BRITISH ARMY: Fighting Patrol (1985)

[@badgertheskinnycow]

Lots of people have questioned the year this film was made because of the use of SA80. That's understandable because the SA80 was not issued in 1985. However, this film was finished in 1985 and was almost certainly made in 1983 -1984. The troops in the film are from the Warminster based Infantry Demonstration Battalion (IDB), using kit supplied by ITDU (Infantry Trials and Development Unit) which was part of the School of Infantry. My unit, 1 WFR (Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment), took over duties there in 1984 (from the Royal Welch Fusiliers - who are the troops in this film) so this film was made in 1983 or early 1984. You can tell this because the webbing is 1983 Pattern trials equipment, the helmets have the trials chin strap and the LSWs are the late trials versions. One of the tasks of the IDB was to work with IDTU and to take part in the filming of training films and films for manufactures of military equipment.

[@grimreavers]

Yea I was in in 85 and we had beloved SLR 😅

[@IO-zg8md]

@@grimreavers and the less beloved SMG

[@daveleah777]

I was in 2 RGJ Warminster 86/88,, we were issued the first SA 80s in 86 if memory serves me right, never liked the rifle.

[@RalphBrooker-gn9iv]

I wondered. All commanders on the ground (so all brick commanders inc. PC & P/Sgt) in South Armagh on my tour 1987 were issued with AR-15s. Tons still carried SLRs. I had used the AR-15, the now infamous civvy version of Colt M-16, earlier (COP, all personnel, Co. Fermanagh, early 1982.) The reason was extra firepower, lighter weight, and barrel concealment. Brick gunners still used either LMGs or GPMGs. Worth pointing out that this excellent video about patrol orders and rehearsals which is fully drilled into the skill sets of JNCO on Potential NCO cadre and again on Junior Brecon. In my day SAS troopers had to (or volunteered to) do Junior Brecon. One reason I heard was in case the trooper RTU’d. But there’s another reason. Exactly this detailed, lengthy and tiring process is used by Brit SF for their seemingly crazy odds-against ops at which they excel. Great skills. Infantry 👌

[@marcwinter6619]

My old man was in the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters went to Belize he loved over there he did.

[@SimDeck]

Great stuff. I served for 10 years in The Royal Green Jackets. I used Spyglass in Northern Ireland on some patrols. I once had a wasp go down my body armour and sting the fek out of me all over my chest while in an OP using Spyglass. That's about as good as my war stories get. Thanks for posting.

[@stevebelam2378]

😂What Btn ? I was 1RGJ , the Original 1st

[@cwftft4273]

Not bad for 10 years! 😂

[@Fighting_Fatigue_117]

You could say you got stung like a bee.

[@declanmurphy6427]

In Ireland we call them Volunteer Wasps. 😃😜😂🤣😀😄😀😂😂😃💩🇬🇧⚰️Tiochfaidh ár lá 🇮🇪

[@patrickoneill2726]

Did it say what's the crack before it stung you ?

[@johnho2006]

i can only say for me, it was a great time, and simply a joy that some one has posted the video of a great army , thank you Mike Guardia

[@DaveSCameron]

Thanks again Mr Guardia, wonderful documentation of #OurHistory ☘️

[@MasterOfNothing83]

Listen to 16.08 onwards. Great closing lines. Thanks for the video. Blue Red Blue.

[@PaddyInf]

A few people stating it couldn't be 85 due to the SA80. The weapon was agreed for use by this stage but wasn't on full issue. Training materials and videos incorporated it early ready for its introduction.

[@mattfinch3895]

I don't think it's 85. And I was serving then.

[@tonycavanagh1929]

Yes I noticed that.

[@PaddyInf]

@mattfinch3895 It was the Infantry Demonstration Bn at Warminster who did these vids. They got all the new weapons and kit before they went out for issue. That's why the LSW looks different for example.

