SOLDIERS on the frontline in Afghanistan have disputed comments by former prime minister Kevin Rudd about the progress of the war in Afghanistan and criticised WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange for making public secret documents relating to the war.

Shortly before heading out for an eight-hour patrol into hostile territory in the southern province of Oruzgan, the Diggers said the coalition effort in Afghanistan was reaping tangible benefits on the ground, and that it was difficult to gain the full picture from back in Australia.

A man is searched at an Australian and Afghan National Army checkpoint near the patrol base in Musazai in Oruzgan province. Credit:Angela Wylie

''It's the difference in perspective. With so many nations rethinking their commitment here, it can seem like a morass of wicked problems, as opposed to our perception from the ground, where you have tangible outcomes as a result of the work we're doing,'' said Captain Jim Wallace (left).

Cables published by WikiLeaks show Kevin Rudd, as prime minister, confirmed to US congressmen that the Australian security establishment was pessimistic about the war, which, he confessed, ''scared the hell'' out of him.