Back to Archive Journals

9th-12th-Lancers - Year 1986 - Page 0100

Image details

Regiment 9th/12th Lancers
Year 1986
Transcription THE 9TH/IZTH ROYAL LANCERS REGIMENTAL JOURNAL
Carver Barracks
if!
..
K:
The Regiment is due to move to Carver
Barracks, Wirnbish, Essex, at the end
of the tour in Wolfenbuttel. You may
therefore-like to know what to expect
when you arrive, to get an idea of the
scope of the Regiment’s job in UK. and
to know a little about the local area.
The armoured reconnaissance regi-
ment stationed at Wimbish is assigned
to 19 Infantry Brigade, which many
will remember as 7 Field Force from
the time of the Regiment‘s tour in Tid»
worth. 19 infantry Brigade is in turn a
part of Eastern District, both head-
quarters being located in Colchester.
Renowned as England’s oldest town,
Colchester has nevertheless managed
to move with the times and is an excel-
lent Garrison town.
Priority One role is as a NATO rein»
forcing brigade with the primary task
being under command of 3rd Armoured
Division. So. we spend quite a bit of
9B
The main gate and entrance to Camp
time in Germany, which many may feel
is a case of out of the Wolfenbuttel
“frying pan" into the Wimbish “fire"i
Nevertheless, there are other major dis-
tractions in the form of Priority Two
commitments For example. 006 pro-
vided squadrons in the Lebanon in
1983, and earned great credit during
their tour as part of BRITFORLEB.
Also, a squadron is assigned most years
to Cyprus, a troop to Belize, and a
squadron to an exchange exercise either
in Denmark or in Italy There will be
plenty to keep everyone busy. especially
if you include the inevitable RAAT.
MACM and MAC? commitments with
which this Brigade has to contend.
The Regiment is organised rather
differently to the way things are in
Wolfenbttttel. Firstly the Sabre Sqaud-
runs are equipped with Scorpian as
well as Scimitar, a fact that will glad-
den the heart of the 76mm gunners,
Also. there are only 3 medium recce
squadrons; the fourth squadron is a
OW Squadron with 16 Striker. So there
will be quite a bit of reorganising and
re-training.
Enough of matters operational and
training. I’m sure you are all much more
interested in what Wimbish and the
local area is like, so let us turn now to
Carver Barracks and the surrounding
towns and villages.
Carver Barracks is a converted aero-
drome previously named RAF Debden.
Situated on a plateau above the market
town of Saffron Walden. and although
in rural Essex. it is close to the Univers-
ity City of Cambridge. RAF Debden
has a history of its own which encompas
ses the Battle of Britain and the form-
ation of the American Eagle Squadrons
in World War II. Len Deighton based
his novel — “Goodbye Mickey Mouse"
on the American Fighter Group stat-
Title