OFFICER cadets from the Britannia Royal Naval College have been training alongside their German counterparts on both UK and foreign soil.

A division of officer cadets undergoing the initial warfare officers course at the Dartmouth naval college spent a week at the German Naval Academy, Marineschule Mürwik (MSM), to undertake training using navigation simulators.

Shortly after officer cadets from MSM ­visited the UK to undergo leadership training.

They joined forces with their Royal Navy counterparts on Dartmoor and within the grounds at BRNC

to solve a variety of leadership challenges.

Speaking about the visit to Germany, Midshipman Thomas Reed said: 'The trip provided an informative insight into the way the German Navy trains its officers, as well as giving us the opportunity to fulfil our own training requirements in their sophisticated bridge simulator. During our time at MSM we were exposed to the history of the German Navy, which was both interesting and poignant.

'We were also able to socialise with our German counterparts, a vital component

in maintaining ­relationships that form

the backbone of

our ­colleges' twinning agreement. A real highlight was an ­introduction into astronavigation using the academy's top-notch planetarium.'

While the German cadets were at BRNC, Commander Jens Pientka, the commander training at MSM, ­visited the college to witness the training.

He was also given a briefing on the Royal Navy officers' training programme, which was delivered at BRNC.

The visits came about as part of the twinning agreement signed by BRNC and MSM, which aims to foster an understanding and friendship between the navies and to enhance the training on both sides. An ­officer from the German Navy serves on the staff at BRNC.

MSM is located in Flensburg, close to the Danish border, and, very much like BRNC, is the alma mater of all German naval officers.

The visit by the German cadets was one of a number of regular visits to the college by foreign navies.

Other recent visitors include a group of cadets from the Brazilian Navy.