Deep Behind Enemy Lines, page 12
‘The first item should be to confirm the names of the men we picked for our respective teams when I was introduced to the unit, and specify those nominated yesterday who’ll act as team leaders. We can then spell out their reporting responsibilities, giving special emphasis on total compliance with all aspects of operational conditions.’
Josh nodded his agreement as Bill continued. ‘Next item we hand over to the OC and Travers; the OC will cover all those specifics with, hopefully, a commencement date and duration of the operation and Travers will give us comprehensive details of the radio equipment, networks, re-broadcast details and all relevant operating procedures. Once we’ve been briefed, you and I can get down to general logistics with the men, based on this information.’
When all matters they needed to address were covered, they left the mess. They’d meet again shortly when the men were assembled.
Twenty minutes later they arrived in the conference room where all on a need-to-know basis were present clutching millboards. Moments later the OC and Travers entered and again everyone stood, marking respect for the officer.
‘Good morning. Be seated,’ said Major Brown. ‘I think you all know why you’re here. I remind you this meeting is highly confidential and nothing, I emphasise nothing, relating to it is to be discussed outside these walls. Any breach will be severely dealt with.’
The OC’s eyes raked sternly across all the faces.
‘The information you’re about to be given concerns schedules for a medium-range covert penetration and surveillance initiative of Shifta insurgency action in the River Tana region. This results from intelligence received.
However, before I expand on details I have disturbing news from the UKFO which is likely to exacerbate this current situation. I wasn’t at liberty to divulge this earlier but in my opinion you should now be made aware of it, since it could well have operational impact.
Two Boran senior officials, Tribal Chief Haji Galma Dida and District Commissioner Daudi Debaso Wabera have been assassinated. It’s emerged that the killers avoided capture by scurrying back across the border into the Somali Republic. This, of course, highlights the significance of this recent intelligence. Again, it’s my opinion this will indirectly affect us at GWS. Does anyone have anything to say before we press on?’ He paused to allow response.
One of the corporals stood. ‘Yes, Sir. Are you saying this information is likely to form part of another counter-insurgency operation?’
‘I won’t know until we get further information which, hopefully, should be shortly. However, you’ll all be kept informed at an appropriate O-Group I’ll convene at that time. Clearly, it’s all the more reason for pre-operation exercises, since it’s evident Shifta insurgents are beginning to ramp up major incidents. The operation we’re discussing here today is the immediate priority, and has been codenamed Operation Night Hawk. Anyone else?’
Another corporal stood. ‘Yes, Sir. When do we go live?’
‘You’ll be on full standby from this coming Sunday, 10th November. The ready-to-move-out order will be given then.’
‘What are the transport and logistics arrangements, Sir,’ was the next question.
‘Staff Sergeants Scraggs and Baines, who’ll be heading up the operation, will fill you in on those at respective coordination O-Groups before embarkation, together with all other details. Team leaders were selected yesterday and those under their command will be informed before you leave here.’
He indicated for Josh to take the floor and abruptly sat down.
Josh resumed. ‘Team-A, under my command, will consist of fourteen men.’ He went on to give details of all discussed and sanctioned with the OC and Travers the previous day.
‘Exact grid reference coordinates will be confirmed at Archer’s Post which Mr Travers will provide me with during this meeting, along with all other necessary particulars. I’ll bring you up to date with other details at the O-Group briefing before departure and, of course, you’ll be further updated at Archer’s Post prior to commencing our operation. Any further questions?’ He paused, and a soldier stood.
‘Yes, Staff. Do you know how long the operation is expected to last?’
‘The preliminary estimate is approximately one month, subject to insurgent activities in the areas where we’ll be on surveillance.’
‘What’s the arrangement for top-up supplies, Staff? I know our bush and jungle survival training and experience are well schooled; there’s always fish from the river, source water we can purify and an abundance of natural fruit from the bush. But what if time and circumstances on the ground prevent fishing and foraging?’
