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ETlIHE JROYAL JOUIRAL DECEMBER 1997 VOL 111 NO 3 / Guidelines for Authors The Editor is always pleased to consider articles for publication in the Journal. Subject. Articles should have some military engineering connection but this can be - " fairly tenuous, especially if an article is well written and interesting. Length. Approximately 4500 words plus illustrations. / J Copy. Ideally one copy of the text should be submitted, together with a head and shoulders photograph of the author plus a short pen picture. Clearance. Articles must be cleared by an author's CO where applicable. Computers. Articles submitted on 32in discs, or through the e-mail (see bottom opposite page for address), are very welcome. Please ensure that text is typed with no formatting, ie LH justified only, and please NO caps-only headings - all upper and lower case. Copyright. If an article has been published elsewhere before being submitted to the Institution, copyright clearance must be sought by the author; where necessary copyright clearance on photographs, maps or illustrations must also be obtained prior to submission. Phlotographs should be of good quality with sharp definition, and don't forget to add appropriate captions. Please do not submit laser/photo copies of photographs x for publication. : Rewards can be generous. The Publications Committee has about £350 in prize money to allot for each issue plus valuable annual prizes. All authors receive £20 to help cover costs. \\E/ / J j Pseudonyms will not be revealed by the / -- Editor under any circumstances. M inim u m Meta Contributions should reach the Editor by: M i ne De t e c t r 9 Februaryfor the April 1998 issue Early Junefor the August 1998 issue Guartel Limited | Early Octoberfor the December 1998 issue Phone +44 0181 896 0222 Submissions before the deadline Fax +44 0181 896 0333lcome. are particularly welcome. - - . INSTITUTION OF ROYAL ENGINEERS Established1875 Incorporatedby Royal Charter 1923 Patron: HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN Chief Royal Engineer: General Sir John Stibbon KCB OBE COUNCIL PRESIDENT Major General A D Pigott CBE... 1997 VICE PRESIDENT Major General K J Drewienkiewicz ... 1997 Colonel C W Pagan MBE TD... 1997 MEMBERS Ex Officio EinC(A) Brigadier I D T McGill ADC D Engr Sp Brigadier K M Cima D Mil Svy Brigadier P R Wildman OBE Comd Engr LAND Brigadier D R Bill Comdt RSME Brigadier D R Burns OBE Regt Col Colonel I M Tait Col RE MCMD Colonel A A Peebles CRE 3 (UK) Division Colonel R C Hendicott MBE Elected Colonel M B Mounde MBE 1995 Colonel C W Pagan MBE TD 1997 Colonel M J Payne 1997 Lieutenant Colonel B H Stafford BEM 1995 Lieutenant Colonel J D Wootton MBE 1995 Lieutenant Colonel E J N Brookes TD 1997 Major A Keeley 1997 Coopted (non-voting) Corps RSM Warrant Officer Class I G Lakey Secretary Colonel M R Cooper 1994 Treasurer Lieutenant Colonel R F Wilsher 1996 Corresponding Members Colonel P Lilleyman MBE, BLO Fort Leonard Wood, USA Lieutenant Colonel M S Norbury, BLO Pionierschule, Munich Lieutenant Colonel J D Beaumont, BLO Engineer School, Angers Major M J Cox, Exchange Appointment, Australian SME Captain N S Carson, Exchange Appointment, Canadian SME BUDGET, INVESTMENTS, MEMBERSHIP, SCHOLARSHIP, MEMORIAL AND PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE Chairman Colonel C W Pagan MBE TD Vice-Chairman Colonel I M Tait Members Colonel A R M Wilson Colonel R C Hendicott MBE Colonel A A Peebles Colonel M J Payne Colonel I S Mercer CBE Lieutenant Colonel J D Wootton MBE Major A Keeley Warrant Officer Class I G Lakey Secretary Colonel M R Cooper Treasurer Lieutenant Colonel R F Wilsher INSTITUTION OF ROYAL ENGINEERS' STAFF Secretary: Colonel M R Cooper Tel: ATN 766 (BT 01634 842669/82) 2298. Assistant Secretary: Mrs J D Scanlan Tel: ATN 766 (BT 01634 842669/82) 2299. Administrative Officers: Mrs M Bassett/Mrs J Ellender Tel: ATN 766 (BT 01634 82) 2298. Fax: ATN 766 (BT 01634 82) 2397 e-mail: inst-royal-engrs.demon.co.uk All correspondence in connection with editorialmatters should be addressedto the Secretary, Institution of Royal Engineers, Ravelin Building, Brompton Barracks, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4UG The Institution of Royal Engineers is Registered as a Charity Number 249882 Editorial As many readers will know, the Institution has point you in the right direction for your first or been conducting a review of its role. The report of next computer buy. And if you think you are too the working party, which took account of the old to start now, let me tell you that the author of comments from members in response to the notice the article is over 80 years old! in the August 1997 Supplement, was taken by the The shift in focus from combat engineering to Council at its meeting in November. A digest of construction engineering has