1st Battalion
The Argyll and Sutherland
Highlanders
Cyprus 1982 - 1984
Part 2
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1st Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Cyprus 1982 - 1984 Part 2 |
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All photographs are the property of RHQ Argylls and may not be reproduced or copied without permission from RHQ Argylls.
With the start of the 1983, C Company reverted to its old title of Support Company an appropriate step now that it was firmly back in the more traditional role after a long period as a rifle company. A further change took place in February when Command Company was reformed in order to 'slim down' Headquarter Company which, had grown over the past few years. During the winter months the demand for assistance diminished slightly and the battalion embarked on a concentrated six-week period during which a series of vital internal cadres were run. These were followed, in February, by a progression of company and Battalion exercises, over two weeks, to practise all phases of conventional war. Concurrent with this busy period the most important winter commitment the battalion had was to administer the Services Ski-ing Centre at Troodos— MILSKI 83. However the winter was less amusing with heavy rain for most of February and March and heavier than usual snow falls in the Troodos Mountains. The snow on Troodos was good news for the skiers but access roads became impassable and ski lifts unworkable. The 'pads' were very grateful for the thoughtful issue during the winter of Calor Gas Heaters in houses really designed to be cool in the heat rather than warm in the lower than average temperatures.
Click on picture to enlarge
The battalion exercise, due to take place in late February, was to have been called Exercise BOARS HEAD, but by the time it finally got off the ground its title had officially changed to BORES HEAD. The training areas within the SBAs were very small and suitable only for section and platoon training and specific company level operations. Immediately adjacent to the SBAs, but in the Republic, are larger areas of largely uninhabited country covering some fifty to sixty square miles which are known as the localities and are in effect semi-permanent training areas. A similar training area is located on the Akamas peninsula at the North-West corner of the island. These areas themselves are only suitable for up to company level training, particularly if a lot of movement is to take place. For Exercise BOARS HEAD the Commanding Officer decided that the battalion required plenty of lebensraum and requested that a large area of the Republic be made available for training. Arrangements were also set in hand to fly out gunner OP parties and for a visiting, dismounted squadron of the Blues and Royals to act as enemy. It appears that a request to train in the Republic in that strength and over so large an area had not been made for some time, if at all since 1974. Despite the provisions of the Treaty of Establishment (1960) that allows for such training, the Greek Cypriot Government were distinctly cagey and withheld clearance whilst they made up their minds. Meanwhile the exercise writers continued their work. Quite late in the day the request was refused but authority was granted for training in the localities. The exercise was revised to take account of these rather severe restrictions. Then the Government declared that all training was to cease until after the final ballot of the impending Presidential Election on 6th March. The battalion lost its original gunners and the enemy completed their training tour and departed. Nevertheless, a six-day battalion exercise involving gunners and armoured recce as well as the battalion did take place.
Some views of Episkopi area.
Once the battalion exercise was complete, the battalion had a fairly prolonged period of the "silly season" during which time D Company put up forts and tentage for the Queen's Birthday Celebrations, and then took them down again to re-erect them elsewhere for the Episkopi Garrison Fete. Support Company rehearsed and laid on a military demonstration for the Fete, having only just completed a demonstration, laid on at short notice, for the Commander British Forces on IS drills. B Company were involved in running the Near East Skill at Arms Meeting which, by the time rehearsals had been included, lasted a fortnight and required two tented camps to be erected and dismantled, one at Akrotiri and one at Dhekelia. These represent services to the community which were greatly appreciated and helped maintain the battalion’s reputation, even though at times it felt a little as if we were being taken for granted. In addition, training assistance was provided not only to units based on the island but also to visiting units. This assistance has ranged from Skill at Arms, tactics and adventure training instruction, the loan of weapons, transport and other equipment, to the provision of enemy in section, platoon and even company strength. Much of this assistance was purely altruistic on the battalion’s part as it had no charter to assist anyone except RMA Sandhurst.
