Saturday, 5 April was as any TA weekend goes, wet and windy, which made the zeroing in of the weapons difficult. When this was finally accomplished, more or less, we went over to our allocated range; there we loaded up.

After being given our lanes, we moved to the 400 metre mark. Then after the word of command we ran like hell down to the 300 metre mark, trying not to fall off the narrow wooden bridges dotted all over the place. We shot twenty rounds at 300 metres - made safe, and prepared to run down to the 200 metre mark. Up popped the target and off we went - running like men possessed. Arrived breathing heavily, weak in the legs and with rain in our faces somehow we managed to focus on our targets and fire ten rounds. Then the final run down to the 100 metre mark. 'Can we make it? Only one more run! 'Targets up' and we're off.  We make the 100 metre mark, sounding like steam trains with everyone trying to catch his breath. We get our last ten rounds off - then back to the start. The scores - they weren't good, nor were they bad - they were, however, unprintable.

Sunday, wet and windy, surprise! surprise! But Sunday, shooting wise was good. But it was a case of who could keep his drink down from Saturday night. There were a few rough-looking faces! Sunday was also the day the Irish Guards knocked spots off us - the scores, Irish Guards: 33, 35, 34, 37 - gentlemen of the London Scottish:- not quite so good, but let us not give too much information away to the Russians!

Papa Tango

Last updated 7th July 2000