A friend who is s soldier in the Bundeswehr and who will be on his third mission to Afghanistan soon has told me that they did not even have light mortars let alone something heavier in the past. They only had fire arms to defend themselves when they get attacked. So when some guys in the hills would fire one two or shells into the camp, which they do from time to time to remind the Germans of their presence, they had nothing to shoot back. The roof of the canteen in the camp e.g. had a huge hole caused by such an act of provocation.
The Dutch army guys in the neighbourhood for example would just pull out their heavy howitzers and send some shells back into the hills.
German troops in Afghanistan so far are instructed to act more like Police less than Military. This was possible because the circumstances allowed it. In the area where the Bundeswehr has the responsibility the situation was more like it is in former Yugoslavia today, where troops are there to show presence to calm the situation.
The relationship with the civilian population has been good so far. The soldiers are trusted not feared, no killing people and breaking things.
The situation seems to change now with Taliban infiltrating into that area and looking for a fight aiming to destabilise that part of Afghanistan as well.
This may lead to a different approach which is up to the policy makers to decide.
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