GENERAL BOSWELL'S VISIT - It was with great pleasure that the Battalion welcomed on Thursday, 12th May, an old friend in the form of Lieutenant General Sir Alexander Boswell KCB CBE. General Sandy was the General Officer Commanding Scotland and Colonel Commandant of the Scottish Division and was visiting the battalion in this capacity. He arrived on a scheduled RAF flight by RAF Akrotiri at mid-day and immediately boarded an Allouette helicopter of 16 Flight AAC to fly to the Dhekelia ranges for lunch on the final day of NESAM. He was accompanied by the Commanding Officer and Lt Sandy Wade his ADC for the period of the visit. At NESAM the General was to meet not only the Company teams but also the whole of B Company and elements of HQ Company who were involved in the administration of the meeting, Outside the Officers Mess tent prior to the VIP lunch and to the accompaniment of "Congratulations" played by the Regimental Band, the General handed Mike Roberts badges of rank on his promotion to Major. During the afternoon whilst the falling plate competition was taking place the General had the opportunity to meet and talk with many of the Battalion including familiar faces such as W02 Logie, Cpl Hogan and the familiar and instantly recognisable form of Cpl Morton. On Friday 13 May, General Boswell formally opened his visit to the First Battalion by inspecting a quarter guard found by Command Company and presented the LS and GC medal to W02 Boyd outside the new battalion headquarters in Salamanca Barracks. After a briefing by the Commanding Officer on the current role and organisation of the Battalion the General toured the camp visiting the following departments; Guardroom, Pipes and Drums, the Military Band and the Quartermaster. That evening the General was the principal guest at a Dinner night in the mess where he approved the turnout of our attached RM officer and witnessed some erratic dancing and mess games. After a rest day in the company of his son Leslie—being in the company of Leslie isn't always restful—the General attended morning service in St Barnabas Church (Padre Shields) which is the current home of the Regimental Kirk. Later that same morning accompanied by the Commanding Officer, General Sandy and Lt Gen Rashid (Royal Jordanian Army) along with assorted sponsors, were the principal guests at the annual polo match between the Cyprus Polo Association and the Royal Jordanian Polo Club. Unfortunately neither Lcpl Fairlie nor Major McVittie were up to the standard required for international competition but the General witnessed an exciting game won by the narrow margin of one goal in the favour of the Jordanians. Much of the match was carried out in a dust storm and unfortunately absorbed the best weather of the day. By the time the General reached Long Beach to join the Officers' Mess beach party for lunch the storm clouds gathered producing blustery winds, some rain, and the early conclusion of lunch. The General's final full day with the Battalion involved him in visiting the deployed elements. He travelled by helicopter to visit a composite platoon commanded by Lt Nigel Salisbury at Troodos and then on to Ayios Nikolaos to visit A Company (Major A. K. M. Miller) and the culinary delight of lunch in one of the company's OPs. General Sandy departed Cyprus on Tuesday, 17th May, by Civil flight from Larnaca with the Commanding Officer who was returning to Scotland in order to attend the Scottish Divisional Conference. The General's visit was greatly appreciated by all concerned but particularly by those who have served with him in various capacities over the last 15-20 years or so.
Late summer of 1983 in Cyprus were extremely busy, probably the busiest for any resident battalion since 1974. Many people may not have been aware that for a month from mid June to mid July all Servicemen on the island were at a high state of alert because of a terrorist threat. Because of the nature of many of the specialist units on the island they did not have sufficient manpower to guard themselves. As a result, for what was known as Op Sediment, the battalion was at full stretch guarding installations, both within the Sovereign Base Area (SBA), and the Retained Sites (RS) in the Republic and providing vehicle check points throughout the Garrison area and the quarters. In addition, a high level of patrolling, to secure key and vulnerable points throughout the Western SBA, was maintained. During this period the Jocks attacked the task with a relish that, in a way, intimidated some of our more squeamish compatriots. It became necessary to camouflage the sustained fire machine guns not only from the potential enemy but also from some of the more alarmed residents. Throughout, the Jocks behaved in a very professional and correct manner remaining cheerful and polite at all times. For many of the residents it was their first contact with Jocks. Whilst some may have been alarmed at first, many more felt reassured and grateful for the measures being taken and the manner in which they were carried out. The Commanding Officer received numerous letters during the operation from some remarkable sources commending the battalion on its performance.
There also continued to be a great deal of adventure training activity as was to be expected. Many individuals took advantage of course opportunities at the Cyprus Joint Service Adventure Training Centre (CJSATC) at Pergamos. In addition, the battalion established an adventure training camp on the beach at Evdhimou, a few miles from Salamanca Barracks. Each platoon has spent a week at the camp and attendance was compulsory. During their week's stay each Jock is given instruction in abseiling, water-skiing, board sailing, dinghy sailing, military swimming and even parascending for the very brave. There is no doubt that without an element of compulsion many of those who have thoroughly enjoyed these new sports and activities would never have bothered to do so on their own. A fit, suntanned young Jock skimming along on a sailboard lends some truth to the old recruiting posters, In terms of quality of life, Cyprus in the summer remains good. The sun shines every day, the temperatures are high, the sea is warm and the beaches of Ayia Napa are most inviting.
July and August were fairly quiet having returned to the normal operational roulement after OP SEDIMENT. In September the Scots Guards Recce Party visited Episkopi, a Grade 1 Board was completed, All Arms Air Defence Training was carried out and preparation for the Cyprus Walkabout was started. In October having recovered D Coy from Ayios Nikolaos the Battalion worked non stop. First, the Battalion organised and won the Cyprus Walkabout 1983. This was followed by the two day Battalion CPX and at the same time Mortar, Milan and JNCO's Cadres got underway; during the week of 17-21 October the Battalion held its rifle meeting which produced some good individual results but sadly the overall standard remained lower than it should have been. On the 25th October the Battalion held a Drumhead Service, the first time for a long time, for Balaclava day followed immediately by a two day Highland Games. The Games featured all the usual Highland events, but the reintroduction of inter Company foursomes and eightsomes reels was something of novelty especially for Cypriot onlookers.
