Cambrian Patrol

[fantassin]

Anybody among the Brits on this forum has taken part in CP ?

I'd be interested in specifics for the preparation of a team and for the type of kit that is most necessary for the patrol.

I have been to Sennybridge and Brecon, so yes, I know it's wet, windy and miserable at the end of Oct. beginning of Nov. when CP takes place and I know about the "baby's heads" too...

Any input from Italians, Canadians or Poles who've taken part in the recent CPs are welcomed too....

[fantassin]

For those who don't know what cambrian Patrol is:

From the British Army website about CP 2002

It's arduous,
it's physically and mentally demanding,
it's viewed internationally as one of the toughest patrolling tests facing the modern soldier,

it's EXERCISE CAMBRIAN PATROL.

An annual event, it was first staged in 1959 as a long distance marching exercise over the Cambrian mountains of mid-Wales.
Over the years it has been continuously updated to meet modern day challenges. The aim of the Cambrian Patrol is to provide a challenging patrol exercise in order to enable units to test training standards.

This years event attracted the highest entry to date, with 100 eight-man teams taking part in seven overlapping phases during the period 26 October - 4 November. Foreign entries came from Canada, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and a airborne team from the US. The RAF Regiment was also represented.

Reporting to an assembly area on the northern edge of the Sennybridge ranges, soldiers kit and equipment was thoroughly checked by DS staff to ensure the correct items had been brought with them and that illegal items had not been included.
Patrol commanders then received their orders on the exercise for briefing to their respective teams. Ferried by van to one of two drop off points, teams embarked on their 48-hour 55 kilometre patrol over some of the most rugged terrain that the Welsh countryside has to offer.

Meeting up with agents en-route they were tested and evaluated on various tasks. Tasks involved infiltration and recce of enemy controlled positions; swimming a reservoir with kit and equipment; a NBC incident; a patrol encounter/ambush; and finally a debrief and patrol report.

Depending on the number of percentage points scored over their patrol, teams were awarded a certificate of merit, a bronze medal, a silver medal or a coveted gold medal. This year four teams struck gold - Sp Coy 3 Para; 1 RGBW; 63 Sqn RAF Regt; and mountain soldiers from Brigata Alpina "Julia" in Italy. 1 Ê

A very creditable performance came from the two Bristol UOTC teams, who both gained silver medals: one of the teams being led by 21 year old 2nd Lt Caroline Thomas, who along with her team members was taking part in the exercise for the first time.
"It was tough being in command, but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience said Caroline.

The hardest part was sleep deprivation. I managed one hours sleep over the two-days. Swimming the reservoir came as a surprise to us - it was very cold, but at the same time good fun. "There were some low points, but morale in the team remained high throughout, with everyone sticking together and supporting one another."

Lt Tiziano Diamanti, patrol commander of gold medal winning team Brigata Alpina "Julia" , who was himself taking part in the event for the first time said: "The Cambrian Patrol is very highly regarded by Italian soldiers, particularly our Alpini mountain troops, who have seen success in previous years. "It was a hard exercise for us, even though we are mountain troops.

The rugged terrain, the long distances we had to cover and the fog all helped make navigation and progress all the more difficult. We are footsore, but at the same time very proud to have successfully completed our mission. As you say in England, 'no pain - no gain'. " Ê

Brigadier Robert Aitken, Comd 160 (Wales) Bde who is responsible for running the exercise said: "This year's exercise has been a resounding success. With a 100 entries, we had more teams than ever before. The weather was particularly kind over most of the period, but the exercise remains as demanding as ever. Any team that managed to complete the course deserves huge credit; and those who were awarded medals can take great pride in their standards of physical robustness, military skills and leadership."

He added: "Planning is already well advanced for next year. I can promise, once again, that the exercise will be arduous; but it will also test the initiative of the teams to a degree which will genuinely make the exercise as suitable to combat support arms as to professional reconnaissance troops. There will be a number of new elements: for instance, we have already been promised substantial support from the Welsh police forces who will augment the hunter force and provide an element of interrogation.

