2 minute read
Book Review
The History of Exercise HARDFALL
By Olav Aalen
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Reviewed by Maj (Retd) Rick Henderson, REME Museum Director
Olav Alaen’s new book explores Exercise Hardfall, the annual military Arctic Warfare Training exercise conducted in Norway from 1967 to 2002.
The book starts with a brief explanation of the reasons behind the formation of Allied Command Europe (Land) - more commonly referred to as AMF (L) - a multinational task force ready for rapid deployment. As Norway has a common border with Russia (formerly part of the Soviet Union), NATO during the Cold War years made detailed plans to come to Norway’s rapid assistance if required. The book is structured chronologically, but covers all the different British units that deployed.
This informative work then focuses on individual recollections, from both Norwegian and British personnel, primarily Norwegian Liaison Officers. Whilst there is understandably common themes in their experiences, each provides a different and interesting perspective.
Another topic covered, but often overlooked, is the complicated logistics required to put on such an exercise and the level of commitment required from the host nation’s full time military and reservists to provide the specialist instruction for the visiting military units. There are many amusing stories, including a recollection of how difficult British troops found skiing on NATO planks. Or, more importantly, the ability to stop when skiing downhill on said planks!
These light hearted tales are balanced with more serious accounts of the types of training undertaken during the Arctic Warfare course and of some of the real hazards encountered when operating in these extremely harsh conditions. The book does not shy away from covering some of the unfortunate consequences when things go wrong.
I found it fascinating to discover what the host military instructors thought about not only British troops’ military skills but also their traditions and behaviour. There are accounts of when the British choose to ignore advice given and were fortunate to be rescued by their hosts. Equally there are also times the hosts are impressed by the tenacity and level of endurance displayed by the British troops they were assisting.
Throughout the book are a number of interesting recollections from Norwegian Officers regarding the social activities provided by the British, from Royal visits to Mess life. The Norwegian Liaison Officers also seemed to have enjoyed hosting British Officers at dinner parties. This may also explain the number of young British Officers who now have Norwegians wives. There are also excellent insights into what the Norwegian forces thought about the British equipment and rations.
As someone who deployed four times on Exercise Hardfall I thoroughly enjoyed being dragged down memory lane. I can recall some of the incidents mentioned in the book clearly and therefore found it authentic. Having been lucky enough to have worked alongside one of the Norwegian Liaison Officers (training to be a unit snow and ice driving instructor) I experienced first-hand the level of commitment, friendship and humour the Norwegians readily provided to the British Army.
The book is an easy read and I am sure will be entertaining to those who have deployed to Norway as well as an informative and an interesting read for those who never had the chance to experience training in this challenging environment.
