We denied the position five 2.15 when we set off for the Bn checkpoint and RV - a long, hard walk, especially for C/S 22 who had two miles to cover before they got to the Coy RV.

The OC moved us into our positions and we started to dig in at last light; and with the arrival of the FFR we laid line! It's no fun at 4 am risking life and limb, laying line along a busy main road, hoping to hell the milk lorries wouldn't trip over it! However, it worked. As we finished, C/S 22 saw and caught two saboteurs on the bridge. We called and Colour Ormiston came and collected them. I went to bed for an hour - BLISS! Woke up, had a wash and shave, cleaned my rifle, met the Brigadier and the Vicar, and after a chat with the OC, I issued lunch.

Wednesday afternoon passed slowly, the only incident being the capture of two or three prisoners. Rumour control was in overdrive - wondering what we would do next and when the exercise would end.

Later that afternoon, 1st Gordons started to pull back across our bridge and 21 and 22 were "stood to". CSgt Elrick was given the task of LO and was very busy keeping tabs on all the vehicles which passed through. As the last one cleared the bridge the enemy attacked, and, although 21 put up good resistance, their position was overrun. However, the enemy could not cross the bridge as it had been blown up. At this point the umpires stopped the war. They informed us that despite fighting gallantly we had lost. So we changed sides and were told that we were going to carry out a mechanised attack on the rest of Bn and 1 Gordons. We piled into the 432s and drove to a "harbour", a most popular move which the lads enjoyed tremendously. There, there was warmth, comfort and light, also coffee and facilities for cooking an evening meal - then a thoroughly relaxing night's sleep.

Up at 0400 next morning we moved off at 0430. Taking part in the attack were the latest Challenger tanks. Over the bumps we went listening to some of the most amazing voice procedure I've ever heard - talk about 'slick'. We attacked and fought with great energy - it's great being lifted straight on to the position - saves all that walking! Here the exercise ended.

After finding some 100 souls, a few of us managed to get to drive the 432s, much to the delight of Sgt Robinson! Breakfast, then back to camp to start the arduous chore of packing up to go home - sweet home!

HUJI KAS

REGULAR Sergeant Majors can walk on water and fly. TA Sergeant Majors can only walk on water, but are willing to learn to fly as WOII Colin Granger of the London Scottish (centre) demonstrates on exercise near Soltau.

Colour Sergeant Jimmy Elrick and WOII Jimmy Schroeder of the Gordon Highlanders, who are Permanent Staff Instructors with G (London Scottish) Company of 1/51 Highland Volunteers, also became invisible when they put on their white arm-bands as umpires during an exercise with 6th Armoured Brigade.

Both Cockney Jocks and Gordon PSIs enjoyed the exercise, particularly as they were working with 1 Gordons and were able to renew friendships with former PSIs such as WOlls Jack Malcolm and Bill Taylor. The Londoners ended up attacking the Highlanders - with the help of the new Challenger Main Battle Tank - when they were suddenly switched to add weight to the enemy's attack, and that added an exciting bonus to a fast-moving exercise involving the full range of Army helicopter support.

Brigade Commander Brigadier Dick Mundell, was delighted with their performance. " 1151 Highland's low- level battlefield discipline was of a very high order indeed and indicates how thoroughly they had prepared for their task," he said.

During their 2-week camp the lads were able to meet Bundeswehr soldiers and watch their training. They also saw for themselves the double horrors of the Nazi concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen and the Iron Curtain, behind which lies a political system which itself uses similar camps throughout the "Gulag Archipelago". It was a salutary reminder for the volunteers of why they were training in, Germany - to be ready to defend peace in Europe.

Gordon Skilling, PIO, Headquarters 3rd Armoured Division, British Forces Post Office 106.