Chapman, Adam The British Army's Elite Special Observers

A History of 4/73 Sphinx Special OP Battery

From their formation during the Cold War to operations in Afghanistan and beyond, the specialist observers of 4/73 (Sphinx) Special Observation Post Battery, Royal Artillery, and their predecessor units have provided unique and specialised capabilities to the British Army. The unit and its capabilities are discreet in nature, in keeping with its motto, Lateo, which means to remain hidden. In 1982, amid the tensions of the Cold War, the unit was formed with a special mission: to operate covertly behind enemy lines, wait for Warsaw Pact units to pass through, and then attack the following forces. These elite soldiers, consisting of specially selected teams of six, took refuge in underground shelters and then emerged to be deployed at observation posts armed with the firepower of the British Army. The tasks of this special unit, which is part of the Royal Artillery's 1st Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Brigade, include directing artillery fire and attacks by combat aircraft and precision missiles, as well as providing vital information on enemy positions, movements, strength and morale. The battery has also been deployed as a Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) patrol, operating far from the main force, sometimes deep behind enemy lines. Members of the battery are expected to be able to remain undetected for up to a week without the enemy noticing their presence. In the 1980s and 1990s, there were numerous deployments to Northern Ireland and the Balkans. As the world changed after the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, the unit also changed and was deployed several times in Iraq and Afghanistan. Written by a former Special Observer and infantry officer and troop commander, with contributions from across the military, including British special forces, Special Observers of all ranks and generals in the British Army, this is the first time the world has been given an insight into this top-secret unit.