CYPRUS WALKABOUT 1983 - The Cyprus Walkabout is probably the most gruelling Service Orienteering event in the world. For those of us used to no more than a two hour jaunt on a Sunday afternoon it may come as a surprise to learn that the Cyprus event requires a team to cover over 30 miles on each of the two days over rugged mountainous country. On the first day the teams, setting off at one minute intervals from 0530 move through five check points from Episkopi to the Troodos leave centre just below the summit of Mt. Olympus at 6,500 feet. On the second day the surviving teams have to complete the return journey. Because various teams were unable to come under starters orders the Battalion was able to field 13 teams each consisting of three runners. It is of enormous credit to the Battalion that only two of its 39 competitors failed to complete the course and both as a result of serious injuries. One competitor, Pte Lang, completed the second day knowing he had a broken toe. The event was won by 1 A & SH (D) Team led by Maj Mike Roberts ably assisted by Ptes 'Supermac' McGuire and Welsh. Their time for the sixty miles or so round trip was 10 hours 9 minutes and 32 seconds, the fastest ever recorded. The second team was also an Argyll Team 1 A & SH (H) led by Capt Leslie Boswell with Pte I. O'Donnell and Pte P. M. Malloch and the Battalion produced 7 of the first 20 teams. Of the 39 competitors 9 were young officers or in the case of Mike Roberts not so young officers!
THE TICKLE EFFICIENCY AWARD - The high standards set and maintained by the battalion whilst in Cyprus were recognised by the award of the Tickle efficiency prize. An extract from the citation by Commander British Forces Cyprus, Major General Sir Desmond Langley KCVO, MBE is given below.
“The 1st Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders have been in Cyprus since March 1982. Since that time they have performed many duties which have benefited the service community as a whole. These include such annual events as running of the 5 day Near East Skill at Arms Meeting; the Cyprus Walkabout Competition which required much detailed planning, involves a large proportion of the Battalion and needs meticulous execution during the event; the Military Skills Competition which tests the basic skills of minor logistic and supporting units on the island; and the Military Ski courses at Troodos. The Battalion has carried out an intensive programme of training and has provided both instructors and enemy for visiting and resident units. Throughout their tour they have provided assistant instructors for the Cyprus Joint Adventure Training Centre. They have assisted in a number of fund raising activities for charity, and have undertaken many other tasks which have contributed enormously to a better life for servicemen and their families in Cyprus. The 1st Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders has achieved a commendably high standard of efficiency and has carried out all these varied tasks with great skill and much good humour. The Band and Pipes and Drums have impressed and given pleasure to audiences throughout the island. By the efficient and helpful way in which the Battalion has met all its commitments it has contributed significantly to the quality of life for the Services in Cyprus.
The first fortnight in November was taken up by the Battalion Exercise (Ex “Wild Cat), which was conducted wholly in the Republic of Cyprus. It was one of the largest exercises ever held by the Battalion, involving not only the full Battalion but helicopter support from 16 Fl AAC, 3 Troops of C Squadron 1 RTR in the close reconnaissance role and A Company 3 Para as enemy. The first four days were left to Companies to shake out and practise their own procedures. The Battalion phase proper started on 6 November and covered all phases of war culminating in a Battalion deliberate night-attack in the early hours of 11 November. The Rifle Companies walked some forty miles in the period and prepared two defensive positions. The longer the exercise lasted the fitter the jocks appeared to be. They establishes a rhythm which they maintained with ease and the spirited final attack found them as fresh as the day it started. During the Exercise the Colonel in Chief and HRH Prince Philip visited Cyprus on an overnight stay at Air House an despite our involvement with the exercise the Battalion was able to provide a discreet tactical guard commanded by Lt Balfour based on the NCO's Cadre. The Commanding Officer was invited to dine with Her Majesty and was able to bring her up to date with Battalion activities. After dinner a surprise for Her Majesty the Pipes and Drums played for 15 minutes on the lawn of Air House.
Visitors to the Battalion during the 2 years in Cyprus.
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The period after the exercise was spent preparing for the various supporting inspections for the Annual Report on the Unit and the handover to 2 Scots Guards. The Battalion spent a traditional Christmas and New Year holiday for a unit serving overseas. There were various organised activities, some enjoyable such as the inter company sports day, based on "its a knockout", and some painful such as the McEwan Cup. New Year's Eve was well and truly celebrated with a single soldiers barbecue and families parties in Berengaria and of course in each mess. The success of the Christmas arrangements were borne out by the fact that there was a total absence of disiplinary problems during this period. In fact, the whole of this period has been characterised by a marked reduction in all but the most petty disciplinary problems.
1984
1st Jan the annual SNCO’s versus Officers Hockey? Match, on the battalion Square Episkopi, it is not known who won. January was spent guarding Ay Nik and Troodos and preparing Salamanca Barracks for handover to 2nd Scots Guards. Early in February the battalion left Cyprus bound for Redford Bks, Edinburgh.
Updated: 27 January 2015