[@OoohAaah6603]

Sure the royal Anglians got it in 84

[@clkbateman]

The night vision scope is a Rank Pullin SS80 IWS But the footage they showed looking through the night vision isnt of that particular scope but of 3 stage cascade sight, either Image intensified L4A1" TWIGGY"or a Image intensified L1A1 / L1A7 IWS. The large output image were best suited for filming equipment and the 3 stage tube produced a clean crisp image albeit very large and heavy. The Thermal imager used is a "Thorn EMI, Imager Thermal Hand Held" which needed an air bottle on the side to keep the sensor cool. Trivia: this imager was used as a prop in the 1986 film Aliens The images were mounted onto the Sentry Guns.

[@CL-vz6ch]

Love this sort of comment.

[@Nouta-j8d]

Was class to watch this my dad was in the British Army during this time so would have been doing similar things I'd imagine.he was a Light Machine Gunner. Sadly passed away 2 years ago but managed to get my hands on his Photo album from his time in the Army. Photos of him and my Uncle ( they where in the same regiment) in Germany Patroling threw a forest in the snow on Scramblers and a photo of them both in the same forest having a piss 😅😅 and plenty more gems!😅

[@Fighting_Fatigue_117]

Wow, that sounds like a hell of an experience! Luckily the Soviets never crossed the border (that we know of) I know what it's like to lose your Dad! Just last night I had nightmares about it all, it happened in February this year. I wish I had his confidence and sheer determination to overcome all the shit that got flung his way! Things will never be the same without him, and I'm trying my best to find my way. God rest our father's souls ❤.

[@Nouta-j8d]

@@Fighting_Fatigue_117 Still very fresh mate that's why, It will be hard try get out surround yourself with good people, talk about it more often to mate even here for instance is a great thing to do. It destroyed me to and took alot for me not to go off the rails but, People say time is a heeler but I just think time makes you not cry about it but I do now think more about the good things that me and my dad rather than him not being here!. Hope you get to the other end of the tunnel mate ❤️

[@tonycavanagh1929]

I remember watching all these. Who noticed the SA80 and not SLRs. Around 1985 we were still using the SLR. I thought they started coming in, in 1987

[@richarddepledge960]

Very early SA80days. Thermal imagery was a godsend if operator was good with it. Air bottles a pain in the arse. No sign of fixed bayonets for assault group. The narrators voice took me back over 40years. SSVC videos. Used to love em. Corny but generally excellent training aids.

[@geezerp1982]

No need for bayonets if all are issued with pistols and fighting knife

[@readyupad]

They showed us a British Army training film called "Mine Strike!" before we went to Iraq in 2003. It was almost like an actual war movie. I've always wanted to watch it agin, if anyone knows where I can find it please let me know.

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

It was interested and thrilled watching 👀 documentary..thank you (Mike Guardia) channel for sharing...the training and practical reflected long experiments of the British royal army around the world, especially in Europe, forest. It's focused on un suspected concentrated fire power, decisively Mortars or Artillery bombarding... and mor manpower assault...in pas Iraq army hadn't such details . Thank you for sharing

[@steveforster9764]

I watched this on my Potential NCOs carder Sennybridge in 1986

[@raftonpounder6696]

Cadre

[@barukkazhad8998]

Hardest thing I ever did in my life ...mind you it was the training teams last one together and they made it proper hard ...70% rtu

[@Wellzie524]

Might be nearly 40 years old but the tactics and information still works for today

[@Grimenoughtomaketherobotcry]

Dunno. All that "rehearsing" would be of intense interest to enemy drones, one would think.

[@ukraine_tbic]

No mention of fire support. This is suicidal really.

[@barukkazhad8998]

If only we had drones

[@thomashawk21]

@@ukraine_tbicask the nazis how it went then ask 2 thirds off the known world how it went for them

[@geezerp1982]

today , briefing would be in at an army base, with computer screens , google maps, satalite etc. advanced comms all the way through the misson. Weapons chosen for the misson by invidual soilders if they are SF.

[@Bobbymaccys]

Anyone else get anxiety seeing the A1 SA80?

[@CL-vz6ch]

Shit... my mag fell out...

[@doonhamer252]

​@@CL-vz6choften...

