Pathfinder history 2002

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Ten members of Pathfinder travelled a round trip of fifteen hundred miles to the Czech Republic to get a free beer. It was Adelber Schoemer’s 50th Birthday party and a special Parachute jump had been laid in the Czech Republic. In two vehicles driven mostly by Robert Si’ree and Graham Anstee we crossed the channel at Dover and drove to the Czech Republic arriving at our hotel late at night and in three foot snow drifts. We were introduced to most of the other eighty members of the EMPA who had travelled from many countries. A quick meal and a beer and we crashed out ready for the next days jumping. Due to our chosen DZ being frozen we travelled by bus to another Para center two hours away. Most of the group completed two jumps and everyone was awarded Czech wings, EMPA wings and jump certificates. Our Czech hosts were extremely professional and friendly and we have been invited back. I have deliberately not gone into much detail as an article on this drop will be out in the next issue.

The Pathfinder group from England consisted of Sgt Roy Mobsby (Para Reg) Lt Tony Clarke (Para Reg) John Barker (Para Reg) Cpl Graham Anstee (Para Reg ) Paddy Rehill (Para Reg) Steve George (R.R.W) Terry Bradshaw (Para REME) Richard Lowry (R.A) Robert Si,Ree and Ian Martindale. Many other members of Pathfinder were in attendence in particular Steff Eicker from the German Airborne. All survived the experience despite some bruising. It was a well organised and excellent trip and I recommend it to anyone for the future. Roy Mobsby

Things started fine, I caught the early plane from Edinburgh to Bristol to meet up with Richard Lowry, to fly on to Prague. Although nametapes ordered from Silvermans hadn’t after seven weeks, the rest of my kit was sorted and it was all systems go, or at least they were for the hour it took to get to Bristol airport, where I arrived but my kit did not. Richard went on to tell the group I would be a day late. Twenty four hours and a delayed flight later and I was off again, luggage managed to travel with me this time and after a long train ride from Prague I arrived in Stribro at 2200 to find the EMPA group in the Hotel Branky bar celebrating the award of their Indian wings by Major General Hoshiar Singh VSM, after a day of PLF’s off a six foot platform (I’m sorry I missed that…) and three AN-2 Colt jumps at Erpucise DZ.

The Pathfinders were at the bar amongst a sea of about sixty uniforms, French, Dane, Dutch, Indian, Czech riggers, American Special Ops, German Fallschirmjager, and Italian Carabinerri. Soon Ian Martindale, James Murray and I were reminiscing over our first novice jumps at Texel 2000 (We don’t land,we arrive), and I was introduced to Simon and Justine Whitworth and Scott Seal, together with Richard Lowry the Pathfinder contingent was complete. With a three hour bus ride at 0600 the next day the evening ended at a respectable time. Arriving late I was in the spillover accommodation, Spartan two man cabins quickly nicknamed the Love Shacks, after a restless night we were off.

With our Uncle Fester bouncing up and down at the wheel on a pneumatic seat (at least we hoped that’s what it was), we made interesting progress. After three stops to pick up Czechs at various petrol stations we had found the back entrance to Ralskodz airfield, but it was closed. So we then began the ground-hog portion of the trip, three times through the same village to find the entrance in which we only succeeded in losing the other bus. After an animated conversation over the mobile, Uncle Fester with the help of Czech Riggers, eventually found the airstrip, four hours later, and it was straight into the pre-jump manifest and the warning orders. The Mi-8 Hip arrived in about half an hour, the latecomers were given the quickest of briefings on the Czech OV68 canopy and ZVP80 reserve (in Czech!), and frankly I just put my faith in the equipment, my Texel training, my fellow jumpers, the Lord above, and got on with it. The first load seemed to be made up of relative novices and latecomers with a scattering of veterans to install confidence in the ranks. After a "Safe Landings" handshake, Ian, Jimmy and I did the long walk to the back of the Helo.

Things then got a bit confusing, no exit drill had taken place, the anchor cable for the static lines wasn't running the length of the fuselage as expected, but was above us running from port to starboard about three feet from the ramp. We sat down, then stood up again as the chairs collapsed. We were left standing in three sticks and it was crowded, hot, and smelled of aviation fuel. (Welcome to the real world of the airborne..Ed). With eighteen jumpers and two dispatchers onboard the Mi-8 did a runway takeoff for about 150 meters to gain power and then slowly, very slowly, circled to gain altitude. It was then that the dropzone became clearer out of the side-window bubbles. Ralskodz airfield is a large de-commissioned Soviet fighter base, our Dz was an area of long grass surrounded by runways and hardened aircraft hangers, and dotted with small trees, bunkers, revetments and even a wee roofless brick building, from above it looked a bit of an obstacle course. It was around this time I have doubts a few Hail Mary's were muttered, a few resolutions were made, a few guardian angels called upon and a few seldom made prayers were remembered, I know I did all four, and I don’t even know what a Hail Mary really is. and then the dispatchers went to work.

