Page 82 - Bugle Issue 18 Auntumn 2021

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REFLECTIONS OF A RIFLEMAN IN SERBIA
The role of Defence Attaché’s around the world is increasing in profile in an increas- ingly globally focussed Foreign, Defence and Security policy. Gone are the days where a Defence Attaché was akin to an old cavalry charger – put out to pasture at the end of its career. The role is fast moving, dynamic and often finds the Defence Attaché on the front line of great power competition.
My role here has been complicated by the fact that Britain and Serbia have a difficult relationship, even though in two world wars we were close allies. Despite our differences (due to the wars of the 1990’s), the UK and Serbia are keen to build a more forward-looking future.
To achieve success in Defence Engagement – we must be ‘engaged.’ To that end, whenever I have required support, the Regiment has been at hand. The visit by General Sir Patrick Sanders on the 100th Anniversary of the
First World War Armistice in 2018 – the only general officer to leave the shores of Britain and visit a country other than France for this occasion – demonstrated to the Serbs that
we were genuinely sincere. Since then, The Rifles have provided the vast majority of force elements that have deployed to Serbia; be it for Adventure Training - through to exercises and the obligatory bugling task. More recently, the recent high-profile visit by Secretary of State Ben Wallace MP to Serbia coincided with the deployment of some fifty Riflemen from 2 and 8 RIFLES on Exercise PLATINUM WOLF; a ten-nation multinational exercise where the UK
provided the largest contingent.
In reality, history is only repeating itself.
Our antecedents fought on Serbia’s side at Salonika in WW1; others fought alongside the Yugoslav resistance as part of the Special Operations Executive in WW2 and all our forming regiments operated in Yugoslavia during the 1990s. We should be proud that as a Regiment we have contributed to the UK’s efforts to rebuild relationships in a troubled part of Europe, in the most difficult of times and circumstances. Swift and Bold!
82 RIFLES The Bugle
The Colonel Commandant lays a poppy
on the grave of WW1 Captain Clifford KRRC,
who is buried in Belgrade
Despite our differences, the UK and Serbia are keen to build a more forward-looking future
Major John Henniker-Major (far right) - a Rifleman in
Yugoslavia on Fitzroy Maclean’s staff in Yugoslavia during WW2
Secretary of State Ben Wallace talks to Riflemen from
2 and 8 Rifles on Ex PLATINUM WOLF in Serbia