Deep Behind Enemy Lines, page 7
Apart from the immense satisfaction of success the bounty was, of course, the acquisition of the four AK-47 assault rifles and a good haul of ammunition; valuable prizes indeed! Vengeance had been meted out in true native fashion. It was a justifiable case of an eye for an eye.
Chapter 13
Bill headed to the mess for the evening meal and to tell Josh about his meeting.
‘So, how did it go? What did you think of our OC and Travers?’
‘Well, I’m relieved it’s in the past now. I’m not someone who gets over- anxious about interviews, but I have to say reporting-in is not one of my favourite pastimes. For my part, I felt it went smoothly on the whole. Not exactly backslapping-all-chums-together, but I did begin to get a measure of respect for the OC. He comes across as a no nonsense, to the point man. Very much on the ball and clearly an experienced and capable officer. His credentials are certainly par excellence having commanded a squadron of the SAS. Anyway, time and performance outcome will tell, eh!
Travers? Well! He comes across as typically senior Civil Service. He’s no doubt very experienced in the intelligence and covert operations business, but he did strike me as somewhat aloof and I certainly wouldn’t want to cross him. I got the feeling he was quite uncomfortable in an army environment and he didn’t strike me as a one of the boys type. But I think we need to give him the benefit of the doubt for now. I will say, however, since he appears to have the ear of the Foreign Office buffs, it would be politic to keep on his good side. He’s got access to army personnel records, so we don’t want to give him cause to go rooting around in them.’
‘Spot on, boyo! I came up with very similar conclusions when I ferried him here from the airport. So, when did you get your psychology degree?’
‘Same time as you, in the University of Army Life, matey,’ Bill tossed back. ‘Anyway, enough levity. Although not as comprehensive as yours, the details were very enlightening. It sounds as though we’ll shortly be heading for a medium-range penetration and surveillance operation. The OC intimated it could be within a few weeks or so. He’ll call us both to an O-Group meeting to give details and advise us of our operational orders as soon as he has them.’
‘Well that’s a turn up for the book’ replied Josh with a frown on his forehead.
‘He made the point you and I should sort out our teams ASAP and I get acquainted with the guys who’ll be under my command. So, I guess you should call the men together and let’s see who we’ll each be working with; and establish an operations on-boarding programme. What say we do that first thing tomorrow morning?’
‘That’s fine with me. I’ll get the men together at 0800 hours, introduce you and hold a general meeting in billet one, the team conference, meeting and training room. Afterwards I’ll show you around the camp and the different activity rooms.’
They spent the rest of the evening in the mess chatting, discussing plans and talking to some of the senior NCOs who were relaxing there.
When Bill arrived at the conference billet next morning, he found Josh already standing at the lectern with approximately thirty-five other ranks seated in classroom formation. He ushered Bill to the chair beside him, turned to the men and bid them good morning.
‘Good morning, Staff.’ was the collective response.
‘There are two main reasons for bringing you together this morning. The first is to introduce you to the new member of our unit, Staff Scraggs. He’ll be leading one of our active teams, designated Team-B, consisting of sixteen men. There’ll also be sixteen in Team-A, my team. Staff Scraggs and I will nominate our team leaders in due course.
‘The second reason is to inform you there’s to be a medium-range penetration and surveillance operation, as yet to be named. Kick-off is anticipated to take place within a few weeks; further details will follow when Major Brown has briefed us. Once teams have been selected we’ll commence advance preparation activities, including pre-operational exercises in the Rift Valley region and on Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro.
‘We won’t take questions now but will give you more information about these when we return here at 1500 hours today after roll-call. Meantime, you’ll carry on with your usual duties maintaining fitness and ensuring all equipment is kept ready and fit for purpose. That includes parachute safety equipment.’
Before dismissing the men, names were called for the respective teams, assuring those not called would most certainly be involved at some point. The meeting closed, and Josh repeated his offer to show Bill around the camp.
‘Sounds good to me.’
As the tour commenced they discussed a possible start day for the mountain climb exercises.
‘Well, it’s Wednesday today so I would think next Tuesday,’ Josh said. ‘It gives us four full working days to pull it all together. Sunday would be an opportune stand-down day for you and me, and I could give you a run out and about. Why, what’s on your mind?’
‘I’ve been thinking I’d like to spend time with my team; assess their capabilities under pressure and generally do a bit of bonding. I also want to evaluate two from my team for leader material,’ Bill explained.
‘OK. Since you’re the main man on the fitness and exercise front, it would be good to get the men out on the road for a forced march. We could either do a half-day separately with our own team, or do it en masse,’ suggested Josh.
After a few seconds, Bill’s response was to suggest they sit down and discuss the merits of both options after the proposed 1500 hours meeting with the men, and then map out an itinerary to work from. There was the whole evening ahead to make a solid plan.
‘I agree. So, let’s get you acquainted around the camp.’
The first building they came to was the workshop. Josh went into tour guide mode.
