"By 1978 there was a need to mark targets for Fireforce assaults at ranges up to 3,000 metres. The hand-held commando mortar was only good for firing smoke up to 1,500 metres so there was a clear need for a new target-marking system.
The RSM called my troop commander and me over to the range one morning where the engineers were about to demonstrate a new target-marking system. Also at the range was Major S, who screwed two aluminium tubes together and handed them to Pete, my troop commander.
I thought to myself, “Why doesn’t S demo this himself?” I was to find out later.
The RSM slid a SNEB 60mm aircraft rocket into the end of the tube and said to Pete, “Don’t worry, it just goes with a bang and a whoosh. Press this button and off she goes… should be good for up to 3,000 metres.”
It looked a real Heath Robinson contraption, so I stood well back. So did Major S and the RSM. That should have told me something. Pete took aim down the range and pressed the button. There was the most enormous bang, clouds of smoke and Pete was sitting on his arse, as the rocket disappeared skyward. That was the last we saw of the new target-marking system." (c)