Warfare in News

Posted on Tuesday 29th November

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed, with sadness, that the soldier from 5th battalion The Rifles who was killed in Afghanistan on Sunday, 27 November was Rifleman Sheldon Lee Jordan Steel.

Rifleman Steel was taking part in a foot patrol to disrupt insurgent freedom of movement and to reassure the local population in the Lashkar Gah district. He was caught in the blast from an Improvised Explosive Device and airlifted to the Camp Bastion field hospital where he was declared killed in action.

Leeds born Rifleman Sheldon Steel, aged 20, joined the Army in November 2009 and underwent basic training in Catterick, North Yorkshire. He passed out in April 2010 and joined 5th Battalion The Rifles, based in Germany, soon afterwards.

He leaves behind his mother, sisters and brother, and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Lieutenant Colonel Tom Copinger-Symes, Commanding Officer of 5 RIFLES, describes Rifleman Steel as 'a special blend of physical robustness, sharp intellect, old-fashioned politeness, and natural leadership flair - all underscored by a quiet confidence and understated ambition.'

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Dates in History

British Army march into Tripoli

23rd January 1943

On 23 January 1943 the British 8th army marched into Tripoli, later occupying the Libyan capital in this World War Two battle. This was part of a series of battles that initially started with the Italian occupation of Ethiopia. This thrust was eventually supported by the German Africa Corps in the hope that the whole of North Africa would be occupied by the Axis forces, ultimately denying the Allies access to the reserves of labour and raw materials in the North African/ Middle Eastern Region. However, during the British Liberation of Tripoli, Germany was deeply involved on a second war front, with Russia. This meant that a depleted Germany force fought in North Africa, and the manoeuvres by Rommel amounted to slightly more than a series of fighting retreats. Each encounter further diminished the Axis' reserves of men and material, while the Allies received reinforcements every day. This was to lead to the ultimate defeat of the Axis forces in the North Africa. Among the Colonies that fought on the side of the British/Allies, were South Africa, New Zealand, Senegal and Australia.

Further Reading

Monty's Highlanders
(Hardback - 208 pages)
by Patrick Delaforce

The 51st Highland Division was the most famous infantry division that fought with the British Army in WW2. It was the only infantry division in the armies of the British Empire that accompanied Monty from during Alamein to Berlin.

After the 1940 disaster at St Valry when… Read more at Pen & Sword...

Only £19.95 at Pen & Sword Books.

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