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Eight soldiers' bodies flown home Eight soldiers' bodies flown home
(about 2 hours later)
The bodies of eight British soldiers killed in Afghanistan in a single 24-hour period will be flown back to Britain later.The bodies of eight British soldiers killed in Afghanistan in a single 24-hour period will be flown back to Britain later.
Thousands of people are expected to line the streets as their coffins are driven through Wootton Bassett, near RAF Lyneham, in Wiltshire.Thousands of people are expected to line the streets as their coffins are driven through Wootton Bassett, near RAF Lyneham, in Wiltshire.
On Monday troops in Helmand province held their own memorial to the men.On Monday troops in Helmand province held their own memorial to the men.
The head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt said the men had not died in vain.
Sir Richard said the men's families should take comfort from the fact they had lost their lives carrying out an essential mission.
"It's really important, not just for this region or Afghanistan, but it's really important for the overall security of the West and the United Kingdom. And we must get this right, we will get it right."
Meanwhile, ministers once again insisted the armed forces were properly equipped, despite opposition claims.Meanwhile, ministers once again insisted the armed forces were properly equipped, despite opposition claims.
Rescuing comradesRescuing comrades
Five of those who died in Helmand on Friday were members of the County Down-based 2nd Battalion The Rifles.Five of those who died in Helmand on Friday were members of the County Down-based 2nd Battalion The Rifles.
Corporal Jonathan Horne and Riflemen William Aldridge, James Backhouse and Joseph Murphy were rescuing comrades from an explosion when they were killed in a second blast.Corporal Jonathan Horne and Riflemen William Aldridge, James Backhouse and Joseph Murphy were rescuing comrades from an explosion when they were killed in a second blast.
At the time, Rifleman Murphy was carrying Rifleman Daniel Simpson who had been injured by the first bomb.At the time, Rifleman Murphy was carrying Rifleman Daniel Simpson who had been injured by the first bomb.
Also returning on Tuesday will be the body of Cpl Lee Scott, of 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, who died in a separate explosion on the same day.Also returning on Tuesday will be the body of Cpl Lee Scott, of 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, who died in a separate explosion on the same day.
Helicopters are not the answer to any problems Lt Col Richardson, Task Force Helmand British fatalities in Afghanistan Afghanistan: Key facts and figures Helicopters are not the answer to any problems Lt Col Richardson, Task Force Helmand British fatalities in Afghanistan Afghanistan: Key facts and figures
Making up the eight are two men killed on Thursday: Private John Brackpool, of Prince of Wales' Company, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, and Rifleman Daniel Hume, of 4th Battalion The Rifles.Making up the eight are two men killed on Thursday: Private John Brackpool, of Prince of Wales' Company, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, and Rifleman Daniel Hume, of 4th Battalion The Rifles.
The people of Wootton Bassett have turned out repeatedly to pay tribute to the UK's fallen.The people of Wootton Bassett have turned out repeatedly to pay tribute to the UK's fallen.
The mayor, Steve Bucknall, told the BBC they were proud to express the feelings of the entire nation.The mayor, Steve Bucknall, told the BBC they were proud to express the feelings of the entire nation.
"I get e-mails, letters, from all over the country from people thanking us," he said."I get e-mails, letters, from all over the country from people thanking us," he said.
"But also saying that if they could be there they would be there, and therefore, please, can we represent them whilst we're standing there," he added."But also saying that if they could be there they would be there, and therefore, please, can we represent them whilst we're standing there," he added.
'Extreme emergency''Extreme emergency'
The government faced stinging criticism on Monday over claims that troops in Afghanistan were being hampered by a severe equipment shortage.The government faced stinging criticism on Monday over claims that troops in Afghanistan were being hampered by a severe equipment shortage.
The Conservatives say the lack of helicopters is a "scandal" and presents an "extreme emergency" to those serving there.The Conservatives say the lack of helicopters is a "scandal" and presents an "extreme emergency" to those serving there.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg agreed, claiming British strategy in Afghanistan was "over-ambitious in aim and under-resourced in practice".Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg agreed, claiming British strategy in Afghanistan was "over-ambitious in aim and under-resourced in practice".
But Gordon Brown insisted Britain did have the resources "to do the job" and helicopter numbers had increased 60% since 2006.But Gordon Brown insisted Britain did have the resources "to do the job" and helicopter numbers had increased 60% since 2006.
Gordon Brown: ''We must persist with our operations in Afghanistan''Gordon Brown: ''We must persist with our operations in Afghanistan''
Later, Armed Forces Minister Bill Rammell reiterated the prime minister's words.Later, Armed Forces Minister Bill Rammell reiterated the prime minister's words.
"My heart goes out to our brave and dedicated service personnel, who've been serving our national interest, but the reality is over the last three years we've increased expenditure on equipment by ten billion pounds," he told the BBC's Newsnight."My heart goes out to our brave and dedicated service personnel, who've been serving our national interest, but the reality is over the last three years we've increased expenditure on equipment by ten billion pounds," he told the BBC's Newsnight.
The government has quoted the spokesman for the task force in Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, as saying it was a "sad fact that helicopters would not have saved the lives" of the soldiers killed last week.The government has quoted the spokesman for the task force in Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, as saying it was a "sad fact that helicopters would not have saved the lives" of the soldiers killed last week.
Lt Col Richardson told the BBC: "Helicopters are not the answer to any problems.Lt Col Richardson told the BBC: "Helicopters are not the answer to any problems.
"We still need to put troops on the ground to engage with the local Afghans, to take on the insurgents.""We still need to put troops on the ground to engage with the local Afghans, to take on the insurgents."
More equipment, including Merlin helicopters and Ridgeback armoured vehicles, are being brought in this year and eight Chinooks used in Iraq are being converted to cope with Afghanistan's weather and terrain.More equipment, including Merlin helicopters and Ridgeback armoured vehicles, are being brought in this year and eight Chinooks used in Iraq are being converted to cope with Afghanistan's weather and terrain.
An offensive designed to increase security ahead of Afghan elections next month has seen a big increase in UK casualties, with 15 servicemen killed in the first 10 days of the month.An offensive designed to increase security ahead of Afghan elections next month has seen a big increase in UK casualties, with 15 servicemen killed in the first 10 days of the month.
It means 184 service personnel have now died in Afghanistan since 2001, more than the 179 who were killed during the war in Iraq.It means 184 service personnel have now died in Afghanistan since 2001, more than the 179 who were killed during the war in Iraq.