Page 65 - Wish Stream 2023 CREST

QRF/Guard rotation. We were exposed to the dan- gers and difficulties of urban patrolling and opera- tions with actors playing both the enemy and the civilian population. We were also given lessons from Gun groups, Recce, Snipers and Mortars which assisted in our understanding of the battle space and how these resources could be used in planning. During this period, we also completed a virtual simulation training serial with vehicles and equipment that allowed us to trial different ways of defending the village from simulated attacks.
Following the urban phase, we moved into a rural area where we conducted preliminary moves for an attack on Copehill Down village. This involved deliberate attacks on enemy positions outside the village and planning for the eventual operation itself. In the early hours of the final morning, we received orders and stepped off under the cover of darkness and a significant amount of rain. We were
met by a recce callsign from the Yorks who guided us into our FUP, and we were fortunate enough to be supported by Challenger 2 tanks from the RTR, introducing us to the practical side of Combined Arms Manoeuvre. At H-Hr, with the tanks firing us in, both companies began their assault on the village. The operation to clear Copehill Down was long and hard fought, but eventually 1 Sandhurst Rifles were able to secure the town and regain control of the surrounding area from the clutches of the enemy.
Ex CHURCHILL’S CHALLENGE was an important learning experience for our future development on Ex TEMPLAR’S TRIUMPH and Ex DYNAMIC VIC- TORY. The exposure to the contemporary urban operating environment was vital to our progression towards commissioning and our understanding of the work of the British Army around the world.
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