Historical information

Major Damien Batty served in Afghanistan in 2011-2012 with the Bravo Commando Company Group, 2nd Commando Regiment in Uruzgan. Major Batty served alongside Said Haim, an Afghan police officer. Australian forces were often involved in mentoring and training Afghan police and army units. According to the letter Major Batty worked with Said Haim on logistics for PRC (Provincial Response Company) Uruzgan.

The Commandos took part in 20 rotations with the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) between 2007 and 2012. During this time they undertook significant combat operations, and were awarded for its actions, the regiment was collectively awarded the Unit Citation for Gallantry and the Meritorious Unit Citation.

Significance

This letter is a rare example of first-person correspondence between a member of Australia's Special Forces and a member of the Afghan police force. The letters, both in Arabic and English, are significant for their capacity to illustrate the personal face of the Australian mission in Afghanistan, and to signify the nature of individual relationships between Australian personnel and local reconstruction forces.

Physical description

Two letters, one in Arabic and the second translated into English. Arabic letter is photocopied, English letter is written in blue pen.