Article Bombers second Tour 10th January - 16th July 1992

[Bombardier]

Operation Loren

27 field Regiment Royal Artillery was given a secret warning order on Friday 11th October 1991 for a six month emergency tour of Northern Ireland (NI), commencing in January 1992. On instructions from HQ Arty 1 (BR) Corps, knowledge of the warning was initially restricted to those vital to the planning process. The Regiment was informed of the tour at 0900 hours on Thursday 17 October 1991, four days before it was to have deployed to Munsterlager south ranges for a Regimental firing camp.
The Regiments guns and armoured vehicles were put into Out of use Management and all equipments not required for the NI training were consigned to their stores within three days.
Training started on Monday 21st October 1991, with conversion of the Regiment to the SA80 rifle. There followed two and a half hectic months of training carried out under the expert tutelage of the Security Operations Training Advisory Team (SOTAT) at Sennelager and the valued guidance and advice from the Regiments 'In Barracks Training Team', provoded by 4th Field Regiment Royal Artillery. The Regiment went through SOTAT Sennelager Package during the period 20 Novemeber - 4th December 1991 and the training culminated with a NI rural exercise 18 - 22 December 1991, this was conducted simultaneously with 45 Field Regiment Royal Artillery, who were training for their role as the Drumad roulement Battalion.

To be continued>>>>303_no4

 

[Bombardier]

Continued>>>>

After a well earned (but short) Christmas break, the Regimental advance party deployed on 10th January 1992 by RAF Hercules to Ballykelly, Co Londonderry. From Ballykelly the party was flown by helicopter to Grosvenor barracks and St Angelo Camp, the 2 main base locations of the Fermangh Roulement Battalion (FRB). During the succeeding week advance party conducted the preparations neccessary to receive the main body and began to establish the Rapport with the FRB, 42 Commando Royal Marines, that was to prove so useful in the coming months. The Regimental Tac HQ established a coordination cell at Grosvenor to provide the province-wide liaison between the Army Headquarters. RUC, civilian contractors and other Army and RAF units involved in the Operation.
On 16th and 17th January 1992 the Regimental main body arrived at Ballykelly by RAF Hercules. They were met by elements of the advance party who equipped them with all the stores required for their subsequent tasking. regimental Tac HQ deployed directly to co-locate with Tac HQ of 42 Commando RM at Grosvenor barracks, Enniskillen; whilst Regimental Echelon co-located with OPs company 42 CDO RM at St Angelo Camp. D Troop from 6 Field battery, deployed directly as an independant troop to the HUMP permanent vehicle check point (PVCP), in Strabane, under operational command of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Green Jackets.
Following two days of briefings and preparation, the three gun batteries deployed by Chinook helicopters to the forward operating bases for Phase 1 of Operation Loren.

NB Although refered to as Gun batteries, we were working as Infantrymen and had no Artillery equipment in Theatre.

To be continued>>>

 

[Frisco-Kid]

Andy, what was the "emergency" that spurred your deployment? Was the training that you were put through infantry training, since you were originally an artillery unit; patrol tactics, ambushes, weapons familiarization, etc.? Was/is it a common practice to run British units of all types and branches through NI just for the hands-on experience in a war zone?

 

[Bombardier]

An emergency in NI could amount to anything that requires further troops on the ground, in this case the refurbishment of permanent Vehicle Check Points in Fermanagh.
All British soldiers are Infantry first and trade second, the training we were put through for Northern Ireland was specific to the task at hand such as patroling techniques, types of booby traps, immediate actions when making contact with an attacking group (I am a little loathed to call them the enemy for reasons I would rather not go into at this point).
Any ambushes as you call them would be carried out by specialist forces e.g SAS, they were not something I was ever part of.
Yes virtually all British Units regardless of there particular field would go through NI, normally because it was the only fair way to do it and to get a good circulation of troops, so that no one unit would be stuck there forever and a day. The underlying benefit was of course that it was a good training enviroment for all troops.
I hope this answers your questions suitably buddy

 

[Frisco-Kid]

You did indeed, Bud. Thanks. It's the same thing with the U.S. soldiers being infantry first. EVERYBODY goes through Basic Combat Training first before any other school. Even though most other units were rotated through NI, was/is there any unit that HAS been there from the start? Most of what we hear about here are the paras, since they were the first units in at the start of The Troubles. I understand and appreciate [and repect you for] your reluctance to call them The Enemy. You already know my not-too-far-removed Irish roots.

P.S. Londonderry? Don't you mean Derry? lolb;

 

[Bombardier]

The only truly permanent Regiment in NI was the UDR who were later merged with the Royal Irish Rangers to become the Royal Irish Regiment.

The UDR was formed into 7 battalions; one for each county and one for the City of Belfast. They were numbered as follows:

1. Antrim
2. Armagh
3. Down
4. Fermanagh
5. Londonderry
6. Tyrone
7. City of Belfast

The regiment was to be manned by 6000 men with the assistance of up to 200 regular army personnel, making The UDR the largest regiment in the British Army. While the members were on duty they were bound by military law, although they were only on a part-time contract.

