2 Royal Anglian in Bosnia 1994
We deployed to Bosnia from our Trenchyard barracks, celle in Germany. Our Battalion 2 Royal Anglian the poachers had completed our Op grapple training. Personally , myself and other new recruits had just passed out from ITC Ouston near newcastle. We had seen ethnic cleansing and attrocities going on the tv and i have to admit i was petrified.
The flight was pretty quick and easy, however our journey to Vitez was long, ardous and tiring. The first thing that struck me was the all the building wrecked and damaged. I always recall seeing a slogan on the wall "Welcome to hell" in Mostar, how true that statement would be! Off loaded and for me i was straight out on a checkpoint, and the shelling was bloody close from the serbs in Traffnik. The croats and muslims had joined together to fight against the serbs, and our jobs as UN peacekeepers was piggy in the middle of it all.
The days where long, hot, tiring and at times very boring. Dust was overpowering and the constant roar of warriors kept us awake when we where trying to rest. Accomadation was basic at best, and conditions where appalling. Diesel coming out in the water, and a severe case of dysentry running through the men like a dose of the salts. We where all living close to each other and at times petty arguements and disagreements took place.
Sadly we lost a good officer at the start of the tour and it shook us all up. We had close calls up Jelah, Traffnik and Stari vitez. A bad firing incident took place in our camp at vitez school,and a mate of ours was paraylsed from it. A muslim lunatic ran riot with an ak47 oustide our camp one day, and let of a full mag, we all had twitchy rears after that. Sandbagging, fatigues and even guard mounts on a operational tour took place. Sometimes even as a new bloke , i wondered why the need for some of the b******?
The days and weeks rolled on, and we all had r and r. I missed Jim davidson as i was on guard and i was gutted. I think we all left Bosnia with some sort of memory good and bad. For me personally it will be the dirt, dust, smell of fumes, and the kids begging for food and sweets. Also the damaged buildings like something out of world war 2.The hospitality from the Bosnian people was fantastic, after going through what they did. I recall on Mount Igman going too a old ladys house bread and cheese we got was out of this world. On the down side the Mujahadeen where not UN friendly and decided to hold us up sometimes for hours on checkpoints and convoys. from my point of view Bosnia 94 was worthwhile and we did our bit to help the locals out and keep the peace!
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