On Saturday 15th February, a group of 26 CCF cadets from all three sections were issued their rifles and left Taylors’ by coach to the MOD training area of Hankley Common.
Writes Chaitya J (5ths)
Any grogginess from the early start was soon shaken off. As soon as we got there, we immediately began a lesson on how to occupy our harbour area for the night and immediately did so, learning how to set up our bashas, metres away from the historically important Atlantic Wall, set up during WW2 to practise for D-Day. We then went off to practise our camouflage and stalking skills: we had to sneak up through thick forest to fire three (blank!) shots at one of our instructors.
After learning how to make a meal using our ration packs, we were let loose on a navigation exercise. Groups of four navigated around the common, finding checkpoints and answering the questions on them. After this, we learnt how to do a reconnaissance patrol, before doing the real thing in the dark of night-time, observing an outpost of a “local militia”.
After learning how to make a meal using our ration packs, we were let loose on a navigation exercise. Groups of four navigated around the common, finding checkpoints and answering the questions on them. After this, we learnt how to do a reconnaissance patrol, before doing the real thing in the dark of night-time, observing an outpost of a “local militia”.
The next morning, we learnt our ‘contact’ drills – what to do if contacted by the enemy, and completed another navigation exercise, this time as a section to retrieve a flag. However, on our way back, we were contacted by the same “local militia’ and had to use what we’d learnt to safely extricate ourselves from harm’s way. We then learnt how to conduct a section attack. Finally, we put this knowledge into use: we attacked the same position that we’d observed the previous night, running through it and taking it.
After that, we sadly had to go home. After unpacking and being issued our Fieldcraft stars badges, we all left with a full magazine of good memories. Thank you to all the staff who gave up their time to supervise and instruct, and thank you to the SSI, Sgt Anderson, for the amazing planning and execution of the weekend.
