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THE ROYAL ENGIINTEEERS JOURNAL DECEMBER 1998 VOL I12 NO 3 - Guidelines for Authors u: The Editor is always pleased to consider 1. 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. 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 3min discs, or through the e-mail as an attached text file, 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. Photographs 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 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. Pseudonyms will not be revealed by the Editor under any circumstances. Contributions should reach the Editor by: Minimum Metal 5 Februaryfor the April 1999 issue Mine Detector First week in June for the Aug 99 issue First week in Octoberfor tle Dec 99 issue Guartel Limited Phone +44 0181 896 0222 Fax +44 0181 896 0333 Submissions before the deadline 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 CB ... 1997 Colonel C W Pagan MBE TD DL ... 1997 MEMBERS Ex Officio EinC(A) Brigadier A E Whitley CBE ADC D Engr Sp Brigadier K H 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 Members Colonel M J Payne 1997 Lieutenant Colonel E J N Brookes TD 1997 Major A Keeley 1997 Colonel G W A Napier 1998 Lieutenant Colonel J F Batty MBE 1998 Lieutenant Colonel C J Rose 1998 Coopted (non-voting) Corps RSM Warrant Officer Class I G Lakey Secretary Colonel M R Cooper 1994 Treasurer Lieutenant Colonel R F Wilsher 1996 CorrespondingMembers Colonel P Lilleyman MBE, BLO Fort Leonard Wood, USA Lieutenant Colonel M S Norbury, BLO Pionierschule, Munich Major 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 DL 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 C J Rose 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. Far: ATN 766 (BT 01634 82) 2397 Email: [email protected] 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 THERE always seems to be an imperative to change April 1997, and brings to it considerable profes- things, often it seems for the sake of it, although sional knowledge of engineering. "Extended there are times when change is necessary because Military Role for Engineers in Bosnia and the facts used to develop concepts and plans have Herzegovina" describes how the work of the Civil altered. In everyday parlance, the goal posts have Affairs Group is being put into practice in the moved. Well, they certainly have as a result of the reconstruction of a war-torn country. Strategic Defence Review, which has set out to "Some thoughts on Wider Peace-keeping and the define more clearly the role of the armed forces in Key Role that Military Engineering Plays" is a the 21st century and to redress some of the imbal- well-researched article by one of our younger offi- ances that exist in its present structure and capabil- cers. We need to encourage more of them to write. ity. There is much to be done to achieve the A bit of persuasion by COs would not go amiss. transition to the new strategy so the time is past Military engineers in countries within Nato have for any new initiatives and let us hope it is "steady always had common bonds which have tran- as she goes" from now on. scended any differences in language and equip- In echoing the words of the incoming president ment. "German Corps of Engineers: New Tasks, of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Roger New Challenges" is an authoritative account of the Sainsbury, in his inaugural address, steady as she way German Engineers have evolved since the goes does not mean standing still. There is a need unification of Germany to meet the new chal- to have time to put into practice the initiatives lenges facing them. We have a lot to learn from already agreed. The philosophers and dreamers each other. have had their day; now it is the turn of the engi- Few Sappers are better known than Gordon, neers to make it all work! Kitchener - and Blashford-Snell! Whilst the latter The concept of close support engineers was is best known for his intrepid expeditions to the far introduced in the 1980s when a possible confronta- comers of the world, both the former captured the tion between Nato and the Warsaw Pact countries imagination of Victorian England with their bril- was still taken seriously. Events since then, notably liant military exploits in far flung outposts of the Gulf War and Bosnia, have shown that the Empire. All are mentioned in this Journal. "The threat of high intensity conflicts is ever present. "Cult" of General Gordon" relates how much "Close Support Engineers Continued" follows up Gordon was revered in his time, whilst the book the article in the August 1998 Journal, the author review of the latest biography of Kitchener is itself making some observations, in his inimitable style, an excellent portrayal of one of the most distin- on close support doctrine based on his considerable guished of all our great military leaders. "The experience gained during a tour at the Combined Kota Mama Expedition 1998", although not about Arms Training Centre and elsewhere. Blashford-Snell, is a tribute to his inspiration and Some of us have a belief that, given sufficient leadership in encouraging young adventurers and funding, emerging technology can crack any prob- young scientists to take on new challenges and lem. Frustratingly, in the field of mine detection, find out more about the world we live in. there appears to be no easy answer. "Developments As the impact of the Strategic Defence Review in Mine Detection", written by a Sapper now makes itself felt, the New Year will no doubt bring working in industry, emphasizes the requirement to more challenges. The Corps is well placed to meet interface technology with the operator on the them, to bring its influence to bear on the Army as ground and also points to the need to have a long a whole (many Sappers are now in key appoint- term and sustained approach to the problem, if ments in the corridors of power) and to go on from there is to be any chance of an effective solution. strength to strength. The RE TA has taken a leading role in forming The editorial staff join me in wishing you all a the new Civil Affairs Group established in very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. 170 ISSN 0035-8878 THE ROYAL ENGINEERS JOURNAL © Published in April, August and December by the Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4UG Printed by Stephens & George Magazines, Goat Mill Road, Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, Mid Glamorgan, CF48 3TD Volume 112 December 1998 No 3 Contents I EDITO RIAL .................................................................................................................................................... 170 2 ENGINEER IN C HIEF ...................................................................................................................................... 172 3 CLOSE SUPPORT ENGINEERS CONTINUED, Major M W Whitchurch MBE ................. ...................................173 4 "THE HEATHEN CHINEE IS PECULIAR", Lieutenant Colonel P O M Chitty MBE ........................................ 181 5 THE "CULT" OF GORDON, M r James Rattue ................................................................................................ 182 6 EXTENDED MILITARY ROLE FOR ENGINEERS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, Major R H Brown TD............190 7 WAR WAS A CROSS TO BEAR, Captain Hugh G S Lock ............................................................................ 198 8 GERMAN CORPS OF ENGINEERS: NEW TASKS, NEW CHALLENGES, Colonel Roland Von Reden .................. 204 9 THE KOTA MAMA EXPEDITION 1998, Captain T J L Marriner .................................................................... 211 10 DEVELOPMENTS IN MINE DETECTION, Lieutenant Colonel J R Wyatt MBE .............................................. 216 11 JORDAN - 50TH ANNIVERSARY REFLECTIONS, Major Alan O'Hagan .......................................................... 222 12 EXTEMPORE ENGINEERING, Colonel Sir Alan Harris CBE ...................