RAOC Gazette - page 98
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1980 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | Yes |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1980 |
| Late date | 1980 |
| Transcription |
MANX 80 BY LIEUTENANT S. P . SMITH, BA SO the great day came at last and 6 Field Force Ordnance Company landed in the Isle-of-Man for its annual two week regimental exercise. The troops stormed ashore, flushed with enthusiasm—many still making hurried, last-minute arrangements with some of the Island-bound maidens they'd met on the crossing. It's amazing the wonders that can be worked with (he simple introductory line, " Excuse me Miss, we're taking photographs for our Unit magazine . . . . . . " With the minimum of delay, the troop transport waiting pn the jetty was boarded, and Land Rovers started arriving from below decks. At least, three of them did. The remaining two remained motionless on an otherwise deserted lower car deck, surrounded by a concerned group of soldiers and an even more concerned REME mechanic. A. tow rope connected the two vehicles, but, with neither able to start, its use was strictly limited. Eventually, the obstinate machines were pushed ashore, whereupon both engines instantly burst into life (but not before a passing wheel launched a vicious attack on Private ' Chalky' White's foot, causing him to hobble for the rest of the exercise). Training commenced bright and early next morning with a road run at 0630 hours. The astonishingly fast pace of this, so amazed our new CSM, spectating from a passing recce rover, that it left him gasping more heavily than some of the actual runners. Luckily for him, an over-thirty five group had been established by Day Two, which made things slightly easier for the ' old codgers.' The troops began settling down happily into their new environment. In fact, their degree of happiness could be charted quite accurately by the increasing lateness of the returning liberty transport from Ramsay and Douglas each night. However, by Day Three a temporary problem arose which caused the first mutinous rumblings of discontent. " Sir, why are we on starvation rations?" Further investigation showed this to be quite a valid question, so the Company was forced to resort to its secret weapon from Aldershot. On the Fourth Day, a fire-breathing ACC WO (Q Popplewell—the dreaded ' P o p s ' from 6th Field Force Headquarters and Signal Squadron) descended from the Heavens and rocketed everyone and every- thing with five hundred yards radius of the cook house—there- after, no problems. The Training Programme itself was split into two parts— regimental and adventurous—with a Final Patrol Exercise at the end. Mist played a large part in the regimental training, and the CQMS is advised to indent for a similar quantity to A hairy descent from a Puma. be used next year. During the first platoon attack, for example, the platoon had just staggered to the top of a steep, mountainous slope in brilliant sunshine, when a fog bank descended, coinciding with the point section coming under fire. The gallant platoon commander doubled forward to view the enemy position, but, under the circumstances, reduced his aim to simply trying to locate the point section. At last, having homed in on the LMG, he despatched his runner to bring up the Section Commanders and Platoon to their respective RVs. And so a crazy game of blind man's buff ensued, as isolated groups and individuals blundered around in the gloom trying to link up with the right people in the right positions. Despite such difficulties, the high level of fitness and teamwork within the Company paid off, and all enemy groups were finally cleared from the axis. The Platoon was then free to commence the even more interesting game of trying to locate the transport home. Under the auspices of the CQMS (Staff Sergeant Martin Esser) a three-day map-reading programme was pursued, during which many useful lessons were learned. For example that young CQMSs, anxious for promotion, shouldn't send two WOs to man the highest mountain checkpoint in freezing mist with a duff A41. If they do, they find themselves getting tied to the camp flagpole at the very first opportunity! Helicopter handling provided an interesting and exciting diversion during one of the regimental training days. Regulations prevented the choppers from getting a bird's eye view of the TT races, but a succession of spectacular aerobatics by the pilots soon took their passengers minds off what might be happening on the ground. And so on to adventure training—three days of pony trekking, canoeing, sailing, deep sea fishing, and trout fishing. Trout fishing's adventure training?—It is when you've got an OC who's so keen he has flies stuck in his beret! Adventure training provided several memorable moments. On seeing Private ' Dilys' Stant upturned in a canoe, apparently unable to escape, Private Ford decided to become the hero of the hour and leapt fully clothed into the chilly waters. Sadly, as Private Ford descended on one side of the canoe, Private Stant surfaced from the other, unaware of the drama going on around him. The most outstanding success of deep sea fishing was achieved by Private Jock Bell. Having slept soundly on the bows of the boat for an entire afternoon, while others fished avidly to no avail, he awoke to find a large dogfish and a Corporal Tony Frangos and Private Trewhill use their map reading skill and judgement to determine their exact location. — 73 — (Continued on page 75) |
| Book number | R0404 |