9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2001 - Page 0004
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| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2001 |
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4 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S) Foreword by the Commanding Officer As this Journal goes to press, we are coming to terms with the sad death of our Colonel in Chief, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. We have been very privileged as a Regiment to have had a long and special relation- ship with our Colonel in Chief. She has visited the Regiment on many occasions, most recently that memorable day on July 2000 when she pre- sented the Regiment with its new Guidon. She took a great interest in the activities of the Regiment, and always had time to talk with offi- cers, soldiers, families and Old Comrades alike. We will all remember with great fondness the special relationship that we, as a Regiment, enjoyed for 42 years with the Queen Mother, who we held in the highest affection and esteem. The past year has been filll of action and good soldiering. Kosovo and the Oman have been central to most of our experi- ences this year, but a great deal of hard work has also gone on behind the scenes in Hohne. It has been an extremely busy year, at the end ofwhich we can all look back on a job very well done. When I took command in January 2001, I found the Regiment in excellent shape in every respect, which was very much to the credit of my predecessor. Twelve months on, I believe that the Regiment continues to be in terrific shape, with some truly excellent operational and training experience under its collec- tive belt. We have now well and truly settled into life in Hohne. For a Regiment used over the years, and certainly recently, to serving in isolated, independent locations, the benefits of living and working in a Garrison environment have come as a very welcome surprise. The added competitive edge, professionally, on the sports field and even socially, together with the benefits of being part of a larger military community, work very much to our advantage, giving life in Germany a much more cohesive feeling. In April, C Squadron deployed to Kosovo under command of the 2 RTR Battlegroup. The tour was, of course, marred by the tragic death of Trooper Adam Slater, who was killed by a mine strike whilst on patrol in his CVR(T) near the Macedonian bor- der. Nevertheless, C Squadron acquitted themselves extremely well on a demanding but very successful operational tour. Back in Germany, the remainder of the Regiment deployed in February to southern Germany for a period of Regimental train- ing. It was excellent training, but was sadly curtailed by the out- break of Foot and Mouth disease in the UK, and the German Government’s consequent decision to stop all military training in Germany. The summer was incredibly busy with, amongst other activities, a Regimental Firing Period on Hohne Ranges, a very successful and enjoyable battlefield tour in Italy, a most enjoyable Mons/Moy weekend and an excellent Polo Tournament in the heat of early autumn here in Hohne. On the sporting front, we have also acquitted ourselves very well, establishing an excellent reputation for ourselves in British Army (Germany) and RAC competitions across a wide range of sports. Polo has thrived under the direction and guardianship of Major Monty Woolley and continues to be very much a feature of life in Hohne. In September the rump of the Regiment deployed to the Oman on Ex SAIF SAREEA 2, our major Regimental training activity of the year. Events in America and Afghanistan gave it a far higher profile than had been anticipated, and the intense media speculation about the options for the use of ground troops in Afghanistan, and specifically those in the Oman taking part in Ex SAIF SAREEA 2, caused considerable worry and anxiety to our wives and families back in Germany and the UK, which was particularly unhelpful and unwelcome. The exercise itself was as challenging and demanding as we had anticipated and it pro- vided us with a unique training opportunity. The mere fact that our soldiers and younger officers, many of whose previous exer- cise experiences were very limited, lived and operated from their vehicles in a harsh and demanding environment for two months was immensely valuable in itself. Moreover, commanders at every level and Regimental and Squadron headquarters and ech- elon staff gained manoeuvre experience at a level we have not seen in recent years. Life support was carried out for real over extended distances and duration in really challenging circum- stances 7 daytime temperatures were regularly in excess of 45 degrees Centigrade in the shade. In terms of training for war, which is after all our raison d’etre in peacetime, I believe that we are a great deal more prepared as a result. Throughout the year, we have devoted considerable efforts and resources to recruiting and retention initiatives. These are beginning to pay dividends, as we close on full manning for the first time since we reduced to three Sabre squadrons, although there is no room for complacency and our efforts will continue for the foreseeable future. There is little doubt, however, that our current establishment is too lean, leaving us with insuffi- cient fat with which to manage our numerous tasks and com- mitments. In simple terms, we continue to be asked to do more with less. As a result, retention is inevitably the yardstick by which we must judge every activity that we carry out. Looking to the future, the year ahead is, as ever, full of chal- lenges and opportunities. B Squadron will be permanently at a state of high readiness to deploy with the Lead Armoured Task Force under the Joint Rapid Reaction Force concept. This will become an enduring commitment throughout our time in Germany. The bulk of the Regiment will deploy to Canada in the OI’FOR role for the BATUS season. Based on previous experience from 1999, it promises to be a first class opportunity for low-level training, together with the challenges and excite- ment of the TES battlefield, and the chance for individuals to do some really demanding adventure training in spectacular coun- tryside as well as travel around North America. These are the challenges and opportunities that our officers and soldiers join for, and I have no doubt that they will relish them hugely. The contents of this Journal will tell you in detail about all of our activities in this past year. What the various articles will not tell you about, however, is the industry, the effort, the graft and the immense dedication at every level that lie behind our very many successes. It is that which enables us time and again to rise to the challenges that we face, just our predecessors have done before us. It is a rare privilege to lead such dedicated, hard working and high quality men and women. |
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