An Cosantóir

19 beginning of unit-level deployments in strife-torn areas across the world, which continues to this day. They would serve as UN peacekeepers with 33 Inf Bn as part of the Organisation des Nations Unies au Congo (ONUC). Prior to their departure for the Congo in late July, the 650-strong 32 Infantry Battalion, under the command of Lt Col Murt Buckley, paraded along O'Connell Street before thousands of enthusiastic well-wishers. Later, the troops flew out from Baldonnel on huge United States Air Force (USAF) Globemaster and Hercules aircraft. A hint of what awaited them in equatorial Africa greeted the troops as they landed for refuelling at Wheelus USAF base in Tripoli and paraded to the food halls in their heavy "bulls wool" uniforms and leather boots. The battalion then continued its flight, via an RAF base in Nigeria, to its deployment area in Kivu, close to Katanga. In early August, 33 Infantry Battalion - under the command of Lt Col Dick Bunworth - also arrived in the DRC and deployed to Albertville, in Katanga, where they would bear the brunt of the problems caused by the warring factions: forces loyal to Lumumba's central government and Tshombe's secessionist forces, led by white mercenaries. The battalion's companies deployed to smaller towns and tasked their platoons with carrying out patrols to keep roads open and liaising with the local pro-government Baluba population. On 8th November 1960, an 11-man Irish patrol - led by Lt Kevin Gleeson and Sgt Hugh Gaynor - travelling in clearly marked white UN vehicles, stopped to inspect a destroyed bridge over the Luweyeye. They were immediately ambushed by a large force of Baluba tribesmen armed with spears, poisoned arrows and guns. Lt Gleeson ordered his men to defend themselves. After a courageous fight, against overwhelming numbers in a short space of time, eight of the patrol were overwhelmed and killed. Another managed to get away but died later in the bush from his wounds. That was 20-year-old Tpr Anthony Browne from Rialto, Dublin. His body was not found until November 1962. Tpr Browne was also posthumously awarded the first ever Bonn Míleata Calmachta (Military Medal for Gallantry), the Defence Force's highest military honour, for his conduct during the ambush. He was the first recipient of the award. His citation reads: "He endeavoured to create an opportunity to allow an injured comrade to escape by firing his Gustaf, thereby drawing attention to his own position, which he must have been aware would endanger his life. He had a reasonable opportunity to escape because he was not wounded but chose to remain with an injured comrade." Those that lost their lives were: Lt Kevin Gleeson (30), Sgt Hugh Gaynor (29), Cpl Peter Kelly (25), Cpl Liam Dougan (34), Pte Matthew Farrell (22), Tpr Thomas Fennell (18), Tpr Anthony Browne MMG (20), Pte Michael McGuinn (21) and Pte Gerard Killeen (27). Miraculously, two were found alive after the ambush. These were Pte Joseph Fitzpatrick (21) and Pte Thomas Kenny (24). Despite the overwhelming odds faced by the patrol in the ambush, 28 attackers also died. Recalling the horrors of the ambush 25 years after it An Irish soldier patrolling through the dense foliage of the Congo A close up from the group shot of A Pln of Cpl Duggan, who later died in the ambush Irish Defence Forces personnel preparing to board the plane in Baldonnell which would take them to the Congo NIEMBA AMBUSH 60 YEARS ON

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