Regimental Histories - Year 1960-1985 - Brockbank - Page 0043
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Saul}: Arabia 2y/Lt Hibbert-Foy took his troop on exchange to the Selous Scouts in Northern Rhodesia, Lts Kennedy and Airey went tiger hunting in India and many took leave and safaris in Kenya or went to sea with the Navy Far away in StMoritz Lts Montgomerie and Norman were, as usual, achieving high honours on the ski slopes, as was Captain Rayner on the Cresta Run. The skiers eventually served some time on the Yemeni border e much to the satisfaction of their peers It was very hot in August when the Regiment began its handover to the 4th Royal Tank Regiment The advance party to Germany left early in September and all squadrons were concentrated at Little Aden before departure by air for leave in UK that month. After the shaking down years in Ulster the opportunities for operations and training in the Middle East resulted in a highly trained and experienced Regiment for what was to be its future life in Europe. Responsibility rested very much on troop leaders and their troops and credit for a suc- cessful tour must rest with them. The Commanding Officer clocked up 260 hours flying and landed on 39 different airstrips in the year, and Squadron Leaders kept their fingers crossed and an aircraft ready. There is no doubt that all ranks enjoyed themselves: money was saved too, which perhaps led to the spate of marriages on return. Thankfully no battle casualties were sufl'ered but, as the Commanding Ofiicer laconically remarked, about half the sabre troops were shot at. It was surprising that no General Service Medal has yet been issued for these operations 41 |
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