Good Friday Battle
Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Date April 2, 2010 Location Isa Khel, Kunduz Province, Afghanistan Result Indecisive
Belligerents
Germany United States Islamic Republic of Afghanistan	Taliban Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan
Commanders and leaders
Unknown	Unknown
Strength
34 paratroopers	30–40 insurgents
Casualties and losses
3 killed 8 wounded	5 killed

The Good Friday Battle was an attack by Taliban forces and Members of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan on April 2, 2010, on a group of German paratroopers on a recon mission. This was the first prolonged battle of German soldiers since World War II.

Background

The Battle was part of the Counterinsurgency in Northern Afghanistan.

Battle

On Good Friday 2010, paratroopers of Battalion 373 were tasked to discover Improvised explosive devices near Isa Khel in Kunduz province. At about 13:00 local time, the group of 34 soldiers came under attack by about 30–40 insurgents. Three soldiers were wounded and reinforcement was called from the camp in Kunduz. The battle was closely watched by German EMT Luna X-2000 and Rheinmetall KZO drones. Air support was not possible due to the danger of friendly fire. Wounded soldiers were evacuated under fire by Black Hawk helicopters. During an attempt to retreat at 14:50, a Dingo was destroyed by explosives, blocking the road. The battle lasted eight to nine hours until the soldiers could be relieved.^[1][2]

Aftermath

In a speech about the battle, Minister of Defence Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg called the German engagement in Afghanistan a war, breaking a long lasting taboo. As a result of the battle, more armoured vehicles were sent to Afghanistan, including a Panzerhaubitze 2000, which came in use on July 10, 2010.

American Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jason LaCrosse received the Silver Star and the Ehrenkreuz der Bundeswehr in Gold in besonderer Ausführung for his actions during the battle.^[3]

References