The 60th anniversary of the Battle of Jadotville 1961

ONUC – Peacekeeping Mission in the Congo

The United Nations Operation in the Congo (Opération des Nations Unies au Congo), known as ONUC, was established by Security Council resolution 143 on 14 July 1960. The Congo, a former Belgian colony, became an independent republic on 30 June 1960. Twelve days later they made a request for military assistance from the United Nations, in order to maintain their territorial integrity. ONUC was established to ensure the withdrawal of Belgian forces, to assist the Government in maintaining law and order, and to provide technical assistance. This was subsequently modified to include maintaining the territorial integrity and political independence of the Congo, preventing the occurrence of civil war, and securing the removal of all foreign military, paramilitary and advisory personnel not under the UN command, as well as mercenaries.

The 35th Infantry Battalion

Ireland was one of the countries requested by the United Nations to provide troops to the proposed ONUC mission. They accepted the request and on 19 July 1960 the Irish Government passed the enabling legislation. This activated the first Irish contingent, the 32nd Infantry Battalion, which led to the beginning of the Irish Defence Forces' four-year commitment to service in the Congo. Between 1960 and 1964, over 6,000 Irishmen served in this mission. During this period of service 26 Irish soldiers lost their lives.
The 35th Infantry Battalion was the fifth Irish contingent to serve overseas as part of this mission. They deployed to the Congo in June 1961 and served there until December. They were part of the Katanga Command and were based in Elisabethville. ONUC was continuously engaged with Katangese forces during this period. (The 1st Infantry Group, another Irish contingent, was also serving in Katanga at this time and was based in Kamina.) The early part of their mission was relatively quiet. They carried out long-range patrols to Dilolo, Mokaiyibo, Kipushi, Jadotville, Kolwezi, and Kamina. Gendarmerie movements and activities were being observed during this time. (The Gendarmerie were part of the developing Katanga armed forces.)

View the 35th INF BN Unit History

Operation Rumpunch

This operation commenced on 28 August 1961. This was ONUC’s attempt to remove the influence of foreign mercenaries on Katanga. The goal was to arrest these mercenaries. 'A' Company was tasked with taking the Gendarmerie HQ in Elisabethville, arresting all white mercenaries therein and to surround the house of Katangese Interior Minister Godefroid Munongo

Force Mide

Prior to 'A' Company’s deployment to Jadotville, Force Mide was temporarily stationed there in late August 1961. This group was under Swedish command and consisted of one Swedish Company and one Irish Company - 'B' Company, 35th Infantry Battalion. Their objective was to take control and prevent uprisings. Force Mide was to remain in Jadotville for two to three weeks and to impress upon the European population there that the UN were on high alert. Maj Mide of the Swedish Battalion soon gathered that they were not welcome and after receiving instructions from Katanga Command’s Sector B commander Col Jonas Waern, made the decision to withdraw his forces at the beginning of September. After some confusion between ONUC HQ, Lt Gen Seán MacEoin and UNHQ, 'A' Company was sent to Jadotville on 3 September.

'A' Company arrives at Jadotville

'A' Company received orders to move to Jadotville on 3 September 1961 to protect the white population there. This population would later be described by Commandant Pat Quinlan, Officer Commanding 'A' Company, as openly hostile to UN forces. Transport was seriously limited at this time. 'A' Company, along with a section of two armoured cars commanded by Lt Kevin Knightly, moved to Jadotville using Irish and Swedish vehicles. The 81mm mortars and 'A' Company’s emergency rations were left in Elisabethville as a result of the quick move and lack of transport. There was an immediate sense of unease when 'A' Company arrived at Jadotville. This grew as the days went on and was intensified by the growing number of Gendarmerie patrolling the area. Comdt Quinlan reported that, on arrival, the Company dug trenches for ‘local protection as per COY SOP’ (Company Standard Operating Procedure). ‘Digging in’ was embedded in Comdt Quinlan’s training. 'A' Company began digging into the extremely hard ground and bolstering their defensive area. These trenches would prove to be lifesaving.

'A' Company spent the days leading up to the battle reinforcing and improving their defensive positions. On 9 September Comdt Quinlan requested that a strong reinforcement be sent to Jadotville. Gendarmerie were regularly patrolling the area and their numbers continued to increase. Returning to Jadotville on 10 September, Capt Liam Donnelly, Comdt Joe Clune and Pte Michael Dunne (along with an escort) passed the Lufira Bridge, which was blocked by Gendarmerie. They had been sent by Comdt Quinlan the previous day to Elisabethville to deliver an update to Lt Col Hugh McNamee, OC 35th Infantry Battalion. The Lufira Bridge, located on the Lufira River, is situated sixteen miles from Jadotville and is the main access point from Elisabethville. Gendarmerie numbers had increased on the bridge following 'A' Company’s arrival at Jadotville. Not securing the bridge was a major error by ONUC. 'A' Company were effectively cut off from Elisabethville. This would be a crucial factor later on in preventing reinforcements reaching 'A' Company during the battle. During this time 'A' Company was told to remain in Jadotville, while reports of talks between ONUC and President Tshombe, discussing the situation at Jadotville, reached 'A' Company.

