Prince Harry Opens Up About Taliban Killings in New Memoir
Prince Harry, 38, has revealed shocking details of his time serving in Afghanistan in his new memoir Spare. The royal spoke candidly about his deadly missions against the Taliban, calling the enemy “chess pieces” rather than people.
Two Tours in Taliban Hotspots
Harry first served as a forward air controller during a secret 10-week tour in Helmand Province in 2007-2008. His role involved calling in airstrikes behind enemy lines. This mission, which was cut short after being leaked online, earned him the nicknames “Warrior Prince” and “Harry the Brave” from the British press.
Determined to deepen his frontline involvement, Harry retrained as an Apache attack helicopter pilot. He returned for a second 20-week tour between 2012-2013, flying combat missions as a co-pilot gunner with his fingers on triggers of rockets, missiles, and a 30mm cannon.
Death, Duty, and “Taking Them Out of the Game”
In the memoir, Harry admits he killed a total of 25 Taliban fighters, a figure he says neither fills him with pride nor shame. After flying six missions in his second tour, he described watching videos of each “kill” on returning to base. He called the Taliban “baddies” who had to be eliminated to protect the “goodies”.
“So, my number is 25. It’s not a number that fills me with satisfaction, but nor does it embarrass me,” Harry wrote.
Back in 2013, Harry caused a stir with his blunt assessment of combat. He said: “Take a life to save a life. That’s what we revolve around, I suppose. If there’s people trying to do bad stuff to our guys, then we’ll take them out of the game.”
The Prince Who Became “One of Our Boys”
Harry’s frontline service gave him a taste of real soldiering beyond royal life. His tough stint in Afghanistan shifted public perception, landing him in the hearts of many as a genuine fighter for his country.
