OPERATION ARCHER
ENGLAND V SCOTLAND
Scotland had everything to play for at this annual Stirling bash. Nige joined
them at Catterick to see if they could beat the Auld Enemy and level the score
A
s rivalries go, it probably ranks
up there with the greatest of
them. For many the reasons are
lost in the fog
of history and
myth but we all know that
the English and Scots have
been at each others’ throats
for hundreds of years. So if
you think that 165 players
from both sides of the border
can congregate in a confined
area and challenge each
other in an adrenaline-fuelled,
testosterone-driven, pride-atstake competition without it
descending into a riot, surely
you must be completely off
your trolley!
Well, apparently not!
In its fourth year (2-1 to the
English), Stirling Airsoft’s England v Scotland
game took place over the weekend of 3-4
December at the FIBUA (Fighting In Built Up
Areas) Village in Catterick Garrison. From what
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January 2012
I understand, the majority of the buildings here
were not purpose-built (as in some training
areas) but were home to those who served
and that adds to the overall ambience.
Having pitched-up on the Friday evening,
I had plenty of opportunity to chat to players
as they arrived at check in. My
overriding impression was one
of eager anticipation – especially
from the Scots, who were
looking forwards to exacting
revenge on the English. It had
been a long drive so, politely
turning down offers of rather
odd-looking protein shakes
(Yoghurt of Valour, anyone?), I
crawled into my sleeping bag for
some rest.
Saturday morning was cold
but dry and players were soon
gathering in the Safe Zone (which
was also to be Regen 1 during
the game). Accommodation at
Catterick is in the blocks used by
visiting personnel so it is ‘functional’ but clean,
warm and dry – something very important as
the weather reports were predicting cold, wind
and rain!
“The spotters in the Tower
were in a position to see
where players could be
called from. The arrival
of reinforcements wasn’t
a coincidence – they had
been sent to assist”
here. This gives the place a ‘lived in’ feeling,
with the remnants of previous habitation still
evident. It is not a sterile environment created
for one purpose only – this place has a soul,