The nine jumpers nearest the ramp including Ian and Jimmy, were hooked up to the anchor cable, the first row of three jumpers just had to step off the ramp but for the last row of three jumpers in the group the exit was obscured by a spiders web of static lines . The Mi-8 levelled and slowed at 700m and iT was party time. First three out one at a time, no problems, next three step up, kick away static lines which the dispatcher gathered to the side , and jump, slight hesitation somewhere but all out. Last three negotiated a bead curtain of static line while making sure their own don’t foul, then jump out to catch up with the rest. Second group of nine jumpers same drill but at least we knew what to expect. The Mi-8 circled and out we went. It wasn't explained beforehand, it wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t fast but it did work. The canopies deployed with a jolt but the descent was fine, the dispatcher had dropped us right over the DZ and a six mile wind caused little problem, the canopies took effort to steer but let us down relatively gently

Simon, Richard and Scott went in the second load and we watched them descend while Justine video the goings-on. Someone was coming down with their legs straight out at a right angle, it turned out later to be Richard with legs caught in the risers, but he kicked out OK.. Safely back on the ground and it was all smiles. The hesitation I’d seen turned out to be Jimmy, as he put it, "Iv no problems flying up, Iv no problems parachuting down, it’s the bit in the middle I get stuck on".. Once "unstuck" by a helpful Czech dispatcher he was more than fine. Two more loads went up, and Richard got another last minute jump in. Although there were two minor injuries, an American with a twisted ankle and a German with a bruised shoulder both were fine after treatment by the US medic and everyone else landed safely.

The rest of the day was spent hiding from the blazing sun, checking out the hangers and wolfing down breaded veal cutlets and sourdough rye bread with lots of water. On the way back the Czech riggers started "singing", sort of, basically a lot of gesturing and yelling and bloody hilarious

That evening we had a late dinner, speeches speeches and presentations and an EMPA wings parade. A complete roast pig arrived around midnight care of Adi and drinking picked up a little from the previous night although the Pathfinders found our usual British drinking routine thrown by the late arrival of food. Around 0130 a thunderstorm rolled in, lightening flashes before running through the rain back to the love shacks. The next morning the rain returned and the low cloud cover prevented more jumps by 1100 the word was the exercise was over, a bitter disappointment for those wanting to get more jumps in. Wings parade was held indoors, a structured affair with the Americans presenting US Basic and the Czechs, Czech jump wings. Scott had brought along three framed prints (Dakota, Herc., Wessex) which we signed and presented on behalf of Pathfinder UK to the Americans, Czechs and Germans. Lunched was served, log books signed and stamped, celebratory beers were ordered, cameras were handed to Justine for group picture and then gradually everyone except our wee group left to drive home.

The following day we moved into the now near empty hotel amid howling of wolves from the nearby Bohemian forest. Some of us went sight seeing but regrouped at 1830 for a few pre-dinner beers, followed by a few more, followed by Goulash, followed by shots of Jaegermeister and A LOT more Pilsner Urquell beer (40p a litre) yes at last, unshackled from late dinning and the need to remain semi-respectable in front of our EMPA comrades, the great British piss-up was in full swing. It was a good one. By 2300 we’d adopted the Czech’s song for our own and were practising it half-hourly. Scott for some reason had dressed up in coat and tie, Ian was breaking pistachios on the table with his forehead, Richard was yelling for cake, Justine was feeding the jukebox (money), Simon was in "Fast show" mode– "Id say Freddie Mercury ,Oi! No, Not in my house" and I was feeding the Czech barmaid chocolate digestive having her say "Full Moon, Half Moon, and total eclipse!" while Jimmy was struggling for breath and yelling "Stop, I’m dying" from all the laughter. We stayed at the bar until 0100 , belting out a near perfect sing-along to the Monkees , "I’m a Believer" and then ran upstairs with a half crate of beer to phone Roy, having perfected our Czech drinking song and wanting to share the moment .(I really appreciated the call and hope to return the favour in the near future.. Ed) After that it all gets a bit fuzzy. Ian did a perfect PLF onto the bed, bounced off and knocked down a four foot high Cactus but then the next thing I remember was my alarm going off.

A very sedate, very quiet, non drinking day was spent wandering about Prague the next day, addresses were swapped, promises made and then flights departed.. When I arrived home my nameplates were waiting for me so all that hassle and expense for one jump?-I would not have missed it for the world. Oh and in case your wondering

You will have to imagine the tune and the gestures, or better still, go to Stribro

IN ASSOCIATION WITH W.A.S.F. PATHFINDER HAS RUN ITS FIRST COMBINED WEAPONS AND PARACHUTE COURSE IN ESTONIA. THE WEAPONS COURSE WAS DESIGNED AS AN INTRODUCTION TO THE OLDER , MORE COMMON SOVIET WEAPONS AND INTRODUCTION TO SOME OF THE NEWER BODYGUARD TYPE WEAPONS ON THE MARKET. WE WERE HOSTED BY THE "KAITSELITT" , THE ESTONIAN DEFENCE LEAGUE AND TRAINED BY FORMER SOVIET AND ESTONIAN SPETSNAZ. THIS WAS A THREE DAYS , HANDS ON , INTENSIVE COURSE.

FIRST DAY WAS SPENT STRIPPING, ASSEMBLING VARIOUS WEAPONS AND LEARNING SAFE HANDLING SKILLS AND THE NEXT TWO DAYS WAS ON THE RANGES FIRING THEM. NOT SIMPLY FIRING THEM BUT LEARNING BODYGUARD AND AGGRESSIVE SHOOTING SKILLS.

Accommodation was in a five star hotel on the outskirts of Tallinn, Estonia’s capital city. Very reasonably priced, a main meal costing under £3-0 and a pint of very good Lager just under a pound . The course is fully certificated and an excellent finisher for anyone who has attended a bodyguard course in this country but not been given the opportunity to fire live weapons.. Pathfinder will be running more of these courses and in association with WASF will be running Advanced BG courses in Estonia. This will include live firing from a vehicle and dismounted.