been much in the report will be published in the April 1998 issue evidence in recent years. Lest we not forget our of the Journal. combat engineering role, The Close Support The high standard of articles in the Journal is Engineer Squadron and Batus Training - A frequently commented on by the Publications Squadron Commander's Perspective reminds us Committee and by many members of the of the importance of battle procedures and battle Institution, both serving and retired. It is all credit communications in war-fighting operations. It is to those who write them, for which everyone can ironic that the only training ground used for be thankful. The correspondence section is now formation level exercises by British Army units is beginning to fill out reflecting an increase in now in Poland, a former Warsaw Pact country. thought-provoking articles, which after all is one Potable water has often been a critical of the main purposes of the Journal. commodity in campaigns fought by the British The theme of landmines continues. Frankenstein's Army. Hi-Tech Stockings - Membranes in Monster traces the historical use of mines whilst a Drinking Water Production gives an insight into letter in the correspondence section reflects a more the latest technology used by the Sappers to purify contemporary view. As this is such an important water. With critical water shortages forecast in subject, I hope others will be prompted to contribute parts of the UK, future developments in to the debate. membrane technology may well have more Old Chestnuts Tossed Across The Pond comes widespread application in commercial production from a past chief instructor at the Royal School of in the future. Military Engineering and reinforces the impor- The 250th Anniversary of Military Survey has tance and primacy of management, and not been marked by several events including the technical expertise, in engineering project work. granting of the title "Royal" to the School of The new President of the Institution of Civil Military Survey, the granting of the Freedom of Engineers, Sir Alan Cockshaw, emphasized this Newbury to the Corps and the presentation of the point recently in his inaugural address and went on Royal Geographic Society Medal to Military to stress the importance of what he called the Survey. GeographicSupport to the Anned Forces holistic approach to engineering, of examining a - Military Survey's 250-Year History is a tribute concept in whole-life terms from every angle with to this most important and increasingly high-tech all interested parties contributing in partnership, branch of the Corps. and to apply value engineering techniques to There are several historical articles which you will achieve quality results. This can only be achieved enjoy. A Belgium Spring is a good read, which like by good, innovative management practice in any good story must be read through from begin- which, in this day and age, computer technology ning to end. I would also draw your attention to plays such an an important part. Ironbridge - FirstStructure of the Mechanical Age. For the increasing number of members who are If art and engineering seem strange bedfellows, this becoming computer literate, Daughters of Leo article may persuade you otherwise. may help to steer you away from potential prob- I wish you all good reading. Have a very merry lems which can catch out the unwary, and could Christmas and a happy New Year. 194 ISSN 0035-8878 THE ROYAL ENGINEERS JOURNAL © Published in April, August and December by the Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4UG Printedby MPG Rochester Limited, Neptune Close, Medway City Estate, Frindsbury, Rochester, Kent, ME2 4LT Volume 111 December 1997 No 3 Contents 1 EDITO RIAL .................................................................................................................................................... 195 2 FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER, Mike Croll ........................................................................................ 196 3 A TALE FROM WAZIRISTAN, Brigadier R A Lindsell MC ............................................................................ 201 4 A BELGIAN SPRING, Donald F Cooper OBE ................................................................................................ 202 5 BEWARE! IT MOSTLY WON'T BE ALL RIGHT ON THE NIGHT! Colonel H A Roland-Price .......................... 207 6 GEOGRAPHIC SUPPORT TO THE ARMED FORCES - MILITARY SURVEY'S 250-YEAR HISTORY, Peter Parkinson, British Geographic Liaison Officer in Washington ...................................................... 210 7 JOURNAL AW ARDS FOR AUGUST 1997 .......................................................................................................... 215 8 THE CLOSE SUPPORT ENGINEER SQUADRON AND BATUS TRAINING A SQUADRON COMMANDER'S PERSPECTIVE,