Page 34 - Bugle Spring 2023

5 RIFLES
Assault Pioneer’s Russian Trench System
5 RIFLES’ Assault Pioneer Platoon has had incredible, yet demanding, 12 months with its focus revolving around the
AFU Training at Scale operation. This has seen the creation of
a new Russian Trench System on SPTA, the construction of a house in defence in Imber Village, a four-man battle trench that would put even the very best Royal Engineers to shame, and
a battle inoculation package that resembled the invasion of Dunkirk. Needless to say this was a demanding task but also a brilliant opportunity for Assault Pioneer Platoon to showcase the thinking Rifleman and the ‘sheer will’ to achieve the Commander’s intent.
It all started at the end of August with the Bugle Major marking out nine Russian trench systems. The site of the project resembled something more like an explosion at the Army’s orange mine tape factory and had members of the platoon contemplating the gravity of the task at hand. Without reservation, with shovels and picks at hand the Riflemen attacked the chalky ground on Salisbury Plain with ferocity and vigour. This lasted approximately 30 minutes until they hit the chalk line at which they then waited for the arrival of the plant equipment from the Royal Engineers. Once on site, and in true Sapper fashion, they deliberated on how the site should be dug, the angle of the trenches and the elevation of soil - before buckets touched chalk.
All of the above was only made possible by Assault Pioneer Platoon, members of D Coy and a section
of Sappers from 36 and 26 Royal Engineers. Now that the trench systems are complete and ‘dry’ the training benefit can be genuinely exploited by the UAF training audience. The Platoon hopes that they never see another picket or sandbag ever again.
Bugle Major Harris, FSp Coy
What was estimated to take three weeks grew to four months and saw the site change from peaceful rolling countryside to an aggressive trench system, that cannot be found anywhere else west of Ukraine. The materials alone were formidable. This saw 21km of 14 Gauge wire being used, 2400
pickets being driven into the ground,
2184 timber scaffolding planks to line
the walls of the trenches, 24 tonnes of
aggregate to reinforce the base of the
trenches, 2500 sandbags and 1 pair of
wire cutters between the whole Platoon.
The Platoon hopes that they never see another picket or sandbag ever again
34 RIFLES The Bugle
Ex ASKARI STORM, A Coy
In September, a section of A Company, were invited to join 1 RIFLES on Ex ASKARI STORM in Kenya. This was welcomed because it allowed the Riflemen to break out of their routine and join an exercise not typically conducted by our battalion, where they could hone their light-role soldiering skills, experience a new environment and deepen ties across the regiment.
The conditions in Kenya were challenging, with extremely hot days and at times very cold nights. The first phase, Warrior, gave troops a chance to refresh their basic combat skills and get used to working in their new groupings. The section was split down across various sections so they could be fully integrated into the 1 RIFLES formations.
After this came the LFTT phase, where
the troops conducted expansive, realistic live ranges, including being fired in by mortars and guns both day and night. This provided an inoculation to the sheer scale of fire power that our troops could be expected to operate with. The Riflemen commented in particular on how breath taking it was to see and hear the fire support as they moved to the lines of departure.
The troops then had a short period back in camp to conduct admin and enjoy some
AT and platoon cohesion. A number of the Riflemen were offered lessons in using traditional weapons such as spears, clubs and handmade bows. This was an incredible exposure to a new culture and a very unique aspect of ASKARI STORM.
The battalion-led exercises, Centurion and Viking, were the culmination of the Riflemen’s time in Kenya. This comprised offensive
and defensive serials whilst operating as
a company, followed by a period operating
at battlegroup level. The defence of the trenches was picked out as being especially challenging for the discipline and resilience it required.
In the aftermath, the soldiers took 2-3 weeks of AT, battalion routine and enrichment. On offer were rock climbing, mountain biking and archery, all of which allowed our soldiers to be stretched in a setting outside of strict military exercise.
The A Company Riflemen returned to
join the rest of the Company on Christmas leave, before beginning the build-up training for Ex ARROW, later in 2023. The skills and experiences they take with them will set us in good stead to hit the ground running there. Lt Ferguson, A Coy