Page 49 - Bugle Issue 20 Autumn 2022

During January, D Company were lucky enough to be coached through their range weekend by The Rifles regimental shooting team, turning a standard ACMT weekend into an opportunity to be trained by some of the best. From new ways of tackling firing positions to the most effective method
of using a sling, the Riflemen were able
to significantly improve their accuracy, comfort, and confidence behind the SA80 in under a day.
It was clear from listening to conversations between the Riflemen how impressed they were with what they had been taught, and how immediately they saw improvements
in their shooting from the tips and tricks. Everyone passed the ACMT with ease and this allowed for progression onto the IBSR the following day.
The IBSR provided an excellent opportunity to put the skills that the Riflemen had learnt into practise, in an engaging and battlefield- applicable manner. The benefits of the weekend have not been hard to see – the battalion shooting competition in March saw D Company come top in the section attack assessment, the attack/reorg assessment, the advance fleeting encounter, and in urban
contact. This led to them being crowned ‘Champion Company.’
It was also fantastic to see that D Company’s Riflemen embodied the true spirit of The Rifles and stepped in to compete on behalf of other companies who were running low on numbers. All in all, a worthwhile couple of weekends shooting and a sterling effort from the company.
2Lt Ervine
All in all, a worthwhile couple of weekends shooting and a sterling effort from the company
Looking forward
While the first half of the year has been a busy period for 8 RIFLES, the real challenge of 2022 will come in its second half. Supporting events inclusive of the Commonwealth Games, providing troops to 1 RIFLES for Ex ASKARI STORM and to the SNIY for Ex KRONOS HUNTER, they will also be providing one of the lead elements for the Army Reserve Resilience trial.
This trial, focused on the overarching aim of the Army Reserve taking primacy for UK based resilience tasks, will see 8 RIFLES leading a composite unit of the Army Reserve within the North East and Yorkshire against natural disasters in aid of local authorities. The first of its kind, 8 RIFLES will have to manage, administrate, and coordinate the troops who will form the new front line of home base resilience.
All of these tasks, Operations and Exercises will provide 8 RIFLES with an opportunity to flex their growing capacity as they approach full operating capability. In the background to all of this they will resubordinate to the newly formed 19 Light Brigade, an all-Reserve brigade designed to increase the aptitude of all Reserve units.
8 RIFLES
Ex PROUD BUGLE
A Long running tradition within 8 RIFLES, Ex PROUD BUGLE is an internally run patrols competition
to crown the best fireteam within the Battalion. Alongside its immediate aim, this exercise would also be used to select a team to begin training for this years’ Cambrian Patrol.
Day one of the competition was a marathon patrol, broken up by numerous stands to test the competitor’s ability to work as a team, plan, conduct complicated tasks and to stress their knowledge of all things fieldcraft. That night they were given a target to conduct a recce and had to back brief their OCs.
The following day focused on fitness, with teams having to navigate themselves around a four-mile circuit carrying bergens and stretchers. After a long and difficult weekend, HQ Coy came out on top with their newly formed patrols platoon taking the top place. Every team entered did exceptionally well and this was a great starting point for the Cambrian patrol training.
Capt Knox
RIFLES The Bugle 49
The Forgotten Campaign
By William Crawford and Jonathan Hunt
Features:
Illustrated by Rosemary Coates
Includes the last British Mounted Actions
G The deployment of the Yeomanry of 1st Cavalry Division with 5000 horses to Palestine in 1940 – 42
G Task: To protect the Middle East
G Describes: All arms fighting incursions into Iraq, Syria and the Lebanon, including cavalry, to
deny Axis control.
G Laid the foundations for some of the great fighting regiments of the war G However being Yeomanry:
G Whilst Churchill was planning to fight on his beaches they were racing horses on theirs. G Also included; Illegal Wives, Illicit Foxhounds and selective deafness plus more!
Price £25. All Net proceeds, approx. £15 per book to
Order from: julia.rouse@southyorks.ssafa.org.uk
JANUARY RANGE WEEKEND