Map

Elizabethville

Now known as Lubumbashi

Loneliness of Congo

Joe Mallon
Interviewed for MAOHP - 15/12/2017
Location(s): Elizabethville
Length: 1.12

Here, Company Sergeant Joe Mallon reflects on his tour with the 32nd Battalion (32nd Infantry Battalion - Jul 1960 – Jan 1961) and discusses the loyalty and discipline within the battalion. He also reflects on loneliness on a tour and the importance of keeping oneself occupied as much as possible....

First Impressions of Congo

Joe Mallon
Interviewed for MAOHP - 15/12/2017
Location(s): Elizabethville
Length: 1.37

Here, Company Sergeant Joe Mallon speaks about his first impressions of landing in the Congo in 1960 with the 32nd Battalion. He discusses the challenges of the hot climate as well as reactions to the vaccinations and inoculations which they had received in Dublin.

Reflections on Congo Campaign

Gerry McMahon
Interviewed for MAOHP - 10/02/2017
Location(s): Elizabethville
Length: 3.14

In 1967, Lieutenant General McMahon was Platoon Commander with the 37th Infantry Battalion in the Congo. In this piece of audio from February 2017, Lieutenant General McMahon reflects on the importance of the Congo campaign for the evolution of the Irish Defence Forces.

Congo with the 37th Infantry Battalion (1962)

Gerry McMahon
Interviewed for MAOHP - 21/12/2016
Location(s): Elizabethville
Length: 5.5

In 1967, Lieutenant General McMahon recalls was Platoon Commander with the 37th Infantry Battalion in the Congo. In this piece of audio from December 2016, Lieutenant General McMahon speaks about the preparations for that mission. He discusses the levels of training and equipment associated with this and other Congo missions.

Under fire in the trenches

Seamus McDermott
Interviewed for MAOHP - 13/10/2016
Location(s): Elizabethville
Length: 0.58

Here, Corporal Seamus McDermott reflects on the emotions of being under fire in trenches in Albert Park, where the UN (United Nations) forces were based. He recalls an incident when he was in a trench with Private Smullen from Athlone when a bullet was fired between their heads. This incident...

First Battle of the Tunnel

Seamus McDermott
Interviewed for MAOHP - 13/10/2016
Location(s): Elizabethville
Length: 2.01

Here, Corporal Seamus McDermott outlines the significance of the Tunnel which separated the airport at Elizabethville from the town. He suggests that the first 'Battle of the Tunnel' was led by the 35th Battalion when they defended the tunnel from gendarmerie who wanted to take it over. A major battle...

Siege of Jadotville

Seamus McDermott
Interviewed for MAOHP - 13/10/2016
Location(s): Elizabethville
Length: 1.33

In this clip, Corporal Seamus McDermott remembers the Congo in 1961, when he was part of a UN force attempting to relieve the Irish unit involved in the Siege of Jadotville. He outlines how during the operation, a Fouga plane, flown by a mercenary, was regularly bombing their position. He...

Second Patrol to Jadotville Bridge

Seamus McDermott
Interviewed for MAOHP - 13/10/2016
Location(s): Elizabethville
Length: 5.59

In this piece of audio, Corporal Seamus McDermott discusses in detail his involvement in the second patrol which attempted to reach Jadotville, where a company of Irish soldiers were under siege. He details the requisition of at least sixteen buses which were used in order to go on a patrol...

Refugee camps for Baluba tribe

Seamus McDermott
Interviewed for MAOHP - 13/10/2016
Location(s): Elizabethville
Length: 4.41

In this clip, Corporal Seamus McDermott recalls being moved to Leopold Farm (Congo) and outlines some of the operations his unit were involved with. He recalls being sent with a section to check the identification of tribes who were looking for refuge from the United Nations. Corporal McDermott speaks about...

Rats and snakes in the Congo

Seamus McDermott
Interviewed for MAOHP - 13/10/2016
Location(s): Elizabethville
Length: 1.14

Here, Corporal Seamus McDermott outlines the conditions of their camp in the Congo (1961) which was initially shared with Swedish forces. He describes an issue with large rats in the camp. He discusses his early interaction with the native Congolese and also remembers a native child that got bitten by...

