9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2003 - Page 0017
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| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2003 |
| Transcription |
REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S) 15 B Squadron he last year for B Squadron revolved mostly around the last ever full Formation Reconnaissance deployment to Bosnia on Op OCULUS. Much was said of B Sqn 9th/12th Royal Lancers being the first and last full Squadrons in Bosnia, but as the Squadron prepared on it’s OPTAG training, we were unaware that this was to be the case. Having a large number of Bosnia veterans within the Squadron it was mostly the Officers and troopers who listened with a studiously confused look to the various lessons, eagerly awaiting their first medals. The final riot training while fortunately not to come into use for real, was unanimously voted the most enjoyable part of the week and the training finished with a happy if slightly battered Squadron. Due to the possible deployment to the Gulf for 7 Armd Bde, the first last minute surprise for the year was playing OPFOR on Ex PRAIRIE OWL. The 7 day exercise was held in the snows of Hohne ranges, which was commented on at times as not being overly close to desert conditions. The Squadron deployed under Maj Farrer who soon decided that it wasn’t much fun leaving his redoubtable ZIC, Capt wall in charge. The end of the exercise was heralded with much rejoicing, especially as the pre-tour leave was growing ever closer. Sadly the leave was cut short by the news we would be taking mine protected vehicles with us which were arriving imminent- ly. Although this news would have been more useful before the Squadron had rendered their own vehicles spotless, an out- standing effort managed to ready the new vehicles. There was just time to swap stories of leave before moving to the airport to catch the flight to Banja Luca. As ever the main body was met by SSgt Clarke, who had deployed first with his admin team to pave the way. The delight on the faces of the Light Dragoons we were replacing was slightly ominous, but after a competent hand-over the troops settled in quickly. 2nd and GW Troops moved to Gradiska under Capt Willis and SSgt Clarke and 3rd and 4th Took over Prnjavor Troop house. The new G2 intensive role of the Squadron was quickly and effectively understood, leading B Sqn to gain the reputation of the G2 spe- cialists of the Battle group. A large quantity ofweapons was also recovered by the weapons patrols and cordon and search opera- tions run by the Squadron. Throughout the tour the Squadron also maintained its core skills by establishing and maintaining a number of covert observation posts during subsequent operations. The time was made more pleasant by the occasional Sqn Bar-B- Q, or game of football with the local teams; although it would have been pleasant to have won at least one of these matches. The I’rnjavor Tp Hse also discovered a local pool where they conducted some much needed PT. Midway through the tour, the Troops moved around with GW moving to Prnjavor and 4th Tp to Banja Luka, while lst Tp was let out of Banja Luka and allowed to go to Gradiska. lst Tp dur- ing this time had discovered and organised for a fund to be raised for a young Bosnian boy named Stefan who had a severe facial disfigurement. This eventually resulted in him receiving an operation in Great Ormond Street hospital in November. During the tour a number ofpersonnel departed and joined the Squadron. Most notably Maj Farrer who left for Shrivenham and to get married, who was replaced by Maj J R Gasson- Hargreaves. There was a mass roulement within the Tp Sgts with Sgts Whitehead, Major, Rhodes, Spring, Swift and Ingram all changing over during the tour, the precise details of which are far to lengthy to explain. SSM Henderson left on returning to Germany in order to move to the Training Wing, and he and Steph will be sorely missed. As the Squadron waited patiently for the arrival of A Sqn, there was some more unexpected news. A Sqn where now to deploy on Op Telic 3 and where not to replace us. This caused slight consternation that we would wait another 6 months in Bosnia. However, we only had to contain ourselves for another month before being relieved by the Ghurkas and a rather bemused looking couple of Troops from the HCR. With that the Sqn said goodbye to Bosnia probably for the last time and returned to camp to decompress before splitting to the four winds for some well deserved leave. B Squadron made an appearance early in December so as not to miss the seasonal drinking sessions and then disappeared for some not so deserved leave. B Squadron |
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