‘And what about casevac situations,’ another NCO queried.
‘The answers to both those questions are top-up supplies will be made by airdrop if and when requested, and emergency casevac recovery will be by helicopter, organised out of Kahawa AAC Air Wing via requests through Nairobi Base Camp,’ confirmed Josh. He finished his team brief with the names of his team leads, then sat down, leaving Bill to take the floor.
‘Team-B will comprise sixteen men.’ He reiterated all the details discussed the previous day and named his leads together with the support NCOs for each micro-team.
I’m sure everyone here is aware of the distance over which this operation extends; approximately 750 miles along the River Tana, not forgetting the surrounding bush and forest. So, being thin on the ground is putting it mildly. Nevertheless, we’re undertaking reconnaissance in specific and known hotspots along the spread.
On arrival, my individual teams will identify suitable observation positions and dig in to commence surveillance. As you’ve been told, Mr Travers will issue exact grid reference coordinates. I’ll hold an O-Group briefing on the morning of departure with those of you travelling by road, and just prior to boarding the aircraft with the airborne team. At that point all parachutes, rucksacks of support equipment, weapons and rations will have been requisitioned from our stores. Any questions so far?’
Bill’s look around the room stopped at one of his lead NCOs who was on his feet.
‘Yes, Staff. What arrangements are there for the recovery of the eight air-dropped men at Bura and Hola?’
‘It’s likely to be by the Bell UH1, which I understand is on loan to the AAC Air Wing at Kahawa air base. This is yet to be confirmed, but rest assured those arrangements will be firmly in place before we take off.’
He went on to explain the operational logistics for his second team of eight who would be travelling to Garsen and Kipini.
‘Those are all the main points I have now, major,’ he said, turning to the OC.
‘Thanks, Staff. At this juncture Mr Travers will cover his areas.’
‘Yes, thank you Major Brown. OK everyone, I trust I have your undivided attention.’ What a superfluous statement to make, thought Bill.
Travers proceeded to fill them in with the full details of radio and communication support proposals, and to itemise the call signs and codenames.
‘As stated, all radios and associated equipment are ready for issue and will be attended to shortly at the equipment maintenance stores. As soon as all teams are ready and set up on the ground, and have reported they’re in position, the first network call will be the sitrep at 2359 hours on the first day of Operation Night Hawk. That will probably be Monday or Tuesday 18th or 19th November depending on the exact start day. Thereafter, radio silence will be maintained and the only exceptions will be re-supply, emergency and/or insurgent sightings. These last must be reported immediately. That’s all for the moment. All or any further questions and discussion should be taken up with Staffs Baines and Scraggs who will have all the necessary information.’
He sat down and passed the meeting back to Major Brown.
‘Many thanks. Mr Travers will advise Staffs Baines and Scraggs of the map grid coordinates at the end of this meeting. Regarding aircraft tasking, I’ve a coordination O-Group meeting this afternoon with OC the AAC Air Wing, Second in Command the 1st Battalion the Oxfordshire Regiment, together with Second in Command the KAR. Zero hour for the start of Operation Night Hawk at the moment will be at 0600 hours on Sunday, 17th November this could however change. You are therefore on standby from Sunday 10th November as already mentioned.’
Major Brown left the conference room and Travers stayed to pass his reference information to Josh and Bill for Operation Night Hawk. He also advised them details would be given to the officers who attended the OC’s meeting later in the day. Travers was cordially thanked and he too left the meeting.
Before the men were dismissed, the details and schedule of the forced march exercise for the coming Sunday 10th November, were gone over and once Bill had given the order to dismiss he and Josh walked back across to the unit office.
‘Good meeting,’ said Bill. ‘I think we’re all up to speed and singing from the same song sheet. All that’s left now is to make sure vehicles and support equipment are ready for dispatch to the NFD with us.’
