The Unconventional Soldier 148 Battery: Commando Gunners Behind Enemy Lines
CONTENT
On this episode we discuss 148 (Meiktila) Commando Forward Observation Battery Royal Artillery between the early 1960s and the Falklands War in 1982. The unit is specially qualified in calling artillery, naval gunfire and airstrikes to support 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines and UK Special Forces. They are experts in covert insertion, patrols behind enemy lines, concealment, encrypted communications and battle damage assessment in all environments.
Members of 148 Battery took part in operations in the Malay Peninsula 1963-66, Borneo 1963-66, the Radfan in 1964 and in Aden at various times between 1960 and 1967. It was scheduled for disbandment when Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands in April 1982 but its performance during the war essentially stopped this in its tracks.
GUEST
Our guest is Brum Richards who served the majority of his military career in 148 whose naval gunfire role can be traced back to The Combined Operations Bombardment Units (COBUs) that provided fire direction for ships in shore bombardment in World War 2.
Brums experiences as a Commando Gunner were quite unique encompassing the withdrawal from empire in the 60s and closing with the Operation CORPORATE the name given to the operation to retake the Falklands islands. This is the first of two podcasts with the second on 148 Battery operations in the Falklands.
DESERT ISLAND DITS
On Desert Island dits Brum's book choice is The Times Complete History of the World by Richard Overy. His film choice is The Great Escape. The teams book choice this episode are Brothers in Arms: One Legendary Tank Regiment's Bloody War from D-Day to VE-Day by James Holland and Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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