An Cosantóir Dec 2015 / Jan 2016 www.dfmagazine.ie
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by SGT KARL BYRNE PhotoS by SGT KARL BYRNE & CPL NEVILLE COUGHLAN
O
n a rare warm morning in mid-october, LÉ Eithne
dropped anchor in the bay just off Fort Davis. Its
cargo; over 100 battle-ready troops, comprising
91 Cadet Class and exercise troops from various units of 1
bde, itching to be launched on the rigid-inflatable boats
(RIb) to head for the fort. Making two runs each, three
RIbs took the troops to the harbour, where the first group
ashore immediately secured the area and placed a gPMg
to cover the route from the harbour to the gates of the
fort where the 'enemy' lay in wait, intent on disrupting
the advance of the disembarked force.
When the force was fully ashore and deployed they began
their attack, making light work of the initial gates with a
SRAAW (short range anti-armour weapon) missile. However,
as they began their advance the force was met with heavy
resistance from within the fort, taking casualties but also
inflicting some on the enemy.
Room by room, building by building, the systematic clear-
ance of the fort began. No room left unchecked, no tunnel
left in the dark. The cadets took charge and tasked and
launched their exercise troops through windows and doors,
some of which were booby-trapped, as the group continued
to fight its way through the maze that is Fort Davis.
After clearing the initial buildings, the group slowly began
making their way through the lower levels of the fort.
Each room presented a different obstacle to be overcome;
whether barricaded doors or booby-trapped entrances, all
of which had to be cleared and secured.
The operation went well, with the primary locations
being secured. The problem, however, particularly with
the short days at this time of the year, is securing these
locations against counterattack. And sure enough, as the
skies darkened over the Cork coast, the counterattack was
launched from the upper levels of the fort and now it was
the cadets' turn to hold onto the locations they had taken
with their troops.
All through the night the cadets' positions were attacked
and tested. However, the next morning, the cadets had
in
Fort Davis
