Meet The Gurkhas Learning To Drive... By Moving A Lorry Convoy To Germany

Soldiers who have never even driven a car moved a lorry convoy from Britain to Germany.

28 Transport Squadron is part of 10 The Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment and is now, with its large Nepalese contingent, on continental roads for the first time.

Private Saroj Gurung is confident at the wheel of his six-tonne truck but he has had to learn fast.

In Nepal where recently recruited Gurkhas like him come from, very few young people drive.

"This is the four-wheeled vehicle and I can drive the nine-tonne vehicle also," says Private Gurung.

"I didn’t drive this type of vehicle [in Nepal] and after coming to the UK now I can drive [it]."

The squadron now training in Germany belongs to 10 The Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment.

To get there more than 100 personnel have driven 45 trucks from their Aldershot base.

LISTEN: Forces Radio BFBS' Heather Lewis speaks to Lt Simon Smith who explained the exercise

With a Channel ferry crossing the nearly 500-mile journey has taken three days.

For 90% of the squadron driving on the continent and on the right-hand side of the road is a new experience.

"At the first, we were like what’s going on here?" admits Private Sanam Magar, one of the drivers.

"We get confused the first time but after that, we get used to it."

Sennelager is the British Army’s largest training area on the European mainland.

For the Gurkha logistics specialists being there is an opportunity to test military skills.

“I didn’t realise how big this training area is until I actually arrived here," says the Squadron Sergeant Major WO2 Giriraj Limbu.

"I’m surprised at how much this training area has to offer."

Major Ollie Nyman is 28 Transport Squadron’s Commander. He says that driving across to Germany has been a test of self-sufficiency far from home.

"We are absolutely looking after ourselves in this location."

As a theatre logistic regiment, they are expected to drive supplies over long distances up to about 750 miles.

"The test here is being able to deploy ourselves, sustain ourselves and recover ourselves in good order looking after the supplies that we’re moving," he explains.

After the marathon drive to Germany, the Gurkha squadron will be training on the Canadian prairie.

Next year the unit will be held at readiness for any unexpected missions.