N o w - H o l l y w o o d . b l o g s p o t .c o m

She might describe herself as a 'girlie girl'.

But 20-year-old Amy Thomas has become the first female soldier to take part in frontline combat against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Serving with Royal Marine Commandos in Afghanistan’s Helmand province Amy was forced to fire shots with her SA80 rifle when her troop was attacked by the Taliban.

Lance Corporal Amy Thomas, who is thought to be the first British woman to fire on the frontline in Afghanistan, has described the day-long battle in which she fought

Amy meets locals in Afghanistan during her six-month tour

She said: 'As soon as we left the helicopters the company came under fire and then it was non-stop.

Amy describes herself as a 'girlie girl' despite her brush with frontline combat

'There were loads of Taliban in the area. I identified one of them running with a weapon and indicated him to the lads.

'They didn’t see him so I took the shot. I don’t know whether I hit or killed him. It was the only time I opened fire on the Taliban.'

Amy's role had been to help gather evidence of terrorism and frisk women suspects while attached with the Marines

But when the Taliban struck, her training kicked in.

She told the Sun: 'I just got on with it because you have to.'

Amy, from Port Talbot, South Wales, completed a six-month tour of Afghanistan on Saturday and was the only woman to have fought alongside the Marines.

It is unprecedented for women to be in combat as they are not permitted to join either Marines or infantry regiments.

'At first I thought I wouldn’t be able to because I’m quite a girlie girl but once I was out, the training kicked in.

'The Marines did not treat me any differently as a girl and I felt like one of the lads when I was out with them.'

Major Dave Bradley, the officer commanding Amy’s unit, 114 Provost Company, told the paper: 'More and more commanders are requesting female RMP support.

'With most operations involving interaction with the locals, showing respect for traditions and cultures is paramount, with the treatment of females central to this.'