Page 47 - Bugle Autumn 2023

The first day began with a sombre stand the site of the Wormhoudt Massacre, where the SS murdered almost 100 Allied POWs as the battle of Cassel raged a few miles away. Understanding why the SS behaved as they did demonstrated the importance of ethos. We are all shaped by situations, but it was the culture of the SS that predisposed them barbarism.
at
to
one of the more controversial episodes of 1940. Writing after the war, Churchill stressed how important it was to hold Calais to delay the German advance on Dunkirk. Contemporary records of decisions, however, emphasise the symbolic role of defending Calais as a political antidote to French defeatism, rather than as a sound military decision.
Whatever the real reason for fighting to
the last, the dogged defence succeeded in tying-up more German assets than Calais’s strategic value merited. As we laid a wreath
at the memorial to 30th Infantry Brigade at
the harbour’s edge it was with full recognition that the men who died at Calais, as at Cassel, undoubtedly gave their lives so that thousands more could escape from the beaches to live and fight another day.
Cassel and Calais present a range of fascinating tactical questions and inspiring human stories. They offer great opportunities to develop cohesion through learning more about regimental history and reflecting on the past over a coffee or something stronger. A battlefield study to both locations – as close to England as possible without requiring a military swim test – is highly recommended. Capt James Wakeley, Intelligence Officer.
Writing after the war, Churchill stressed how important it was to hold Calais to delay the German advance on Dunkirk
The rest of the day was spent at Cassel. The pretty little village dominates the surrounding plain, its ridge is clear key terrain in an otherwise featureless landscape. It offers many advantages to the defender, but presents problems and choices in almost equal measure, especially when one is tasked with defending it against a larger and more mobile enemy. After an opening historical vignette, the various stands covered throughout the day asked exercising syndicates to think how they would deal with a comparable tactical situation today. Syndicates often played attackers and defenders, pitching plans against one another, and learning from the experiences of 1940.
The defenders of Cassel certainly acquitted themselves admirably – giving the lie to the notion of German tactical superiority – but syndicates also identified where and how doctrinal and technological developments would lead us to do things differently. Decentralised command – coupled with a deliberate planning process – modern anti-tank weaponry, and better communications would make Cassel a very different battle today.
Calais occupied the second day of the battlefield study. The port town presented different tactical questions to Cassel, but it also reminded us of the value of sheer bloody- minded fighting spirit. The defence of Calais is
Blockhouse at Le Peckel, strongpoint defended by 2 GLOSTERS at Cassel
PRE-DEPLOYMENT
TRAINING FOR EX
BALTIC FIST
7 RIFLES
Preparation for Ex BALTIC FIST – the two week 7 RIFLES overseas exercise to Estonia – has been fast and furious to achieve the deployment requirements.
Ex BALTIC BUGLE 1 in April focussed on low level skills and drills, aiming to enforce competence at section level. The sections
were given time and resources to remind themselves how to
move, communicate and protect as a team. They conducted reconnaissance patrols in the evening and the weekend concluded with a deliberate attack with a CASEVAC serial added.
This weekend was good fun and looking back we smashed the enemy during the deliberate attack and I learned some
new techniques on CASEVAC procedures. Rfn Hewer
Ex BALTIC BUGLE 2 was another opportunity to hone fieldcraft skills and low-level tactics, focussing on section attacks. Several attack lanes were set up over the two training days and this gave Section Commanders the opportunity to test their tactical acumen and conduct the hasty estimate process. This included section attacks by night, building on the movement at night lessons delivered by the permanent staff.
Section attacks are challenging but fun - it would have been nice to have had more sleep
on this weekend though!
Rfn Bennett
Ex BALTIC BUGLE 3 in June was the final opportunity to sweep
up the outstanding training deficiencies prior to deployment. It included the ACMT, a number of mandatory theory lessons and the military swim test, the latter certainly precipitating a few rumours about river-crossing serials in Estonia!
Marksmanship is at the heart of our history in The Rifles and therefore we should always embrace the opportunity to improve. Although ACMTs can be viewed as tedious and a ‘box-ticking exercise’ by some, if you really work hard
Major Tim Brown,
Officer Commanding, A Company
at applying the principles you can always find
ways to improve.
2Lt Bradshaw
RIFLES The Bugle 47