[@carlteacherman194]

Oh yes...what a piece of crap at the time.

[@Beauloqs]

😂😂 yes 1987 was not a good year for us.

[@OoohAaah6603]

Royal Anglians got issued it in 84

[@henukabandara]

I'm your 1k like

[@marksimpson4975]

I remember the tactics well … but this can’t be 85, we 16:33 didn’t start replacing SLR until 87ish! I did both BT and commissioning in 86 / 88 and both the L1A1!

[@badgertheskinnycow]

These are troops at Warminster Infantry Demonstration Battalion, using kit supplied by ITDU. We, 1 WFR, took over there in 1984 (from the Royal Welch Fusiliers - who are in this film) so this film was made in 1983 or early 1984. You can tell this because the webbing is 1983 Pattern trials equipment and the SA80s are early versions.

[@stevebelam2378]

As 1RGJ We had the change over from SLR to SA80 in Osnabrook in 1987

[@petemcphee2]

That had me guessing the year..... Old 58 pattern combat uniform, sa80s, prototype LSWs and mk6 helmets..... In 86 I was in JL battalion with SLR, 58 pattern webbing and tin lid but we were in the cheaper lightweight DPM.... The ones with the ridiculous map pockets that could take a mess tin 😅

[@CL-vz6ch]

The ones that you could NEVER iron flat?!

[@shaunoakman5609]

Nice to have a 66 as back up, earned their keep down south in 82

[@barukkazhad8998]

"Too much to do and too little time to do it in "....so true

[@wessexheathen5708]

The same guy was used to do the commentary for all these films. I think it was someone famous but i cant place his voice.

[@jimmyoconnell6167]

I was still in the paras in 85

[@daffidkane8350]

1985? We were the first to get SA 80s and that was 1987!

[@icestationzebra446]

Could somebody please explain the acronyms in the video? FR, FRV, DF, etc.Thanks!

[@tonybutterworth9136]

Don't listen to the Officer as he'll get You unalived , Just do what Your section commander says .

[@philippash1046]

Good explanations. But too little cam applied on the back of hands - both day & night. Also one of my ongoing criticisms of the L85 SA80 is that all weapons are pointed to the left during movement - as it is only fired from the right shoulder.

[@icantthinkofausername2605]

To be fair most weapons will be pointed right regardless of weapon since there's very few left handed people If you look at a video of american patrols, for instance, you'll scarcely see a left-pointed weapon despite their m4s being quite capable of it It's also a bit of an exaggeration to say it's only fired from the left shoulder - it can be fired from either, just with a slightly different stance to avoid a smack in the teeth

[@philippash1046]

You mean pointed left ? Yank patrols - possibly, but they have a choice ! The British Army wanted a "bull pup" design from the end of WW2 with the EM2 etc, but concurred with USA & NATO standardisation - that went badly, when the Yanks changed their minds ! I quote from one of my favourite American military arms experts site ... " ..... The most obvious tactical problem of the SA80 series weapons is one shared by almost every bullpup design, and few conventional ones. Namely, it cannot safely be fired from the left shoulder. Doing so almost guarantees a face-full of hot brass, especially in burst fire. The SLR manual said that in MOBUA, to shoot around a right-handed corner of a structure, transfer the SLR to the right shoulder, thereby minimizing your exposure to the enemy. The SA80 series’ solution? Take two steps OUT from the corner and continue as usual. I’m sure the Taliban and Co. appreciate that bit of drill on the part of Her Majesty’s Forces. Any "bullpup" weapon should eject its empties straight down or straight forward. ......" www.forgottenweapons.com/british-l85a1-at-the-range-will-it-work/ @@icantthinkofausername2605

[@icantthinkofausername2605]

@@philippash1046 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGS8poKOhNSGmJo Just one example of the l85 being shot from both shoulders. Perhaps it was never done with the a1, perhaps forgotten weapons made a mistake. My money is on the former, since the a1 had a different cocking handle and therefore ejected the casings more inconsistently and further back. Either way I'd trust the actual training the troops go through over an American's blog post I do love forgotten weapons though

[@PaddyInf]

​@philippash1046 This has always been more of a theoretical issue than a practical one. In reality, you inevitably see troops with weapons that are supposedly ambidextrous using the right shoulder only regardless of the tactical situation. Plus, in the last 4 decades of using the weapon, there have been no reported casualties resulting from not being able to fire from the left.

