An Army Reservist from Chesterfield spent two weeks practising explosive door breaches, room clearances and combat engineering tasks at Europe’s most advanced military urban training facility in February this year.
Sapper Daniel Cliffe described the Anglo-French urban warfare simulation as “absolutely incredible” and the best thing he’s done in the Army Reserves.
The overseas trip was even more memorable for Sapper Cliffe, who caught three unsuspecting French Soldiers off guard during one exercise – with his picture-perfect reaction to spotting and eliminating them captured on camera.
He said: “There aren’t many people that can say they have stormed into a town, stacked up behind a main battle tank while shooting and being shot at.
“It was absolutely incredible. Nothing comes close to it.”
French lessons
The 34-year-old works full-time as a self-employed builder. In his spare time, typically around 27 days a year, split across evenings, weekends and a two-week annual training camp, he trains out of Wallis Barracks with 350 Field Squadron, 75 Engineer Regiment, the Corps of Royal Engineers.
The Army Reserve is the largest of the UK’s Reserve Forces, providing essential mass, unique capabilities, and a diversity of skills critical to meeting the Army’s commitments.
For Reservists, service allows them to fit more challenge and adventure into their life, all while being paid.
When the notice was issued for Reservists to attach to the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment and deploy to the state-of-the-art military urban training facility, CENZUB, in northern France for two weeks, Sapper Cliffe jumped at the chance.
Known as ‘Exercise Gaulish’, the intense training with the French Army allowed both sides to share operational knowledge. It gave Sapper Cliffe, who is training to become a plant operator, the chance to put into practice, under realistic battle conditions, the engineering skills and techniques he has developed since joining the Reserves in 2024.
He said: “The exercise was fantastic and all of my previous training just clicked into place. It was hands down the best thing I’ve done so far in the Army Reserves.
“During the building clearance, at times I was the first person through the door and had to clear enemies as if it was real life.
“There was one point where the section I was with went into a building, but I had spotted there was no one covering. I went to the corner of the building, peeked around, and saw three enemy Soldiers. So I put on a fresh magazine, put it on full auto, and eliminated them all.
“There’s a photo of me looking happy about the situation. The enemy weren’t happy, but I was having the time of my life.”
Both sides switched between attack and defensive positions during Exercise Gaulish, which took advantage of the 46-square-mile site’s makeshift villages, subterranean training grounds, and disused railway, culminating in a five-day battle scenario.
The use of a laser-based tactical engagement simulation – the TES system – made the training even more lifelike, with hits resulting in simulated injuries, casualty evacuations, and vehicles being disabled and destroyed.
Vital to UK Defence
Stuart Williams OBE is the Chief Executive of East Midlands Reserve Forces Association, which supports and champions Reserve Forces in the region.
He said: “Sapper Cliffe’s story perfectly exemplifies the unrivalled sense of adventure and challenge offered by the Reserve Forces, all of which fits around your civilian life.
“The Reserves are a vital component of our national defence and resilience – we have 24 different Reserve bases in the East Midlands – and the Government has ambitious plans to expand their size and scope.”
Originally a full-time Regular Soldier with The Household Cavalry Regiment for five years, Sapper Cliffe applied to join 350 Field Squadron, which has another location at Foresters House, Chilwell, Nottinghamshire, after finding something missing with his life on civvy street.
He added: “The Army is unlike anywhere else you work. It’s hard to explain, but it’s like having a second family.
“If my story has piqued your interest in the Reserves, we’re always recruiting and welcoming Ex-Regular personnel or transferees from any service background, so get in touch.”