‘Yep! It looks like we’ll spend most of tomorrow at the equipment stores making a punch list of requirements. Anyway, my stomach thinks my throat’s been cut and I’m spitting feathers for a pint. What say you?’
‘Is that Welsh colloquial?’
‘No mate bog standard East End, the one thing I’m not looking forward to is the compo rations we’ll be existing on for a month Bach,’ Josh shot back in a broad Welsh accent.
‘Well I’m up for some good grub and a drink. Let’s go.’
They were both laughing when they walked through the mess doors.
Chapter 22
At 1400 hours the same day Major Jack French, OC Air Wing, Major John McIntosh, Second in Command, 1st Battalion, Oxfordshire Regiment and Major Philip Jessop, Second in Command, KAR assembled at the conference table in Major Brown’s office. Major Brown and Sidney Travers would jointly chair the meeting.
Major Brown addressed the assembled officers.
‘Good afternoon, gentlemen. I understand you’ve already met Mr Sidney Travers in the Officers’ Mess. He’s a Senior Civil Servant with the Foreign Office Global Wireless Service and I’ve asked him to join us here today. Our agenda relates solely to Operation Night Hawk, which commences at 0600 hours, 17th November.
My unit has had a coordination meeting and we’re currently manning-up our two main teams ready for mobilisation. I’ll briefly summarise the operational planning and take questions afterwards.’ Major Brown gave a concise summary of Operation Night Hawk.
‘Currently, the timeframe we’re estimating is a maximum of one month. Detailed information concerning any insurgent movements or activities will be forwarded to your units to liaise the preparation of armed counter-insurgency measures in the area or areas concerned. Of course, such liaison must include my senior staff, especially as the teams are likely to still be in their observation positions when any counter-insurgency operations are mounted by your troops.’
‘Are there any questions, gentlemen?’
‘Yes,’ responded Major McIntosh. ‘Am I correct in assuming after delivery of men and equipment, the transport will return to Nairobi Camp and the same transport will recover the men and said equipment? Secondly, how exactly will the insurgency activities, movement details and information be transmitted to our regiments?’
‘To answer your first question, your understanding is correct. In answer to your second, I’ll ask Mr Travers to give you an outline of those details. Mr Travers?’
‘Thank you. Manpower injuries and urgent requirements for patient casevac are to be requested on the radio emergency channel. Unexpected insurgent Shifta movement and activity is to be made at midnight, or as it occurs, by breaking radio silence and reported on either of the network secure operational radio frequency channels. Insurgent reports will be transmitted to GWS here at Command Centre and passed to both regiments by Major Brown. Do you have any further questions, Major McIntosh?’ asked Travers.
‘Thank you, not for the moment.’
Major Jessop directed a question to Major Brown.
‘You stated Operation Night Hawk is to be based on a stealth approach. To maintain this, what arrangements have been made for the outboard engine noise whilst on the Tana? The same question also applies to the air delivery and recovery transport.’
‘Yes, obvious areas of concern. However, regarding the outboard engine noise, there are two factors worthy of note. Factor one is the REME, together with specialists of the SAS, have developed unique silencers for these engines which are employed when on terrorist activities in other operational theatres. Factor two, and pertinent to this operation is we currently have heavy rain and the River Tana is in full spate, flowing at a rapidity of between twelve and twenty knots. The craft will travel very rapidly much of the time by sheer force of water flow, without the use of outboards unless absolutely necessary. These militarily adapted large and powerful Gemini amphibians can carry four men and all support equipment.
Regarding air delivery and recovery, I’ll leave Major French to go over it for you,’ replied Major Brown. ‘Will you be good enough to pick this one up, Jack?’
‘Will do, James. OK, gentlemen, whilst I’ve a lot more detail to go into with Major Brown, I’ll no doubt receive a formal request from him shortly to task a suitable fixed wing aircraft for stealthy delivery of eight free fall parachutists which will include the re-supply drops if required. I’m recommending the De Havilland Twin Otter as the most suitable since it has an available payload for eight free fallers plus support equipment. This aircraft has an altitude ceiling of around 15,000 feet, bearing in mind it is subject to weather conditions. It’s also ideal for delivery close to first or last light. Agreed, James?’