Operation Morthor

Alongside the growing tension in Jadotville, ONUC was making preparations for Operation Morthor. This operation aimed to topple President Tshombe’s government and end Katanga’s secession from the Congo. The 35th Infantry Battalion were not informed of this operation in advance. ONUC wanted as few people as possible to know about the plan. This left 'A' Company in an extremely exposed position. ONUC had also misjudged how long Operation Morthor would last. After leaving 'A' Company exposed, they had to divert key assets as troops had to be sent to reinforce those under siege at Jadotville. Operation Morthor was launched at 0400hrs on 13 September. Roughly three and a half hours later that same morning, the Battle of Jadotville began.

Operation Morthor

Alongside the growing tension in Jadotville, ONUC was making preparations for Operation Morthor. This operation aimed to topple President Tshombe’s government and end Katanga’s secession from the Congo. The 35th Infantry Battalion were not informed of this operation in advance. ONUC wanted as few people as possible to know about the plan. This left 'A' Company in an extremely exposed position. ONUC had also misjudged how long Operation Morthor would last. After leaving 'A' Company exposed, they had to divert key assets as troops had to be sent to reinforce those under siege at Jadotville. Operation Morthor was launched at 0400hrs on 13 September. Roughly three and a half hours later that same morning, the Battle of Jadotville began.

On the morning of 13 September, at around 0730hrs, fighting broke out and 'A' Company came under attack. This occurred while the majority of 'A' Company were at Mass. Despite the timing, 'A' Company quickly returned to their positions and returned fire. Word went out by radio to 35th Infantry Battalion tactical HQ in Elisabethville of the ongoing situation. The estimated enemy strength at this time was 300. 'A' Company received response from HQ to ‘defend yourself with max. force’. Following the initial attack there was a lull in fighting which lasted a couple of hours. Comdt Quinlan gave the order to fill every container in the vicinity with water. A precaution well taken as later on that day the water was cut off. During this period 'A' Company observed large forces of Gendarmerie moving into position.
A second attack began around 1130hrs with heavy mortar and small arms fire. 'A' Company’s 60mm Mortars, Bren and Vickers machine guns and Gustaf submachine guns were engaged and fire returned. Firing continued throughout the day and into the night. The first day of fighting also saw 'A' Company’s first wounded soldier, who was shot in the stomach.

Force Kane I

Plans were made on 13 September for a relief force from the 35th Infantry Battalion to go to Jadotville to reinforce 'A' Company. Already thin on the ground and engaged in Operation Morthor, Lt Gen MacEoin ordered that a reinforced Irish company go to Jadotville to relieve 'A' Company. The relief force comprised of elements from 'B' Company, supported by a cavalry and medical element, and was led by Comdt John Kane. Force Kane left Elisabethville at 1615hrs that day and was expected to arrive at Jadotville on 14 September. When Force Kane reached the Lufira Bridge it was met with road obstacles and heavy Gendarmerie fire. 'A' Company could hear the fighting at the Lufira Bridge from Jadotville. After returning fire and attempting various ways of clearing the blockages and reaching the bridge throughout the night, the order was given for the relief force to withdraw and return to Elisabethville the next morning.

The Battle Continues

Comdt Quinlan decided to consolidate his company’s defensive positions and more trenches were dug throughout the night of 13 September. After receiving the disappointing news on 14 September that Force Kane I had to abandon their attempt to reinforce the men at Jadotville, 'A' Company was met with the unwelcome sight of a Katangese Air Force CM 170 Fouga Magister Jet. The Fouga Jet was armed with 7.5mm blow-back operated machine guns and could carry two 500lb bombs. The first time the jet carried out a fly-over it appeared to be for reconnaissance purposes. When the jet reappeared around 1500hrs on 14 September it dropped two bombs and carried out strafing runs. The jet reportedly first hit the Purfina garage, targeting the petrol pumps and fuel tanks. 'A' Company suffered two more wounded during the bombing. Flying high into the sun, the soldiers found it difficult to see the jet’s position but they could hear it. 'A' Company attempted to fire at the Fouga Jet and it appeared to have been hit at least once, resulting in the aircraft needing to fly higher. This significantly reduced the accuracy of the jet’s attacks. Comdt Quinlan and the chaplain, Fr Fagan, made their way around 'A' Company’s positions, checking on the men and offering encouragement and support. On the evening of 14 September, Comdt Quinlan assembled a conference with his officers to discuss the situation. Elsewhere on 14 September, the 1st Infantry Group was attacked at Kamina by a Gendarmerie company. Reinforced by two Swedish companies, the 1st Infantry Group had repelled the attack by the morning of 16 September.

