Page 34 - The Wish Stream Year of 2020 Crest

be vigilant. Speculation about the exercise being aborted was rife, and, as the exercise went on, people were more and more concerned about their families and loved ones at home. Despite that, our flight plans had not changed and so, after being given a brief opportunity to contact home and check in with our families, we began preparing for the final action of
What followed was probably the most appreci- ated breakfast any of us are likely to have. The field kitchen staff pulled out all the stops and it was topped off with a glass of champagne and the opportunity for us all to change into our new regimental headdress. It was an awesome feel- ing to have got to the end and despite the chal-
Exercise Dynamic Victory, a bat- tlegroup clearance of an enemy occupied village.
After the three-hour battle, the village was liberated, and the sweet call of ‘Stop, Stop, Stop,’ meant that it was all over
lenges and hardship of the exer- cise, everyone had a smile on their face. Ex DYNAMIC VICTORY was over. It was time to go home.
We returned, as promised, to a very different UK to the one we left. Social distancing started the moment we got off the coach. Two metres spacings at all times. Mealtimes were staggered, dining arrangements were changed, and
It was a decisive victory. Burma
and Normandy companies hit the
first enemy positions at sunrise.
We were initially caught off guard
by the enemies use of a 7.62mm
machine gun, but quickly rallied
and the two companies worked
together as we cleared building after building, moving steadily north through the village. We were supported by armour, which occasionally roared up the main street to provide its devastat- ing suppressive capability on enemy held posi- tions. Medical staff simulated their battlefield role, and helicopters were on call to evacuate the wounded. After the three-hour battle, the village was liberated, and the sweet call of ‘Stop, Stop, Stop,’ meant that it was all over.
pretty soon we were confined to camp to pre- vent spreading the virus. The Commissioning Parade was cancelled, along with the ball. But for all that, at least we can remain proud of the fact that we have achieved a great deal, not just on Ex DYNAMIC VICTORY, but over the preced- ing 11 months of the Commissioning Course. While the future remains uncertain, one thing is for sure: we are ready to
serve to lead.
32 SANDHURST