9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2002 - Page 0056
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| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2002 |
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S4 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S) The Reconnaissance Division Time flies when you are having fun and so it is suddenly a year since the last instalment of life as the S03 Formation Reconnaissance. The Reconnaissance Division continues to grow, in addition to the Formation, Close, Light Role, and Specialist Recce Wings at Warminster we have just added the Jungle Warfare Wing in Brunei. I have not found a way to fit the jungle into an already tight course programme but you never know. Salisbury Plain therefore continues to be the main delight to all who visit. In Winter freezing rain and mud enhance one’s pleasure while in summer the temperature can soar to prairie like temperatures. There have been a number of developments in the Troop Leaders and Crew Commanders Tactics Phase. We are spending much more time on the ground developing dismounted skills than those who may have attended in previous years. We have also introduced the Combined Arms Tactical Trainer aka “The Matrix” into the course. This has given us an extra 3 days oftur- ret time and enables students to see and practice things impos- sible to replicate on Salisbury Plain. Hence students can now actually see and report on companies of T—80, BMP-3 et al and call in realistic Fire Missions to deal with them. This is much better than the armoured might of GENFOR being represented by a Land Rover driven by the DS throwing smoke. Of slight concern has been the level of fitness that many JNCO’s and Officers arrive on the course with. It is very sad when students cannot gain a satisfactory pass on a BPFA when they arrive. I can say however, that 9/12L are not the worst. ActuaHy/ thrnk you wr// frnd you are here , Capt Srmpson, Fleece D/v, wrth a patro/ sK/Hs execrse Capt S/mpson tr/es to get the pornt across I will be moving on from The Reconnaissance Division this year and my time has been extremely enjoyable. It has been good to see members of the Regiment come through fresh from Sandhurst or about to leap into a Crew Commanders seat. It has also been rather nice to be in one place for longer than 4 months. For the first time in many a year my MFO boxes have gathered a thick layer of dust. AEBS A chance to shrne, Capt S/mpson /rstens to a ground prref Exercise RAMPAGING LANCER Having waited for summer to pass and giving ourselves a sporting chance of rain, B Squadron undertook Exercise RAMPAGING LANCER, 23 7 27 September 02. A low-level foot exercise, which was designed to give the Squadron the chance to hone and develop basic field craft and patrolling skills. As promised the fine weather passed and as the exercise began on the Monday a splendid amount of rain began to fall giving everyone the chance to get wet. By Tuesday however the sun was out and the training took on a much more civilized tone. The enemy, simulating a Bosnia style of militia, provid- ing much amusement and activity for the teams, few who wit- nessed the rape of Tpr Harris by a panting Tpr ‘ Sweaty’ Billings will ever be quite the same. Basic skills of reconnais- sance were practiced along with a few infantry drills, which cul- minated in a platoon attack. All learnt a great deal, not least the importance of waterproofing your kit. A master class of which was given by Tpr Done, who proved the age old joys of moan- ing and whinging can lift morale, although not dry your kit out. Tpr Farmer demonstrated the need to check the surrounding area for wasps prior to relieving oneself, he was uncomfortable for a while, enough said. Capt Wall won breakfast off Tpr Billings who claimed he could find a McDonalds in 10 minutes from anywhere in Germany. His highly trained sense of smell let him down so Burger King had to suffice. All returned back in good spirits and retired to the bar to wash away the aches and pain of an enjoyable and successful exercise. |
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