New book on the history of Irish Artillery

A new book has just been published on the history of Irish Artillery.

Its available at  www.mmpbooks.biz/mmp/books.php?book_id=179, and will also be in bookshops at some stage.

‘The story of the artillery used by the armed forces of the Republic of Ireland (Eire), from independence to the present day.’

Irish Artillery Corps since 1922

ATEx 2012 – Short Report

62 Reserve Artiller Regiment mobilised Saturday to Glen Imaal. 2 * 4 Tube RUAG 120mm batteries deployed – co-located at Keogh’s forward. FDC deployed on Cemetry Hill. 2 * Fire Suooprt Teams deployed near Ogham Stone Junction. Series of IN shoots, recorded targets and fire plan including a 4 round fire for effect on last target. The Batteries were then handed over to the Artillery School to fire in support of PDF Standards course. Unfortunately no recruit training occurred as with previous years. Special thanks to the other Brigade units who supported the exercise with security, ransport and medical resources. Photo’s to follow!!

ATEx 2011 – Short Report

All sub units mobilised on Friday evening and took over Coolmoney camp on Friday night. No. 1  Battery, 4 RUAG 120mm Mortars, 1 * deliberate deployment in Stranaheley field followed by 2 quick actions inside the gate at Knickeen fjord and at Leitrim forward. 2 & 3 Battery formed 6 tube battery, deliberate deployment at Leitrim forward, hide position at Ogham Stone, followed by 2 quick actions – one in Stranaheely field and one at Leitrim Forward. FOO and Anchor OP located in Stranaheely forest. The Regiment reported to Cemetry Hill following live firing EX for ceremony and presentation to retiring members. (more details on this later). Recruit training continued through their tactical phase.

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Brigade Assessments 2010

Each of the Reserve Artillery Regiments contributed a FOO team to the Bde Assesments this year. 62 RAR provided an FDC. 31 RAR provided a BC up to 22oo Hrs on saturday when the position was then filled from 62 RAR. While not part of the actual Assesment itself, (the FOO’s were there to allow an assesment of the use of Arty) – it gave the three Regiments an opportunity to work together and exercise in basic FDC processes.

Each of the FOO teams joined their company commanders immediately before moving out of the harbour area to start the EX. All calls for fire were fed through the FDC which was co-located with the Batallion main HQ. On Day 1 the notional resources were 1 * Bty 105mm and 1 * Bty 120mm Heavy Mortars. Calls for fire came in as point platoons were hit up and the Company Commanders requested arty support. A Bty Command Post Ex was also set up and latest version of the Fire Control System put through its paces.

The second day, 2 * Bty of 105 mm were included. Haboured in the AO that night, FOO’s planned defensive fires for their company positions and were mobile next morning at first light as the Companies cleared their respective areas of the remaining pockets of resistance. A fire plan was developed in support, with modification by call sign 11 who was with A company. Bn Tac went mobile with the BC in tow as the ‘battle’ developed.

FDC – Peter

FDC located outside the Bn Main CP C2 Container

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

Comdt. Ger Gibson appointed Regimental 2 I/C

Comdt. Gibson, BC 2 Bty has been appointed to the Regimental 2 I/C position of 62 Reserve Artillery Regiment. This position was left vacant by the retirement of Comdt. Dick Brady.

Historic 5 Bty 25 Pdr…fought in Normandy with the Canadians.

More on this later, but just to whet your appetite…have a look at this: http://www.normandiememoire.com/webcam/junobeach/

In the web cam. select ‘Bunker’…see the 25Pdr?…thats an ex 5 Bty 6 FAR Gun given to the Canadian Artillery by the Irish for their museum in France. The Canadians traced back the serial number and discovered that it landed in Normandy with them. How did we find it? A certain group of Sergeants saw the gun on display while on a trip to Normandy…from a distance noticed the red handles…got a bit curious…suspicions roused…someone saw the bent carrying handle (bent by a certain Cook’s truck)……serial number checked…Identity confirmed….Canadian Artillery Colonel General talked to…GPO who landed with the Gun in 1944 chatted up…Partied with the Canadian Battery that night…VIP invitations to ceremony next day issued…

Photo’s on the way once the 700+ photos that were taken have been sifted through.

Recruitment Video – populated by pers from 62 Reserve Artillery Regiment

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

We’re taking application forms from people interested in joining our Regiment!

If you’re interested in joining 62 Reserve Artillery Regiment, we’re now accepting completed applications forms. Really, its best to drop into us on a Tuesday night and complete the forms with us. Remember to bring a copy of your long birth cert and two passport photos.

Exers! If you have any family members interested in joining, please encourage them to fill in an application form. Much of our recruitment depends on the informal network of current and past members, so please don’t be shy.