Young, Gerry, 1
Young, James, 1, 2
1 Derry Brigade members appear on a Catholic housing estate. By the mid-1980s the Provisionals could obtain the best firearms on the market; the central figure carries the highly effective Belgian FNC assault rifle and those on either side German-made G-3s.
2 Royal Marine Close Observation Platoon members in south Armagh displaying a variety of non-standard weapons. Such units carried out surveillance missions and prepared soldiers for more elite duties. One of those here went on to 14 Intelligence Company, another to the SAS.
3 A member of D Squadron 22 SAS in an observation post in south Armagh shortly after the unit arrived there in 1976.
4 Members of Parachute Regiment units played an important role in early undercover operations. This member of a Parachute Regiment Close Observation Platoon carries the Armalite rifle, favoured by the SAS and soldiers in these units during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
5 Army Lynx helicopters provide a vital service for Army patrols in the border area. The IRA became preoccupied with the idea of shooting one down, finally succeeding in 1988.
6 Members of one of the RUC’s special firearms units providing protection for a visiting member of the Royal family. During the early 1980s, more dangerous duties were assigned to such units.
7 The RUC was transformed in the years following its assumption of control of security operations in 1976. But even during the late 1980s, two officers patrolling west Belfast required the protection of 16 soldiers.
8 These republican suspects were searched after troops in a covert observation post called for a patrol to stop their car. This photo, taken by soldiers hidden in the observation post, shows the quality of photography possible.
9 Another surprise vehicle checkpoint (VCP), this one set up at night in Fermanagh, and captured on infra-red film. Republican leaflets were found on the driver.
10 Overt observation posts are equipped with computers linked to vehicle registration and suspect intelligence collation centres, as well as with high quality surveillance cameras.
11 Specially designed vehicles were deployed to protect patrols from radio command bombs. The trailer contains powerful transmitters, designed to jam any detonation signal.
12 The aftermath of the SAS ambush of two IRA gunmen at the Gransha hospital in December 1984. Their covered bodies lie beside the motorbike. The operation was based on informer intelligence that the IRA intended to kill a part-time UDR member who worked at the hospital.
13 An aerial view of Loughgall police station after the gun battle which left eight IRA men and one bystander dead. The effects of the bomb can clearly, be seen.
14 Loughgall: the aftermath of the ambush before the press were allowed to see it. Patrick Kelly lies dead, a G-3 rifle across his chest. Just visible behind the wheel, the slumped figure of Seamus Donnelly. The IRA men who fell between the van and fence can be seen, covered on the far right.
About the Author
Mark Urban is Diplomatic and Defence Editor for Newsnight. He is the author of, among others, Big Boys’ Rules: The SAS and the Secret Struggle Against the IRA, Rifles and Fusiliers.
Copyright
First published in 1992
by Faber and Faber Ltd
Bloomsbury House
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London WC1B 3DA
This ebook edition first published in 2012
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© Mark Urban, 1992
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ISBN 978–0–571–26668–5