On Friday we went to the Parachute centre but only Andrei and the other free fallers got to jump as the winds were too high for rounds. Saturday was different and we kitted up as soon as we got there. There were about 16 of us cramped into the AN2 which surprised me when you consider the restrictions other countries put on the aircraft. Most were free fallers but one of the former Russian Spesnatz was jumping No 1 as wind drift indicator. Suddenly a bottle of Champagne was thrust into my hand. It was one of the Russian Paratrooper MP’s 100th jump and so we broke every rule I know about the

drinking of alcohol before a jump and toasted his jump. The cloud was starting to come in as we started the first jump run. Out went our Spetsnatz friend with a good exit and canopy opening. A nice casual turn and Terry and myself along with two other jumper were given the order to stand up. We had already been hooked up by the dispatcher soon after take off. Although we were on static line this would not open the main parachute, just the pilot chute until we got down to our opening height when we would deploy the main canopy ourselves. With the door open I could see the DZ 2400 feet below us.

The sky was still clear blue but I could see the clouds closing in the distance. I got the slap on my rump and stepped gracefully into the void clutching the ripcord on my left shoulder. Terry followed a couple of seconds later. A slow four second count gave me a chance to experience falling feet first supported by the pilot chute and as I pulled the ripcord I even had time to look around for Terry and watch his chute deploy. The spot was dead on and as I cleared the trees at the edge of the DZ and prepared for a side right I was aware of a bit of turbulence. No problem, I pulled down on my risers and executed the usual feet, arse and head landing that all paratroopers have grown to call the perfect PLF. Terry landed about 50 feet away but hit hard and received a fracture of the leg for his trouble. One of the Russian instructors wives was a nurse and strapped him up before we took him to hospital .

MP5 In BG briefcase. The weapon can be fired through the case. Trigger is attached to the handle.

The hospital was a nightmare of its own but that is covered in a separate article. Terry should be out of plaster in a couple of weeks. Both of us received the new Estonian Defence League wing and certificate. We managed to sup some bootleg hootch and vodka with our Russian and Estonian friends before leaving. Thanks to Andrei phoning the airport we had someone meeting us with transport for Terry at each airport to enable us to catch our connecting flights. and so we made it back to England with some good memories of Estonia and the friendly people we had met out there.

We will be repeating this trip again for weapons courses and parachuting so in future we can take non jumping members and friends with us and mix courses. Allow 11 days if you want both or either course can be completed over a long weekend , 4 days. The flight is the most expensive part ranging from £260 to £300 but once in-country things are cheap. For more information on these courses contact me on 02380-899369. Roy Mobsby

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In several of the WW2 military tents, spaced out over a large field and surrounded by jeeps, halftracks and trucks, alarm clocks sounded. A few minutes later sleepy heads appeared on their way to the shower. Half an hour later the first people reported at breakfast. Around 08.00 uniforms were made ready and at 09.00 there was a line up and a head- and equipment count were made. 18 people stood in line, each with their parachute equipment in front of them. After the count was finished at 10.00 19 people boarded the transport to the airfield. It was exactly 58 years since the 1st Polish Parachute Brigade had done the same thing

^{This group of men
were part of Pathfinder, the parachute group, on their way to pay tribute
to the Polish soldiers who jumped and fought in Operation Market Garden, a
bridge too far. This group was to jump on the original dropzone used by
the Polish brigade. This dropzone was to be used by soldiers, jumping
static line round canopies, for the first time since 1944. It was also to
be the last time ever. Work has started to build around 5000 houses for
the city of Arnhem which is expanding.}

^{Almost at the same
time as the jumpers arrived at Teuge airfield, near Apeldoorn, the Jumpship,
an Antonov-2, landed. Half an hour later the second jumpmaster also arrived.
A bit of time was spend doing exit and PLF training and was soon followed by
the first stick putting on their gear. After take off and a 15 minute flight
the dropzone appeared. The ground markings were in place, the ground crew
was ready to receive the jumpers. One pass was made over the DZ to asses the
wind and on the second run the first jumpers exited the aircraft.}

^{Sgt Roy Mobsby was
the first man to exit an aircraft over the Polish dropzone since the same
date in 1944. All in all 2 flights were made to the DZ and 4 passes to get
all the jumpers out. A 5th pass was made and the 2 jumpmasters exited the
aircraft using freefall round canopies. This was done to simulate an
emergency bail out and thereby paying respect to all the aircrew who paid
the ultimate price for our freedom.}

^{The jumpmasters
Brord van Der Maat and Ian Marshall were the last men ever to land on the
Polish DZ.}

^{Saying a final goodbye to the DZ
was the Antonov aircrew, Robert van Essen and Arjan Kooger when they made a
slow and low pass over the DZ.}^{After
a quick lunch and a brew, transport was boarded by the jumpers and our
ground crew and off we went to the town of Driel. At 15.00 hours a ceremony
started in Driel at the Poland square. The Driel- Poland committee had not
been very helpful and so something happened at this square………….}

^{5 minutes after the
ceremony had started, heads turned at the Poland square. The people present
(civilians, veterans, ambassadors, other officials and high ranking military
officers) heard a single voice in the distance: left, right, left, right….
This voice was not loud but could clearly be heared. Suddenly one person
came in view, running and with an open parachute in his hands. He was in a
1944 uniform and was wearing Polish Parachute Brigade beret. He stopped in
the middle of the road, behind the officials and veterans present, and gave
a signal back into the street he came from. It turned out that he was a
‘Pathfinder’ and 30 seconds later around 25 soldiers dressed in
1944 uniform, British and Polish, marched onto the square and took position
next to the first ‘Pathfinder’. About 18 of them were also wearing
open parachutes. After the group had stopped they all turned, facing the
square and monument, not a word was spoken. They all took off the parachute
equipment and laid it down on the street in front of them. From that moment
on they stood silent as the ceremony progressed, people spoke, children sang
and wreaths were laid down.}

^{After the ceremony
had ended people came to the group. They looked and asked questions of
them. It was different when the veterans came to the group and spoke
with them. If you are now wondering if the veterans appreciated what
Pathfinder had done it might be best described by the
actions of one veteran . At the front of our group was a Polish flag
and the ‘group commander’. A veteran came to the front of the group,
stopped and just looked at us. I had never seen a veteran with so many
medals and you could see that he was looking to see what we were, just
another bunch of people dressed in their old uniforms, or maybe a group
who was different. Suddenly he straightened his back, looked straight
ahead and came to attention, he saluted and after he finished his salute
just stood there. After the ‘group commander’ had returned the salute
he started to talk with us. After a few minutes a woman had to pull the
veteran away from us. "Sorry" she said, "it’s always the
same with the sergeant major, but he has to go now." After
this two soldiers broke away from the group and proceed to the monument.
One was dressed in a Polish uniform, one in a British uniform. At the
monument a wreath was laid down by Pathfinder, the parachute group, as a
respect to all who fought here.}

There is a large number of retired Royal Engineers within the ranks of Pathfinder.

^{After this we
proceeded to the engineers monument next to the river Rhine. There we also
laid a wreath. Next we proceeded to the Airborne museum and while the Red
Devils, the display team of the British parachute regiment, landed and
crashed in the background and the parachute regiment’s band was playing
we were awarding the wings and certificates. We were given a spot to do
this by the director of the airborne museum himself. This in full view of
all the officials (civilian and military) who where present at the museum
for a reception. The director had even left a conversation with some
consuls and ambassadors to meet us (as he does every year). The speaker of
the Red devils even told all who we where and what we had done today.}

^{The day was closed
with a BBQ at the campsite. Looking back on this weekend and especially the Saturday,
September 21st, it was great. I, personally, look back with a good feeling.
Pathfinder came, saw and conquered. We have put down something we can be
proud of, we paid our respect and don’t have to worry about anything we
have done.}

^{I would like to
thank the following for making all this possible: All you jumpers who
didn’t hesitate paying a lot of money for this weekend, Wybo Boersma, the
director of the Airborne museum for supporting us from start to finish, Mark
Hoedeman, for arranging the campsite, uniforms, food and the use of his
vehicles, Corrien, for her help and putting up with Marc, Carol, for putting
up with Roy, Peggy, for the patience with me during all the telephone calls,
e-mails and visits needed to organize this, Antonov Holland foundation,
Robert van Essen and Arjan Kooger for the perfect flying, Ron Visser and
Hans Oomkes for the perfect DZ control, Parachute Centre Texel for the use
of some small equipment, Robert for falling of the garden rail after he made
a good jump, And all those who I forget to mention.}

The day before the 2002 jump a handful of us drive down from Oosterbeek to recce our Drop Zone.
On a detailed map it's easy to identify the large, square-ish field amongst dozens of assorted shapes on the low ground beside the Rhine . The countryside has changed little since the war.

About half a mile outside Driel village, we park at the end of a farm track, cross a drainage dyke via a 'bailey bridge' and enter the corner of our tree-lined DZ. In case of overshoot, it is good to see that the surrounding fields are a mixture of low crops and grazing, but there are still plenty of hazards of a different kind. A new motorway now passes a few hundred yards away, behind a pylon-line bordering the field - and it will not be possible to switch off the power. Our DZ is only a fraction of the area used during the 1944 battle, but is almost 500 yards corner-to-corner in the expected wind direction. This is significant because we will be jumping from 2,000 feet - and you can travel a long way in two minutes under canopy.

Since it has been earmarked for building, the field is fallow with some grass, weeds and scattered uneven patches of bare earth. Although there's a crusty surface due to dry weather, Steve Jenkins finds a soft area of grass near the RV point and scribes a cross with his heel. "That's where I'm landing" he says "but we'd better avoid that compacted dirt road - it looks as hard as nails!"

I notice the odd, neat spadeful of turned earth, next to small holes containing shrapnel fragments. It looks like someone has been metal-detecting. Brord Van Der Maat, our Dutch Jumpmaster, explains that the area still has not been cleared of unexploded ordnance since the war and a pit has been dug in the corner, ready for controlled explosions. Also, apparently, the bodies of three Polish paras were found in a trench here a few weeks ago, while the builders were soil-sampling. They were identified by their dog-tags and are being reburied at the Airborne cemetery. On that thoughtful note.. we leave, largely pleased with the DZ, but mindful of the power lines!

On the way back, we stop off at the memorial in Driel village square. There is a thick-set, casually dressed old man intently running a finger down the long list of foreign names. "Ah yes, this was my friend." he says, as if we were already in conversation. He seems to know instinctively who we are, so introductions are not necessary. We ask where he landed, but he doesn't remember exactly "It was chaos, horses running about...". Still a strong accent. After the war, he married an English woman that he met while training in the north of England. They had "two lads and two lasses", he told us, but they could not speak Polish.

