1st Battalion the 2nd Overton Underground Camel Corps
Venimus Bibimus Decidimus
1st Battalion the 2nd Overton Underground Camel Corps is a highly trained and efficient body of people taken from the UK and beyond. Its sole purpose in life is to uphold the proud motto of the Corps. Entry is open to all living beings but a passing knowledge of Battleship salesmanship, “Scutage Venery”, obtuse community penetration and a sworn hatred of “sexy rugby” is essential.
The Corps history is veiled in the mists of time but elements of the force have come from the Rotten Hill Rough Riders and the Tufton Light Mining Brigade. The Corps has seen service in many overseas campaigns. Starting with a number of sorties into deepest France, only to be driven back by the difficult terrain and various medical conditions faced. It was re-organised and spearheaded an assault on Rotterdam and The Hague. After these initial successes, further adventures were planned, such as the aborted landings in Romania and the subsequent storming of the Imperial at Cork.
The Corps sustained heavy casualties in Conakilty but gained a Battle Honour at the “lock in” in Middleton. From there the Force embarked to North Holland and again received Battle Honours against the Giants of Alkmaar, the Bars of Amsterdam and the Dikes of Hoorn. It was here that the attack diving section was established. France was again targeted for a number of raids, notably Burgundy, where the Vieux Garde made a notable stand in the Wine and OliveOilCaves, and the Bar at St Martin, following a heroic stand in the snow at the Pass Du Brouilly. The Chasseurs a Chameau did sterling work at Neuvic, where a French Tri-colour and Canard were captured followed by the rearguard action at the Winery and the aborted attack on the Chateau at St Emilion. During this part of the Corps history it was aided for the first time by the Midget Submarine Flotilla whose sole purpose is to “infiltrate and irritate”. Its honour citation reads “that this section took a heavily defended Château and held it for 3 nights withdrawing under heavy fire without sustaining any casualties.
The Corps had to endue sub Saharan temperatures in 2003 with another foray into deepest Burgundy, losing its sleeves near the Loire, but did gain recognition for the lay-by incident and the tractor dash under heavy fire. A joint expedition was launched at Easter 2004 and like the Guards Armoured Division, it likewise stalled on the “devils highway” at Valkenswaard. But the flotilla did gain a further honour in the skirmish on Pancake Sunday with the “capture of the Bath”. While the Corps did an Anglo-Dutch raid on Etten Leur and finally a last stand at the Bell. All combatants retired to Belgium but after the “Turnout incident” retreated to Calais in fine order.
The Corps launched a further foray into Europe in 2005 with a landing at Dunkirk and a “dash to Arnhem” in May. Again sterling work was done by a small band of regular veterans plus a number of new recruits who gained numerous decorations plus a mention in Despatches. In May 2006 the Corps went forth again this time to the Ardennes, where the new colours were flown at the Battle of the Bulges. Attempts to remove a tiger tank failed and once again a retreat to Dunkirk was attempted with only one casualty – a green Kiwi.
In 2008, the Corps, with many new recruits, headed back to St Martin to assist them with tactical manouevres in celebrating 40 years of existence. 3 Scouts on bicycles along with 2 rear guardsmen were sent ahead to survey the landscape and report on any enemy movements. Besides the lead Scout/navigator getting lost on his own, the scouting party encountered no enemy resistance and made it safely to St Martin with a day in hand to await the arrival of the new recruits. The new recruits were left much to their own devices on the trek to St Martin with no intereference from the accompaning officers. One notable story is of a new recruit attacking another with the "wanker spanker" (a weapon of choice for one of the officers!), getting the "wanker spanker" taken off of him and being beaten to a pulp. The victorious new recruit, full of the bloodlust of the battle was heard to mock the beaten recruit with cries of "C'mon Billy-Bob!" and "I want my mummy!" A successful tour was had by all (although a few of the recruits fell prey to the harsh conditions and weather) and the minor skirmishes that were encountered only served to consolidate the spirit of the Corps.
To be continued...
