Impact of the Ambush in Ireland
The Niemba Ambush was a devastating shock not only to the people of Ireland, but to those around the world who heard the news and especially to those who were serving or about to serve with the United Nations. On Friday 18 November 1960 a full Battalion parade was held at Albertville Airport in advance of the victim’s repatriation home.
- “PRCN-0006-08-42: Fr. C.P. Crean saying mass at Albertville Airport prior to the repatriation of the Niemba victims, 19 November 1960”
- “P-160-061A: Dignitaries and Guard of Honour at the removal service for the Niemba Ambush victims”
- “P-160-059: Removal service for the Niemba Ambush victims at Albertville Airport”
In the days after their return home, tens of thousands of people visited the hangar at Baldonnel where the bodies were lying in state. The funeral took place on Tuesday 22 November. Thousands gathered on the streets in Dublin to watch the funeral cortege led by Capt. Crowley and his party. The men were laid to rest at Glasnevin Cemetery. Hundreds of Mass cards and letters were sent from all over Ireland and abroad to the Defence Forces and the 33rd Battalion offering sympathy for those who died at Niemba. Sympathies were offered from other battalions, sports groups, schools, nurses and doctors, businesses, county councils and more. The ambush remains the single biggest loss of life in the Defence Force’s history. The aim of this exhibition is to remember and acknowledge all members of the patrol, 60 years on.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha uaisle.
- "AL-IMG-454: Mounted black and white photograph of the funeral cortege of the Niemba victims on the way to Glasnevin Cemetery"
To listen to part of an interview of Colonel Peter Feely (Retd.), concerning how the news of the ambush filtered through to the other Irish Defence Forces personnel serving in the Congo at the time, please click HERE
Expressions of Sympathy
“OS-ONUC-33INFBN-04-04:
Mass cards and letters of sympathy sent to the 33rd Battalion”
- “OS-ONUC-33INFBN-01-04: Letter from the Kildare Association, London, concerning a Mass to be said for Irish Troops killed in the Congo”
*Material used for this exhibition comes from the following collections: United Nations Operations in Congo Collection (view the summary and download the full collection catalogueHERE), United Nations Unit Histories (view uploaded unit historiesHERE), Military Archives Photo Box Collection, Brother Allen Collection, Oral History Collection (view our Oral History webpage HERE), Director of Operations collection, and the private collections of Comdt. Hogan and Lt. Gen. MacEoin.