Royal Green Jackets on Patrol in Belfast | North(ern) Ireland | The Troubles | August 1971
August 1971.
Footage of a British Army patrol unit based in Belfast during the Troubles in Northern Ireland (or North of Ireland to Republicans).
Reuters Text:
"A welcome cup of tea for the men with just about the toughest job in embattled Belfast. They are soldiers of the Royal Green Jackets Regiment and they are billeted in an old and decaying mill just off the notorious Falls Road -- scene of the worst fighting in the Northern Ireland capital. It's so dangerous in this sector of the city that the soldiers are no longer allowed out of the mill -- except when they're on patrol.
During a respite there's a chance to set aside the regulation flak-jacket. But even during cat-naps, these soldiers have to keep their rifles strapped to their wrists, ready for any emergency. The troops have tried to make their mill more lived-in. There's even a bar -- thought it sells only soft drinks, tea and coffee. Alcohol's not allowed.
When the letters from their wives and families arrive these soldiers can realise with a jolt just how far away home is. The fact that they're still in Britain only makes matters worse.
And it's another jolt for British confidence when you have to load and check your rifle before venturing out in the streets -- knowing the chances are good you may have to use it to save your life.
When the Green Jackets patrol these street they always set out in at least two Land Rover -- sometimes in three -- for mutual protection. The area covered by these men on their four-to-six hour patrols extends from the flower Falls Road to the equally dangerous Market Place, taking in the city centre and the so-called peace line built between the Roman Catholics and Protestants.
This is probably the most dangerous job in Britain today. When the soldiers face a riot, they can at least see their adversaries. But on patrol, they're sitting ducks for a snipers' bullet -- with only the radio as a lifeline to headquarters and help.
On the surface, it's routine.
But the tension is continuous when you're patrolling embattled streets like this one -- the Falls Road -- where every moment brings the threat of a sniper's bullet. That's been the big change during the last couple of weeks when the shooting war really started in the Belfast streets. The Green Jackets have suffered as much as any army unit. Two of their man have already been killed and another ten seriously wounded.
On this patrol, the Green Jackets' information room sent the patrol to check out reports of a sniper holed up in an area near a closed night club. It was also in the vicinity of the ironically named Peace Line.
The soldiers went in with the new caution instilled by events of the last few days. But this time they failed to make contact. Either the reported sniper had made his getaway or it had been a false alarm. In either case, mobility is at a premium for the petrol -- and they don't hang around presenting a target to any further gunman who may be in the neighbourhood."
Source: Reuters News Archive.
A Brief Reflection on British Counter-Insurgency Campaigns since the End of the Second World War adeyinkamakinde.blogspot.com/2...
Пікірлер: 57
Saw a lot of RGJ today NMA arboretum shook hands with a few respect to their service in Ulstet
RGJ, first time i have ever noticed a landy indicate! Bless the boys. 👍 👍
A buddy I was at uni with joined and was killed over there. RIP Don Nairn.
I lived in the Falls Road area, I went to primary school facing Hasting Street barracks where the RGJs were seen there coming out of. We used to throw stones at the army as they came out. What a childhood lol. Great footage of the old area.
There is a whole documentary on the RGJ in NI back in the early 1970's.
Lads going for a run around the block - last month or two of that type of patrol in that (Hastings St./ Divis St.) area especially. Divis Tower still there.
Great footage of the big X with the RVH in the background.Memories of NHSM and patrols out of bravo golf.
1:16 impressive stache
@danielw5850
Жыл бұрын
They were NATO-issue, until 1985😂
Times I patrolled the Falls, Grosvenor, Springfield and Divis areas………..
chills down my back
Green jacket 94, NI , respect to the 70s boys x
Born in the Falls road grew up in England from age five, guess who I joined.
Oh to be 21 again?
Amazing footage As a local I look at those old streets and see how they have destroyed communities by building 10 houses where 50 used to be, detached all the streets so people don't interact easily... All by design
I recognise a few faces, that's the 1st Bn The Royal Green Jackets...
@swifty8538
3 жыл бұрын
Yeah I was there it was the 3rd battalion in Belfast great times I'm alot older now but will always be a rifleman cet et audaux
@williambuchanan8607
2 жыл бұрын
@@swifty8538 so was I, it's 1 RGJ.
@treblerebel2362
2 жыл бұрын
My old Bn
@12dougreed
3 ай бұрын
@@swifty8538 was that frank moss the full screw with the Beatles tash ?
