9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2001 - Page 0014
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| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2001 |
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l4 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S) tried their best to win VC's, taking on a troop of Panhards with a dismounted GPMG. Meanwhile Lt Searbys section were enter- taining another troop of Panhards in what can only be described as a dogfight with Cpl Burn and Tpr Redford trying out some tips from Topgun "when we hit the brakes they'll fly right by.” And so Endex finally came and we returned to sunny Germany with Tpr Trev Garley the only trooper in 3 Troop not to fall foul of heat injury - well-done Gumbo. Once back Cpl Robbie Burn finally put his hand in his pocket and bought a GPS after his two-hour exploration of Commando Brigade whilst trying to find his bed! We look forward now to our Christmas leave and then onto gunnery camp and BATUS next year. Support Troop Sp Tp began the year with what many saw as a challenging shake out exercise in the form of PLUNGER'S CLAW LCpl 'Louis' Armstrong and Lt Vale made the perfect team, with the support trooper supporting and the Troop Leader leading. Or was it the other way around? The next exercise was the Regimental FTX or Ex SWABIAN CRUSADE on the Swiss/ German border in the shadow of the Alps. Indeed many troop- ers relished the delights of waking up every morning to see a gorgeous set of mountains. The troop got stuck into some seri- ous survival training. It was not long before the troop had col- lected so many apples and strawberries that Sgt 'Dick’ Emery was about to set up a stall on the roadside. Despite 5 years expe- rience Tpr ‘Saff’ Waldron still could not work a PRC 351 radio. LCpl Armstrong gently helped him along.. 'Oh, it does come with an antenna, I thought it did.’ 'Yes well done, Saff, now you will remember this won't you.’ 'OW!’ On the last night of the exercise, having heard the Sqn Ldr say he was going for orders and would be gone for at least 4hrs, the Tp decided to experi- ence some German hospitality. After 3%hours, they were horri- fied to find on their return the Sqn Ldr returning from orders half an hour early using the same path! Tpr 'Uphill' Gardener became not only the youngest addition to the troop but also the A few good men , GW Tp youngest addition to the Regiment. He was mistaken for one of Cpl 'Bones' Roberts’ children at a BBQ and was close to being taken home and put to bed early for drinking beer! Firing Camp saw Cpl Roberts thrust into the command appointment of Troop Leader following the departure of Lt Vale to go to the Bovington Phase 2 Recruit training Centre. Many said it was about time for him to go there, and some say he was really deported for animal antics! Sgt Emery switched his Tp Sgt hat for his quiet, understanding and caring RGSS hat. Despite this, all Sp Tp crews passed their ACT’s with a level 5. After this and a number of Sp Tp infamous BBQs, the build up for Ex SAIF SAREEA 2 began, the focus of most of the Regiment for some time. Sp Tp began the exercise with a full complement of crews and dismounts, the first time in many months. This could only be achieved by importing a platoon of Ghurkhas and a section of Highlanders. Not only did orders have to be repeated in differ- ent languages, but also the troop became more cosmopolitan than Camden Market on a Saturday afternoon. We then had to get to grips with Enemy tactics. Especially the line abreast charge, under the control of our Company Commander, Capt Craggs, with his monocle and signals such as the famous fran- tic map waving meaning attack over there. The only way to bet- ter our drills would have been to launch the attack on the enemy position itself, and not the main Salalah-Muscat motor- way. LCpl Armstrong fled the nest to become one of the Sqn's long-range recce patrols/ mail delivery boy. For the second part of the Ex we re-rolled into a sabre troop. Cpl Galley continued his role as car park attendant in the grave- yard. Cpl Roberts, ironically mistaken for an Omani by a num- ber of Omanis, had a set of magic radios, which never worked until End Ex was called over the net and then received perfect- ly. Sgt Emery continually pursued in his quest to keep sand from entering his vehicle, but even with his level of dedication, he had to admit defeat. But it was entertaining to watch. |
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