The aim of The UDR was to protect Northern Ireland from terrorist attack by the way of guarding key installations and patrolling the country carrying out check points and road blocks as and when required, The UDR was not to take any part in public orders duties or serve outside the Province.

By the time The UDR went operational on the 1st April 1970 it had a strength of 2440; of which 946 were Catholics. On the 30th April 1970 the 400 members of the regiment carried out it's first operation called Operation Mulberry, aiding 1600 regular troops to carry out an all night search for terrorist arms by setting up check points on the border roads throughout Armagh, Tyrone and Fermanagh.

The Ulster Defence Regiment was presented with it's Colours by Her Majesty the Queen in 1991 and on July 23, 1991 Tom King announced to the Commons that as part of the restructuring of the armed forces that plans had been agreed to merge The UDR with the Royal Irish Rangers. On the 1 July, 1992 the merger of the regiments was official complete and the new regiment was to become as the Royal Irish Regiment

Above are excerpts from a web site I found READ MORE>>>

Of course their were the Infamous Black and Tans of 1918 too Read More>

 

[Bombardier]

P.S. Londonderry? Don't you mean Derry?

Before I write this I want you to know that I do so light heartedly

Just noticed this in your post. Well call it what you will, I have no real feelings about the name, Derry?, Londonderry? its all the same to me. Its been the topic of many a heated discussion but I dont really understand why?. I mean I know the protestants and the Catholics feel strongly about it but its only a name, why not rename it and call it something completely different. This is the type of argument that although small and seemingly petty, will always get in the way of Peace in the Province.

I am a protestant but my wife is a Catholic and to show you that the differences in Religion mean nothing to me, I have had my daughter Baptised a Catholic, at my wifes request. Religion although the foundation of our existence seems to me to have a hell of a lot to answer for throughout the ages :?

I hope that in my lifetime or at least in my daughters that we see peace in Ireland, it is rated as one of my top ten, most beautiful places in the world and it is full of Genuinely pleasant and caring people.

 

[Zofo]

Of course their were the Infamous Black and Tans of 1918 too Read More>

A shady part of the family history - I had a great uncle who was in this mob - he was disowned by the family (as I was not born of course, I didn't know him or about him - my Dad told me when I was in the Army and then promptly told me to say nothing!

 

[tosh66]

Hear hear Bomb, I met many fine people in Ulster and Irish here in Manchester too.

 

[Frisco-Kid]

Andy, I'm glad you took the the Londonderry-Derry comment the way it was intended; as a light hearted jibe. I totally agree with your opinion on this.....Totally Petty. I also agree that if both names offend, change it. I know that this is hard to do, though. Something that's been ingrained for centuries. There would always be people from both camps who would never let it die. A real shame. My maternal grandfather was one of these. As a young man, he came down from Donegal to fight in the 1916 Uprising in Dublin. He would drink acid before he would call it Londonderry.

I was semi-raised a Catholic. My parents weren't big church goers, but us four kids went pretty regularly with friends. I grew up in a tough, predominately blue collar Irish neighborhood in San Fran.. I pretty much drifted away from the Church in my mid-teens. My wife and I were married in a Lutheran church [her denomination]. She was 18 and I was 20. We weren't big churchgoers, either. When we did go, it was to a Lutheran church [pretty much laid-back catholics ], which I felt very comfortable at. Neither of my kids have any church affiliations. Just their choice.

I, too, hope your daughter, and my grandkids, see peace in Ireland. I was brought up to be proud of my Irish roots, and passed that on to my kids. The culture, not the feuds and predjudices. Like me, they grew up with alot of the music in the house. My daughter continues to show her Irish roots by naming her son Finnegan, my maternal grandmother's maiden name. BTW, my first and middle name is Thomas O'Driscoll, after my maternal grandfather. Well, so much for family history.

PEACE!

 

[Bombardier]

Frisco its very very important to keep hold of your roots and to pass them down to your kids. I will definately tell my daughter of my times in NI and what my views are on the troubles, but I would never force or encourage her to take on my beliefs. I hope that she will develop her own and see that the NI question is one that can be solved if we can all see the light and bury our differences deep in the ground where they belong. sal;

 

[Bombardier]

Continued>>>>

After a well earned (but short) Christmas break, the Regimental advance party deployed on 10th January 1992 by RAF Hercules to Ballykelly, Co Londonderry. From Ballykelly the party was flown by helicopter to Grosvenor barracks and St Angelo Camp, the 2 main base locations of the Fermangh Roulement Battalion (FRB). During the succeeding week advance party conducted the preparations neccessary to receive the main body and began to establish the Rapport with the FRB, 42 Commando Royal Marines, that was to prove so useful in the coming months. The Regimental Tac HQ established a coordination cell at Grosvenor to provide the province-wide liaison between the Army Headquarters. RUC, civilian contractors and other Army and RAF units involved in the Operation.
On 16th and 17th January 1992 the Regimental main body arrived at Ballykelly by RAF Hercules. They were met by elements of the advance party who equipped them with all the stores required for their subsequent tasking. regimental Tac HQ deployed directly to co-locate with Tac HQ of 42 Commando RM at Grosvenor barracks, Enniskillen; whilst Regimental Echelon co-located with OPs company 42 CDO RM at St Angelo Camp. D Troop from 6 Field battery, deployed directly as an independant troop to the HUMP permanent vehicle check point (PVCP), in Strabane, under operational command of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Green Jackets.
Following two days of briefings and preparation, the three gun batteries deployed by Chinook helicopters to the forward operating bases for Phase 1 of Operation Loren.