‘This is where all the Foreign Office specialist lightweight and portable radios, hand generators and cryptographic attachments are stored, and where any first-line maintenance and repairs are undertaken. Four military-trained technicians carry out this work, each with the rank of corporal. In fact, we’ve a total of thirty-six NCOs in the unit; I’ll have you meet them personally as we move along. All the work in here is supervised by Travers.’
‘So, not only do you maintain and repair the equipment, you’ve clearly got a sufficient stock of spares including those required during travel on operations?’
‘Yes. Any urgent spares we require are ordered from Alton Park and dispatched to us in the diplomatic pouch by air. Also, over here is a freestanding radio transmitter.’
Now that looks a powerful piece of kit thought Bill, as Josh walked towards the rear of the building.
‘This is a very special piece of equipment with its cryptographic attachment. It’s used exclusively for communicating with either the GWS Headquarters at Alton Park or other units on operations elsewhere. It’s formally known as our long-haul transmitter. The radios also use special Government radio frequencies. The antennae field for this and other devices is out at the back of the building. Come with me and watch where you walk; it is a workshop after all!’
Josh led Bill to the rear door and they left the building, stepping out onto the unit’s antennae field. Here there were assorted masts, mast guides, suspended cables feeding into the building and a whole array of different antennae wires and cables set up in different patterns, dependent upon what they would be used for; short or long-haul radio transmission and, of course, radio receiving antennae arrays and whip type vertical rods.
‘We’ve a good selection of different antennae as you can see. Most of them are familiar to you I’m sure.’
‘Most, if not all, are used with the standard British Army Larkspur-issued radio equipment. So, yes, I know them all,’ replied Bill.
Moving along they reached the safety equipment building. They went in and Josh introduced Bill to two NCOs who ran the section.
‘These two corporals have special experience with safety equipment such as medium performance rectangular multicellular type steerable parafoils, with an all up maximum loading of 560lbs. They were specially developed for use during Special Forces covert applications, and their production is strictly controlled by British industry for the Foreign Office. My specific responsibility is the supervision of this extremely vital section.
I’m sure you’re aware by now that this unit is fully airborne-equipped, qualified and capable. It’s also developed for both static line and free fall equipment, for use in different operational applications. I’m positive you’ve no problem with either type of delivery.’
‘None. And I assume we use free fall applications where a stealth approach and covert operation is required,’ commented Bill.
‘That’s right.’
They moved along to the armoury and Josh introduced the next NCO who was the unit armourer. ‘We maintain only the type of weapons necessary for the passive modes of operation in which we function. Again, deep penetration with stealth, operating as a covert surveillance and reconnaissance team,’ explained Josh.
‘So, basically no heavy weapons are involved?’
‘No. The type of weaponry we use is typically the 7.62mm self-loading rifle in a special lightweight and shortened down version, the ubiquitous Sten gun 9mm Sterling submachine gun, stun grenades, a special Foreign Office issue of a S & W small arms weapon, which is a 9mm second generation suitably modified HP handgun as a side arm, night vision goggles, high-powered binoculars for very long-range surveillance, and the flare pistol pyrotechnic M-8, together with flares and all support 9mm ammunition.’
‘I’m familiar with all of those apart from the sidearm.’
Bill lifted the weapon off the bench, weighed it in his hand and slid the firing mechanism back to confirm it wasn’t loaded. He looked down the sight, pointed the gun away from everybody and squeezed the trigger with a click.
‘I’m impressed, this is a very lightweight sidearm compared to the standard issue 9mm Browning HP I’ve mostly used,’ observed Bill.
‘Yes, it’s a fine weapon. In 1958 the manufacturer specifically modified a version of it for the UK Foreign Office that was developed into a 9mm HP semi-automatic handgun modified in a special design specification and production contract with the company. It is issued and used for the exclusive use by all of the UK Special Forces and became known by its generic name of H2S.’
They moved out to the assault course and then on into the keep fit training rooms where at least a dozen NCOs were carrying out keep fit activities, making full use of the facilities. It was at this juncture Bill was introduced to the two PTIs. One of them explained the training area in greater detail.
‘As you can see we’ve all the usual gymnasium equipment. My assistant and I have already prepared circuit training exercises for this area, and these are closely supervised by us when activities are taking place,’ pointed out the lead PTI.
‘I assume you’ve timing schedules for use during the week with workouts for both the internal and external assault course activities,’ asked Bill.
‘Yes Staff.’
‘You’ll also observe the external assault course consisting of ground nets, artificial tunnels, vertical climbing nets, assault wall, high open wire tightrope cradles and the unit swimming pool (albeit it’s small; only 25ft by 50ft), all of which we’ve set routines including circuit training and completion timings,’ said the other PTI.
Josh interjected. ‘I supervise nine-mile forced marches. They’re similar to annual mandatory physical endurance tests but with the teams carrying eighty-pound hand generators in Rucksack Bergen’s on their backs.’
‘An excellent method of exercise, and sorts the men from the boys no doubt,’ grinned Bill wolfishly.
