RAOC Gazette - page 100
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 {Continued from page 73) mackerel firmly hooked to his line! Both had been there so long that they'd completely given up any signs of resistance. After three days of comparative relaxation, it was back to military training in earnest with the final Patrol Exercise. This was a three phase exercise in which eight patrols of four men made their way over an eighteen mile course. During the first phase, the patrols were required to report to a number of RVs. at each of which they were tested in a particular subject, eg first aid, radio communication, weapon training and fitness. The second phase consisted of an infiltration through enemy territory to a patrol base, avoiding hunter groups en route. After a few hours rest, the final phase began just before first light, when the patrols, now forming a composite platoon, moved in on an enemy base for a most successful dawn attack. As a result of these exertions, a top patrol was selected, based on a points system, and the annual award of the Millenium Cup made accordingly (along with the more tangible delights of a crate of beer). Well all good things must come to an end and in no time at all it was time for the traditional Endex Party, complete with fish (trout, of course) and chips supper. The trout tasted delicious, but it was very much the luck of the draw which part of the fish one received, and some furtive swops were made by those who had opened up their packages to find an eye staring back at them! And so, the exercise came to a close, and Ramsay was once again deprived of its quota of helicopter pilots, bomb disposal experts, off-duty lifeguards and temporary subalterns, provided annually by the Ordnance Company. It's amazing the colour- ful ' histories ' some of our soldiers can provide when pressed! The journey home, although fairly uneventful, had an added touch of melodrama. Having been charged with the vital mission of providing genuine Manx kippers for Brigadier Short at Blackdown, the CQMS lost a few more hairs as each hour ticked by, wondering whether they would arrive in a state fit for consumption! We assume they did! And now—once more ensconced in sunny Aldershot and already booking up for a return visit next year! KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE CORPS THROUGH THE RAOC ASSOCIATION |
| Book number | R0404 |