Two US generals forced into early retirement over Taliban attack

Major General Charles Gurganus and Major General Gregg A Sturdevant asked to retire for their role in 2012 Taliban attack.

The two generals have been asked to retire by the head of the US Marine Corps, General James Amos, after it was decided that they "did not take adequate force protection measures" to stop a 2012 assault in which two Marines died and eight other personnel were wounded.

In the attack, the Taliban also destroyed six Marine Harrier fighter jets and badly damaged several others.

Fourteen of the 15 attackers were killed and one was captured. US Marines and UK Royal Air Force gunners were involved in the counter-attack.

In June, General Amos asked US Central Command to carry out an investigation and said he decided to take action against the two general after reviewing the results of that inquiry.

Endorsing the inquiry's findings, General Amos wrote: "While I am mindful of the degree of difficulty the Marines in Afghanistan faced in accomplishing a demanding combat mission with a rapidly declining force, my duty requires me to remain true to the timeless axioms relating to command responsibility and accountability."

He added that General Gurganus bore "final accountability" for the lives and equipment under his command, and had made "an error in judgment" in underestimating the risk posed by the Taliban in the Bastion area of Helmand province.

General Amos said that General Sturdevant - who was in charge of Marine aviation in the region - "did not adequately assess the force protection situation".

Following the announcement, General Gurganus issued a brief statement saying he felt privileged to have served in the Marine Corps for 37 years.

"I will treasure that forever. I have complete trust and confidence in the leadership of our Corps and fully respect the decision of our commandant," he said.

Bastion is one of the biggest camps in Afghanistan with a perimeter of 37km (22 miles).