‘Yes. I’ll get Staff Scraggs to meet with you to go over the free fall parachute deployment, probably tomorrow.’
Major French continued. ‘All or any recovery or emergency casevac is to be by Bell UH1B Huey helicopter which has a maximum payload of fifteen men. This chopper is ideal for night flying. Again, it would be subject to weather conditions and circumstances and, of course, when DZ locations are known. If any re-supplies are required these will have to be undertaken from high altitude fixed wing aircraft, or possibly by helicopter subject to local conditions. Again, it would preferably be at first or last light. However, we’d hope timing doesn’t present a problem.’
‘Thank you, Jack,’ responded Major Brown. ‘Tomorrow Mr Travers will provide you with all grid reference coordinates including DZ positions.’ Major Brown formerly closed the meeting and advised the minutes would be circulated to each attendee next day.
The visiting officers thanked Major Brown and Travers for the heads up briefing on Operation Night Hawk and left the office to return to their own commands. The minutes were prepared by Major Brown and dispatched to each attendee early the following day.
Chapter 23
Travers had spent the previous evening finalising the radio information for Operation Night Hawk, and he met the three visiting officers in the mess to pass over the grid reference coordinates, frequency information, radio channels and all locations selected for the two teams involved. This information would also be relayed to Bill and Josh who would disseminate to their teams.
It was now Saturday 9th November. Bill and Josh roll-called their men and led them over to the equipment stores and MT compound, setting them to work locating equipment, ticking off the punch lists and generally making ready for the next day’s forced march exercise. Travers walked across to meet them and apologised for the interruption. He was holding paperwork that he handed to Bill, itemising all the relevant radio information for Operation Night Hawk, and told them of further important details regarding the coordinates of the team locations.
‘Of significant importance are the DZs for the two airdrops. As I understand it, you expect to be deploying at half-light so it’s imperative you check the coordinates carefully for both locations on your ordnance survey maps. I’ve selected large open areas of green savannah in each case which show as being relatively close to where I think you should be. However, you may wish to alter these. If so, please inform Major French when you see him.’ He then turned abruptly and made his way back to his office.
‘Not a man for small talk, eh,’ quipped Bill and they returned to the job at hand, reviewing items in the safety equipment section.
Of special interest to Bill were the steerable parachutes and other associated items. His interest was drawn to the night vision goggles, and he read the latest information in the manual. The Foreign Office GWS had super high powered NVGs that had been designed, developed and manufactured specially for such operations. These included adjustable headgear, hands-free operation and dual eyepieces. All Global Wireless units for covert situations used them.
The range, in absolute darkness, was about six hundred feet; even further in full moonlight. They gave a wide field of vision and utilised a built-in illuminator for added image and clarity during total darkness. Bill made a note of the most recent test certification, which showed as up-to-date, and all the related safety equipment was also found to be in excellent condition.
As he inspected the Gemini inflatables he noted the pontoon sides, top and bottom had been specially covered with an external reinforced, lightweight close metal mesh protecting against puncture.
‘These inflatables have extra protection fitted. How come?’
‘It’s a special modification made to a number of these craft by the REME. The design protects not only against puncture but also more aggressive objects, crocodile teeth to name but one. You can see they have further safety and protection by way of compartmental construction and design,’ replied Josh.
‘The air delivery system looks impressive, and the special lightweight body rucksacks carried beneath the reserve parachutes are large enough for small arms, ammunition, radio’s, hand generators, binoculars, sleeping bags, NVG’s and victualling with an all up on-board weight of 300lbs which can be spread between four men. A full inventory of the said 300lbs will be provided as we progress. What about your essentials, Josh?’
