THERE were dramatic scenes at an army combined arms manoeuvre demonstration.

Live rounds were used during the demonstration at Larkhill Camp yesterday.

The annual Combined Arms Manoeuvre Demonstration took place at Larkhill in front of an invited audience of senior military officers from both the United Kingdom and many foreign Armed Forces.

The demonstration was run by Bulford based 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, supported by local infantry, armoured, artillery and engineer units as well as Apache helicopters from 3 Regiment AAC and an RAF Tornado fighter.

The demonstration was  one of the most realistic and stimulating displays seen on the Plain for many a year.  Huge screens showed the action in real time by using platform mounted cameras able to film out to two kilometres to show the detail of the action.

The demonstration was opened by Major General Patrick Sanders, GOC of Bulford based 3rd UK Division.  “This is designed to show you what best practice looks like min terms of combined arms manoeuvre.  You should come away from today with a clear understanding of the role of both the Battlegroup through Brigade and up to a Division.”

The demonstration began with ‘enemy’ troops dug in in front of the stand and we saw a set piece attack develop beginning with overhead reconnaissance by a Desert Hawk drone flown by 32 Regiment,  a minefield breach by Sappers from 22 Engineer Regiment, with the attacking 1 MERCIAN troops supported by tanks from the Queen’s Royal Hussars and an RAF Tornado.

After the successful assault and a short break,  UK forces occupied to position and were counterattacked by the enemy.  This was the live firing part of the demonstration with155 AS90 guns from 1 RHA firing, 120mm  Challenger 2 main armament, Warrior 30mm cannon, support from Apache helicopters and Javelin and NLAW antitank missiles down to rifles and machine guns of the infantry section.

It was a powerful display of military might and a faultless demonstration and full credit must be given to Lieutenant Colonel Paddy Gin, Commanding Officer of 1 MERCIAN and his men for this excellent performance.