We also plan to open the exercise up much more to commanding officers who want to see their soldiers taking part. "Next year's event takes place over the period 25 October to 3 November 2002. I look forward to seeing you there."

[Royal]

I've not done it since '94 so things have changed a bit. In terms of long drag style brute endurance it's easier now, but there is more emphasis on mil-skills. The patrol is less recce orientated than it was (the idea being that a good rifle section should be able to complete it).

As far as I know, GPS is still banned (you will be searched during the prep/orders phase) so good nav skills on the hills and in forrestry blocks is important.

As Bowman is not on widespread issue yet be prepared to use HF and VHF Clansman and the dreaded BATCO and SOC's.

Orders will be the standard format for a recce patrol (make sure they're up to date - a call to ITC Wales at Brecon should help). In the past you were allowed to use TAM's and a preformatted orders book.

As I've said, you'll be searched - make sure you've got everything on the kit list and no banned items or you'll loose points before you start. One of the Para Reg teams was penalised for wings and T-shirts when I last did it - so no badges, berets or unit T-shirts (national flags excepted).

Fitness goes without saying and be aware that if a team member is injured (you can continue with a minimum of 6 pax) and withdraws you will not get a medal, no matter how well the rest do.

Try to get a copy of the AAR from 160 Bde from last years patrol - should give you a heads up on what they're looking for now...

Have fun

[fantassin]

Thanks; I have the 2002 and 2003 PXRs from 160 Bgde.

I am interested by "tips" for the team preparation, whether it's better to go "light" (patrol packs and minimal kit) or bergen and that sort of info too.

[Royal]

I am interested by "tips" for the team preparation, whether it's better to go "light" (patrol packs and minimal kit) or bergen and that sort of info too.

With Brecon weather and the risk of injury you'd be crazy not to have at least one decent doss bag between two. Throw in a PRC320 and a PRC352 with GSA, spare batteries and OP kit and I'd say bergans. Batteries and water were the real weight issue in the past. Lithium batteries are more common now (it's a while since I've used infantry radios, so check this) - but they can explode when wet - waterproof them.

A good set of orders will get you a bag full of points (try to get an SNCO from your sponsor unit to coach you on Brit style - ideally one who's done the COP or Close Recce Commander's course).

Get on the ranges and test fire and zero your weapons (and the CWS's). Make sure you're up to speed on first aid and NBC (including chemical recce (including CAM) and reporting).

In the past we only wore CBA and helmets for the live fire phase - I think that's changed now.

Make sure your commanders and signaller speak good clear english - you'll have enough comms problems as it is!

[fantassin]

Thanks; the weapons are now provided by the sponsoring unit and it's SA80 and LSW for everybody. Apparently it's the same thing for the 351s.

Would you bring a laser a range finder ? (we use Vectors and they are quite big and heavy as you know).

As for a sketch kit for the CTR, any tips on how to put one together are welcomed...

[Royal]

Thanks; the weapons are now provided by the sponsoring unit and it's SA80 and LSW for everybody. Apparently it's the same thing for the 351s.

Make sure you do a night practice to use both SUSAT and CWS.


Would you bring a laser a range finder ? (we use Vectors and they are quite big and heavy as you know).

No. They're probably banned anyway, you won't be MFCing or FACing for real (though be prepared to adjust simulated 81mm fire). and you should be able to judge distances by map and eye accurately enough for the OP and CTR.


As for a sketch kit for the CTR, any tips on how to put one together are welcomed...

Get some plain and graph paper fabloned/laminated as well as some more in a sealed bag (kept nice and neat to copy onto at the end of the patrol to hand in for marking, ditto for your OP/Radio log). I always sketch on graph paper (I find it easier to get sizes/comparisons right) then copy onto plain paper. That means using extra fine permi pens (and keeping a correction pen for mistakes). If you don't like that use waterproof paper and pencil (but I've never found it bigger than A6).

I used to have an Isreali torch that fitted on a finger like a ring - great for sketching and a lot less obvious than a head torch.

