An Cosantóir

wwwwwwwwwwww I n June 1977, a reorganisation changed the status of the Curragh Training Camp to the Curragh Command and Commandant P. Nowlan was transferred to Magee Barracks (Kildare) and tasked with raising (from scratch) the 3rd Field Artillery Battery which would comprise the PDF unit of the 6th Field Artillery Regiment (FCÁ). In September, newly promoted BS Danny Finn and BQMS Mick Hughes were posted in from 1 AA Regiment and newly promoted Sergeants Martin Kelly, Peter Webb, 'Butch' Halpin and 'Lags' Page were posted in from Depot Artillery. The battery was filled out by two platoons of recruits who commenced artillery training the following spring and in June 1978, the battery deployed its 25 pounders to Leitrim position in the Glen of Imaal (under canvas) and commenced its inaugural artillery shoot. By September the battery was proficient enough to utilise the FACE computer and AWDATS communication system in its artillery practices. In 1979 the unit was transferred to the Depot Artillery where it was tasked as the demonstration battery for the Artillery School. In October 1980 the unit re-equipped with the new 105mm Light Gun and carried out a spectacular inaugural shoot with this weapon from Leitrim position in icy easterly winds on 26 February 1981. The first demo shoot under better weather conditions took place on 12 March; high and low angle shoots and airburst were demonstrated, with the battery utilising FACE, AWDATS, LASER rangefinder and PACER. In September 1983, the battery participated in Exercise Shannon, a brigade-level training exercise near Limerick. In 1984, the single gun action was formally introduced and the following year saw the battery carry out a demonstration with three guns firing high elevation while the other three simultaneously fired low angle. This was further refined and in 1986, 3rd Field Battery carried out a demonstration in the Glen which saw all six guns firing at high angle before depressing barrels and firing again, with all twelve rounds arriving on target together. The demonstration for 1987 commenced with this High-Low barrage which was followed by a superb airburst shoot fired in salvos for maximum effect. This was followed by a most impressive single gun action under the command of Corporal Steve McGrath. In June 1987, 3rd Field Artillery Battery celebrated its tenth anniversary with some style. After a parade by ACMAT trucks towing the 105s and an address by battery commander Comdt O'Grady, the Band of the Curragh Command gave a powerful rendition of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture which was embellished by the firing of 25 pounders on the barrack square. In May 1988, the battery participated in the annual 'corps camp' providing a demo for the Command and Staff School. This occasion saw the final display of the unit's trademark High-Low barrage. Although the battery continued to regularly deploy to the Glen during the second decade of its existence, lack of manpower would oblige the unit to operate as a three-gun battery with reduced crews. Nonetheless, the battery continued to provide vital support for young officers and artillery NCO training. That September, a team from the 3rd Field Artillery Battery won the inaugural Heavy Mortar Race during Artillery Day in McKee Barracks which involved the stripping and assembly of a Brandt 120mm mortar and its carriage through a demanding assault course. In 1991, Comdt Martin Molloy was appointed battery commander and would retain the appointment until 1998. Apart from Comdt (later Maj-Gen) Nowlan, other young officers who served with the battery and went on to greater things included Capt Eoin Ó Neachtain, Capt Seamus McDermott and Lt Dermot Hanifin. In 1995, BS Finn, the longest serving member of the battery was promoted and transferred to the Air Defence Regiment. 3rd Field Battery fired its 105s in the Glen for the last time in May 1997. In early 1998, instead of field artillery training, the unit instead trained with Bofors L60s and L70s and its final shoot in the Glen in April 1998 was with HMGs. That July, Defence Minister Michael Smith announced the closure of Magee Barracks as part of a Defence Forces Reorganisation. As a result, the 3rd Field Artillery Battery was finally disestablished, with most remaining personnel transferring to the ADR. THE 3RD FIELD THE 3RD FIELD ARTILLERY BATTERY ARTILLERY BATTERY 1977-1998 1977-1998 ARTICLE BY GNR (RETIRED) TRENT O'REILLY | 11 www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE HISTORY HISTORY 3rd Field Artillery Battery, Magee Barracks, Kildare 1985

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