We used to shoot at 10" x 10" or so white painted armoured steel plates using No4's 5's and L1A1's at 100 yards after a 100 yard run-down armed with rifle, full webbing and 10 rounds each. We used to call it the 'falling plates match' where the plates would fall when hit. First team of 4 to knock the 10 plates down was the winner in a knockout contest. Teams from the whole Brigade were obliged to enter a team would take part including the major units (the Infantry Battalions) and minor units (small support stuff) The butt party had to wear steel helmets while under the butts. I don't remember any casualties.

Occasionally, some tosser in the butt party would put up a sheet of white painted hardboard. The bullets would go straight through without knocking it down! The BEST shot in the team would sit on his 10 rounds in order to a) relax for a few moments after the fast run-down in order that b) he could deliberate shoot at any plates that remain. He would then try to take out the remaining 'plate - that was never going to fall......... Believe me, even at the height of the complete falling plates match, the longer it went on, the more tired the teams became, running in full Far East kit, no shorts but long OG's, double water, weapons and ammo, trying to hit and put down these plates after a lot of running. Those armed with AR15's used to complain that their rifles wouldn't take the plates down like our L1's or the minor units No5's. The minor units armed with bolt actions had a longer time allowance of course

Anyone else remember 'The Falling Plates'. Did Canadaicon do this match BAR? I used to love the match because I was young and ultra fit and being part of a minor units (the minor/small RAEME workshop detachment of the main Battalion) it was a nice little jolly........