Page 69 - WishStream Year of 2023

was spotted by the enemy, and we were engaged pre-H from the rooftops. Moreover, we were thrown off by key features such as the church, which looked like a mosque, and the mosque, which looked like a church. The rest of the village had all the charm of post-war Dresden, but, once we re-oriented, the assault began and the Company cleared its way to the FOB. I was once again let down by my lad- der, which took up an effective firing position in the middle of the road directly down range from what sounded like a rather large machine-gun. Unfor- tunately for me, being a ladder, it failed to return effective fire and I was lasered down in the street, having just fallen out of an inconveniently placed ditch. But I digress.
Gaza Company was to settle in
for a few days in the newly liber-
ated Kittensee village/shanty town,
home to some ungrateful CivPop
played very convincingly by some
ungrateful engineers. Ambushes at
vehicle checkpoints, public disorder
engagement became the norm as the three pla- toons rotated between guard, operational and QRF duties. The latter consisted mainly of 12 Pl saving the day: situation no change. The sleep deprivation and harsh winter conditions caught up with a few, whilst the combination of dark staircases and grav- ity seemed to claim the most victims. The urban phase concluded with a heroic last stand against Somme Company and their band of merry Slove- nians, of which wave after wave was repelled by the brave Gurkhas from Sittang, and Mr Pickford wielding his trusty anti-tank weapon.
After a brief tactical withdrawal, followed by coffee and a doughnut (apparently there was an After- Action Review too?), it was onwards and upwards to the rural phase and a dusk assault on the Mud Hut Village, which had less mud and fewer huts than the name would suggest. Despite initial chaos, the fire support group laid down extremely
effective suppressing fire and the village was even- tually taken. And thus, for the next few days this woodland clearing would become our home. Pla- toon and Company offensive actions continued, including an attack on a beautiful quarry, as well as a defensive effort against a heavily armed con- voy. On resuming normal guard duties, it became apparent the Company had failed to accurately map our most vulnerable points, or even update each other on the new daily password. A quiet word from the CSM about left and right of arcs, and a flurry of Lumocolours later, and Gaza was good to go once again; lesson learnt, professionalism restored, standards raised. Now it was our turn to
and key leader
take Kittensee off Somme’s hands. Dis- regarding all the principles of stealth and surprise, the Company moved in to position in 4 x M113 armoured per- sonnel carriers and waded into the breach once more. In the role as CSM, I found leading from the back and scooping up casualties an insightful
and horizon-broadening experience, as Gaza Coy tore its way down the village’s streets and back to the FOB. The assault was so effective I didn’t even see anyone from the other Company. The only tangible threat was being left behind by my own Company’s rapid advance. After a sleepy few days, this was the epitome of the violence and initiative we so desperately needed, and one that would set the example for the remaining operations.
One times After-Action Review and a significant drop in temperature later, and we were on the road to the harbour area. The cold was creeping in more than ever and digging in was the best way to keep warm. I dug two stag positions and five shell scrapes. I was still cold. Peculiarly, the most blood, sweat and tears seemed to have been shed on the model pit, where dreams of staying warm and effective teamwork went to die. There was in fact no shortage of leadership, which may have been the problem. Nevertheless, we perse-
The only tangible threat was being left behind by my own Company’s rapid advance
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