Page 37 - Bugle Issue 19 Spring 2022

The victorious 5 RIFLES Countess of Wessex Cup team
B Company conduct a remembrance service led by Padre Matt Dietz
A Red Arrow fly-past rounded out an enjoyable day for all involved
5 RIFLES
5 RIFLES Gains Countess of Wessex Cup Glory
With the late summer sun beating down, the chosen team from 5 RIFLES made their way up to RAF Wittering to defend their title in the Countess of Wessex Cup, a competition between the seven units that HRH The Countess of Wessex presides over as Royal Colonel. Expecting some niche events to be put on to favour the hosts the team settled in for a day of friendly inter-cap badge competition.
First up was the STEM competition, with participants tasked with building a balloon- powered car. Embodying the ‘work smarter not harder’ principle, the attached LAD worked well and supported by others in the team, gave 5 RIFLES their first win of the day, setting the tone for the challenges to come. Next up was the physical event; a sequential circuit followed by a short stretcher race. With bugle calls still ringing clearly in the air, the team concluded the contest, leaving the event slightly warmer than they had arrived, but with a strong gauntlet thrown down for following teams to match. Straight from there to an escape room, a rather more testing challenge, but the team did little to save the blushes of the opposing sides. An E-Sports race, and finally a media challenge (with a little help
In early November, B Company set
off for France on Exercise GAULISH EAGLE.
12 hours later they arrived at the quaint countryside town of Sissonne and were met at the military camp by the advance party, who had just represented both the Regiment and British Army in a remembrance parade. Once installed into the accommodation, the Company sampled the French cuisine offered in the cookhouse. A bowl of coffee and single chunk of bread for breakfast might have come as an initial shock but was quickly adapted to. The Company was ready for whatever the French had to throw at them.
The first week was composed of training laid on by our guests. The Riflemen were treated to a demonstration of their armoured tactics and were then thrown into the
deep end with a series of scenarios in both defence and attack in the urban environment. The week culminated with a Company attack on the village of Beausejour. After three hours of intense battle the French were beaten into submission and B Company were sent away to enjoy their well-earned first weekend.
The following day the Company gathered at the British Memorial to hear vignettes on the struggle of the Devon and Dorsets at Bois de Buttes, before continuing on their way
to Champagne Pannier. The opportunity to explore the cellars of the champagne house and learn about the manufacturing process,
from RIFLES RHQ Engagement Team) showing off the last 12 months of life at 5 RIFLES (minus the Zoom/Skype/Teams) concluded the day’s tasks. A Red Arrow fly-past rounded out an enjoyable day for all involved, with
the Riflemen taking their typical relaxed yet professional approach in all aspects whether it be in taking part in events or when chatting with Her Royal Highness.
Succumbing to the overwhelming majority of those present, a heavy drill parade was
before sampling some of their product, was enjoyed by all.
Quaffing champagne a distant memory, the Company redeployed on the Sunday evening for the Exercise phase. Building up defences throughout the night, they steeled themselves for the French onslaught the following morning. Comprising of two sites; the first a large village styled upon that of mid-20th Century France, and the second a multi zonal modern city complete with high rise apartment blocks.
The Exercise itself was fought over a five-day period and troops were tested by use of TES. B Coy faced a ferocious ‘free playing’ enemy who were equipped with modern
The Company was
ready for whatever the French had to throw at them
held at the conclusion of the day, conducted by 5 RIFLES RSM Sweet, having offered a prior apology to those more used to light drill. The parade however was not fully bereft of a touch of the black and green, and as a lone bugler played, HRH The Countess of Wessex presented 5 RIFLES with the Cup, to be defended again in 2022.
Lt Oliver Petersen-Buckley, OC 6 Platoon
Images: LCpl H-M
weaponry, armoured vehicles, and tanks; a true test for the dismounted B Company who had to focus on tactics and employment of specialist weapons to seize the initiative. The remainder of the week saw yet more French attempts to break B Company’s resolve, but the Riflemen fought resolutely in a chaotic environment. Wave after wave of T-72s, building-vapourising mines, and some questionable French refereeing proved no match for B Company’s determination.
Victory in CENZUB was marked with a celebratory trip to Paris for the Company Group, allowing a day of R and R for all ranks to enjoy the delights of the City of Light.
Lt Adam Pearson
RIFLES The Bugle 37
LA VICTOIRE EN FRANCE!