Libya: Flashes of orange and shattering noise as Apaches go to war
The attack came with shattering noise, repeated flashes of orange flames lighting up the dark night as Hellfire missiles and cannon fire struck their targets.
British Apache helicopter-gunships were carrying out their first strike inside Libya, a move designed to break the stalemate on the ground, but also, the military acknowledge, one which escalates this violent war.
The coming of the Apaches into the conflict has been described as a ‘game changer’ which would help to hasten the collapse of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime.
Whether that happens or not remains to be seen, but yesterday’s attacks, in conjunction with similar French aircraft, led to a deluge of publicity and, also, questions about the direction of the campaign being taken by David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy.