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Operation Jayavarman VII
Cambodia January 9th– 16th – 2012
Click
hear to read the Article - (PDF)
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former RAF Sopley camp in the New Forest.
Feb 2012
We kicked off 2012 with a 'Continuation training' weekend for St Aubyns
Combined Cadet Force officers.
It was planned as a chance to let them brush up on their skills and also
to introduce them to CQB and FIBUA which many of them has not done
before. Their OC Maj.Carl Lander wanted his officers and NCOs to get a
taste of subjects not normally taught in their syllabus. As a former
recruit training instructor I was more than happy to oblige. I found his
officers and NCOs a nice bunch who were eager to learn new skills and
improve on old ones.
Basic patrolling. A refresher for most.
Id started life as a cadet in the Royal Sussex Regiment in the 60s and
appreciate how much the cadet organisations have changed. (For the
worst in my humble opinion). In my day we were sponsored by Regular and
TA units. We were encouraged to join the adult service once we
were old enough and we trained in preparation for that day. Nowadays
with Health and Safety running riot and Insurance needed for everything
a cadet does, many of the thrills have gone out of the system. Its still
a good organisation for a kid to join and I would thoroughly recommend
it still. However its seen by many as just another youth club and
another way to keep kids off the streets.
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Dry
training for 'All round defence' at night. |
Explaining
how 'Interlocking arcs of fire' work |
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Explaining
how an Air soft grenade works. |
'Posting
grenades' |
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Our
speciality is the kill house. Blacked out, smoke filled, booby
trapped and a live enemy.
How
more realistic can it get
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I enjoyed teaching the St Aubyns group and look forward to them
returning. If any other Instructors out there would like similar
training please contact me for more information. The advantage we
have at Sopley, apart from being situated in the heart of the New
Forest, is accommodation, so this lends itself to a good two day
exercise using our Airsoft weapons as training aids. We can tailor
the training to fit your needs.
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Bruneval
The trials and tribulations of organising a recreated War time Para drop.
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The DZ and surrounding area |
Due to the problems we had in 2011 with French bureaucracy and paperwork we decided to get our NOTAMs and clearances in three months in
advance. Eric Taillefer, our man on the ground raced around the French countryside trying to contact the main players. On his behalf the Mayor of La Poterie Cap d' Antifer a Mr Gérard Paillette kindly contacted the landowners for
permission. Our main problem was one Mayor controlled the land that the DZ was on and the other controlled the land the Monument was
on.,, and to make matters worst they don't like each other. Eric managed to get the DZ cleared with the Mayors help and he could not have been more helpful unfortunately the other mayor a Mr François Auber of Saint-Jouin Bruneval was not picking up his phone despite Eric leaving several messages for him. |
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Finally Eric got permission from the Mayor Mr François Auber verbally that we could drop onto the
monument. The plan was for us to jump onto the original DZ on the Saturday so we did not interfere with the service we expected to be held at the
monument, and then tab to the monument. After all this was the 70th
anniversary, a big day in 2 Para's calendar ..so we thought.
We were told at the time by British connections that the formal commemoration would be held at the monument . Much confusion, which lasted until the last minute, over
place(s) and date(s) had not enabled proper and precise advance planning ) We had been trying to second guess the whole time. The Red Devils had request a few places on the drop for some of their ex 2 Para members to jump on the Sunday with Ram Air canopies as its too close to the cliff for us to jump safely. |
Pathfinder and Abeille Parachutisme members at their
'Start of Season' party |
As much as I like swimming its not a very hospitable beach. The Red Devils were allocated a few seats and would help towards the costs of the second jump. Things were looking up.
Then the local CAA figure decided to upgrade us to 'Air show' status despite this being a private drop and insisted we cough up 300 euro for insurance. Although we didn't need it we were told that if we didn't get it we would not be allowed to jump. So reluctantly we got it. Then the CAA rep who just happens to live in the area told us we needed a safety boat. At this stage our friends from the Le Havre Parachute school came to our assistance and told the CAA guy to wind his neck in we didn't need a boat.
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Sekander cooking in the Pathfinder Field Kitchen. |
Then two bomb shells that cancelled each other out. Firstly the Red Devils informed us they would not be able to jump on the Sunday despite it being the 70th anniversary of the original raid and one of the most important events in the Parachute regiment Calendar as they had a lot of admin to do to get ready for their jump season.
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I suspect this is the regular army not wanting their blokes to jump alongside a civilian organisation. So 20 years of Pathfinder doing this type of operation counts for nothing.
Oh well we know how the army works. Its not the blokes on the grounds fault. At this stage Ian Marshall (former 2 Para) our jump master has decided that the event is too important not to jump so he has decided if no one else turns up he will jump in and represent 2 Para veterans with members of the Le Havre Para club. |
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Sorting out the 'Sticks' and briefing. |
The second thing that makes the Red Devils decision irrelevant is our friend the mayor at the monument decides to withdraw his consent with no reason given. Its about this time we realise that the ground surrounding the monument has been completely dug up making the area a muddy building
site. This is for renovation. So he has decided to dig up the monument on exactly the date of the 70th anniversary preventing the families of the fallen from getting to the site. It might be mentioned at this stage that three family members had
travelled all the way from Canada for this moment. We suspect that maybe he had genuinely
forgotten. Yeah right. We also find out that a 'Commercial tourist trade type 'Bruneval' visitors center will be having its grand opening in June and that this mayor is pushing everything towards that celebration. |
150 British and French soldiers are due to parachute in on that date. Its pointing to the whole event being changed to just to suit French commercial
interests.
| We tried to cancel the display insurance for the Sunday as it was obviously not going to
happen. Once again the CAA rep insisted that it had to stay in place even though this was a 'Private drop' and not an air show.
Major Chris Prior and one of his Sgts have obviously been dumped into the fray as the only two representatives of 2 Para sent over on a shoestring to attend the event. This is also their opportunity to recce the DZ for their own drop which has been planned for June. We supplied him with all our DZ photos ,maps and as much information as we had on the area to try to make his life easier. After all we have been doing this for a
while. We have all been there before and know what a difficult task he has ahead. We wish him the best of luck |
Drawing and fitting. |
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DZ recce in the mist. |
Now the CAA guy appears again .He insists we must have a French speaker on the DZ along with Lance in case of an
emergency. That's another strange request as all aircraft communications are made in English its the legal aviation requirement. Once again our friends from the Sports Parachute Center supply us with a local jumper to do just that. Also being military trained we can communicate our intentions from the ground to the aircraft by using the DZ panels. While this has been going on we have gone from a DC3 jump
aircraft, (Cancelled because we just could not afford it.) to a Cessna 208 which has now broken down and will not be repaired in time. We are so determined to jump by now that we don't care what aircraft we have as long as it gets us to drop
height. The Sports parachute center loaned us two small Cessna's which can carry four
jumpers. They rig them both for static line at record speed and loan us another jump master for the second aircraft. |
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Ian Marshall instructs on the best way to
get out of the Cessna 172. |
Part of the static display at the Town Hall. |
Another minor problem that has been running in the background was official clearance for the NOTAMs. Despite being in three months in advance the French authorities only cleared us to jump two weeks before the planned jump day.
The Abeille Parachutisme (Sports Para club) run by Mr Pierre Lhopitalier had arranged accommodation for us in and around their buildings. Bodies sleeping everywhere and anywhere they
could. They even supplied us with breakfast.
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Its about now that we find out more about the planned official remembrance as scant little information was available and most of it was confusing. We find out from the local radio that there is to be a Plaque presentation in the town square to Pte McIntyre. A plaque is to be placed on the wall of the Mairie (Town Hall) as a memorial to Pte Hugh McIntyre who was killed at La Poterie Cap d'Antifer just next to the castle on the cliff (LONE HOUSE).
We are now drawing and fitting our equipment at the Le Havre airport but there is a ground mist stopping all aircraft from taking off. Myself and the first two sticks stand down and get 'booted and suited' so that at least some of us are present to represent the Parachute regiment at the Plaque presentation. |
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Meanwhile Lance has the DZ equipment ready for the off and we have been given the use of the Parachute
centres two minibuses. These guys from Para club du Havre could not have been more helpful if they tried.
Leaving everyone else 'Lurking' and hoping the ground mist will clear the rest of us race to the town square in time for the
ceremony. We are lucky enough to meet the three nieces of Hugh who have come all they way from Canada. There UNP (Union National des
Parachutist's) turned out in force to support the event and the music was supplied by the local band
'Fanfare'. The French did our boys proud. |
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The French veterans turned out in force |
Once the Parade was over we made our way back to the airfield. It was now obvious that we were not going to get a jump in as the ground mist was just as thick as ever. Hasty goodbyes to our new French friends and a mad race for the ferries to get back home. Ian and Lance were staying behind for another day as they had a recce to carry out for another DZ so we left them behind with a substantial amount of beer to share with the French Para club.
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I would like to take the opportunity to thank Mr Pierre Lhopitalier and the Abeille Parachutisme (Sports Para club) for their hospitality and for inviting us on the Friday night to their beginning of season party.. Mayor Gerard Paillette for his assistance and
permissions. Eric Taillefer for all the running around and Herve Steimer for the sterling work on the Parachute
Logistics. Both getting them there and taking them back and to the cast of thousands that helped to organise the event, turned up to support us and for those who hoped to jump. |
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Thank you to Pieter and Sekander for the impromptu field
kitchen. Lastly a big thank you to Nick Bird working tirelessly behind the scenes and to Ian and lance for
jump mastering and admin respectively. As usual we could not have done all this without you. We were finally beaten by Mother nature...but next time.
Pathfinder representatives for
Bruneval 2012.
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1/ Roy Mobsby.........................Pathfinder UK
2/ Dominique Boterman..............Pathfinder Belgium
3/ Eric Taillefer..........................Pathfinder France
4/ Garry Brownow......................Pathfinder UK
5/ Pip Whitting..........................Pathfinder UK.
6/ Ian Marshall..........................Pathfinder UK
7/ Baz Cox...............................Pathfinder UK
8/ Lance Owens........................Pathfinder UK
9/ Doug Moodie........................Pathfinder UK
10/Pieter Casteleyn..................Pathfinder Belgium
11/Herve Steimer......................Pathfinder France
12/Ian Coleman........................Pathfinder UK
13/Brian Mulvey........................Pathfinder UK
14/Ian Pope.............................Pathfinder UK
Boris.DZ Retrival Party...........Pathfinder Netherlands
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15/Michiel Nellis......................Pathfinder Netherlands
16/Owen Fanning....................Pathfinder Ireland
17/Henry Morony....................Pathfinder Ireland
18/Peter Dahl..........................Pathfinder Germany
19/Sean Deacon......................Pathfinder UK
20/Izzy Roberts.......................Pathfinder UK
21/Ian Currah..........................Pathfinder UK
22/Sekander Raisani...............Pathfinder Netherlands
23/Stewart Fitzell....................Pathfinder Ireland
24/Nick Parker........................Pathfinder UK
25/Pieter Hendriks..................Pathfinder Netherlands
26/Rod Stone.........................Pathfinder UK
27/Floor Plikar........................Pathfinder Netherlands
28/Cara Deeney Bancroft........Pathfinder UK
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Teaching
unarmed Combat to Cadets of the
Austrian
Theresian Military Academy
March
2012.
The inner courtyard of the Theresian Military Academy
I received a strange request from Robert Stirling of Stirling Tactical. He asked me if Id like to go to Austria for a long weekend and help him beat up some helpless Austrian Officer cadets. I thought for a couple of seconds and agreed...Well it wasn't quite like that. What he actually said was would you like to come along and help me teach some Austrian officer cadets the art of Self Defence. I should have done my homework or I would have realised what I was letting myself in for however Rob was a former Para like myself and we always trust a brother Para don't we. When will I ever learn.
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Roy and Rob posing with the guard. Well it had to be done didn't
it. |
So there I was flying into Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, to save money on flights and to take a train to Wiener Neustadt in Lower Austria. Sounds simple. Unfortunately on landing at Bratislava we find that half of the airport is under renovation and the signs are unrecognisable. In Germany you can at least recognise many of the words and work out where you want to go but in Slovakian nothing is similar or recognisable. We find a few people who speak a little English and after about half an hour we are able to get a bus to the town center and from there we catch a train to Wiener Neustadt . Same problem with signs but luckily the stations are partly automated and the ticket machines can do an English translation. If you ever thought
travelling by London Underground was murder, trust me its heaven and I will never complain about it ever again.
