An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir July/August 2018 www.dfmagazine.ie 36 | I n July 1960 Ireland received a request from the united na- tions to supply an infantry battalion as part of the onuC mission to the former Belgian Congo. this led to the forma- tion of 32 Inf Bn, which was duly formed and dispatched. Shortly afterwards a request was received for a second battalion. Again, the request was complied with and 33 Inf Bn was formed and dis- patched, landing in katanga province at kamina military airport, which was still under the control of Belgian troops. After several days the battalion received orders to move, minus C Coy, to Albertville, approximately 200 miles away. After several days in Albertville B Coy was ordered to Manono, approximately 190 miles from Bn HQ. As the road was impassable, the move was made by aircraft. A Coy, Bn HQ and HQ Coy remained in Albertville. It was not unusual for companies to have sub units posted to outlying positions. B Coy had an outpost at Piana generating sta- tion and A Coy had an outpost at Niemba village. Both locations were remote from their parent units and transport, radio com- munications and ration resupply were tenuous. On Tuesday 8 November 1960 a party of 11 Irish soldiers, com- manded by Lt Kevin Gleeson left the platoon outpost at Niemba on a routine patrol. The patrol objectives, like many before and after were 'to show the flag', ascertain the natives' attitudes towards UN troops, and report on the state of road and bridges in the area of operations (AO). At Tundula Bridge over the Leweyeye River they encountered a vastly superior force of Baluba tribesmen. Lt Gleeson approached the situation as per SOP by offering the greeting "Jambo!" (Swa- hili for hello). He was unaware the tribesmen were hostile due to the recent wounding of a chief's son. Instead of returning the greeting the natives unleashed a barrage of arrows and spears, and attacked the patrol with whatever weapons they possessed. Caught totally cold and not expecting trouble, eight of the patrol were KIA in the immediate firefight; one escaped the firefight but was captured and killed later. Two survived the ambush; one of whom suffered arrow wounds. We know nine Irish soldiers died in the Niemba ambush. We don't know the Baluba casualty figures. However, sometime fol- lowing the ambush a number of native casualties were brought to the hospital in Manono suffering gunshot wounds. At the time of the ambush B Coy, 33rd Bn, commanded by Comdt PP Barry, was stationed in Manono. He dispatched a party to the ambush area seeking survivors or bodies. Neither was found, although the party did recover the ambushed patrol's two UN vehicles. Soon after, B Coy was replaced in Manono by Nigerian troops and rejoined the battalion in Albertville. C Coy had already rejoined and the battalion was reunited for the first time since leaving Ireland. A decision was then made to seize the injured Balubas from Manono Hospital mentioned above, who were suspected of hav- ing been involved in the Niemba ambush, in order to bring them to justice. The following is Comdt Barry's report on Operation Shamrock: thIS ARtICLE By DES kEEgAn (IunVA) ConCERnS A LIttLE-knoW oPERAtIon CARRIED out By 33 InF Bn In Congo AFtER thE nIEMBA AMBuSh In 1960. thE ARtICLE InCLuDES ExtRACtS FRoM thE 33 InF Bn unIt hIStoRy. Members of the 33 Inf Bn, in the Curragh. Photo: www.curragh.info The Military Police Section that served with the 33 Inf Bn in the Congo. Military Archives/MA_128_001 Unit flag of the 33 Inf Bn, Congo. Photo: www.curragh.info

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