British Soldiers In Germany Test Their Combat Skills On The Ranges

More than 200 British troops are testing their combat skills as part of live tank firing and crew exercises on the ranges of Bergen Hohne in Germany.

For three weeks, four Squadrons from The Queen’s Royal Hussars are enduring sub-zero temperatures, to work together as they would in a war-time scenario. 

A Squadron, also known as The Devils Children, is one of the Challenger II squadrons and WO2 Ally Walker says the exercise provides important opportunities;

"We've got 14 crews firing and a lot of those are new gunners.

"It's a chance to get all the crew members together who have gone through extensive training and safety, before coming down to Bergen Hohne."

The days are long and it is not just the tanks that are being tested on the ranges. 

Medics are working through simulated situations and 12 REME soldiers are being put through their paces.

Vehicle Mechanic, Corporal Oliver Holyoake, says;

"The hours are long, we can only work on the vehicles after the range has closed and the tanks aren't firing."

Down on range 5 Alpha, B Squadrons Recce Troop are taking part in their annual crew tests in the scimitars, while their target hitting abilities are monitored and marked by Range control in the tower. 

The training may tough but for soldiers, like Lance Corporal Andreas Vanezi, they look forward to the time spent on exercise;

"It's what you join up to do.

"This is what I wait all year for, to go on this three-week range package, so I can get some rounds down the range with a big gun."