Hampshire troops enjoy a well-deserved break from the war zones (From Daily Echo)

Hampshire troops enjoy a well-deserved break from the war zones

2:35pm Wednesday 7th October 2009 in

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IT is a million miles away from the hot, dusty and dangerous conditions they faced on the frontline.

There are no tanks, no weapons and no gunfire – just an array of beautiful lakes surrounded by luscious green valleys and mountains.

Nine hundred metres up in Germany’s highest market town, a group of soldiers have arrived on their latest deployment – a two-week adventure training course in the Bavarian Alps.

For many who will have witnessed and endured terrifying situations most can only imagine, it is an element of recuperation.

But their time spent in this town of Wertach also has important role in their development – working on leadership and teamwork skills, which are crucial when the troops are on operations.

The Tigers have made the journey to the south of Germany from their northern barracks in Paderborn and will make Haus Magnus – one of two adventure training lodges in the town – their home.

Throughout the next two weeks they will try their hand at kayaking, canoeing, para-gliding, hill walking, rock climbing, mountain biking and Klettersteig – clipping on to and moving around the ladders and cables on the rock faces.

The Joint Service Adventurous Training Scheme has been running for many years and both lodges in Wertach have the capacity to train 2,800 people each year.

Previous to The Tigers’ arrival, their counterparts from the Queens Royal Hussars and 5th Battalion, The Rifles, have also put a number of their men through the course.

During the course, instructors aim to expose each soldier to risk by moving them outside their comfort zones, while improving their physical fitness, moral and physical courage.

Magnus Haus manager Larry Powe, who completed 25 years with the Royal Army Ordinance Corp and has been running the training facility since 1994, said: “Our aim is to concentrate on making the soldiers as comfortable as possible and ensure the soldiers get the best experience – so they all leave with good memories.”