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- Опубликовано: 15 ноя 2024
- On this episode we talk with David Jones a Troop Commander in the 1980s who came to the Special OP Troop from 148 (Meiktila) Commando Forward Observation Battery. A specialist Naval Gunfire Support Forward Observation unit within 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines
David covers the Troop Commander’s perspective of the unit including how the Troops in 32 and 5 Regt were organised and tasked, the pressures to get more volunteers through selection, the widening of recruitment and the attachment of SAS Captains to the Troop. We will finish off with how two separate troops were brought together to form firstly 73 (Sphinx) Special OP Bty and finally 4/73 (Sphinx) Special OP Bty.
On desert island dits David's choice of book is a two part series by Tim Cook At the Sharp End: Canadians Fighting the Great War 1914-1916, Volume One, and: Shock Troops: Canadians Fighting the Great War 1917-1918, Volume Two. His fiction choice is Three Day Road . A book by Joseph Boyden. Finally his choice of film is Das Boot.
The team's pick this week is Unreasonable Behaviour the life story of the photographer Don McCullin.
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Its mentioned toward the end of the Podcast about Canadian casualties in Dieppe. Its worth noting that the plan was for the Royal Marines Division to undertake the raid. However Canadian commanders wanted to prove their worth and get combat experience so they got the Canadian prime Minister to pressure Churchill into allocating the job to the Canadians. Now, just as the Australians do with regard to Gallipoli, they seem to believe the completely untrue myth that these operations were something done to them, rather than something they, themselves, demanded. I really enjoyed the information about 4/73 Battery, its role and history.
Thanks for listening James. I never knew that about Dieppe.
I started this training 20 years ago its no joke sadly i was young and stupid andgotnkicked off the course butvwhat an experience when your 20 to train the elite something il never forget.😎
Worked with a few Sphinx Battery blokes. Sibbo being my favourite....built like a barrel and steady as a big bag of steady things....
Very intriguing interview, excellent
Thanks for listening and the feedback. Much appreciated.
@@unconventionalsoldierpodcast you're welcome always interested in the artillery .cheers
Stumbled across this. Excellent podcast. Will definitely subscribe
@@noeloriordan4700 thanks for the support and positive feedback Noel. Pls spread the word.
Very interesting interview
Thanks for the positive feedback and supporting the podcast.
My upmost Respect to you all 🧡
Excellent interview. What is the difference between OP troops and FiST troops? Our two Artillery Regiments here now have a STA Battery, each with an OP troop and a FiST troop. From my research they both do a similar job. I'm out of the army and have no access to the information. From an ex Infantry guy.
OP troops or STA patrols are a Divisional asset focusing mainly on surveillance. They can also operate as FSTs, FAC etc. Very flexible. Thanks for listening to the pod and the feedback.
Hi Tony further to my last. Conventional FST teams tend to be attached to a Coy or Sqn to provide indirect fire support. Their primary role is joint fires.
STA patrols work on their own ahead of friendly forces - sometimes behind enemy lines. They are primarily surveillance focused but can also control joint fires if assets are in range and mission requires it.
@@unconventionalsoldierpodcast 👍
Currently in phase 1 looking to join 4/73 or 148 not sure yet what would you say is the route and why?
Difficult one and I am biased. 148 offer the opportunity to parachute, dive and do sea borne ops with the commando Bde. Downside is after completing the commando course you may not be able to go to 148 selection straight away. 4/73 do div recce capability and a very similar job less parachuting. Upside is you can go there straight away and if you pass then you will be in the patrols straight away. To be fair either option is a great choice. Good luck with your career and whatever you choose. It's well worth it. Cheers for supporting the pod as well.
@@unconventionalsoldierpodcast thank you for the reply any tips for STA patrols course?
@@NUFC975 Get in touch with the Bty and do some research on the patrols course. Also they conduct a foundation course to prepare you for selection so ask about that. When you get to phase 2 have a word with a PTI and tell him what you want to do and ask for a training programme. But don't over train and go mad with a Bergen. Aim to build a good core all round fitness and avoid injury. Finally when you get on the course never fail yourself no matter how bad you think you are doing. More people fail themselves than are failed by the DS.
@@NUFC975 meant to add. Listen to our podcast called A few good men. It will give you an insight into selection and the attributes required.
I know a guy who served with spinx during the Falklands & then onto 22 sas for a couple decades. Just saying
He certainly wasn’t with 473 before it was 473. It was 73 battery and they were not formed until after the Falklands war, I done selection in 94
Just wondering to become a STA patrols special observer is that achieved by joining the 5th regiment Royal Artillery?
You can apply from any arm or service or other RA Regt but the unit is part of 5 Regt RA.
@@unconventionalsoldierpodcast That's great thankyou, I have my assessment centre next week and all I've wanted to do is become a STA patrol special observer, so how do you go about actually joining because I've seen things about 4/73 special OP battery so how do i go about actually becoming one?
@@wohq1131 best of luck mate. It's a great job. 👊
Would you say joining 4/73 as a special observer is the best route into the special reconnaissance regiment?
It's one of many routes really. A good grounding in an infantry battalion, time in a recce pl, being commando or para trained. All worthwhile. Ultimately is the mindset and determination of the candidate.