Page 103 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
were already in situ. With a combination of tactical patrolling and well selected Ops, their aim was to catch as many teams as possible.
The evaders were ‘released’ at 5-minute intervals starting at 2120 hrs. The Exercise proved once again to be of great benefit to all participating MWDs teams. The SBA Police handlers, with some guidance from the RAVC, completed five tracks that all resulted in captures. Over the gruelling 20 km course only three teams avoided capture and what made this more impressive was that four teams had been caught three times each. Each capture resulting in a 30 minute penalty, which overall decided the winner.38
CMWDSU at this time was under the full command of HQ BFC with individuals trick- le-posted through the Unit on two year tours.39 In 2009 Cyprus MWDSU (CMWDSU) comprised two Veterinary Officers and six other ranks providing veterinary support and MWD for Episkopi and Dhekelia garrisons.
Cyprus’s military history is etched on the landscape and for anyone posted there the outcome of battles of the past lurked around every corner. The so called ‘Green Line’ being one of the most poignant and divisive ‘markers’ on the Island.
In Green Line Tour-Cyprus May 2012, the article provided by Cpl Chris Emberson for Chiron Calling gives a first-hand account of a time well spent on this very beautiful but often troubled island:
Green Line Tour – Cyprus May 2012
The buffer zone runs between Greek and Turkish sides of Cyprus and is still patrolled daily by UNFICYP. It has been an established Military Divide since 1974 following the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus.
The actual line runs 108.5 km across the island dividing Cyprus in two, with the North belonging to the Turkish, and the South belonging to the Greek Cypriots. The buffer zone is also known as the ‘Green line’ due to a minor colouration mishap with some maps during a handover period within UNFICYP HQ, and the name has stuck ever since. The ‘Green Line’ itself is home to around 10,000 people with many villages and towns found within or bordering the zone. The most famous of these villages is the village of Pyla as this is the only village to be home to both Greek and Turkish nation- alities living happily, side-by-side, despite past history.
The journey to Nicosia, Cyprus’s capital city, was where we began our tour; guided by UN Forces who made sure that the Greeks and Turks behave themselves. The tour followed being briefed about the history of the
38 Chiron Calling Summer/Autumn 2009.
39 29EOD&S Gp Loose Minute 29/G5/5013 dated 30th September 2009. 40 Chiron Calling Autumn 2012 ’Green Line Tour Cyprus 2012.’
41 Chiron Calling Spring 2016.
build-up to the conflict and the actual conflict itself. The Blitzkrieg style of the attack employed by the Turkish took the Greek Cypriots completely by surprise. It was only down to some heroic efforts by the Greeks and the final intervention by the UN that Turkish forces were pushed back to what is now known as the ‘Green Line’.
During the tour the guide briefed on many light- hearted views of the situation and told stories of various UN infringements that had taken place on the ‘Green Line’ – stories of midnight dashes across ‘No Man’s Land’ to steal a flag and replace it with either a Greek or Turkish flag. One of the lasting stories was about ‘Bayonet Alley’. The street was so named because soldiers on both sides were unable to openly fire their weapons. Instead, they fixed bayonets, or knives to long sticks to make improvised spears and proceeded to stab and jab at each other from balconies only a short distance from each other. They only stopped when one of the many UN patrols came by.40
Royal Recognition – 2016
Staff Sergeant Craig Ide RAVC offered memories of a special day representing the RAVC in Cyprus during a royal visit to Akrotiri. The highlight of a posting:
On the afternoon of 4th February 2016, Cyprus MWD Troop had the honour of carrying out a demonstration of its capabilities for a special guest – the RAVC Colonel in Chief, HRH The Princess Royal. The Princess was visiting other units based on the Island but staff from the Troop were armed with an array of equipments to make the best of the time their guest would be with them. The Resusci-Jerry, veterinary kits, scent carousel, MWD kit and the like. Not forgetting the stars of the show – the MWDs – they headed for Akrotiri to await the arrival of the helicopter.
SSgt Craig Ide had the honour of hosting the Princess Royal. Nervously rehearsing ‘Ma’am’ as in ‘ham’ and considering all that could go wrong. However, his diligence and good work paid dividends and the demo went very well and exactly to plan. The demo of the scent carousel went well with HRH stroking the search dog with much affection. Next, the demo of the veterinary kit used in Forward Operating Bases was given by the other handlers.
The demo ended bang on time and Her Royal Highness moved on to the next demonstration area, as compliments were passed to the Cyprus RAVC staff as the visit was duly concluded.41
Dhekelia detachment closed around 2014 and the RAVC dogs are now located at the WSBA base
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