On the sunny afternoon of 21st September, we are airborne - exactly 58 years after the 1st Polish Parachute Brigade dropped near Driel. As then, the flight-path takes us east along the Rhine at 2,000ft, but where we are sitting on the floor, we can't see out of the portholes. My position is near the door at the head of the Starboard stick. Five minutes before 'P-Hour', Brord gives a signal for the Port stick of jumpers to "Stand up and hook up". As they start their final equipment check, Brord and Ian Marshall open the door in the side of the ageing aircraft. Light pours in and the engine noise grows to a din, but it's not as windy as you would think more like opening a sunroof. It was agreed that, as a tribute, we would jump wearing WW2 Polish para uniforms. When they heard about us, the veterans requested we also wear the Polish Eagle emblem on the front of our steel helmets, which is a first and a great honour. There are two other items 'jumping' with us to mark the occasion: Roy is carrying a bottle of Polish Vodka and Marc a polish flag signed by our jumpers, for presentation to the veterans after the jump. We expect this to be popular! The bright countryside stretches out through the open door, and as the aircraft banks gently to the south, we catch sight of the distinctive arc of Arnhem bridge over the shining river. I take my pulse for a few seconds. 80 is higher than normal, but not surprising. We have a guest in the cabin - a friend of Ian who is the pilot of the Red Devils' aircraft. They are making a display jump later in Oosterbeek and he's tagging along to take pictures of us 'exiting'. "In the door" calls Brord. The first man stands ready with his right arm across his reserve and his left steady on the low door frame. Brord checks the 'spot' one last time, with his head out in the slipstream. The aircraft throttles back, slows noticeably and seems to pitch forward as we 'run in'.

"GO..." As each man reaches the door, "GO..." his left hand falls from the static-line strop, "GO..." he drives forward with his right foot and exits, "GO..." slightly hunched, into space. With the airspeed, a gap of one and a half seconds would space the chutes 180 metres apart. So, any more than four jumpers per pass and they could miss this DZ. Brord and Ian pull the flailing static lines back into the cabin and close the door, as we bank sharply for another run. A few minutes later I am standing in the same position. Behind me, Steve "Fatboy' Jenkins, 'Sat' Parmar, and 'Septic' - Steve Greer from New York, is last man. A tap on the shoulder (...whoa, wait for it!). "Alright?" says Ian. "Yep." I look forward again, down at the fields. I'm not sure I can bear t Brord shouts "GO!" and my world transfers into slow motion. I duck to miss the door frame as I drive forward and make a good exit from the aircraft, closing my legs together while counting "One Thousand..." At the same time my body is turned rearwards, away from the door.

Falling at an increasing rate, I can feel the 'chute and rigging lines paying out of the deployment bag behind me. On "Two Thousand", there's more resistance as the chute is at full stretch and my legs rise up in front of me. Quite normal. "Three Thousand, Check Canopy!" Actually, I'm already checking and have been concerned to watch a number of twists going into the rigging lines. The canopy opens OK, but I give it a cursory glance as my priority is to kick-out the twists. Until then, I cannot steer and I haven't forgotten
about the pylons! The aircraft noise is receding now. As I rotate, I glimpse a figure nearby - slightly above me, but not close enough to worry about. I have several twists to clear and, by the time I have finished, I'm a little annoyed because I was expecting to have time to look around. Now, where's that pylon line? There - hidden under my foot! Thankfully, I'm clear, but still assessing the wind drift rate, when I see two other chutes bumping together. I can hear them shouting "steer away" at each other. I'll keep clear.

Looking down, I see a few collapsed 'chutes on the ground from the previous stick, and the T-shaped wind direction indicator. I land in the middle of the field, feet and knees together, no problem. This patch of ground is not as hard as I expected. I roll, run around the 'chute to avoid getting dragged and gather it up to carry. Luxury - A Jeep turns up and gave two of us a lift to the RV, playing 'A Bridge Too Far' on the speaker!

On 'GO', I exited the door before Brord's hand struck me. Steve and Sat followed me so closely, that the three of us were out within 2 seconds (this is called a 'Foreign Legion' exit in the trade!). The 'Red Freds' pilot only got one photo. Septic looked up and we had gone, so he ran forward to catch up and forgot to duck at the door, bashing his head - but luckily missing his brain by six feet. Steve's deployment bag hit Sat in the face, giving him a bloody nose and tearing the watch off his wrist. He was OK, but a little disorientated and he and Steve were the ones bumping and trying to steer away from each other. These things happen… Everyone arrived at the RV in good spirits, including the Vodka. Steve, of course, landed on the track, and as he rolled, bruised his backside on a stone! Sat mopped his nose with a rag, but seemed quite pleased with himself. Septic landed in some rubble, but was OK with just a few scratches on his helmet. Rob broke his leg, but stayed with the lads nearly all day, before going to hospital later. It could have been worse - they could have been shooting at us. Imagine what it must have been like for the old man we met in Driel.

6-30 am, alarm goes off , must get to the showers and toilets first. Well at least the toilets. The nearest the front of the queue the fresher the toilets. After attending to my ablutions it was time to eat. Roy, Brord and Ron were having breakfast on the move, taking care of the last minute preparations for the jump.

8 am-after breakfast we all donned our battledress, checking each others kit and making sure everything was OK. Once we had got our kit on I looked around, and for all intense and purposes we were in a time warp. Everyone in WW2 kit, British , Canadian and Polish. All making their own preparations, looking like the real thing, it was quite an atmosphere., taking in to account the Willies jeeps, halftracks etc.

9am-Mustered on the field. Standing in line with our Parachute equipment in front of us, Roy and Brord carried out an equipment check and head count. They went through a brief for the DZ., wind direction, hazards to look out for, then about 10am we boarded the coach for the airfield.

