GETTY Prince Harry strafed the Taliban with bullets

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It is believed Prince Harry strafed the Taliban with bullets so the US forces could escape and be airlifted to safety. John Zanetis, 73, from Indiana, whose son Christopher “Tripp” Zanetis was one of those saved, said: “Prince Harry came in with his protection squadron and blew the enemy to pieces.” Zanetis’s Mum, Sarah, 63, said: “They provided enough cover for Tripp to get his men loaded on the helicopter. “I believe there were Taliban members killed.” The royal, who was stationed at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province, reportedly told the US soldiers “see you at New Year’s” following the attack.

Zanetis, 37, was among seven killed on Thursday when their military helicopter collided with a power line and crashed along the Iraqi border with Syria. His mum said: “He was a remarkable man. “He never talked a lot about incidents he had but he did talk about the one with Prince Harry.” The Apache helicopter co-pilot, known as Captain Harry Wales while in the Army, served two tours in Afghanistan.

Prince Harry's second tour in Afghanistan Tue, January 22, 2013 All the pictures from Prince Harry's second tour in Afghanistan Play slideshow 1 of 16 Captain Wales with his helmet

One from 2007 to 2008 and one from 2012 to 2013. He has previously revealed he killed Taliban fighters during his second stint. Prince Harry said: “Take a life to save a life. “The squadron’s been out here.

GETTY Prince Harry saved US soldiers who were ambushed in the Afghanistan

“Everyone’s fired a certain amount.” The revelations come after Prince Harry sparked a political row on Friday night after he shined a spotlight on defence cuts. The fifth in line to the throne highlighted shrinking Ministry of Defence budgets in an unscripted speech when he returned to the Army Air Corps base where he trained as a helicopter pilot to present wings to newly qualified military flyers. Despite not directly criticising the Government, Prince Harry's comments are likely to be interpreted as support for the military in the face of planned Whitehall savings amid a projected £20 billion shortfall over the next decade.

GETTY Prince Harry served two tours in Afghanistan