NB Although refered to as Gun batteries, we were working as Infantrymen and had no Artillery equipment in Theatre.

To be continued>>>

The two forward batteries, 6 and 23 Btys set up in the RUC stations at Newtownbutler and Rosslea; whilst 49 Bty collocated with echelon at St.Angelo camp, Enniskillen.
Operation LOREN was a phase 3 operation to rebuild/refurbish a number of PVCP's (Permanent Vehicle Check Points) in the 8 Inf Bde TAOR (Tactical Area Of Operations). The aims of the operation were to enhance the level of protection of the existing PVCP's and to provide greater security and peace of mind to the local population in the border areas. The Regiment was responsible for the coordination and site security of the first two phases.
The threat to Operation LOREN was considered to be HIGH, because of its political significance and the vulnerability of the sites and routes to attack. The concept of operations adopted to counter the threat was based on highly visible, fluid and unpredictable foot patrols moving around and between patrol bases/Op's located at the rebuild sites.
Overlaid were the patrols on routes used by the contractors , surge patrols, searches. border closure operations, eagle patrols and other operations mounted as the security situation demanded. All operations were undertaken in close cooperation with the FRB (Fermanagh roulement battalion) who continued to carry out their primary role within thei TAOR.

To be continued>>>>>>>>> 303_no4

 

[Sparky]

How quickly we forget...all through the 80's and 90's everytime you turned on the TV there were reports of more soldiers shot or blown up.. sad days. When I joined the Navy in '92 our training was largly on vehicle security, searching cars, wheel arches, Tiger watch, never taking the same route to work ( Routine Kills).

Strange though, now as then all over the world we see people killing and dying all in the name of religion.

The problem is, the children grow up to believe dying for your cause is a just and worthwhile sacrifice. The leaders of extremist groups, use God as a tool, go and blow yourself up on a bus full of innocent civilians and you'll be a martyr to the cause and forever in God's good graces. Strange though it's always young, easily impressionable men and women who die for the cause, never the leaders behind them.

It was always just news on TV until '93 when the IRA blew up Warrington town centre and killed two innocent children. That brought it home, but some good did come of this tragedy. It bonded the community and strengthened the towns resolve to condemn terrorism.

RIP all those - military and civilian alike - who have died for others.

 

[Bombardier]

Hey Sparky, thanks I had forgotten that this story was unfinished. army;
As im not feeling 100% I will finish the text later but here are some pics from this particular tour


Im not actually in any of these photos.

 

[Sparky]

Bomber, when I meant forget I didn't mean you.

I meant people in general, you hardly ever hear people mention NI anymore. Maybe though that's because people think it's best forgotton, not exactly great days for most.

But now you mention it........FINISH YOUR STORY :mrgreen:

 

[Bombardier]

Your right buddy, it does appear to be a Taboo subject. But not here

I will finish the story soon enough buddy. :mrgreen:

 

[Sparky]

You're right Bomber, here is the only place I can recant military stories to my hearts content, without family and friends drawing comparisons between me and Uncle Albert........During the war.... :roll:

 

[Frisco-Kid]

RURAL PATROL

I notice in the picture that the trooper is carrying quite a load in his rucksack. What all was carried on these patrol? Were they out for several days? What types of patrols were they, i.e., Search and Destroy, Reconnaisance, or just keeping up appearances in an area? Were they inserted into an area by vehicle or chopper? Was such contact made that it turned into a gunfight out in the countryside? I assume you had gunship availability if needed?

 

[Bombardier]

Hi Frisco.
Well we used to patrol in teams of 4 men, commonly known as 'bricks' we had 3 bricks which made up what we called a 'multiple'. A second Leiutenant would command one brick and either a Lance Bombardier or Bombardier would command the other 2, Obviously in theory the 2LT would command the entire multiple, but in practice this was not always the case, for obvious reasons.
We would carry enough food, ammo and sleeping and cooking equipment for about 5-6 days worth of patrol. The rucksacks would also contain some electronic counter measures (cant really go into that too much) but it was large, so some of the carriers kit would be shared around the brick.
The patrols were rural and in the case of Operation Loren were to show a prescence more than anything. However the patrols were designed to restrict our opponents movements throughout the area by use of Vehicle check points etc.
We were usually inserted by Chopper, either lynx, Puma or Chinook. Although on occasion we would use covert vehicles such as large vans, and usually only at night.
I never had a contact but the possibility was always there, I put that down to good patroling techniques Lol :mrgreen:
If we did have a contact then the call would be made and further troops would be deployed and would include some Helo support in the form of a Lynx with a 7.62mm Machine gun and no more than that.

Hope this answers your questions sufficiently buddy. :mrgreen:

 

[rotorwash]

Personally, I think I would rather patrol jungle than an urban area. Takes guts man, good show.