A short while after arriving at the airfield we saw the Antonov coming in to land. We all new the moment had come, the jump was on! The first time since 1944 and the last time this particular DZ. could ever be jumped. A shout of "Gear up!" from Roy and we all began to put on our chutes. Once all on and in line, Roy, Brord and Ian carried out final safety checks and we, the first "Chalk" , boarded the aircraft. After being in the air for what seemed like ages, the door was opened and the order to stand up and hook up was given. A shiver ran down my spine and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I looked out of the small window and saw the Drop Zone below. I felt so proud to be part of this, jumping as the Polish Paras had done in 1944 but without the fear of being shot .

Roy was put on standby in the door-first man out. I was fourth man, first stick. The word was given, Go! Go, go, go,….before I know it Im counting 4000 and checking canopy. All’s well. This is the first time Iv jumped my SET 10. I look around to get my bearings and see the three guys who have jumped before me, their chutes faster than mine...Tittering to my self, Im going to have a soft landing!! I alter my direction to face the wind, little as there is, and see the other three touch down safely. Knees bent , feet together, I prepare to land-not as soft as I thought. I felt a sharp pain in my left leg, took off my chute and helmet and tried to stand up. The pain was intense as I sat up and tried to asses the damage. I managed to take off my boot and realised my leg was broken. Help came quickly. Roy and Brord wanted to take me to the hospital straight away, but that would have meant one of them missing the service in Driel. I refused adamantly so off we went to the service. Me in the back of a Willies trailer and the others marching. The command "Halt!" was given and everyone faced the monument. I hopped off the trailer and with the help of Stef Eicker and his friend Paul Meyer, I stood in the ranks with the other lads. Towards the end of the service our party laid a wreath as a sign of our respect for the Polish paratroopers and then we were dismissed. I shook hands with the last surviving officer of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade who actually fought there in 1944, which for me was a great honour. Despite the broken leg I was proud and honoured to be part of this jump.

I would like to thank the following people. Roy for giving me the opportunity to acquire my first serious parachute injury. Brord ,for going out of his way to see that I received attention at one of Arnhem's finest medical establishments, where they do not believe in wasting anaesthetic, just straighten broken bones. Marc and Corinne, for feeding me and generally looking after me after the event.

In co-operation with the Hellenic Airborne Reserve Union of the Greece and Yugoslavian Army Special Forces, Six members of the U.S Army Special Forces Association Chapter 54 from Boston Massachusetts , joined with thirty members of the Greek Special Forces, that included a General Officer and one Greek Navy SEAL. We were hosted by the elite 63rd Parachute Brigade stationed at Nis Yugoslavia. The 63rd is one of two Airborne Special Operations units in the former Yugoslav army. Its sister unit is the 72nd stationed at border locations around the country. The Yugoslav Government and in particular the 63rd Padobranska Brigade (in Serb) were very friendly and most professional. I will try to give you a brief look at our schedule for both training and military and historical tours.

We were billeted both at local hotels and the barracks on the military base. Tours of three bases and training areas were conducted, as well as historical battlefields and a visit the Hall of Honour for the 63rd Parachute Brigade. Display and demonstration of equipment and weapons of all types was very much enjoyed. A good time was had at their live firing exercise with us doing the shooting on their target range. Parachute jumps were scheduled for Oct 21, 22 23 and the 24th. Parachute ground training was conducted to familiarise the jumpers with the standard Yugoslav military parachute. Instruction included, were, operation, malfunction and body position while exiting the aircraft. The Yugoslav parachute is similar to the MC1-1. Static line activated and toggle lines to manoeuvre the chute. The aircraft used was the AN-26 military transport. All jumps were tailgate exit swan dive position.

The jump on Oct 22 was cancelled due to high winds. On Oct 23rd, six Greeks and myself conducted a HAHO jump (High Altitude, High Opening). The same type of chute was used with a couple of minor adjustments. On the reserve is your altimeter and a stopwatch. When you exit the aircraft a static line activates a pilot chute, but the jumper controls opening the main chute with a rip cord grip on the harness. Jump altitude for HAHO was 6,500 ft.

On the last day an award ceremony was conducted at their Officers Club and badges and certificates were presented. Later a great dinner with plenty to drink was the closing of the tour. Like Airborne Soldiers any where in the world, Friendship and Brotherhood for those of us who Descend from the Heavens. Airborne All The Way.

Lt Tony Clarke (10 Para retired)

         I reluctantly return from another enjoyable trip with Pathfinder - this time to gain Italian Wings at Viterbo, an impressive walled city near Rome, where I joined a 'dirty dozen' or so representing five countries.
          Italy was the first country to train parachute troops and it was particularly appropriate for us to stay in Viterbo, near the original Italian parachute school. The town was also the residential 'home of Popes' who lived outside Rome for security and health reasons, so Viterbo is plastered with Papal heraldry.
       Pathfinder has developed contacts with the highly respected 'Folgore' Parachute Brigade, but before you are licensed to jump with their military Parachutists in Pisa, you have to make three qualifying jumps. (Unfortunately this means we've just GOT to go back...!)Before the course some of us took the opportunity to visit the Capital, myself for the first time in 30 years. I had some unfinished business there... Aged nine, I 'bottled' climbing the slanting narrow steps from the roof of St Peter's up to the cupola. I think I had more sense then!
      We had a long day's parachuting in the sunshine on Saturday and in the evening were the honoured guests of the Mayor of neighbouring Vitorchiano, a picturesque pre-Roman town perched on a cliff. It was so closely allied to Rome that it proudly shared their 'SPQR' emblem (unofficially locally translated as 'Sono Porci Questi Romani' - They're Pigs, these Romans!). Sadly, an 84-year-old Italian Folgore veteran of the El Alamein battle was not well enough to join us. My former unit, 10 Para, was formed shortly after El Alamein from disbanded units involved in the fierce fighting there, 60 years ago. After the warm civic reception, we were shown around the lamp-lit town by the Mayoress. She proudly pointed out the site where St Michael, Patron Saint of Parachutists, slayed the dragon. Obviously not the St George one -and thankfully there are none around today to singe canopies.