Last time I went we took a 35mm SLR camera with 1000 and 4000 ASA films and handed them in at the end - bonus points. Nowadays I'd take a digital camcorder (well waterproofed!) with spare batteries and memory sticks, although they're pretty crap for low light/night so I'd probably use wet film in an SLR as a backup. Bottom line for camera's - if it's not on the banned list, take it.

[fantassin]

Thanks ! I'll PM you with the progresses of the selection and training of the team....

Last thing; river Xing; what do you recommend or is there a mandatory way of doing it ? (with a rope across, with bundles, raft...)

[Royal]

Thanks ! I'll PM you with the progresses of the selection and training of the team....

Last thing; river Xing; what do you recommend or is there a mandatory way of doing it ? (with a rope across, with bundles, raft...)

In the past it was always at the Elan reservior done with individual bundles. Make sure there's a carabiner on each one so you can raft up if it gets windy or there's a problem.

We always used another one on paracord to attach the rifle to the bundle rather than the swimmer - you shouldn't need it, but loosing a rifle can be embarrasing!

There may be a safety rope/boats, but don't rely on them. trainers and goretex to wear in the water are a must - you need to be ready to spark on the enemy bank.

[digrar]

We ran our first Duke of Gloucester cup for the first time in 5 years due to a lack of personel (due to deployments) and a lack of funds.
The DOG cup is normaly contested by the Royal Australian Regiment Infantry Battalions every year, it's a section mil skills competition very similar to the patrol.
Back in the late 80s we sent the winners off to the UK to participate in the CP. We did pretty well there too, but due to a few of our leaders having short arms and long pockets it was up to the Battalions to get the team to Wales and back and it became a deterent to winning the Duke of Gloucester Cup.

[Steve Andrews]

I am interested by "tips" for the team preparation, whether it's better to go "light" (patrol packs and minimal kit) or bergen and that sort of info too.

With Brecon weather and the risk of injury you'd be crazy not to have at least one decent doss bag between two. Throw in a PRC320 and a PRC352 with GSA, spare batteries and OP kit and I'd say bergans. Batteries and water were the real weight issue in the past. Lithium batteries are more common now (it's a while since I've used infantry radios, so check this) - but they can explode when wet - waterproof them.

A good set of orders will get you a bag full of points (try to get an SNCO from your sponsor unit to coach you on Brit style - ideally one who's done the COP or Close Recce Commander's course).

Get on the ranges and test fire and zero your weapons (and the CWS's). Make sure you're up to speed on first aid and NBC (including chemical recce (including CAM) and reporting).

In the past we only wore CBA and helmets for the live fire phase - I think that's changed now.

Make sure your commanders and signaller speak good clear english - you'll have enough comms problems as it is!


How do you know all this...I thought you were a fake ;)

[Royal]

How do you know all this...I thought you were a fake ;)

Learnt it all from old Commando comics off Ebay ;)

[WoodChipper]

If Canada does send a team hopefully they will send a Reg force Infantry section and NOT and section from the armoured corps. What a joke.

[martinexsquaddie]

find a walk in fridge get team to huddle in fridge while somebody sprays a fire hose on you in the dark :(
you can guess how much I enjoyed the experiance :(

[fantassin]

A funny story to come out of Cambrian Patrol 2002:

From the BBC

Blow-up tank 'missing in action'

Army chiefs are asking citizens to keep an eye out for an inflatable tank which was blown away in the strong gales which battered the UK over the weekend.

The inflatable, life-size dummy tank was moored to the ground during a training exercise near Tredegar, south Wales

But 80 mile per hour winds tore the battle tank replica from ropes tethering it to the ground and the vehicle is officially "missing in action".

A widescale search including a helicopter is now underway for the errant inflatable.

On Monday a military spokesman said they were anxious to hear from anyone who may have woken during the morning to find a tank in their garden.

Up to 860 soldiers were taking part in the annual Cambrian Patrol exercise at Trefil at the foot of the Brecon Beacons.

The troops were enacting a battle scene using "enemy positions" created using the tank replica, which is Royal Air Force property.

The army is now scouring the hills of mid Wales using a helicopter to find the inflatable.

Red-faced Sergeant Major Brian Pratt said: "If anyone's found my tank, please give us a bell.

