Update on last 25 Pdr. Shoot from the Garrison group

The guys from the Garrison group were there on the day (and at the night shoot the previous night).  Good report on the last shoot and some photograhs.

http://www.thegarrison.org.uk/events/viewEvent.php?year=2009&dir=The%20Last%20Firing%2025pdrs%20in%20Europe

ATEx 2010 – Short Report

 

 

Adjust Fire Video

Our Annual Training Exercise provided the setting for an integrated 2 Eastern Brigade combined arms live firing exercise. 62 RAR Advance party took over Coolmoney on Saturday and prepared the way for arrival of the rest of the Regiment at lunchtime. Then it was straight into training and preparation for arrival of the 2 Eastern Brigade PDF units. Tuesday saw the start of a 36 hour ex which included night firing illum in support of the Infantry support weapons shoot (60’s, 81’s, .5’s and Mags). This was completed from the 2 FAR 120 Mortar Battery position due to the disposition of the other units in the ex – so all crews from the other 120mm mortar batteries rotated through this position (East of Stranaheely field). Wednesday saw first round at 0700 hrs to start target recording in prep for h-hour later that afternoon. 3 * 120mm Mortar Batteries and 1 * 105mm Gun Battery were provided by the Arty (62 and 2 Regiments), including a fully operational FSCC. Integrated into the fire plan were 81’s, 60’s, .5’s, Mags and Anti Armour.

HQ and 1 Bty provided composite 120mm Mortar battery located in Keoghs forward. 2 & 3 Bty provided composite 120mm Mortar battery located in Coan. FOO teams (2 from 62 RAR and1 from 2 FAR)  located in Stranaheeley.

2 & 3 Composite 120mm Battery – Coan ATEx 2010

2&3 Bty Mortar Race – Winners ATEx 2010 – DC is Cpl Kane

120mm Mortar Night Firing EX

120mm Mortar Night Firing EX

120mm Mortar Night Firing EX

120mm Mortar Night Firing EX

Target Area – View through the Laser – Lwr WFall in bottom right.

81mm Mortar Illum

120mm Mortar Illum

Bty Rest

1 Bty ATEx 2010

Members of the superimposed battery

120mm Mortar Smoke fire mission

120mm Mortar HE Fire mission

HQ & 1 Bty – Battery Front

Capt Ray Kearns – Last Time to take the Flag down.

Ammo drop

Happiness is…

Air defence

Pics from Annual Training Exercise 120mm Night Shoot

Some pics from Normandy with Canadian Gunners

 

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Look for the photo of the lads with Lt. Gareth Webb, who was the GPO with the 25 Pdr. Battery in Normandy that deployed our Gun!

Recruitment Video – populated by pers from 62 Reserve Artillery Regiment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mIwKWiV_E4&NR=1

ATEx 2009 – Short Report

All Bty’s were on 36 hr ex. One of the batteries came in off the ground at 2400 hrs due to ‘inclement’ weather, and are now known as the ‘wet battery’. Not saying which battery it was, but they were using mortar boards to plug holes in their tents.  Other highlights were visits by COS and GOC, and return visit by GOC to view the shoot. All OP’s deployed across the front of Cemetry Hill with FDC to the rear. Last 25 Pdr round was fired by 2 Bty. This, technically is the last 25 Pdr round fired by a Reserve Regiment. Fentons was visited.

The business end: 

• HQ bty conducted regimental survey, deployed a fully operational FDC, and co-ordinated a multi battery Fire Plan (no 2 and no 3 Bty’s).
• 1 Bty – formal 25 Pdr deployment followed by quick actions in the area of the Island.
• 2 Bty – Formal 25 Pdr deployment in Stranaheely field, 2 IN shoots, 1 Laser Point mission, 1 * 3 target quick fire plan with an impromptu, 1 IN in support of Cav Fire Power demo (new 30mm MOWAG cannon), participation in FDC controlled 2 Tgt Fire Plan, Impromptu target engaged by Bty FOO.
• 3 Bty, 120mm RUAG Mortar formal deployment behind Camara, with series of IN shoots, point det and airburst, participation in FDC controlled fire plan.

 

Last 25 Pdr Shoot

2 Regiment provided the setting for the last 25pdr shoot. Having fired the weapons in the morning as part of their live firing exercise, they vacated the gun position to allow new crews man the guns. Gun position was forward of Keoghs house. A 6 gun battery was formed with a crew from each of the 3 Permanent and 3 Reserve regiments. 62 RAR gun crew was commanded by BS Paddy O’Shea. The target for an 8 round expend ammo final fire for effect was the Octagonal field on a bearing of approx 1600, elevation of approx. 260 with a 200m sheaf pattern. Last round was ceremoniously fired by a gun crew comprising D Arty, OC Arty School, and RSM Arty School. Food for the troops on the ground was as per tradition – Chicken Curry!

Thanks to John and Ger Gibson for the photos.

Also check out  http://www.riv.co.nz/rnza/tales/last25.htm for an interesting ‘Last 25 Pounder Round’ story from the Kiwi Gunners.

Other links of interest:

http://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/news/mullingar/articles/2009/08/04/390013-final-shots-fired-in-the-glen-/

http://www.herald.ie/national-news/going-out-with-a-bang-1848124.html

http://www.wicklowpeople.ie/news/final-shoot-out-1853212.html

http://dynamic.rte.ie/av/230-2587961-320-180.smil

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/kevin-myers/creatures-of-the-night-that–explode-in-murderous-rage-1849916.html

 

25 pdr last round – Effect

25pdr last round – shot

62 RAR Gun Crew – Last 25 Pdr shoot

62 RAR Gun Crew – Last 25 Pdr shoot – Shot

Big Ol

Cancel at my Command

Chief Of Staff – Tree Planting

Director of Artillery – Comdt Gibson (62 RAR) – Comdt Campion (2 FAR)

Director of Artillery speech

Digger and Stewy

Expend Ammo

Heli 105 approach

heli over camara

heli over stranaheley

John D and the Guinger

Peter O Brien (Kevin Myers in the photo?)

Comdt Sean Reilly (62 RAR)

The guys from Mullingar

you’ll never be a captain sir

Unit History

If anyone has any stories or anecdotes  from 6th or 7th Regiments, we’d like to collect them before the get lost! A sort of oral history. These are all stories we’ve heard many times from someone ‘who was there’…but never got them on record. If you can take the time to write them out and email to info:62regiment.ie…please do. We’ll collect them and you never know…we might even publish them (with names changed to protect the guilty!).

MCVI Show Curragh 2009

Jim Smith from the Military Vehicle Club of Ireland has invited us again this year to take part in their annual show at the Curragh Racecourse. Last years show resulted in 35 recruitment leads (15 passed to other Brigade units) and an interview on Kildare FM so its a no brainer to attend this year once we get clearance. As always its free entry to OAP’s and ex and serving members of DF. If last years format is followed, along with the Club’s many and varied vehicles, expect Aer Corps, Mowag, EOD etc. as well. Dates are 9th and 10th May. Photographs of last years show available here:  http://www.62regiment.net/photo_player_flash.html