force and pulls back after losing 4 killed in action. The next morning, as Charles prepares a renewed attack, an American A-10 Thunderbolt mistakenly strafes the battered company. Another Canadian is killed and over 30 wounded.
Bravo, holding in the north, is suddenly thrust into the lead role. Advancing south on the White School, the combat engineers use “Mad Max’ed” heavy equipment to create paths through the mazes of grape drying huts, marijuana fields, and irrigation ditches. The Canadians overcome stout Taliban resistance and, on 13 September, Charles Company proudly seizes the White School.
Hundreds of Taliban are dead and Kandahar is safe, but the Canadian victory forces a wily and elusive enemy to resort to the scourge of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), handcuffing reconstruction and murdering scores of civilians. The rural districts of Kandahar Province remain the centre of the Taliban insurgency.