[@philippash1046]

Good video "Ican". SASC instructor doing great instruction in CQB range - assume in Afghan ? ....... However ...... a great example of my point ! Looking carefully, I do see the SA80 rifleman @ 1.56 changing shoulders, but only to LOOK through his sights and not expose his body .... but NOT firing ! At about 2.53, his oppo has his rifle in the left shoulder and firing two rounds - seen looking over the rifle - watch the ejected rounds fly back ? BUT ... that rifle is an M16 derivative .... possible a 7.62mm L129A1 ..... see the mag ahead of the trigger guard ! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGS8poKOhNSGmJo @@icantthinkofausername2605

[@discobriscoe5880]

Great vid and to be honest there is very little difference to how we did it when i was in (2008-2019)

[@SpookyFox1000]

Always proud of our boys !

[@andybrown9427]

Warning- Contains images of an officer with a map.

[@CL-vz6ch]

The full screw's helmet cover wasn't pulled right down. He needs the bigger "outsize" one.

[@barukkazhad8998]

😂😂😂

[@onajourney2072]

The principles of good soldiering remain and here in this video is bread and butter stuff, but without a basic standard of good infantry fitness and comms' the fighting patrol is useless. Thankfully, we are seeing a decent demo here. Thanks. Ex BAOR Spr.

[@alangordon3283]

It’s odd seeing the LSW like that.

[@thebelfastvikingmartinbrow3603]

I was still using the SLR in 85 lol

[@exmoorfarmer4880]

Interesting video. 400 rounds of link for each Gimpy doesn't sound a lot. Never heard a shot fired in anger but would have thought 1000 per Gimpy would have been more like it. Nice to see some proper DPM though!

[@badgertheskinnycow]

3000 7.62 link weighs 180 pounds (82Kg) or 82 bags of sugar if you will.

[@exmoorfarmer4880]

@badgertheskinnycow yep, which is why every man involved in the attack would carry a minimum of 200 rounds of link and drop it off at the fire support group position while moving through to their form up point. I know it's only a training video, but 400 rounds won't suppress much for very long. Sorry to be a nause!!!

[@simonrichardson5203]

Yea 400 rounds is 1 minutes worth on rapid ( SF ) but light role I don't know

[@liverpoolirish208]

@@simonrichardson5203 100 rpm on rapid in the light role, but only 200 rpm rapid in SF. Remember the barrel change is every 200 rounds.

[@simonrichardson5203]

@@liverpoolirish208 400 rapid 200 deliberate in SF

[@Fighting_Fatigue_117]

Man I miss the cadets so much, I wish I didn't have to leave but I had my reasons, although it wasn't a decision I made with ease.

[@MC14may]

Not 85 as I converted from SLR to SA80 in 88.

[@archstanton6310]

HATS

[@CL-vz6ch]

Helmets.

[@garagenigel]

They were still showing this video 25 years ago when i joined up 😂

[@dodgydruid]

I remember this fillm, we had to watch it then watch it again before going out on exercise in Pippingford Park. Nice to see the decent 68 and 84 issue kit still around, whilst the 90 stopgap wasn't too bad the s95 sh*te wasn't worth wiping ones bottle and glass on and I do feel for 'em today with them scruffy boots and scruffy thin uniforms, give me a 68 any day.

[@dodgydruid]

My oldest kit is a 61 heavy flak jacket aka what they used in the Sweeney and oldest boots are my much cared for ammo's with the round hobnails and steel fore and aft, sound like an invasion wearing them old beauties, my second "go to" set is a pair of Austrian special forces NATO issue, far far superior to the British s95 boots, steel toe, steel heel cap, cushioned ankle zone, steel plate from toe to heel, made from a much thicker hide and have squared toe ends for climbing assist and double thick screw on soles. Paid £15 for them a good while back and never let me down.

