Page 48 - ABA Salvoes 1999-2024

FOOs were concerned. However, by the time of my arrival at Dundonald, training had been extended to include parachute courses for some and, indeed, airborne FOO parties did become important elements of our Unit. This was probably another ‘first’ for Naval ratings, and a bit of a shock for one small group who, in April 1943, found themselves at Ringway, near Manchester, for the first such course involving their breed. In actual fact only volunteers were used from this particular batch but, as time went on, quite a number of telegraphists completed parachute courses, including myself, and were proud to obtain their parachute wings (whether this was the result of misguided bravado, or youthful enthusiasm, or the extra two shillings per day, may be a matter for conjecture!). Whatever the initial motivation, I think it can be said that those later called upon for serious action all performed in exemplary fashion. Thus ended the early chapters of the Bombardment Unit - its formation, training, and preparation for all the amphibious operations that
THINKING SOLDIERS
By Lt Col Jon Cresswell RA
Many years ago I read a book about selection for the Artists’ Rifles by Adam Ballinger. It was an account of an elite regiment through an intellectual prism. It made clear the value of special forces was not so much their ability to shoot straight but their ability to think straight. It is not for nothing that the motto of the Special Boat Service is “Not by Strength by Guile.” In the Joint Fires world this is also essential and no where more so than Commando Gunners engaged as part of Amphibious Pre-Landing Forces. We used to think of 148 (Meiktila) Commando Forward Observation Battery Royal Artillery as being Naval Gunfire specialists. Technically this is true but such a designation ignores the tactical application of their skills in the demanding and uncertain environment of the pre-landing force (and on occasions as part of an Advanced Force which is likely to be Special Forces based) which requires advanced insertion and reconnaissance skills and the ability to FIND, UNDERSTAND and where necessary ENGAGE either in defence of the “PLF” or to enable deliberate targeted strikes or pre H-hour fires prior to the landing of the Main Force.
followed, both in Europe and the Far East.
Much has been written elsewhere, and by scribes much more proficient than myself, giving a detailed history of all those operations. By August 1944 we had become officially known as the Bombardment Unit, and from then on it was heavily involved in all amphibious landings. As requirements demanded, the Unit expanded as time went on and, indeed, during the Normandy invasion, in conjunction with some 84 bombarding ships, no less than 42 FOB teams and 78 Bombardment Liaison Officers were used, including parties who dropped with the various airborne units. I believe it right to say that the soldiers and sailors of the Bombardment Units truly (and literally of course) lived up to the Combined Operations motto of ‘UNITED WE CONQUER’ by combining the best traditions of the Royal Artillery and the Royal Navy. The Unit’s role was considered vital to the success of all the amphibious operations in World War Two.
The Naval Gunfire Assistant (NGA) must be competent in the application of air, aviation, naval and land fires and above all he must be able to communicate. He (or potentially she...) must have the mental agility to respond to changing circumstances as the picture ashore develops, be comfortable with uncertainty and readily embrace skill sets and products from other agencies in order to achieve the mission. He is therefore a “thinking soldier” albeit he may actually be a Royal Marine or a sailor. The selection of the NGA must therefore be rigorous and focussed as much on military skills as practical intellect and commitment. Constant training is essential but education is just as important as every training opportunity is enhanced by wider understanding and intellectual rigour. This in turn aids judgment together with a ready ability to engage with other agencies and develop a team approach to mission delivery. The skills and requirements of the Commando Gunners in the pre-landing force represent a unique and highly attractive career stream within the Royal Artillery and yet it appears to be a capability that is not widely known about or understood.
Although the nature of some of 148 Battery’s role requires an appropriate level of discretion, we need to enhance the Royal Regiment’s appreciation of this specialist capability which requires high quality operators – thinking soldiers. Lest we forget that we almost lost the capability under Army 2020!
46 | Amphibious Bombardment Association