"It looks like a proper tank - from 200 metres away, you would think it was a green tank with wheels and a barrel. It really looks the part".

"It is about the size of three cars. It would fill a big garden. When deflated, it takes three men to lift," the sergeant major told BBC Radio Wales.

"We have got about six blow-up tanks. We use them every year for different exercise to make the exercise as realistic as possible.

"It was particularly unusual weather."

The other inflatables used in the exercise were deflated and removed before the winds could carry them away.

Meanwhile, a 25 foot-high inflatable replica of fast food mascot Ronald McDonald is also still missing after it was whisked by high winds from a Newport restaurant last week.


PS: the tank was found three weeks latter....

[martinexsquaddie]

my unit was going to nick one of the inflatable tanks as a trophy till it was pointed out there several thousand pound each :roll:

[Roger Rabbit]

From Arrse http://www.arrse.co.uk/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=6711#125583


General

1. The Cambrian Patrol is the premier patrolling event of the British Army. It is held annually in Wales and is organised by HQ 160 (Wales) Bde on behalf of HQ 5 Div, as directed by HQ LAND in the Land Command Plan. The exercise is arduous and concentrates on leadership, teamwork, physical fitness and achieving the Mission. It also draws participants from foreign Countries. The Cambrian Patrol is an exercise and not a competition it is conducted for the benefit of units and there is no final order of merit. The exercise is designed to be within the capability of any well-led and well-trained patrol of any Arm or Service. The exercise is the same for Regular and Reserve patrols.

Aim

2. The aim of The Cambrian Patrol is to provide a challenging patrol exercise in order to enable units to test training standards.

Eligibility and Composition of Teams

3. There are separate but identical phases for Regular and Reserve units:

a. The Reserve Phase The Reserve event is run from a Friday to a Sunday and is open to patrols from the Territorial Army, Royal Marine Reserves, Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment and equivalent overseas reserve units. Entry details are as for the Regular event.

b. The Regular Phase The Regular event is open to patrols from regular units of the Army, Royal Marines, RAF and foreign countries. Units may bid to enter more than one patrol. Units from the Territorial Army may also enter on a fill up basis if they can release soldiers to participate mid week. All units will be informed of the number of bids accepted by mid August 2004.

c. Patrol Composition Each patrol is to have a non-participating Patrol Manager and two drivers. The drivers may be reserves. The composition of the patrol is to be:
(1) Patrol Commander: Offr/WO/SNCO.
(2) Patrol 21C: INCO.
(3) Six x Ptes: This group may include no more than one x JNCO*.
*This composition does not apply to University OTCs. Any unit whose establishment makes adherence to these criteria exceptionally difficult can apply in writing to HQ 160 (Wales) Bde for dispensation.

d. Eligibility The following rule applies:
No person is to enter the Patrol more than twice in any one rank (not including Patrol Managers).

Dates

4. The exercise will be conducted in seven phases in order to allow the maximum number of units to enter. The reserve events are run on phases one and seven. The phases dated are as follows:
a. Phase One: Report Friday 29 Oct 04; ends Sunday 31 Oct 04 (TA Phase)
b. Phase Two: Report Sunday 31 Oct 04; ends Tuesday 02 Nov 04.
c. Phase Three: Report Monday 01 Nov 04; ends Wednesday 03 Nov 04.
d. Phase Four: Report Tuesday 02 Nov 04; ends Thursday 04 Nov 04.
e. Phase Five: Report Wednesday 03 Nov 04; ends Friday 05 Nov 04.
f. Phase Six: Report Thursday 04 Nov 04; ends Saturday 06 Nov 04.
g. Phase Seven: Report Friday 05 Nov 04; ends Sunday 07 Nov 04. (TA Phase)

Assessment Criteria

5. Since 1959 Cambrian Patrol has developed from a march and shoot competition to its present format, a Mission and Task orientated exercise. Therefore the fundamental criteria the DS use to assess the performance of the patrol is by determining whether or not it completes the various tasks and achieves its Mission. This is assessed by awarding marks for:

a. Military skills (approx 70% of total marks).
b. Orders (approx 15% of total marks).
c. Debrief (approx 15% of total marks).