Finally we arrive at Wiener Neustadt and find that Austria as in Germany have recognisable direction signs. Robert confirms with a member of the station security staff in which direction we need to walk and off we go. Now Robert has been here before but I haven't so when we come out of the main road and in front of me is what can only be described as a very large imposing piece of historical architecture, I'm not exaggerating. The academy was founded on 14 December 1751 by Maria Theresa of Austria who gave the first commander of the Academy, Fieldmarshal Leopold Josef Graf Daun (Lord Daun), the order “Mach’ er mir tüchtiger Officirs und rechtschaffene Männer darauß” (“Make me hard working officers and honest men”). Over the years the academy has done just that.
The grounds are open to the public so we were able to walk through the main walkway into the
barracks |
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. This is the Austrians version of Sandhurst and is steeped in as much military history. Field Marshall Erwin Rommel took over as Commander of the Academy and military college just before WW2. It was badly damaged during the Second World war but was Austria's priority in its rebuilding plans after the war. Only one of its two towers survived as the other was damaged beyond repair however this does not detract from the imposing military beauty of the buildings.
| One of the armed Austrian guards gave us directions to the accommodation block and off we trotted. The event was being organised by Adelbert Schoemer of the The European Military Parachutists Association (EMPA) and Professor Dieter Birnbauer and they greeted us at the block.
Our room and beds were comfortable as were the cadets rooms. |
The Prof. |
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Spacious inside as well as out the barracks has a friendly atmosphere which is definitely alien to my time in the army.
We had hardly unpacked out bergans when Adi and the professor dragged us out to have the evening meal with the
professor, his good lady and his future in-laws. We were heavily wined and dined. The Wiener Schnitzel was cooked to perfection and then we went through a wine tasting session which was not the best of ideas considering the activities we would be involved in the following morning.
Day one started with us being introduced to the cadets. Their ages ran through 15 to 21 years of age and everyone of them was enthusiastic about inflicting pain on each other. Its so refreshing to help teach a class that is 100% into the subject matter and keen to learn. Rob started by asking if any of them had done any martial arts and was met with a stony silence. Not a problem, we would soon find out. I took them for some warm up Battle PT while Rob prepared for the main lesson. It was at this stage that I vowed to lose some weight and get myself fitter.
When Rob considered they were warm enough he gave the students a few simple exercises to prove a point . Immediately it was evident from the stances that some took that a few had practiced some martial arts. Its a bit like riding a
bike. Once you can do it its impossible to unlearn. Good. Rob now had his guinea pigs marked out for his various demonstrations.
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One of the young Austrians, Simon, about to find out the hard way that his martial
arts training is not going to help him |
If this young lady asks you to dance your going to say yes .That's a mean right hook.
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Now the day started in earnest. Simple ways to walk away from trouble followed up with an escalation of force, followed by inflicting some serious pain onto the bad guys to show him he had picked on the wrong person. As the martial arts students in the group found out Martial arts is great in a competition when your using rules but in street fighting its down and dirty and its do unto others as they would do unto you, do it first, do it hard and make sure they don't get up again. If you allow your opponent to get up he is going to really hurt you.
Day one finished almost too soon as the students were really getting into stamping, throwing and generally manhandling each other into the gym floor.
That evening the Professor and his good lady once again fed and watered us while we talked about future courses and networking between Adi's EMPA and Pathfinder. In the past I disagreed with the way the EMPA did
things. We had similar views but went about it differently. They have a lot of club qualifications which appear on the surface to be passed off as official awards. As Iv found out a lot has been lost in translation. Over 800 Austrian soldiers have jumped for the EMPA club wings so their MOD made them a recognised military award. I'm jealous.
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It would be nice to see someone recognise our club wings but it wont happen in my life time.