The next evening we forged friendships at the traditional 'Prop Blast Party', with all the Italian crew, wigged pilot 'Il Syrupo' and all. Pino, the Italian Chief Instructor, spoke German, but didn't parla Inglese (unless you count "Good f***ing morning"), so Stefan translated from German to English while the Vino di Casa flowed. After a meal with countless courses, Wings were awarded and talk turned to next year and Pisa...

On 5 and 6 December 2002, exactly sixty years after the original event, a small team of Frenchmen from PATHFINDER- FROGS re-enacted one of the most daring operations of World War Two: Operation FRANKTON, better known as "The Cockleshell Heroes".

The original operation consisted in a 170 miles deep penetration raid from the Pointe de Grave (off the Atlantic shores) to the Bordeaux harbour, in order to sink German cargo ships. Due to the high density of flak and the will to spare civilian lives, it was decided that a bombing raid by the RAF was not possible. Instead, the Combined Operations planned "Operation Frankton", under the command of Major "Blondie" Hasler, a keen and experienced kayakist.

Out of five kayaks that were launched during the night on 7 December 1942, only two reached the target area. Two operators drowned and six were captured and shot by German firing squads. Only Major Hasler and Marine Sparks, his number two, made it after a long E&E through France and Spain (some of the French members of the escape line were also captured and shot).

"Of the many brave and dashing raids carried out by the men of the Combined Operations Command, none was more courageous or imaginative than Operation Frankton." (Lord Louis Mountbatten)

The objective of "FRANKTON 2002" was to celebrate the 60^th anniversary and re-enact this heroic operation, at the very same period of the year. Two military-type "Nautiraid" kayaks were launched near Royan (at the mouth of the Gironde), in close-to-freezing conditions. The currents were strong, but on safety grounds, the operation was to take place by daylight (and no one was going to be shot).

The final part of the raid took the re-enactors to the harbour of Bassens, near Bordeaux, where some ships were sunk in 1942. "Then you realise the daunting odds that the original "Cockleshell Heroes" faced. They had no modern foul-weather equipment, had to L.U.P. motionless all day long in their cramped kayaks, overloaded with explosives" said a re-enactor. While the Pathfinder-Frogs were paddling alongside a cargo ship (oddly named "FIGHTER"), thinking about the heroic deeds of WWII, there were observed by some very worried sailors. (In 1942, Hasler and Sparks were also spotted by a searchlight manned a German sentry. They were not shot at, but you can only imagine the uncomfortable feeling…).

When feasible, some very "re-enacting" black & white photographs of FRANKTON 2K2 were taken. Pathfinder-Frogs intent to re-enact Operation Frankton every year, in co-ordination with "Frankton Souvenir", the association that aims to preserve the spirit of the "Cockleshell Heroes".

Despite all the anti-French feeling running rife at the moment, Pathfinder Would like to report that we have just carried out our first Dutch Para course this Year at Texel in conjunction with a French group from Association Europeenne des Polices. They had 17 parachutist both male and female, a mixture of Military and civilian police. All were as pro British as you could get. Don’t judge all French people by their politicians. It seems the majority of them see Iraq as unfinished business which they should be allowed to bring to a conclusion. We now have a large group of French Pathfinders. On the same course were six Belgians and three Luxembourg soldiers who hopefully will be joining us in the near future.

Only two of our students failed to complete the course, both had slight injuries and will complete at a later date. All qualified for our own Pathfinder basic wings. This was an excellent course at Texel’s usual high standard of training. Thanks to Brord and Ron for organising and teaching the basic course, to Bob and all the staff at Texel and to Derek and all the staff at the Kievet Hotel for making our stay enjoyable. To quote a well known film star.

Since joining Pathfinder, I had done a Few jumps, in Holland, Poland, and the Czech Republic, I had wanted to jump with a eeapon and Equipment, there are not many places where you can do this, I went to the Czech Republic, where I had jumped several times before, I jumped with members of the 6^th Special Brigade, at the Czech Special Forces Parachute Club

I Jumped the Czech OVP 68 Parachute, a camouflage steerable round parachute Used by the Czech army, for static line and stabilisation jumps, and a Czech army weapons container, which is similar to the Soviet design, attaching behind your legs, as for free fall, and a Czech VZ 58 rifle, their version of the Kalashnikov AKM. The aircraft was an Antonov AN 2.

The weapons container was filled with a suitable weight, and attached using two straps that fasten to your lower "D" rings, that fasten through two loop type handles on the container, and fasten in your groin area using a quick release buckle exactly like the ones on the leg straps. The lowering line attaches in the normal way but is a lot longer than the NATO type. The rifle was slung over my left shoulder, it can by slung across your chest, but is liable to hit you in the face on landing, it is fastened in place by the parachute harness.