[@philsosshep4834]

Sa80 1985 ?

[@danielw5850]

I saw them, the webbing (PLCE) and Warrior at the School of Infantry, that year.

[@philsosshep4834]

@@danielw5850 I'll take your word for it as I was royal engineers and still did basic with SLR and LMG but that's normal for RE always getting everything last

[@danielw5850]

@@philsosshep4834 I was attached to a Sqn. of RE, for an Exercise. Your sentiment was precisely what was said, then; loved the LMG!

[@bluenoel33]

We didn't have the SA80 in 1985, was around 88 before they started to trickle out

[@wodens-hitman1552]

I left the artillery in 1992 and never held one. It was the SLR and LMG for me

[@alangordon3283]

It was out before that

[@robbrownfield7677]

Depended in the unit. Infantry, RM and RAF Regt were kitted by 1987, remaining army units by 1990 and TA units by 1993. I had the strange experience of being taught with the SLR, having a SA80 when I joined battalion, then back to an SLR after leaving and joining a TA regiment before finally getting an SA80 once more 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@bluenoel33]

@@robbrownfield7677 with none susat.

[@demobbed688]

The unit in this film is 1 RWF. They were Infantry Demo Battalion at around the time this was filmed and probably got all the gucci kit first.

[@stuartprentice272]

85? I joined 88 and we had 58 not PLCE and just got the SA80.

[@CL-vz6ch]

PLCE came in about 92? The green stuff?

[@Beauloqs]

Fighting patrol, with a spud gun 😂😂, what are you going after the family naafi

[@notreallydavid]

Easy as that.

[@ThePuschkin1986]

listening to the narrator describing the plans for the nighttime action I keep hearing plans about grabbing Pilate's wife and issueing demands...

[@notreallydavid]

One of the many jobs I'd be useless at. If I had a hat, I'd take it off to those who do green suit stuff.

[@garethgriffiths8577]

Contact wait out

[@5732noel]

Classic! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@dulls8475]

mid 80s with the helmet cover not fitting.....

[@michaelingram8056]

Maybe some former soldiers can clarify this: I was listening to the instructions given to the last bit of that patrol (ie the FRV and the attack). It all seemed extraordinarily overly-complicated, overly detailed - how the hell would anyone remember all of it?

[@dulls8475]

We didnt.

[@simonrichardson5203]

Those are shitty looking LSW's glad they changed them

[@alexlanning712]

Very Pukka

[@corruption999]

God help the British forces if they ever come to 🇷🇺

[@budte]

Hahahaha. Thanks for the laugh.

[@ObviousTroll2016]

No Kyiv?

[@rymic72]

Ahh, yes, since Russian soldiers and tactics always perform so terribly well 🙄.

[@CL-vz6ch]

Please, no more jokes.

[@darrenfarrell-bn2cb]

That Didn’t Work For Them That Time In Northern Ireland, Good Tactics Recce Wise , But They Have Never Seemed To be Able To Beat Gorilla War Far, Only Back From Afghanistan, Lost Their Bolox There Too. Feel Sorry For Loss Of Life On Both Sides, But Gorillas Seem To Beat Them All The Time. ( Not Political I’m Just Mounting My Views )

[@notreallydavid]

guerillas! Gorillas are something else.

[@notreallydavid]

No need for caps, d. All best.

[@darrenfarrell-bn2cb]

@@notreallydavid Fair Enough , iPhone Spelling For Me Again But You Gathered What Was Trying To Say. They Recce everything, But Still Don’t get Their Overall Objective Accomplished, when They Invade.

[@notreallydavid]

@@darrenfarrell-bn2cb I did! And I agree. All best.

[@alangordon3283]

And their bollocks views straight from your arse.