Day two saw Rob introducing how to defend against knives and pistols using your hands and anything else that comes handy. Only one student had his nose broken which I think was pretty good odds and that was by his best friend. |
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This can only end in
tears |
Ouch! Was that a crack I heard??? |
All too soon the course came to an end, certificates and awards were given out. The group photo allowed Rob and myself to display the Pilgrims bandits banner which Rob had brought along for the
occasion.
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We said our goodbyes to the course and wished them good luck with their army careers. I wondered how many bar fights we would be held responsible for in the future as the students tried out their newly learned skills. They had achieved a high standard in two days which wasn't bad, mostly down to their enthusiasm and Robs easy teaching style. It was a refresher course for me and I learned a lot as well.. |
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The camp commandant wanted to see Adi, the Proff, Rob and myself before we left and we were invited into his office for coffee. Seemed a nice bloke and well suited for the job with the interests of his students foremost. Nice to see someone taking a proper interest in their job. Adi presented him with a crate of a dozen assorted beers which seemed to make him a very happy man. His aid then gave us the grand tour of the barracks with a look inside the Cathedral as well the inside of the Commandants own personal entertainment room reserved for special guest and special occasions. We were indeed honoured.
We have agreed to work together towards a benefit event later in the year to raise money for our respective
charities. Good result there. The day ended with us once again being wined and dined but this time in the local tavern.
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Unfortunately being a staunch Roman Catholic country Austria closes down at about 1000hrs on Sunday so we ended up having an early and sober night. Not a good way to end a course.
Monday saw us dropped of in Vienna by Adi so we could do a quick tourist walk around before making our way back to Bratislava by train and from there a flight back to the UK.
All in an interesting course with some very friendly people and some new friends made.
A big thank you to Prof Dieter Birnbauer for the invitation and allowing us to do nasty things to his cadets, to Adi Schoemer of the EMPA for organising the event and to Rob Stirling for inviting me to assist on the course. |
Theresian Military Academy
The Theresian Military Academy is an academy, where the Austrian Armed Forces train their officers. The Academy is located in the castle of Wiener Neustadt in Lower Austria.
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The Theresian Military Academy is the oldest military academy in the world and was founded on 14 December 1751 by Maria Theresa of Austria who gave the first commander of the Academy, Fieldmarshal Leopold Josef Graf Daun (Lord Daun), the order “Mach’ er mir tüchtiger Officirs und rechtschaffene Männer darauß” (“Make me hard working officers and honest men”). Per year the Academy accepted 100 noblemen and 100 commoners to start their education there. In 1771 Fieldmarshal Lieutenant Hannig published the official studying plan and in 1775 Maria Theresa published the Academy Rules. At this time it took 11 years to complete the Academy but step by step it was shortened to 3 years.
Theresian Military Academy can boast its own Cathedral. Here you see one of the Academy gates which runs under the Cathedral
The Styrian Prince Erzherzog Johann (Archduke John) was the principal Headmaster of the academy for 44 years (1805–1849).
In the First Republic (1918–1938) the academy was located in Enns untll 1934 and then again in the castle of Wiener Neustadt. A very remarkable event in the time between Austrofascism and the Anschluss (Occupation of Austria by Nazi Germany) was that Lieutenant General Rudolf Towarek (Commander of the TherMilAk between 1933 and 1938) prevented the Wehrmacht from entering the castle for several days. |
This was the only military resistance made by Austrians against the occupation by Nazi Germany. GenLt Towarek wasn't punished for this action; he was, however, retired while retaining the right to wear the Austrian uniform after his retirement which was highly unusual in those days.
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Inside the Cathedral |
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The TherMilAk in modern times. |
After the Anschluss the Wehrmacht installed a war school for non-commissioned officers at the castle of Wiener Neustadt. The first commander of this school was Erwin Rommel. At this time the Germans erected a new building next to the castle, which is now known as Fort Daun, in which the Military High School of Austria is located.
After World War II and the Austrian State Treaty which was signed in 1955 the demolished castle was rebuilt and in 1958 the military academy was again located in Wiener Neustadt after a short intermezzo (1955–1958) in Enns. |
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From 1997-2008 the TherMilAk was a 4-year college which can also be attended by civilian students and finishes with a masters degree in military leadership. In 2008 it was changed into a 3-year curriculum, graduating with a bachelor's degree. In 2003 the first four women completed the academy. Since 1959 more than 3,600 young officers have been educated at the Theresian Military Academy.
