Leslie Massey
Between 2001 and 2015, 457 British soldiers died in Afghanistan, with 405 of these deaths caused by hostile action. In addition, 616 British soldiers were seriously or very seriously injured during this time.
The number of British soldiers who lost limbs in Afghanistan rose sharply, with 54 soldiers losing at least one limb in 2009. This was more than the total figure for the previous three years. The statistics, compiled by the Defence Analytical Services and Advice Centre, reflect the Taliban's increased use of roadside bombs.
The UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) nearly tripled the number of rehabilitation beds available for severely wounded soldiers from Afghanistan. The military's Headley Court rehabilitation centre, near Epsom, Surrey, expanded its total capacity to 96, up from 36 beds in 2007.
The MoD's statistics show that 103 British servicemen suffered amputations after being wounded in Afghanistan between April 2006 and the end of 2010. Of the 54 who had amputations in 2009, 26 lost two or more limbs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of British soldiers who lost limbs in Afghanistan | 103 between April 2006 and December 2011 |
| Number of British soldiers who lost limbs in Afghanistan in 2009 | 55 |
| Number of British soldiers who lost limbs in Afghanistan in 2010 | 79 |
| Number of British soldiers who lost limbs in Afghanistan in 2011 | 53 |
| Number of British soldiers who lost limbs in Afghanistan in 2012 | 1 |
What You'll Learn
Between 2006 and 2011, 55 British soldiers lost limbs in Afghanistan
The UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has historically been reluctant to disclose data on British military personnel who have undergone traumatic or surgical limb amputation. However, in recent years, the MoD has released quarterly amputation statistics.
The MoD's Defence Analytical Services and Advice centre has released the following statistics:
- In 2009, 55 British soldiers lost limbs in Afghanistan.
- In 2010, 79 British soldiers lost limbs in Afghanistan.
- In 2011, 53 British soldiers lost limbs in Afghanistan.
The rise in amputations has resulted in the MoD nearly tripling the number of rehabilitation beds available for severely wounded soldiers. The military's Headley Court rehabilitation centre, near Epsom, Surrey, recently opened a second new 30-bed extension, expanding its total capacity to 96, up from 36 beds in 2007.
The rise in critically injured casualties is partly the result of improved frontline medical care and enhanced evacuation arrangements. Until 2008, when staff at Headley Court began working with their first triple amputee, no one who had lost three limbs during fighting had lived. Staff at Headley Court now estimate that there are about 15 personnel who have had triple amputations.
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In 2010, 58 British soldiers lost limbs in Afghanistan
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) nearly tripled the number of rehabilitation beds available for severely wounded soldiers from Afghanistan, expanding its total capacity to 96 beds. The MoD also increased staff numbers and doubled the size of its in-house prosthetics team.
The rise in casualties also reflected the improved frontline medical care and enhanced evacuation arrangements, resulting in many more "unexpected survivors". Staff at the Headley Court rehabilitation centre estimated that there were about 15 personnel who had undergone triple amputations.
The increase in the number of British soldiers losing limbs in Afghanistan was not unique to the UK. The US also saw a rise in the number of casualties involving traumatic limb amputation, with 196 US military personnel suffering the loss of at least one limb in 2010.
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In 2009, 55 British soldiers lost limbs in Afghanistan
The rise in amputations has been attributed to the Taliban's increased use of sophisticated roadside bombs to target NATO-led forces and the improved skill of military medics in treating injuries. Frank Garside of the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen's Association said: "The improvised explosive devices are the problem."
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) statistics also show that 327 servicemen and women were seriously or very seriously injured in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2009. Of these, 158 were wounded in 2009. The rising numbers of troops losing limbs in the conflict have been described as "politically explosive" by one army officer.
The Defence Analytical Services and Advice Centre, a division of the MoD, reported that almost half of the casualties in 2009 suffered the "traumatic or surgical amputation" of more than one limb. The number of British troops losing limbs in Afghanistan continued to rise in the following years, with 79 in 2010 and 53 in 2011.
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In 2011, 53 British soldiers lost limbs in Afghanistan
The UK's involvement in Afghanistan began in 2001, with British forces deployed to support the UN-authorised, NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission and as part of the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Between 2003 and the end of 2014, UK operations in Afghanistan were conducted under the name Operation Herrick.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has released statistics on British fatalities and casualties in Afghanistan. As of July 2015, a total of 454 British forces personnel or MoD civilians had died while serving in Afghanistan since the start of operations in October 2001. Of these, 405 were killed as a result of hostile action.
The MoD also publishes information on the cost of military operations. The Afghanistan operations Herrick and Toral have cost around £27.7 billion in 2021 prices.
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In 2008, 26 British soldiers lost limbs in Afghanistan
The rising number of amputees among British troops in Afghanistan has been attributed to the Taliban's increased use of sophisticated roadside bombs and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to target NATO-led forces. In addition, the skill of military medics in treating injuries that might have been fatal in the past has improved, contributing to the rise in the number of amputees.
The impact of these injuries extends beyond the physical, with psychological and emotional consequences that can be long-lasting. The loss of limbs can result in significant challenges to a soldier's mental health and well-being, requiring specialised support and care.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) in the UK has been criticised in the past for its lack of transparency regarding the number of troops who have lost limbs in the conflict. However, they have started to release more detailed casualty statistics, acknowledging the sensitivity surrounding the high number of troops suffering life-changing injuries.
The rising number of amputees has placed increasing pressure on military medical facilities, such as Headley Court, which specialises in treating servicemen and women with severe injuries. These facilities play a crucial role in providing ongoing care and support to those who have sacrificed their physical health in the line of duty.
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Frequently asked questions
The UK Ministry of Defence does not publicly disclose the number of British soldiers who have undergone traumatic or surgical limb amputation in Afghanistan. However, according to official statistics, more British soldiers lost limbs in Afghanistan in 2010 than in the previous three years combined. In 2010, 54 British soldiers lost at least one limb, and 26 lost two or more limbs.
The rise in limb loss is partly due to the Taliban's increased use of sophisticated roadside bombs to target NATO-led forces.
Between 2003 and 2014, there were 616 serious or very serious casualties among UK armed forces and civilian personnel. There were also 7,807 field hospital admissions and 7,477 medical air evacuations during this period.
The UK's military rehabilitation centre, Headley Court, has expanded its capacity to accommodate the rise in soldiers who have lost limbs. Headley Court offers long-term, specialist support and has doubled the size of its in-house prosthetics team.
