Page 23 - Bugle Issue 19 Spring 2022

3 RIFLES
In the autumn of 2021, 3 RIFLES hosted the
1 Brigade anti-tank concentration. Platoons from the Scots Guards, Household Cavalry and the Royal Regiment of Scotland came together for the week to discuss their trade; from what makes a good anti-tank platoon, to current tactics and threats that the British Army faces in an anti-tank capacity. This culminated in a live-fire package held on Otterburn training area which demonstrated the firepower of both the Javelin anti-tank missile and the NLAW (Next Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapon).
The first day was admin and settling into Wathgill Camp, Catterick and a welcome brief from Capt William Lancashire (OC Anti-tank Platoon, 3 RIFLES), who outlined what we could expect during the week. Day two was all about lectures, kicking off with a talk from Dr. Louise Tumchewics from the Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research (CHACR) about the future shape of Anti-Tank warfare. Not only did she give her professional opinion on the subject, but she also threw it out to the floor where all the platoons could discuss their opinions and ideas. This was the first step in getting us all talking together and coming up with some really good ideas.
We had lectures from a representative
of the Scots Guards about “Countering the Countermeasures” and what the Platoons might face as technology across the world becomes more and more advanced. Another brief was held by a representative from
4 SCOTS who spoke about how Anti-tank Platoons across the Army are still fit for purpose and how we can stay relevant in
future conflicts. The good thing about these lectures was that it wasn’t all one-way traffic, the floor was open to all and some good ideas were being put into the mix, with discussions between all ranks.
The following day the Platoons gathered again, to talk about the promotional chain within Anti-tanks. We had a video link set up with the Specialist Weapons School down in Warminster, where instructors spoke to us
all about the changes that will be coming to both the Detachment Commanders and the Section Commanders Battle Courses. This was a good insight for any young Rifleman or JNCO wanting to continue down the Anti-tank path and gain some insight on how their promotional courses will be run in the future. Dr Matthias Strohn (CHACR) then spoke about the history of Anti-tank warfare, discussing methods that were used back in World War 1 where the first tanks were starting to become an influence on the battlefield, right up to the present day.
Thursday’s live-fire package was the day everyone was looking forward to the most. Live ranges of this size don’t come around
Thursday’s live-fire package was
very often so there was a definite sense
of excitement on the range. Each platoon made their way to Otterburn training area and after the extensive safety briefs, the package was ready to begin. 12 Javelin and
18 NLAW, provided by the International Guns and Missiles Project Team (IGMR), were broken down equally between the Platoons. Representatives from the other Regiments came to watch a successful day on the range.
On Friday before everyone left for a well- deserved weekend, we had a closing address from Capt Lancashire, saying how much of a success the week had been. All the Platoons
that participated took something away from it and it was good
to see different Regiments coming together to
express their views and opinions on
Anti-tanks.
Rfn Twigg Rfn Fisher
the day everyone was looking forward to the most
First opportunity to fire for many of the Platoon
Target Destroyed
Riflemen engage the target
RIFLES The Bugle 23
1 (ARMOURED INFANTRY) BRIGADE ANTI-TANK CONCENTRATION