6. The other military skills that may be assessed during Cambrian Patrol are:
a. Firing of personal weapons
b. Obstacle crossing
c. First aid and casavac procedures
d. Recognition of aircraft, vehicles and equipment (based on ITD’s)
e. Artillery target indication
f. Patrol Techniques
g. NBC
h. Helicopter drills
i. Media handling
j. Conduct after capture
k. Communications skills and BATCO

7. Additional skills to be assessed may be notified in the future. Units may find References A and B useful when trying to plan pre-training programmes. Reference B can be supplied to units on request by CP office, HQ 160 (W) Bde.

Standards

8. The level of award will depend on the patrol completing all aspects of the exercise, in particular the mission phase. Awards are:
a. Gold: 75% or more of the points available.
b. Silver: 65-74% of points available.
c. Bronze: 55-64% of points available
d. Certificate: Completed the patrol in the time available and scored less than 55% of the points available.

9. Certificates are awarded to all those that complete The Cambrian Patrol. However patrols/individuals who withdraw will not be awarded a certificate (patrols that fall below 5 will be withdrawn for safety reasons).

Format for application to enter

10. Units should apply using the Form at the ANNEX attached. Copies of the application should also be sent to the unit’s Brigade or Divisional HQ. Units are welcome to bid for more than one patrol however last minute withdrawals due to a failure to anticipate work commitment or train adequately are extremely unwelcome and may prevent other units having a bid accepted.

11. Bids are to show preference for dates. The closing date for bids will be 16 Aug 04 and details confirming unit acceptance, timings, comprehensive rules and preliminary joining instructions will be issued after this date. Receipts of all bids will be acknowledged. The organiser’s decision on allocation will be final. Reserve units are to note that they must be prepared to report between 0200 hrs (earliest) and 0830 hrs (latest) on Friday 29 Oct 04 or Friday 05 Nov 04. Units must adhere to these timings. Exact timings for each unit will be contained in the warning order which will be issued nearer the date of deployment.

12. An entry fee of £50 Per patrol made payable to “Commanders Fund 160 (Wales) Bde’ should be enclosed with the application and is not refundable once the bid is accepted in August. Forms received without an entry fee will be returned. The entry fee for foreign teams is also £50, payable by UK cheque or by sterling on arrival (a contribution from these funds will be donated to the Army Benevolent Fund if any monies are left over once all exercise expenses have been paid).

13. Foreign units are encouraged to enter teams. There is a requirement for these teams to be hosted by British units. Wherever possible allied and affiliated units should be used. However, there may be a requirement for units on the same phase as foreign teams to assist with hosting if the above arrangement cannot be met. Applications are to be sent via The British Embassy, International Visit Control Office, for clearance procedures.

[Jeff White]

The army is now scouring the hills of mid Wales using a helicopter to find the inflatable.

Red-faced Sergeant Major Brian Pratt said: "If anyone's found my tank, please give us a bell.

"It looks like a proper tank - from 200 metres away, you would think it was a green tank with wheels and a barrel. It really looks the part".

"It is about the size of three cars. It would fill a big garden. When deflated, it takes three men to lift," the sergeant major told BBC Radio Wales.

:D.....he was my section Cmd on joining Battalion. Hope to **** he never reads this :lol:

[SamHamam]

The army is now scouring the hills of mid Wales using a helicopter to find the inflatable.

Red-faced Sergeant Major Brian Pratt said: "If anyone's found my tank, please give us a bell.

"It looks like a proper tank - from 200 metres away, you would think it was a green tank with wheels and a barrel. It really looks the part".

"It is about the size of three cars. It would fill a big garden. When deflated, it takes three men to lift," the sergeant major told BBC Radio Wales.

A bit like these

http://img2.exs.cx/img2/4117/8216.jpg

http://img2.exs.cx/img2/4501/8220.jpg

[Spearin]

My regiment (Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders of Canada - Infantry Reserve unit) took a bronze medal in the 2001 Cambrian Patrol :D

[Roger Rabbit]

I'll be there this year. :D