Page 34 - QARANC Vol 14 No 9 2014

32 QARANC THE GAZETTE
MDHU Frimley Park Battlefield Study – Ex ALUMNI, Northern France
The bravery and sacrifice shown by the men and women who fought in World War I and II can never be forgotten. It is their courage and inspiration that gave the birth to the independence we all enjoy today. Arguably it is their determination that inspired some, if not most men and women to join and serve in todays Armed forces. With this understanding, and as serving soldiers and officers, 21 members of the QARANC at MDHU Frimley Park conducted a battlefield study of Normandy and the Somme in northern France.
With two combi-vans and an estate we began our journey by road to Dover to begin the four day trip. Although flying would have been quicker, travelling by road would give us the opportunity and lengthy time to build good team cohesion and camaraderie. As members of the same unit, we worked together with the allocated drivers to negotiate and interpret the French signage and Satnav directions!
The main aim of the study was to examine leadership at strategic, operational and tactical levels, using the planning and execution of the D-Day invasion and the Somme campaign to explore this. Apart from learning the World War history in detail, this study allowed us to compare the approach to operations in World War I and II to modern operations. In addition, it and gave us the opportunity to study decision making, communications, the challenges of combined ops and the concept of mission command. Besides, as nurses this study gave us the opportunity to learn the medical resources that were available in World War I and II and the development of medicine throughout times of warfighting, comparing this with the medical advances surrounding current operations. We focused on the use of antibiotics, blood products, analgesics and the evacuation chain.
The study was achieved by splitting the battlefields into stands. Participating members were given details to research and present of significance in the Normandy landings and Somme battles a month before travelling to France. Once in France we visited the designated battlefields’, and at each a member presented the significant events that took place.
In Normandy we visited Pegasus Bridge where the use of Gliders was introduced, and the significance of this operation in liberating France. The legacy of Pegasus Bridge and the impact on modern day airborne forces was also discussed. The 6th Airborne Division’s assault at Ranville and the bombing campaign at Point De Hoc were also studied and the ground examined. One of the focuses of our study was the significance of the British forces landing on Gold Beach and Sword Beach on D-Day, and how the capture of these beaches helped other landings at Juno, Omaha and Utah. Other battlefields visited included: Dog Green, Arramanche and the Merville Battery.
On the Somme battlefield which stretches to about 25 km we visited Sheffield Park and the Newfoundland Memorial Park, here we were able to walk in the remains of the trench systems, and engage in guided imagery as the presenter explained the concept of Kitchener’s army and how this related to each of the assembled group. It was a grounding and emotional experience shared by each of the gathered personnel. We visited Thiepval where the use of Artillery, air power and tanks were crucial to winning the war. The visits didn’t end here, our enthusiasm and motivation to learn took us further, to the Lochnagar Crater, and Caterpillar Valley. Lastly we
visited Derville wood where Soldiers from the Commonwealth, in particular South Africans fought a crucial battle in bringing independence to north France.
Apart from visiting the battlefields, we also had opportunities to visit noteworthy memorials such as the US Cemetery, and several British and Commonwealth cemeteries and memorials. Furthermore, we managed to visit the Airborne museum and other war museums around northern France.
It was a successful study that sparked the interests of many of the participants to continue to study the events of the battles covered, and progress onward throughout the ages. As we continue to prepare for contingency Operations, we have been asked to utilise Op REFLECT to use the past to inform the future, and to ensure the lessons learnt in previous battles are not lost to us. This study was a great starting point and we are keen to continue the lesson.
We went to visit and study these battle places to gain an in-depth understanding of the Somme through D-Day warfare and medical support. This we achieved. But we also left with an appreciation of the sacrifice that was made by the men and women, of many nations, who fought and lived and died during the two World Wars. Cpl A Zimhunga
ITU, MDHU Frimley Park