[@TheBlightedStreamer]

Craziest part of timings is, like during ww2, when you have artillery fire scheduled at the same time everyday for the same amount of time and those leaders wonder why the nazis never died but suddenly reapered as the artillery stopped 😂 baffling to me that they truly thought precise timely artillery fire would work in a war followed by the trench assault..or walking across no man's land into machinegun fire because your using text book training with muskets 🤦‍♂️ many good men died due to being good subordinates to textbook apes

[@dulls8475]

What are you on about? If you note the film is in colour and thus post World War 1.

[@TheBlightedStreamer]

Well done. You missed the point entirely because your intelligent but unwise. Meaning you will decieve yourself before you realise your mistake because your intelligent so ofocurse what you thought is right right and I'm wrong? Because you lacked the understanding of what I said.. what I'm saying is in a real war you can have all these times and we'll do this at that time and they'll come in and do this. War doesn't work like paperwork. A unit must be able to have a directive with no plan you improvise the entire attack and utilise the means in reality at each stage. Otherwise you'll be thinking about the plan when the plan isn't capable of becoming reality. And what I meant by comment is if you schedule artillery and them send troops over the trench. You've created an orchestrated timed routine schedule that the enemy know and have learned. Where as sudden artillery followed by a rush of men would throw them off they won't know that "right 10AM the British fire artillery for 30mins then send the boys out" the nazis went and had breakfast when the artillery fell and then ran out to man the machine guns when the artillery stopped because that's when the men were out in the open.. and this went on for a long time.. same as the leaders who sent there boys out walking. The leaders who learned that if you jump up and run your ass off as fast and as hard as you can to the next bit of cover you'll eventually get close enough to take out those machine guns..

[@TheBlightedStreamer]

@dulls8475 if my previous comment doesn't appear it's because it mentioned to much truth you would learn.

[@TheBlightedStreamer]

I think it's been shadow banned though as I can't see it but I can see it on my data in KZbin 🤦‍♂️ sorry they don't want you to know.

[@888ssss]

pawns on patrol

[@wodens-hitman1552]

Yawn

[@Matt-uj6jm]

No guys that wanted to join the Army 🤡 keyboard warrior 🤫

[@mortallious1234]

Ignore him, he's like his mother, a troll.

[@coops1964]

Prawns on the shoal?

[@888ssss]

each man fighting desperately for the land of other men. hoping to receive a piece of tin shaped like a medal for their trouble ? @@Matt-uj6jm

[@geezerp1982]

without night vision or weapon lights how did the soilders see the enemy through they sights ??

[@ianbenson21]

COVER fire will only stop when you have the assault group in in your sights only CLEAR... Section commander STRENSALL 88 GREAT DAYS

[@jockstrap]

This is all very one sided. Where is Paddy with his Barret light 50? But all joke on the side, this reminds me of a "Well Planned" OP that The Paras set up in the early hours of the first day of the 1980s new decade , and then shot there commander and his assistant dead , as they were that trigger happy to shoot Paddy any one would do even the C.O . Paddy wasn't even there , he was celebrating New Year in the pub .

[@brokenpotato438]

odd that you only remember engagements where the British failed. I suppose the rest of the troubles never happened, like the Loughall ambush (or was it a massacre? 🤔)

[@dessy76]

@@brokenpotato438 Or Bloody Sunday, The Ballymurphy massacre etc.

[@jockstrap]

Don't be such a stupid Bollocks. You say, I only remember engagements "were" (proper spelling) the British failed. I mention one single thing. You seem to believe that I am aware of every instance in which the British failed, even though I only bring up one incident. You truly are a unique variety of stupid Bull Root. @@brokenpotato438

[@jockstrap]

Hilarious the stupid ball bags January 1980 Tuesday 1 January 1980 item mark Two undercover members of the British Army (BA) were shot dead by other undercover members of the BA while there were setting up an ambush near Forkhill, County Armagh. item mark 1980 1 January 1980 - Simon Bates (23) and Gerald Hardy (18), both British soldiers, were shot dead in error, by other British soldiers while setting up an ambush position near Forkhill.[6] @@dessy76

[@garywiffen4950]

Reminds me of when paddy was down the pub and missed the OP set up for 5 days before the “Loughgall” party.