“They start it, we finish it.”

So say the British paratroopers in Afghanistan who made good on their taunt that the Taliban fight like women.

Major Loden said the battle showed that “contrary to popular belief this confirms that the Taliban are not mythical warriors”.

“This shows they cannot match us force on force. When they try and take us on they always lose. They start it we finish it.”

He added: “The ethos of the Parachute Regiment is all about being deep in enemy territory surrounded and destroying them regardless of everything they throw at us. So morale is exceptionally high.”

Remember that line in Band of Brothers? “We’re paratroopers. We’re supposed to be surrounded.”