of HCR Capt Zamir Catsaras LG took on the role of the ‘Eddie Stobart’ of Macedonia. Liasing with a female American Sgt in KFOR headquarters, who much to his annoyance was deemed his equivalent, there were no movements across the area that Captain Catsaras did not know about. Due to leave the British Army on his return from the task force, comments on his increasing his CV for civilian employment did not always have the desired response. The role, however, was crucial and the efficient coordination removed a potentially large headache away from the Bde Commander. The second role that HCR assumed was the coordination of the formation recce elements within theatre. In particular this came to mean the preparation of taskings for the Canadian Coyote Squadron. Captain Klaus Fisher the Regimental Intelligence Officer who had aided the Bde Int Cell in the collection and preparation of ground intelligence (routes, population density and makeup etc.) became the principal liaison to A Squadron the Royal Canadian Dragoons. The Tetovo valley region, which had been one of the principal areas of conflict owing to its’ diverse ethnic mix, was to become the major focus of the Task Force in ensuring that infractions of the ceasefire were accurately reported to the heads
of the both the Macedonian Police and Army to ensure they did not threaten the political process. The Canadian coyote vehicle fitted with both the MSTAR radar system and a vehicle mounted television system was an ideal surveillance platform to mount these operations. The HCR HQ would prepare the environment to insert the Canadian vehicles, which focussed chiefly on the village of Ratae, ensuring the operations would not prejudice weapon collection operations and that re-supply and communications were feasible. The operations were focussed in the majority against organisations such as the ‘Lions’ paramilitary forces who were operating in the margins of FYROM police sometimes with the approval of senior members of the Ministry of the Interior, who were the greatest threat to the success of the task force. The surveillance capabilities of the Canadians coupled with the HQs’ direct link into the liaison cell with the factions ensured that the Brigade Commander had an accurate real time link into infractions on the ground enabling him to bring pressure to bear on those threatening the process with the evidence he required to ensure the success of the force. Within thirty days of the arrival of the HCR contingent in FYROM the operations were being handed over to a Ger-
man run follow on force (Force Fox). The month in the FYROM has had longterm successes within the country where all constitutional reforms have been enacted. The link with 16 Air Assault Bde strengthened and ensured that two months later when the Bde once again was asked to prepare for operations, this time in Afghanistan, that HCR was very firmly part of the team.
Regimental Cricket Tour to the West Indies 30 March - 06 April 2001 By Captain J R Greany, LG ll true cricketers dream of playing in the Caribbean. Only the least imaginative devotees of the summer game have not (in idle moments on the boundary) wondered how they would cope with the world’s fastest bowling on the hardest wickets known to man. Even the humblest english seam bowler fantasises between the sheets about bowling the spell of his life in tropical heat, probably on a dusty track surrounded by cricket crazed West Indians banging drums and screaming his name to the beat of a popular rap song. The stunning beaches and perfect weather may also be part of the attraction.
A
The tour started extremely well as we were mistaken for the England under 19’s at Heathrow. Our blazers and cricket bags suggested that we were county pros at the very least, and no one wanted to destroy the false impression. We also felt spoilt to be spending a com-
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fortable first night in Jamaica at Kingston’s Ligunea Club, where the James Bond classic Doctor No had been filmed. Things became significantly less pleasant as we crammed into a local mini-bus for a breathtaking but terrifying ride across the Blue Mountains, all the way to the North coast of Jamaica. Coffee plantations, jungle, shanty towns and ‘jerk chicken’ stands rushed past as we headed through the valleys and over the mountains to the town of Ocho Rios, founded and named ‘eight rivers’ by the Spanish slave merchants, it is now a thriving holiday town and port to the cruise ships of the Caribbean. The stunning views, oppressive heat, spiced chicken smells and lethal driving had made the journey entertaining and frightening in equal measure. We were relieved to arrive safely, but surprised to
find that ‘de English team’s’ visit was the talk of the town. Even the taxi driver would be coming to watch our first game, and he kindly warned us that ‘you guys is gonna get wooped man’. The level of local interest was soon confirmed by the hotel staff. They had been given the day off to watch the match! English tourists were being bussed in from surrounding hotels to witness the epic struggle, billed to take place at Content Gardens ground in 24 hours time. In an attempt to acclimatise and practice, we headed for the nets in the heat of the afternoon. Herds of locals gathered to bowl, Malcom Marshall style at the English top order, and we were given a lethal introduction to genuine pace and bounce. Stumps and helmets were flying in all directions and after three hours, we beat a hasty retreat to the pool to plan our tactics for the games ahead.