I first served in Oman in
February 1970 on the Mortar Line, which was near the RA Gun Line on the
airstrip at Salalah in the Dhofar region. As time passed and the Adoo took
over virtually all of Dhofar, the RAF Regiment detachment and the Gun Line
were moved foreward to the Hedgehogs
to give
extra range and defence in depth.
The Gun Line, comprised 4
x 25-pounders and 1 x 5.5-inch field gun plus Sound Rangers with an OP
in each Hedgehog. The RA Green Archer radar stayed at the airstrip.
RAF Salalah Ground Defence
Operations Center.
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Hedgehog Bravo Adoo
SEPs.The Adoo picture shows 2 surrendered enemy personnel who gave themselves
up around June 1973. One of them had been wounded in a contact and had
to wait months before he received medical treatment.
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Hedgehog Bravo 15 Sqdn.
'Guins'. Each RAF Regt. Sqdn. has RAF tradesmen posted on to it, ie:- armourers,
sigs, MT mechs and fitters. These tradesmen are traditionaly nicknamed
'Penguins' because they are in the RAF but do not fly. Shortened to 'Guins'.
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Hedgehog Bravo CP. The
Command Post showing comms antennae and square ZB298 radar antenna.
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Hedgehog Bravo Me No.
2 mortar 1973. Picture taken about 0600 hrs June 73 and I've slept like
this through a harrasing shoot.
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Hedgehog Bravo night
contact 1973. This is a time lapse picture, the camera was placed on the
edge of the mortar pit with the shutter open and the muzzle flash did the
rest.
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Hedgehog Bravo WP on
the FPF 1973. Practice shoot on the FPF (Final Protective Fire). Note the
mineplate Bedford truck.
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Hedgehog Charlie 1972.
RAF Regiment mineplate Landrover.
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RAF Salalah 81mm Mortar
1970. Sited alongside the Field Surgical Hospital !
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RAF Salalah ATC 1972.
SOAF aircraft in the background.
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RAF Salalah RA Green
Archer. 2 x mortar locating radars on the edge of Salalah Airstrip.
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RAF Salalah Me 81mm
Mortar 1970. Me in No 2 Pit RAF Regiment Mortar Line RAF Salalah.
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4 Ton Mineplate Bedford
which we drove in Aden and then was transferred to Salalah when Aden closed.
Talk about seeing some service, this wagon must have covered miles !
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RAF Salalah Askari 1972.
The Akaris acted as escorts for us when we went out to Salalah Village,
Raysuit and the beach.
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GPMG SF Gun, notice
the Tripod is mounted "back to front" with the long leg forward.
The reason for this was to allow maximum elevation of the gun so very long
range targets could be engaged. This was achieved by co-ordination with
the ZB298 contact reports, by giving a range and direction to the gun crew,
targets out to 4000 metres could be engaged.
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Me HF Shoot RA Gun Line
RAF Salalah 1970. After getting to know the Royal Artillery lads and showing
them around the RAF Regiment Mortar Line I was allowed to fire a 25 Pounder
Field Gun on a Harrassing Shoot.
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Saracen Armoured Personnel
Carrier with
a mine roller attached.
RAF Salalah 1972. Because the Addoo where in the habit of Mining Tracks
the Saladin was used with the Mine Rollers to clear the route. Commanded
and Driven from the Rear Driving Station by RAF Regiment Gunners, Goggles
and Ear Defenders were needed by both the Commander and Driver.
Colin. (Ex RAF Chief Tech MT Fitter - Dhofar November 1970 to August1971) writes: During my tour of duty at RAF Salalah the SARACEN mine clearance vehicle (designated Chobham Rollers) was driven by a specially trained MT driver and serviced and operated by Station MT.
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Vickers MMG Hedgehog
Charlie 1971. This veteran weapon was used by SOAF Troops and Balouchi
Mercenaries in the Hedgehogs. It had a good Range and Rate of Fire
and could fire all day if needed.
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RA Gun Line RAF Salalah
1970 25 Pounder. SOAF Gun Crew demonstrate loading drill in preparation
for a HF Shoot.
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RA Gun Line RAF Salalah
1970 25 Pounder (2). Another SOAF Gun Crew demonstrate picture, the gun
is laid on to the entrance to the Wadi Jarsis, the main Addoo route on
to the Dhofar Plain.
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SAC MacNuff Dhofar Plain
Oman 1973. Because of the Political Situation with British Forces fighting
the Addoo in Oman all RAF Regiment Personnel where issued Shamags to wear.
The idea was to make it less apparent that we where foreign, it didn't
work, Aden Radio soon had us pegged and used to broadcast our Unit and
even Home base locations.
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