Fascinating bit of footage. That open upright type of mobile patrol would soon change.
@RD-dn7yv
2 жыл бұрын
It's outrageous looking back at how vulnerable troops are because of that particular practice.
@j2msu341
Жыл бұрын
It was a joke as well as the equipment
Gosh, the size of that room. Luck bastards.
Better off on foot boys…as we all found out.
I'd sleep with me arm in the sling in the field but not in a camp lol
@PeterMaddison2483
2 жыл бұрын
Gotta be habbit there.
@Paul-Weston
6 ай бұрын
I used to sleep with my rifle inside my sleeping bag on exercise. We had a plt sgt who used to crawl around in the middle of the night, stealing guy's rifles. Then he'd "sell" it back to you in the morning with pressups and burpees.
Was we the only ones who wore our slings attached to our wrist so our slr couldnt be taken from us
@bridgetown45
3 жыл бұрын
Was there in mid 1970.and that was the norm.
@Felix-rising
2 жыл бұрын
@@bridgetown45 it was standard
@Paul-Weston
2 жыл бұрын
I was in A coy, 3RGJ at McRory Park police station in '84/85, and we still had our slings around our wrists then. I don't know if it was just a Green Jacket thing or if all regiments did that.
@berniereme5864
2 жыл бұрын
@@Paul-Weston my mate was 3RGJ around that time Rob Balkin, my mate Danni. his father was RSM Alan Trigger Rogers, You must know the provo Sgt Smudge. Me and Danni both ex REME, Always have great banter with former RGJs. My grand father and great Uncle were first world war KRR. My great uncle was killed in Belgium 28th October 1918 aged 19, My grandfather came home
@PeterMaddison2483
2 жыл бұрын
@@Paul-Weston Must be all, I even did it in the TA (4WFR) when I was in 88 - 92. My brother was there in the early 70's too, RCT. He was 18/19 when he joined the Army (1972/3). He did 4 years and then left, He was in NI and Germany, not sure for how long though.
Bang bang
Brave guys
THE RIFLES
@jimmyjazz1570
2 жыл бұрын
eh, no!...We where Green Jackets not Rifles . The Rifles' have Redcoats and Arfa's in it ....
I was always nealt down next to a pile of dogshit. Arghhhhh
@PeterMaddison2483
2 жыл бұрын
Better than nealing IN one ;-)
carnation milk so it is.
3rd battalion bro
@Paul-Weston
6 ай бұрын
👍
The dark (Brenda's hughes) must have been asleep that day!!! They say he had some shot on him!!!
@olearyma57
Ай бұрын
Yes. Bad days rain. Stayed in bed till 2.30 those type of days.
A lot of the equipment seems very old fashioned and outdated, especially the helmet painted with gloss paint.
@danielf1313
2 жыл бұрын
Completely normal standard issue and 1970s state-of-the-art kit: -SLRs -1960/68 pattern DPM combats -US contemporary issue flak jackets, initially purchased in the US, later made domestically in the U.K. -boots DMS -GS Mk.4 (or modified Mk.3) turtle helmets which when first issued came in matt black or green and were often overpainted with vehicle green paint as they got banged about.
@RD-dn7yv
2 жыл бұрын
We were using equipment that was 20+ years old in the 1980s. That helmet design (MK5) is from 1944 and replaced the Brodie design. The MK5 turtle was hated, the chin straps were cheap and did not keep the helmet stable - the British Army didn't get a decent helmet upgrade until the mid 1980s, when the MK6 composite helmet was introduced. Even that had flaws, as it did not fit when the soldier had to wear a respirator, so the R&D process was poor and failed to produce a helmet that fitted with a respirator. Some units still had 1937 pattern webbing in the early 80s. A lot of squaddies had to augment their own equipment out of their own pockets, because the issued equipment was so poor. Don't even ask about boots DMS and puttees. As soon as I was out of basic training, the first thing I purchased was a decent pair of German made combat boots.
@danielw5850
Жыл бұрын
Me too. I remember arriving at my 1st posting and the RSM looking, with disgust, at my immaculate DMS + puttees and ordering me straight to the CQMS!
Falling Plates (ha, ha, ha)!
@Paul-Weston
6 ай бұрын
Actually "The Falling Plates" was a nickname for the Green Howards Regt. I can see how someone who's not too bright would hear the word "green", and think Royal Green Jackets.
@12dougreed
3 ай бұрын
@@Paul-Weston yes they always make that mistake on remembrance day in London Actually you have to be pretty thick to make that kind of remark.