Leaving the exercise areas Josh continued. ‘Now we’ve selected our individual operational teams we can work up a table of exercises between us such as speed marching, jogging, abseiling on cliff faces and from helicopters. We can also put together our proposed Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro climbs which we’ll tell the men about this afternoon. So, you can appreciate, we do maintain a top fitness regime,’ Josh grinned proudly.
We’ll all be extremely busy getting prepared before any operational balloon goes up Bill thought, as they completed the walk round near the mess. He thanked Josh for the extremely informative tour. By now it was close to lunchtime and it was agreed they meet shortly for a meal, so they could begin to discuss planning, continuing during dinner and on into the evening.
Chapter 14
When he finally got back to his room after supper and extensive discussions with Bill on planning for the proposed two mountain climbs, Josh slumped down in the armchair and mused he was feeling thoroughly out of sorts, irritated somehow and perfectly well aware he was being unprofessional. He needed to sit quietly and attempt to rationalise exactly what had spiked him. He’d had a teacher back in his schooldays who’d told him, when there was something buried deep in the mind one couldn’t pin down one should, metaphorically speaking, go down into the basement and dig up the floor to find what was there.
OK, let’s do a bit of honest to God digging!
Exactly what was he feeling irritated about? Having known Bill previously Josh knew he was, quite literally, being Bill. It wasn’t Bill’s doing he’d had his own seniority halved and been assigned joint position rather than pole status. It was the decision of the powers that be. So, being irritated had to be because he was experiencing a good dose of resentment. Trying to be totally honest with himself, Josh admitted he was being petty and didn’t much like himself for being so. After all, Bill had displayed nothing but friendly workmanship and a professional approach to both himself and the current circumstances. After about an hour he was no closer to resolving his dilemma, so he climbed into bed and not, he guessed, for a peaceful sleep.
When he woke, he again sat at his desk and gave yet more thought to everything he’d shown Bill the afternoon before. Bill had displayed great interest, had taken it all in and was very impressed with the whole setup of the reconnaissance unit. Josh considered the man’s stature; prowess, confidence and his get up and at ’em approach to adversity. He’d always been the same, even during their time together in the East Midlands training unit.
However, Bill had shown amazement at Josh’s professional management and control of this Global Wireless organisation, but Josh was quite confident his own experience and capabilities were equal to Bill’s.
As such, Josh, there it is! A clash of temperament at least on his part let’s just wait and see how we acquit ourselves in a field operation situation. Let’s face it, there’s nothing like a bit of friendly banter and competition to keep the adrenalin circulating.
Once he’d cleared his mind of the worrisome fog, he put his boots on and headed to the mess for breakfast with Bill to discuss counter-insurgency measures that would be required of them in active situations.
At 0800 hours they walked across to billet one where the men were assembled, before making roll call. All were present and correct and the meeting was called to order. The main item on the agenda was to nominate team leaders. For Josh’s A-team these would be Corporals Wilson and Jones and Bill’s B-team leaders would be Corporals Neal and Bevan. Both teams would comprise sixteen men including Josh and Bill and with it established, the floor was thrown open for questions.
‘Do you have any information about where an active operation is likely to take place, Staff?’ Corporal Jones asked.
‘Probably somewhere in the NFD. We just have to wait, not speculate,’ Josh replied.
Since there were no further questions the men were dismissed to their prescribed tasks; radio maintenance and usage instruction, weapons cleaning, general maintenance, safety equipment checks and physical training routines, all of which to be supervised by the team leaders.
Josh had also informed the men they would be undertaking pre-operational exercises in the bush and on the mountains for a couple of weeks, the details to be advised when they had been firmed up.
As soon as the room cleared Josh turned to Bill.
‘OK, I think continue with general training until we get a definite operations order. It’ll give you the opportunity to assess your men and familiarise yourself with all aspects of our organisation.’
‘Agreed! And thinking along those lines, it would be a good idea if we work on further details for the mountain climbs. We could also rough out a plan for a Rift Valley exercise, if time permits. That would also be a good assessment of stamina and capability, particularly if we devise various obstacles to spot for observation practice along the way, a very necessary skill for counter-insurgency surveillance. How about putting the extra men to good use for that? All told, it should take no more than two and a half weeks. When we’ve fleshed out the details for the climbs we’ll present them to the OC for his consideration and, with luck, approval.’
Again, Josh experienced a jolt of irritation but managed to suppress it. ‘I agree with that. Let’s go back to the office for the rest of the afternoon to work on the plans.’
Settled back in the unit office they sat quietly scribbling sheet after sheet of notes to work out schedules and the equipment that would be required, discussing all aspects between them and constantly adding or deleting to get the proposals just right for presentation. Three hours later lunch called. Afterwards, back at their desks they reviewed their work and were satisfied they’d thought of everything.
Bill looked up. ‘What say I call the OC now? If he’s got a slot this afternoon, we can ask him to look over what we’ve come up with and give us his opinion.’
‘Yep! Sooner rather than later would be good. If not today, then hopefully first thing tomorrow morning because we’ve got a lot to check out and organise. Personally, I’d like to get as much as possible done so we can relax on Sunday,’ Josh commented.
