Nepal soldiers use open spaces
Soldiers with the reputation of being the most formidahle infantry soldiers in the world are currently exercising in New Z^aland's desolate Waiouru training area. They are Gurkhas, currently based in Hong Kong and are one company of the 2nd Battalion/2nd (King Edward's VII's Own) Gurkha Rifles.
During their seven week stay in New Zealand the soldiers are participating in Exercise Kauri Pine North 88 which enables them to conduct live-firing in unfamiliar terrain. They will be at Waiouru for another three weeks. , Training during their | time in New Zealand j will consist of the full range of battlefield | skills up to company ! level and will include ; live firing by day and night. Commanding the | 140-strong company is 1 British army officer, | Captain John Craig. He | says that the Waiouru ! training area is an ideal area to do live-firing. "Having the use of such a large area is a luxury for us, normally , we have to train with blank ammunition," he says. In their home patch in Hong Kong, the Gurkhas are part of the Hong Kong Garrison. Their role there includes support to the Royal Hong Kong Police and tours of duty on the Hong Kong-Chinese border to prevent illegal irqmigrants from crossing into British Territory.
There are five Gurkha infantry battalions in the British Army. Gurkha hillmen originally come from the Kingdom of Nepal - a small state in the foothills of the Hi-
malayas. The Gurkhas are so tough because from their earliest days they endure extreme hardships because Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world.
As a result, says Captain Craig, they are hardy, resolute and very patient. That hardiness makes Gurkhas exceptionally good soldiers. Before returning to Hong Kong on April 15, the soldiers will
take advantage of the excellent facilities in New Zealand for adventure training - with organised parties undertaking rock climbing, mountain walking, canoeing and white water rafting.
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Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 239, 12 April 1988, Page 7
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321Nepal soldiers use open spaces Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 239, 12 April 1988, Page 7
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