It took a long time to come, but at last the chance came for the Anti-Tank Platoon to get some overdue live firing. The original dates were for March but due to some animals up in Cumbria becoming ill this had to be postponed and after this, try as I might I could not find a training area that was open for business. I then found out that The EWRR were to conduct their annual battle camp at Sennybridge.

So finally, after much begging and pleading, on the 11 July the Platoon departed from Chester to Sennybridge for a few days build up training to be followed by live firing. As this had now become a joint effort we married up with The Mortar Platoon from the EWRR and later with the 1st Battalions' platoon.

The build up training consisted primarily of weapon drills and simulated firings using the Milan simulator. We also took the opportunity to brush up on the more common skills such as navigation both on foot and from vehicles, signals revision and introduction to the IPB. The latter accounted for quite a few headaches and comments of how the, where the, who the and eventually why the, and then followed by more weapon drills. At this point, we met up with Sgt Robson (PSI attached Milan Pl EWRR), WO2 Ritchie the Pl Comd, Milan Pl EWRR, and LCpl Pickavance and Pte Johnson both from the Anti-Tank Pl EWRR. At this point I would like to pass on my thanks to the OC of Quebec Company and to all his staff for looking after us extremely well and meeting any administration requirements that we may have had.

The live firing exercise started on the Monday. The Platoon split into five detachments, and onto a series of MIRA Observation Posts and carried out a logging and reporting exercise. The OP phase of the exercise lasted until 0500 hrs when the detachments were instructed to extract to an RV and then received instructions to move to a concentration area. On arrival they received a set of orders and the opportunity to do some well earned personal administration, albeit for a short while. The detachments were then despatched at 20 minutes intervals for a short but demanding (even the rovers struggled up the hills) approach march to the range. Here the dets were met by LCpl Arbon who took them through the inspection of the ammunition they were about to fire.

As I stated this, was a joint effort by 1 PWO and EWRR. As the dets were inspecting their ammunition the Mortars and the SF Platoon were engaging the targets long-range targets. Once the inspection of the ammo was complete, the detachments, now in NBC 3 ROMEO, finished their approach march onto the firing point still under the protective umbrella of very accurate mortar and SF fire. Once in position and the Milan targets had been identified, the mortars and SF check fired. The Milan engaged their targets: once four missiles had been fired the dets then withdrew under a demolitions counter bombardment provided by Capt Hall, the 2i/c A Coy and Cpl Lane Sp Coy. Once 12 missiles had been fired (all hitting their targets) we then prepared for the night firing phase.

I would like to take this opportunity to add that the weather for live firing was not as I would have wished for. The winds were gusting up to 35 knots, close to the upper limits of permitted wind speeds for firing in peacetime. Unfortunately, for the night firing, the weather did beat us. The following day, again the weather was against us. This time it was fog. A further 12 missiles were fired hitting 11 of the 12 targets that were presented. Considering that all of the platoon had not live fired for some time and that most had never fired Milan before at all, a lot of effort and hard work from the dets made what I think was a very successful live firing exercise. Plans are in the pipeline to keep in touch with the EWRR so that not just Milan but the Mortar Pl may get the opportunity to fire again whilst the Battalion is deployed in Omagh.

So, what else has been happening within the world of Anti-Tanks? A section from the Platoon deployed to Sierra Leone as part of the already formed Security Company. We were part of the platoon given the task of providing the security of Freetown. This meant having to provide a guard for the RFA Sir Percival, the only place to have air conditioning and cold drinking water on tap. A tough job but someone had to do it! NCOs and solders were also tasked to assist with the foot and mouth crisis up in Cumbria, and to provide assistance to the numerous RAAT for commitments at Lydd and on Exercise GLOBE TROT.

There have also been a few changes in the coming and going of personnel in the preparation for the Battalion move to Northern Ireland. Sgt Robson has gone to the EWRR as the Milan PSI, also the now Cpl Murphy to COP, Cpl Lister to B Coy, Ptes Hardwick, Taylor and Priestley to the gym, MT and Int Platoons respectively. Not forgetting LCpl Jobling who moved over to the Signal Pl, and is now turning his hand to the recruiting effort with the RSM. As well as the outgoing the Platoon has some fresh blood. LCpl Gordon from COP; Ptes Barber, Hunter, Rawlings and Tindall have moved across from C Coy and from ITC Catterick Ptes Bedford, Cowgill, Speight and Waddingham. So, welcome to you all and welcome back to LCpl Colley who has just returned after a short trip away to BATUS.