Engineer Operations
in Northern Ireland
August 1969 to February 1971.
Lt Col. J.F.M. GREAR. RE. AMBIM.
Civil and sectarian unrest, so often an unfortunate feature of life in NI became such a serious threat to the well being of the community during 69 that the Army was called upon to assist the civil authorities in maintaining law and order. In mid August a formidable build up of troops began. By the end of the month the garrison had increased from 3 to 9 Infantry Battalions. 3 Field Squadron arrived on August the 18th and was based at Antrim Bridging Camp.
AIM.
A list of Engineer activities is produced below in chronological order.
Accomadation - Security of Tactical Bases - The Peace Line - Border Activities - Operational Support - Miscallaneous Engineer Tasks - MACC and Community Relations - Training Assistance - Stores - Infantry Role.
Accomadation.
The building refurbishment and maintenanceof emergency troop accomadation. Sappers gave a consolidated effort in this field. Responsibility normally lays with the DOE.
Security of Bases.
Units provided with Tac bases in areas of influence, from which Hq's and sub units can observe and operate. They are also provided with firm bases for their echelons.A wide Variety of premises are used, RUC Stations - Factories - Backeries - School Halls and shops. One common thing they needed to be secure. Means adopted to secure these bases included; Perimeter fences - Lighting and area lights - Sealing or protecting windows and doors by brick work, sheet steel or NPM - Construction of sentry posts, sangers, roof top ops and elevated watch towers - Instalation of alarm systems. Sappers wqere involved in all of the previous activities, with the exception of perimeter fencing and lighting for long term firm bases. Many sandbags were used and experience has shown that infantry working parties require the closest RE supervision, if a reasonable standard is to be achieved. Sandbags of the proofed variety have a short life and it has been found desirable to cover all but the most temporary construction, with a skin of CGI. Locations change frequently with the altering situation making security work a continous commitment, also the maintenance commitment is considerable.
Peace Line.
A barrier half a mile long across the city of Belfast from the Shankill to the Falls Road was built. Its purpose, to assist the Army in its task of keeping opposing factions apart. Built in September 69 every footof the route was haggled over, the favourite cry "We shall not give an inch".
The initial design called for Type 1 catwire fences, with pickets concreted into road surfaces. In many places stronger construction had to be substituted, with duble 9 foot CGI fences on steel uprights the space between being filled with rubble. The peace line was covered by watch towers and other Op's of Engineer construction. Since built thisline has required constant maintenance, modification and repair. In July 1970 a subsiduary peace line was constructed further to the north of Belfast in the Ardoyne area, to seal of side streets giving access to half a mile of the Crumlin Road.
Border Operations.
The border between Northern Ireland and Eire is 330 miles long, crossed by 193 roads and tracks. Only 19 of these are officially approved as crossing points, 12 others are used as concessions to people living in remote areas. The border follows the old early boundries and is very poorly marked.
One of 3 Field Squadrons tasks on arrival in August 1969, was to recce the entire border and plan how to close it. The plan produced included the use of both cratering charges and metal spikes. A modified plan later used metal spikes only. In August 70 the plan was implemented in part, 53 crossings were spiked. The Mark 1 spike consisted of assymetric tripods, welded up from four and three quarter inch by one and three quarter BSM and were concreted into the road. Local reaction in some places was to promptly remove them and these were replaced by blocks of steadily increasing size. The Mark 2 - consisted of 40 gallon drums, filled with concrete, steel tubes running through the centre extending 5 feet below the road surface. Mark 3 - was a 15 cwt concrete blocks fixed as the Mark 2. The Mark 4 - was 15 cwt concrete blocks with SWR strops cast in. The strop was fixed to a steel beam concreted into a trench across the road.
All were removed in turn, the opposition deploying earth moving plant where necessary. The requirement to avoid confruntation, which might result in a pitched battle prevented the useof standing guards and visiting patrols were insufficient to prevent interference. Concrete rarely had time to harden. Changes in Political thinking in October 1970 lead to the despiking of the border. Lessons of these activities are already known to military engineers - an obstacle is only effective, when covered by fire. (See photo section on site, covering these activities).
Operational Support.
Barricade clearance using plant - Assistance and searches - Combat Engineer Support to the RAOC and EOD teams - Operation of searchlights and emergency repair of damaged using military equipment. The Allis Chalmers, MWT with itsgreat manouverability and versitile 4 in 1 bucket, was ideal for clearing barricades. Telephones were fitted into the cabs enabling the operator to have contact with his supporting infantry. Protection for operators wasof XPM orMakrolon and was also used to protect vunerable hydrolics.
Miscellanious Engineer Tasks.
Installing remote controlled barriers at border crossings - Laying trackway and assisting with the unloading of LCT's across beaches. Instaling alarm devices and certain public utilities.
MACC and Comunity Relations.
RE participation included Military Aid to the Civil Community - Assistance to UnitSponsored Schemes and assistance to Stormont with youth activities.
Training.
RE's provided assistance in training Search Teams, (4 day courses) - Watermanship, including operating of out board motors - Mine detection training
Conclussions.
Establishe RE strength in NI of one Field Squadron on a 4 month rotation, compares unfavourably with normal sapper support and itis found to be necassary to reinforce with a second Squadron on a two troop basis. Despite this the volume of work done is most impresive.
Most of the tasks are acheived at section level or less, troop tasks are a rarity. Training valueat JNCO and Officer is obvious and unlikely to be met else where. There is considerable variety in the jobs undertaken and its heartening to see tradesmen constantly employed in their trades, as well as Combat Engineering.
The situation has given the Corp the unique opportunity of impressing upon a very large section of the Army, its skills and versatility. The Squadrons who served are 3, 8, 9, 60 and 34, have made full use of this chanceand have proved again that;
" A Busy Sapper is a Happy Sapper"
Scource: RE Journal, 1971, page 153. Corp Library, Brompton Barracks.
