Page 49 - Light Dragoons 2023 CREST

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
ing and mountain biking, but seemingly requiring the work equivalent to organ- ising a Himalayan expedition, given the amount of stress in the build up, it also was to take in nights in Krakow and Gdansk.
After a relatively uneventful night that even Cpl Black made it back in time for the Annex B directed curfew, the Sqn boarded coaches provided by ‘Polish Nick’ and headed for Zakopane, Poland’s answer to Val d’Isere. A full day’s drive found us stay- ing in 2 x huge ski chalets, again organised by the notorious Nick, having picked up 2
x hill walking instructors along the way. 2 epic day’s worth of AT followed, for which the CO and RSM joined, involving some steep ascents for which the mountain lead- ers displayed fantastic mission command, letting the troops navigate, whilst they lead from the bottom of the hills. Meanwhile Lt Riall showed Lts Doggart and Griffiths what it meant to be a mountain bike leader. This all resulted in everyone deserving a good blow out and celebrations provided once again by Polish Nick, in the form of Polish sausage, schnapps and slivovich, and a traditional band in lederhosen.
To conclude the trip, the Sqn visited Auschwitz. A haunting visit that is diffi- cult to put into words the profound effect it had on each and every one of us. This could not have been a more fitting end to what was an immensely significant exercise given the current situation in the world. It gave reasoning to the moral line of ques- tioning of why we do what we do. It was a truly memorable end to a very memorable 3 weeks in Poland.....
...although it wasn’t quite the end. The RAF kindly extended our trip and even let us visit another country in the Czech Republic and a lesser know city of Ostrava. 48hrs later than planned we flew back to Brize Norton to then headed straight down to Portsmouth to collect the Jackals to then drive them back to Catterick. In sum- mary; 1500km travelled by Jackal, a 5 day exercise involving 4 other nations, a 2 day AT package, 4 cities explored, and much Polish sausage consumed, all in 3 weeks.
HCF
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