For six months they have been stationed in one of the most hostile places on earth, fighting the Taleban in severe heat. Yesterday the last contingent of 2 Para soldiers returned to Britain, ending a tour that has hit them harder than any other unit sent to Afghanistan.

Thirteen men in or attached to 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment lost their lives this summer. Those who came home said that they had seen “the best and worst” of soldiering.

In emotional scenes at Colchester Barracks, they were met by about 150 relatives who had spent the past six months with their own fears.

The returning 60 men were part of B Company, which has spent the summer camped at Forward Operating Base Inkerman in the Upper Sangin Valley, Helmand province, one of the most hazardous and austere outposts held by the British Army.

During their tour, members of other regiments were attached to the unit.

Major Russell Lewis, Commander of B Company, described the intensity of the fighting. “Once it started it didn’t really stop for three months. We were just in the thick of it,” he said. “We went through a period where every single patrol that went out came into contact of some description.”

He added: “There has been some horrible moments. I said before we went I felt that this tour would give us the best soldiering days of our careers and our worst. It has.”

The frustrations of the war of attrition against the Taleban were evident. Major Lewis said that British troops could not “just keep having slugging matches” with the Taleban. “We have to make a difference to people’s lives. We have to make people see we are a better bet than the Taleban.

“I think the British public understands now that this is not going to be a quick campaign. It’s worthwhile but it’s taking longer than people want.”

Major Lewis, who was met by his wife, Andrea, 35, said that the troops were elated to return to their families, adding: “This morning it was like Christmas morning knowing we would be home soon.”

The joy was tempered with thoughts about those who did not return. The emotion of seeing comrades die could only now be released, Major Lewis said. “We were so busy out there we did not have time for grieving. We had a night and then the next day they were back out on patrol. We will do our grieving now we are home.”

A memorial service for the dead of 2 Para is to take place on Thursday. The soldiers of the regiment begin four weeks’ leave before they learn of their next assignment. A return to Helmand awaits in 2010.

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