'Confusion' as troops died in killing zone

One of the most heroic battles fought by British troops in Afghanistan was marred by confusion over rules of engagement and a lack of equipment, an inquest heard yesterday.

The night time mission behind Taliban lines near Garmsir, Helmand, led to the deaths of two servicemen from the 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters).

Under intense fire, the soldiers repeatedly returned to the killing zone during the seven-hour battle to retrieve wounded colleagues. Several received awards for bravery, including one Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC), three Military Crosses – one awarded posthumously to Sergeant Craig Brelsford, 25 – and five Mentions in Dispatches.

Yesterday the inquest into Sgt Brelsford's death heard that after initially spotting four militants in a trench, Major Jamie Nowell called in air support only to be told that they were only permitted to fire in self defence. "I could not understand how it had happened," said Major Nowell, adding that the aircraft was eventually told it could fire after a delay of an hour, during which time the British soldiers had lost the initiative.

A short time later the platoons came under heavy fire.

Yesterday David Masters, the Wiltshire coroner, questioned a shortage of night-vision goggles during the battle. Captain Simon Cupples, 25, who was awarded the CGC, described crawling in the darkness to pull two colleagues to safety.

Sgt Brelsford was fatally injured as he pushed forward to find Pte John Botha, 25. Pte Botha was also killed.

The inquest continues today.