Page 15 - The Bugle 2018

Bringing up the big guns
Up and at ‘em
Casevac to rear as fresh troops pour in
assault the enemy before they were prepared.
Next came MARAUDER, a battle group mission to assault an enemy Company, close to the dominating feature of Nai Pai Pai. A Coy’s bridgehead and deception enabled a long night infiltration march to surprise the enemy, flanking around the treacherous terrain of the lava field. B Coy had little choice but to march in single file, fighting through close ‘bastard bushes’ in the dark. When clothing, helmet, antenna or weapon inevitably became tangled, swearing was strictly limited to preserve noise discipline, as was laughter if you happen to observe the tangling. Cpl Podmore (OC’s signaller) enjoyed a constant comedy show at the expense of the OC without ever helping! B Coy began to form a reputation as the break-in company on this objective; always achieving the break-in with speed and momentum. On this occasion Cpl Hart-Fanelli (att from 3 RIFLES) exploited far along the northern flank of the enemy position before being counter-attacked. Muzzle- flashes could be seen across the entire position as dawn broke, with all levels of command having to trust that the junior commanders knew what was
happening on the complex position.
The final BG exercise, SPARTAN, started with a
challenging objective for the Coy, fighting through a steep saddle against a determined enemy to threaten the flank of the main objective. 4 Pl (aka the steam train) led by Lt Sam Burgess and Sjt Naga breached
the complex obstacle despite heavy indirect fire (IDF) to enable mission success. Communication appeared to be a challenge, but once we managed to wake up Capt Aitken (B Coy 2ic) in the FFR, comms were fine! From then on, he came on foot with the Coy. The next objective was an airfield, the BG completing a simultaneous obstacle crossing; A Coy and the Kenyan Defence Force fixing the enemy on their axis, whilst B and C Companies infiltrated around the eastern flank to clear and then strike the objective. To enable this, the Assault Pioneers, led by Bugle-Major Lewis carried the infantry assault bridge through thick bushes for about 4km. Rifleman Friel with his GPMG was so anxious to get into the fray, he attached himself to C Coy for the final clearance. We defended this objective for two days before a final push on the enemy; for B Coy another complex infiltration thrashing through the under- growth trying to link up with Capt Tom Marshall and Recce Platoon to move to the FUP before launching onto the objective at H-Hr.
The Company enjoyed adventure training (AT) and rest before returning home, with memories of a challenging but hugely rewarding exercise. The Riflemen particularly enjoyed the Company live-firing phase and the ‘Sportsman’s Arms’.
Maj Tom Redon
OC B Coy
Enjoying AT in Kenya
MUZZLE- FLASHES COULD
BE SEEN ACROSS
THE ENTIRE POSITION AS DAWN BROKE
Team effort casevac
THE RIFLES
FIRST BATTALION 21