With the weight of the equipment and the straps that fasten around your legs, it is, really hard to walk to the aircraft, and is as uncomfortable as the Paras tell you it is, You start to think "Why the hell am I doing this". After jumping from the aircraft and carrying out your flight drills you lower your equipment, by putting both hands onto your leg straps, feeling the buckles and then finding the centre buckle, and squeezing the quick release. You must be careful that you have the correct quick release OR you will undo your leg straps, Not Recommended!

You can just make out the container which hangs almost double the lenght of a British PCPEP suspension line

After checking below, and around me I released my equipment, this was a great relief as the weight of the container disappeared, the there was a sudden really hard jerk, as the equipment came to the end of its lowering line. I then looked at the ground to see where I was going to land, prepared to land, and luckily managed a rear right PLF, so I did not land on the rifle, which would also be painful.

I picked up my chute, weapon, and equipment and made my way back to the RV, I really enjoyed the jump and that day did two more jumps with equipment, if you have never done a jump with equipment I recommend you try it at least once, then you will understand what military parachuting is all about.

HALO RECORD BY PATHFINDER MEMBER
Col Hans De Graef Pathfinder USA has recently gained our first ever HALO jump record. Although we specialise in Round canopy jump many of our jumpers jump squares or are into freefall as well. Here is his abbreviated version of his jump. Training for the jump takes place during the prior couple of years. One, you must be a parachutist. and, second, you must be a accomplished free faller. Jumpers must have passed a physiological Training course given by the U.S. Air Force. Then training program is prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration of the U.S. Mine was accomplished on 01 May 02. During the training you must enter the High Altitude Chamber and be tested for Hypoxia at different altitudes. They have you take your mask off and monitor you as you move through the phases of Hypoxia. Reason, see you can see your own symptoms. Whow! You are also tested and be in possession of a third class Medical Certificate and have thus a Airman's Rating signed of by a Aviation doctor. The day before the jump, You must make two practice jumps early in the morning and one in the afternoon. The first is with mask and helmet, but open oxygen flow. The second is done with all equipment and attached personal oxygen system. Claustrophobia Time!!! On the big day we arrive at 5:45am for check in and prebriefing. At 6:00am into the aircraft we go for one hour of prebreathing 100% pure oxygen to rid the blood of any nitrogen bubbles. We are on the aircraft breathing system at this time, including the pilot. At 7:ooam we take off. I brought a good pocket book to read, In Action with Pathfinders in Vietnam"! At 8:00am on the jump run---everybody out at 8:10am. I am on the drop zone and rolling up my chute after a two(2) minute and 45 second freefall and...â€¦.right on target after a couple of minutes under the canopy (my own rig) .Now it's to the post briefing and cleaning of all oxygen equipment then.....well guess what? everybody goes home and about 4:00 pm you are past any post jump hypoxia problems but, dead tired. My question to the Jump Master and Trainer was when do I jump again? I am already on list for June 2003 and then on to 40000ft with more training plus expenses. There are about 1000 High Altitude jumpers in the world, with 500 of them in the United States. Also, there are 6 ladies in the world with this distinction. We had one on this trip, she jumped the next day.
Regards, and Airborne!! and Blue Sky's to all the Sky Dogs.
Hans----
Many of our members are accomplished free fall parachutist but Hans has the highest jump so far.
Pathfinder high fliers HALO
Col Hans De Graef 30,500ft,
Ian Marshall 26,700ft HALO,30,00ft HAHO,Len Melville 25,000ft,.Ian Currah 24,500ft Arjan Walters. 19,500ft,
Sgt Roy Mobsby 16,500 ft...Rob Crowley 14,500, Ron Visser 12,500ft. Brord Van Der Matt 12,500ft...
Anyone else like to register their highest jump

Texel had been overbooked this year. The ABMP had more jumpers on the course than us and complained that they did not want to share the facilities with our group. Bob and Simon offered us Zeeland at the other end of the country. At first I was a bit put out until I realised it went in our favour. Our own Parachute centre with no other courses to interfere. Our own aircraft (The Green AN2 from Belgium) and our own dedicated instructors. No arguments there. It was even cheaper and easier to get to. Thanks ABMP you did us a big favour just don't expect a Christmas card from me.

The course started as usual with several new jumpers and several old sweats. Fred and Poul came all the way from Denmark to help with the Parachute packing. Now that's dedication. Thanks guys. Due to their magnificent effort all parachutes were repacked in record time. Everyone jumped. Richard Lowry gave us a text book tree landing which was caught on camera and will be used in countless training films in the future. Fraser managed to get half a wing as he managed to break his leg on landing. Our picture had appeared in the local papers just as Fraser was brought into the hospital. They don't get many British Parachutists in their wards so all the nurses fussed over him. Romours has it that he was signing autographs as we walked into the ward to visit him. Ian managed to convince several of the jumper to go tandem with him. Steve Greer (Septic to his friends) was determined to try a tandem jump with Ian despite the fact that he was about two foot taller than Ian. Despite Ian flaring for all he was worth the opening shock was hard enough to give Steve a bruise on his chest which he was happy to show to anyone he could pin into the corner and tell the war story to. Ian reckoned it was like flying a javelin. Marcus had been a little nervous on his first couple of jumps but then perked up and completed the remaining three and then went onto go Tandem with Ian. Looks like we have another jump hog on our hands. Paddy brought the family along and as a result one of his sons and his daughter are now Airborne trained. God help their neighbours when they get back home.

Our billet on the local camp site and eating in the local pub was a success and the locals could not have made our stay more enjoyable. It was a good course with some excellent characters. We seemed to have just the right mix of ex Paratroopers and civilians and everyone got on well. Zeeland turned out to be one of the best courses we have run so far and something we would like to run again in the future.