Operation Rumpunch (1961)

Seamus McDermott
Interviewed for MAOHP - 13/10/2016
Location(s): Elizabethville
Length: 4.05

In this piece of audio, Corporal Seamus McDermott speaks about 'Operation Rumpunch' on 28th August 1961, a surprise operation aimed at capturing foreign mercenaries. He recalls the preparations for this operation and outlines the purpose of the UN force in Congo. He outlines the change from peacekeeping to peace enforcement...

Going to the toilet under fire

Seamus McDermott
Interviewed for MAOHP - 13/10/2016
Location(s): Elizabethville
Length: 1.09

Here, Corporal Seamus McDermott describes life in a military camp under the constant threat of fire and offers one example of how military personnel kept themselves safe while using the toilet at night time.

Ambush in the Congo

Seamus McDermott
Interviewed for MAOHP - 13/10/2016
Location(s): Elizabethville Jadotville
Length: 5.01

In this clip, Corporal Seamus McDermott remembers an ambush in the Congo in 1961. He remembers that on the return to Elizabethville, their convoy was ambushed when a Swedish armoured personnel carrier was bombed and machine gun fire opened up on their bus from the side of the road. He...

Summary of Katanga Conflict and description of ‘The Tunnel’

Seamus McDermott
Interviewed for MAOHP - 13/10/2016
Location(s): Elizabethville
Length: 1.32

In this piece of audio, Corporal Seamus McDermott offers his memories of the Congo in 1961 and discusses 'the Tunnel', which was later the scene of a battle involving Irish soldiers in December 1961. He also discusses some of the reasons for the conflict.

Arrival to Congo – 1961

Art Magennis
Interviewed for MAOHP - 24/06/2016
Location(s): Elizabethville
Length: 2.44

In this clip, extracted from an interview undertaken in June 2016, Commandant Magennis remembers his arrival in the Congo for the first time in 1961 and his witnessing of a plane crash close to their base. In July 1960, Irish troops were sent to the Congo as part of the...

Memories of the Battle of the Tunnel

Sean Norton
Interviewed for MAOHP - 30/01/2017
Location(s): Elizabethville Katanga
Length: 2.42

Colonel Seán Norton enlisted in the Irish Army in January 1955 at the age of nineteen. Sixty-two years later, he sat down at Cathal Brugha Barracks to offer his memories to the MAOHP. In December 1961, Colonel Norton was one of three Platoon Commanders at the Battle of the Tunnel...

Eve of the Battle of the Tunnel

Peter Feely
Interviewed for MAOHP - 24/06/2016
Location(s): Elizabethville Katanga Congo
Length: 3.22

In this piece of audio taken from an interview on 24th June 2016, you will hear retired Colonel Peter Feely, a veteran of the Congo and one of three Platoon Commanders at the Battle of the Tunnel (December 1961). Colonel Feely was one of 14 men from 'A' Company of...

Flight into Elizabethville under fire with ‘A’ Company 36th Battalion (December 1961)

Peter Feely
Interviewed for MAOHP - 24/06/2016
Location(s): Elizabethville Katanga Congo
Length: 4.03

Arrival at Leopold Farm with ‘A’ Company 36th Battalion (December 1961)

Peter Feely
Interviewed for MAOHP - 24/06/2016
Location(s): Elizabethville Katanga Congo
Length: 2.22

Battle of the Tunnel

Peter Feely
Interviewed for MAOHP - 24/06/2016
Location(s): Elizabethville Katanga Congo
Length: 5.13

Battle of the Tunnel (Receiving orders)

Peter Feely
Interviewed for MAOHP - 24/06/2016
Location(s): Elizabethville Katanga Congo
Length: 4.35

Battle of the Tunnel (Throwing hand grenades)

Peter Feely
Interviewed for MAOHP - 24/06/2016
Location(s): Elizabethville Katanga
Length: 3.34

Death of Lieutenant Paddy O’Riordan

Peter Feely
Interviewed for MAOHP - 24/06/2016
Location(s): Elizabethville Katanga Congo
Length: 3.01