The Radfan Operation (1)

THE RADFAN OPERATION FROM THE GROUND


The preceding pages gave an insight into the aerial conditions in the Radfan; the next three pages will give the ground level view including many photographs. The Association is grateful to Major Tim Cornwell, who was seconded to the Federal Regular Army from the British Army, for the photographs and the comments.


105mm Pack Howitzer.


The FRA did not have any form of artillery or air support capabilities and so we had to rely on the British forces based in Aden to provide this type of support. At the time the artillery support was provided by the Royal Horse Artillery and (now that I think about it) I have a feeling that it was 3 RHA not 7 (I think 7 RHA was the regiment that was part of the Airborne Brigade in Aldershot and I did my parachute training with them!). Anyway 2 FRA had a troop (four guns I think) from the RHA attached to the battalion who travelled with us from Dhala. Soon after we arrived in the area and discovered that the opposition was stronger than we had expected we had to get a second troop of guns air lifted into our forward position to support the patrols that we were undertaking East of Thumeir. I think the helicopter was a Belvedere from Khormaksar and it was around this time that one of our patrols came under quite heavy fire. It was largely due to the bravery of Mike Bremridge the FOO (Forward Observation Officer) who had been wounded during the initial engagement that the patrol was able to break contact without major casualties.  Mike directed gunfire onto the enemy position throughout in spite of sustaining serious injuries during the initial contact - he was awarded an MC.

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