Page 33 - The Wish Stream Year of 2022 CREST

had been killed or injured; however, the German Army’s 10th Panzer division had been obliterated to a condition it would never recover from.
Hill 112 was an important lesson in the value of vital ground and dug-in defensive positions and should be a staple within Ex NORMANDY SCHOLAR due to this training value. It was espe- cially relevant having just completed Ex SLIM’S STAND and seeing first-hand how chaotic a com- pany counterattack can be in the daytime, let alone in the dark. For the men of the DCLI to have fought off not one but twelve counter attacks and still maintained combat effectiveness is a real tes- tament to the troop’s determination and grit.
The fourth serial was Ex GEORDIE DEFENDER. This exercise saw OCdts evaluate and contem- plate the actions that were undertaken at Tilly- sur-Seulles starting on 9th of June 1944 by the Durham Light Infantry. Instead of offensive action, this aspect of the exercise was a defensive one. The DLI had taken up a defensive position in the village. The enemy were expected to approach from a bridge to the west. We were tasked with the sighting of anti-tank guns and the organisa- tion of our company’s defensive position. The next problem we were faced with was an unexpected attack from the SW and W by German armour and infantry. Our position quickly became untena- ble, and we were to decide how best to withdraw. After this withdrawal, we had taken heavy casual- ties and much of the command structure was in ruins. The companies had concentrated around battalion HQ and we were then tasked with how to best defend this from the German armour. Tilly- sur-Seulles went on to change hands around 23 times over the course of the battle.
This aspect of the exercise was useful as we had just finished our own defensive exercise in Ex SLIM’S STAND. It was interesting to see how our decisions and those of the officers on the ground were similar or different. However, we do not cover defensive ops in anywhere near as much detail as offensive ops. I would say our knowledge is there- fore slightly lacking in the area, and siting weapons such as anti-tank guns was completely foreign. Therefore, this aspect of the exercise would have been improved if our defensive knowledge was slightly better. An aspect of the exercise that was useful was the rapid way in which the DLI’s situ- ation deteriorated, which meant that if everyone’s understanding of intent and objectives were not clear, the outcome would have been far worse. It really drove home the phrase ‘you’re only one bul-
let away from promotion’ and made it clear to us as OCdts that comprehensive understanding is of absolute importance. Without it, already difficult situations would become disasters.
The final, and by far the most relaxed serial of the exercise, was the opportunity to look round Southwick House. Here, we had the opportunity to get our hands on some weapons from WW2, both German and Allied weapons. We discussed the scenarios mentioned earlier, and we had the chance to visit the D-Day wall map, an impres- sive room with a wall-sized map of the South of England and the coast of France. The setting made the discussion of the scenarios feel even more pertinent and brought home the realities of the operation we were studying. It was a fantas- tic opportunity to get our hands on some of the weapons carried by the soldiers and recognise the differences and similarities between forces. It’s these small differences that can ultimately lead to different strategic outcomes. Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and informative day that rounded off our experience perfectly.
Whilst, sadly, Ex NORMANDY SCHOLAR could not take place in France, the trip did maintain its entertaining and informative value. As OCdts we learnt a lot about the realities of command in the field and how to deal with the complicated problems posed in combat. It was encourag- ing to see that our training thus far has been a success, helping us in thinking like junior officers and coming to very similar conclusions to theirs in the difficulties they faced. This was a testa- ment to the hard work of the academic staff, working around the challenges imposed by the current climate, enabling the exercise to keep its educational value, and provide a welcomed change of pace before the latter half of term.
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