Page 85 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

Exercise PANZER BUGLE 16 – Battle eld Study
As autumn turned to winter, 40 Ri emen, NCOs, WOs and Of cers of the Third Battalion set off for a four day battle eld study in Europe. Organised by Major Greenman, OC C Coy, and comple- mented by one of the Regimental historians, Chris Copson, the battle eld study aimed to educate the group on the Blitzkrieg tactics that Rommel so effectively employed during the invasion of France. Furthermore we looked to analyse scenarios and locations tactically from the point of view of a Light Mechanised Infantry Battalion.
After a long day of travel by coach we arrived at Dinant in Belgium having negotiated a rather narrow rocky pass with 7cm to spare. A wrong turn into some even tighter cobbled streets then tested Rfn Smith’s driving skill further, as well as bringing the entire town to a standstill. Cue much laughter from the English, and cursing from the locals. I am sure Rommel arrived at Dinant to an equally hostile response! Hearts and minds objective complete we stopped on the banks of the River Meuse and received a brief on the ground and situation as it stood in May 1940. Armed with more knowledge, we broke down into company groups to discuss a series of questions. This routine continued throughout the study with discussion focussing on the pros and cons of Rommel’s unique leadership style as well as the tactics employed.
After a very comfortable stay in a Castle just outside Dinant we set off on Day 3 to the 7th Panzer Division’s crossing point further down the Meuse. Lt Jackson, A Coy 2IC took the lead here and presented a TEWT for the group to discuss how best to approach the obstacle from a Lt Mech Inf perspective. What was fantastic to see here, and indeed throughout the study, was input from all the ranks. Questions were raised, points discussed and opinions given, all for mutual bene t; thinking Ri emen indeed. With the weather by now taking a turn for the worse, we ventured closer to the French border and the famous Maginot Line at Clairfayts. After a short stop at a sodden Flavion we had the opportunity to look at the bunkers on the Maginot Line itself, even gaining access to one thanks to an extremely enthusiastic farmer. His efforts to explain the historical value of the site had all ranks wishing that they had paid more attention during French lessons!
The following day and with the French Army rmly on the run we conducted another TEWT at Avesnes. After a relaxed lunch in the sleepy little French town the group visited the sombre setting of Thiepval Memorial. Although unrelated to our study it was poignant to visit this WW1 memorial to the missing of the Somme, 100 years after the
battle. Suitably moved, we headed to Arras to lighten the mood. With calls for frogs legs (not sure of the exact type) we debussed for a few hours in the stunning and once war ravaged city.
November 11th – our nal day started with some proud storytelling of the British counter- attack outside Arras. Overlooking the ground from the Vimy Ridge Memorial, Capt Redgwell gave a superb brief on the battle that included two battalions of the Durham Light Infantry. With the battle in mind we moved through the WW1 shell holed elds and woods to a trench location to conduct our own Remembrance service held by Padre Cobain. Rfn Wanless, dressed in No.1’s, from the bugle platoon sounded the last post and silence descended over the group in re ection.
Lt Toby Blackmore, A Coy
Rfn Wanless sounding the last post
A WRONG TURN INTO SOME EVEN TIGHTER COBBLED STREETS THEN TESTED RFN SMITH’S DRIVING SKILL FURTHER
THE RIFLES
THIRD BATTALION 83