THE screams of a wounded man and the sounds of machine gun fire will echo around Bovington’s Tank Museum this weekend.

The British Army is demonstrating a mock battle with Afghan insurgents to give people a glimpse into the reality in Afghanistan.

Trainees and instructors from the Royal Armoured Corps will show off a mock ambush and casualty evacuation at 3pm on Saturday and Sunday during the annual Tankfest show.

The Daily Echo was given a taste of what to expect on Sunday as the troops carried out a live practise run with blank rounds and explosive charges.

The men split into two patrols as they leave a Forward Operating Base and when they are attacked call in help from a Viking armoured vehicle and covering mortar fire.

The patrolling men are led by Sgt Emlyn Taylor, originally from Doncaster, who married a Wareham woman and now lives in Lulworth.

The 32-year-old said: “Unfortunately it’s part and parcel of the job out there – you come into contact with the Taliban, especially during the summer months, quite vigorously.

“They are a formidable enemy so we have got to get our skills right.”

British soldiers are dying virtually every week in scenarios like this.

Trooper Ashley Smith, the 299th man killed from 300 so far, was from York but completed his Phase 2 specialist training at Bovington Camp.

So is a display like this in good taste?

Museum curator David Willey said: “It’s the truth.

“There’s no point hiding these issues.

“The public have to learn that this is their army and what their army are going through.”

He expects the demonstration to be as popular as the usual displays and mock battles by historic tanks.

“At the moment there’s an awful lot of ground swell of support for the serving soldiers in the British public.

“This gives an opportunity for the two sites to meet.

“It’s an opportunity for the public to see the vehicles and question the soldiers, and, I hope, at the right moment, pat them on the back and say ‘well done’.”

Nik Wyness, the museum press officer, said: “This kind of display has never been seen before by the British public. That’s what makes it unique.”

The men taking part are trained to drive and operate armoured vehicles but they are often deployed on foot in Afghanistan to share the infantry’s workload.

Sgt Taylor said: “With the army being short numbered as it is, we have all got to be able to do the role of fighting as an infantry man.”

Matt Costello, from the Light Dragoons, 28, from Stockton on Tees, has been to Afghanistan twice and said drills were “no comparison” to the real thing, but they tried to make them as realistic as possible.

Daniel O’Callghan, 22, from Cardiff, of the Queen’s Dragoon Guards, has just completed his phase 2 training and is waiting to join his new unit.

How do you view the prospect of a going to Afghanistan for the first time?

“I’m nervous. Worried. But at the end of the day it’s my job. To be honest I am looking forward to it.”