Roy Mobsby and Robert Stirling display the Pilgrims Bandits charity flag inside the main building and in front of a bust of Franz Josef the first Commander of the Academy
Historical information obtain with thanks from Wikipedia. |
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Putting
your Money where your Mouth is.
A few years ago we had words with a couple of Airborne re-enactment groups about putting their money where their mouths are. If your going to pretend to be a Para and wear the wings the least you can do is get your knees in the breeze once and jump out of an aircraft.
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A mixture of 'Battle for Europe' and 'Just ordinary men' having just completed the Dutch basic Para course at Teuge. |
At least you can then look the veteran in the eye when he asks you if you have earned the right to wear those little blue wings on your right shoulder. Jumping out of an aircraft does not make you a Para but by doing so you have gone that extra mile to experience a little of the fear the veteran and the rest of us for that matter, had to go through. As a result many of them trained with
us, completed the five jumps in Holland to gain their Dutch B wing and went onto jump at many of our anniversary
events. Two of the groups who have many of their members parachute trained are 'Battle for Europe' and 'Just Ordinary
men' |
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Pathfinders on the flight
line |
Ian Martindale Airborne
re-enactor jumping into Arnhem in 2003 |
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Ian
Pope, 'Just Ordinary Men' walks of the DZ at Ginkle heath 2009 |
Baz Cox 'Just Ordinary men' walks out to the aircraft at Teuge. |
Now Pathfinder has expanded into the realms of Military Simulation and have come across many Airsoft groups who portray Airborne units. Unfortunately many of these deserve the ' Wannabe Rambo' and 'Walter Mitty' tags heaped on them by Regular Army and Territorial units. Its one thing to portray a Para unit but to swagger around believing you are one and boasting about your prowess is another.
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Mark (left) goes through his drills in the 'Suspended harness' trainer. |
Mark Cutler Pathfinder Group Mil Sim gets checked out by Ian Marshall on the flight
line. |
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an encouraging kiss from Mel before Mark emplane's.
(Little did he know we had done a deal with his wife on his insurance) |
Pathfinder group Mil Sim are hoping to set the record straight. We are offering Parachute courses through our Pathfinder Parachute group in Holland so the Air Soft community, like the
re-enactment community now have the chance to put their money where their mouth is. We have already lead the way. Several of club members and instructors are former Para's who still jump but we are proud to announce that one of our own civilian member Mark Cutler has just attended and passed the April Basic Para course at Teuge in Holland. |
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Marks view on exit. |
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Mark gets his certificate and wings from Simon Woerlee Paracentrum Teuge Chief Instructor.
He even managed to land on the correct part of the DZ on his last jump. So well done Mark and congratulations. So where are all these pretend Para's who are prepared to go that extra mile?????? |
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Mark and a very relieved Mel with his cert and wings. |
Course dates are below.
May 6th-11th
June Normandy Anniversary, Sannerville DZ. 1st/2nd and 3rd of June
June 24th-29th
July 15th-20th
July 29th-3rd Aug
Aug International Paratrooper meet.
Aug. Combine Fund raiser with EMPA.
Aug 26-31
Sep 9th-16th
Arnhem anniversary Tandems. Friday 14th Sep. into Teuge airfield. |
Watching from the ground
A spectators perspective.
When I went to watch my husband parachute I felt nervous but in my heart
knew he would be ok and I also felt proud of him because I knew how
nervous he was. There's not much that scares him. When it came to them
parachuting out of the plane I found myself saying to myself, no no pull
right toggle, no no left toggle so in your mind your there with them in a
sense. The group worked as a team and learned a lot as the training was
intense. This training was vital so that you knew it was possible to land
safe. People say when you see the jump master look out of the plane to
check it's safe to jump, you would want to jump out of the plane anyway.
Joking apart Ian , lance and Roy made me feel welcome and part of the team
even though I didn't jump. You couldn't ask for better instructors and
friends.
Regards Melanie Cutler
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