If a tank fires in the Baltics and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

RTR BATTLEGROUP DEPLOYMENT ON EX TALLINN DAWN, GERMANY

Captain Hugo Catmur

In April 2021 the RTR Battlegroup deployed to Sennelager, Germany, in preparation for its operational deployment, Op CABRIT 9. This was the first deployment of the whole RTR Battlegroup since BATUS in 2015.

A Dreadnaught tank on Ex TALLINN DAWN.

The seven-week exercise required a change of pace in the preparation stages following much of the Regiment’s deployment on Op RESCRIPT throughout the pandemic. Now, relieved from COVID testing, the Battlegroup re-focussed efforts towards its primary task of conventional warfare within an Armoured Battlegroup context. This was a transition welcomed with much anticipation. All were keen for the Battlegroup to demonstrate itself in its core role, and for the opportunity to get back on tracks and operate our vehicles in the field again.

There were many challenges to overcome, however. Firstly, the time to prepare was limited, bounded by the constraints of the pandemic. Secondly, the Regiment saw an almost complete change of HQ appointments over the six months prior, including the CO whose first day in role was the day of deployment. And finally, (albeit not an exhaustive list) the combat sub-units of the BG comprised of just one tank Squadron (DREADNAUGHT), just one Armoured Infantry Company (C Coy, 1 Royal Welsh) and a Squadron from the French military’s Chasseurs (a Squadron-level combat team comprised of tanks, armoured infantry, reconnaissance, and engineers). This required a very quick learning of everything from language to tactics, which our French counterparts did so very impressively. The first 10 days of the exercise was spent on both vehicle preparation and rehearsals of the tactics we would be using in the field. During this invaluable period, the Battlegroup came together for the first time in person and visualised the roles that each commander would be playing. The first of the formal assessments came shortly after in CATT, the simulator training facility which allows all 500+ personnel of the Battlegroup to train together in the relative safety of a virtual environment. Every mission, or serial, saw noticeable improvement, and the HQ was pleased to receive a sound pass for this phase.

The next phase was live firing, which began at Troop level and progressed to CALFX (Combined Arms Live Firing Exercise). This brings together the combat power of tanks, armoured infantry (in both the mounted and dismounted roles) and artillery, all guided by the Reconnaissance Troop and supported by the Royal Engineers, in a dynamic firing range that engaged targets across 9km of German countryside. Practicing different tactical actions across the complex and varying terrain provided for extremely beneficial training. To further develop our understanding of our own combat power, the Battlegroup was exposed to the effects of artillery in what was called the ‘inoculation’. From artillery rounds that were being fired from over 2,000m away, we positioned ourselves in our vehicles just 70m from where they landed. What many had initially thought was a wind-up proved to be a hugely useful experience revered by all. My own vehicle sustained damage to the periscopes, proving what could be achieved by artillery, but also the effectiveness of our armour.

Finally, the BG was put through its paces for the 10-day field-exercise operating against an enemy from 1 YORKS. Using TES, the laser emitting and receiving system that safely allows battles to be won and lost, the Battlegroup was tested in as many ways as possible to emulate reality. A gruelling but highly successful and rewarding final phase, the Battlegroup was pleased to be officially validated as mission-ready trained. It now looks forward to Estonia, where, by the time of this article being published the Battlegroup would have deployed and conducted its first exercises, where it will rely heavily on the lessons learned in Germany.