With ONUC forces now engaged in fighting at Jadotville, Elisabethville and Kamina, UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld decided to attempt to negotiate a resolution with President Tshombe. By the morning of 15 September, Comdt Quinlan was urgently seeking relief from Elisabethville. In a message to Lt Col NcNamee, Comdt Quinlan urged him to ‘send reinforcements immediately’. Attacks from the Katangese forces and the Fouga Jet continued and food and water supplies had become a major issue. Plans were made for a second relief force, Force Kane II, to go to Jadotville.
At 0927hrs on 16 September a helicopter flown by Lt Bjhrne (Norway) and Warrant Officer Eric Thors (Sweden) landed in 'A' Company’s position at Jadotville carrying water and ammunition. Gendarmerie forces instantly launched an attack and 'A' Company had to unload the helicopter under heavy fire. At approximately 1400hrs Comdt Quinlan received a phone call asking for a ceasefire. Later that afternoon Comdt Quinlan, accompanied by Fr Fagan and interpreter Lt Lars Fröberg (Swedish liaison officer), negotiated a ceasefire with the Mayor of Jadotville. Comdt Quinlan radioed Elisabethville to inform them of this development. He did not know at this stage that Force Kane II had withdrawn.

Force Kane II

Force Kane II left Elisabethville early on the morning of 16 September. The plan was to withdraw 'A' Company from Jadotville with a combined Irish and Gurkha force who would first have to attack the defending Gendarmerie company at the Lufira Bridge. The relief force was attacked by the Fouga Jet twice before reaching the Lufira Bridge. The bridge and its surrounding area had been heavily reinforced since the initial attempt to reach 'A' Company. A number of Gurkhas attempted to outflank the Katangese forces by crossing the railway bridge downstream. Their response was to blow up the railway bridge. After heavy fighting, Force Kane II was forced to withdraw. The Gurkhas suffered five fatalities and twelve wounded. Four Irish troops were also wounded.

Second Patrol to Jadotville Bridge 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 towards Jadotville and explains that he was sent on this patrol. He outlines the instructions that he and other officers were given before the patrol and the various issues that they might face. The patrol included 150 of B Company of Southern Command as well as Indian forces. He also recalls a Fouga jet (flown by a mercenary) bombing their position on the road to Jadotville.

17 September,1961

The day after the ceasefire was negotiated, on the morning of 17 September, Comdt Quinlan observed Gendarmerie once again surrounding 'A' Company’s position. The Fouga Jet was also flying. Comdt Quinlan continued negotiations throughout the day. At this stage the men of 'A' Company were utterly exhausted. Water had completely run out and food was minimal. Comdt Quinlan insisted on going into Jadotville town to see if he could get water restored and acquire a feel for the climate. He went into a bar where he was greeted with cheers by the Gendarmerie who saluted him and showed their wounds.

The situation worsened throughout the day. The UN jets that were promised never came and the relief force had returned to Elisabethville. Comdt Quinlan informed HQ 35th Infantry Battalion of the situation and advised that the ceasefire was on the verge of collapse. At this point, Minister for External affairs Frank Aiken TD had arrived at Leopoldville to meet with Dag Hammarskjöld. There seemed to be a serious lack of understanding between the 35th Infantry Battalion and 'A' Company about how perilous their situation now was. Comdt Quinlan’s focus was now on saving his men. With no reinforcements or water, and limited ammunition and food, 'A' Company were not in a position to sustain another attack.

During this time Interior Minister Godefroid Munongo had travelled from Elisabethville to Jadotville and requested a meeting with Comdt Quinlan. The two met at Munongo’s hotel. Comdt Quinlan was accompanied by Capt Liam Donnelly, Lt Fröberg and Fr Fagan, at the meeting, where Munongo called for 'A' Company’s immediate surrender. Comdt Quinlan was able to return to his position where he held a conference to discuss 'A' Company’s options. Strong arguments were made to continue fighting. However, taking into account that they now had five wounded soldiers, the lack of food, water and ammunition and the welfare of his troops, Comdt Quinlan returned and signed the terms of surrender. Comdt Quinlan felt that there was no other option. Munongo guaranteed 'A' Company’s safety.

View the Roll in more detail

On the morning of 18 September, 'A' Company was taken into captivity. The men were bussed into Jadotville town and lodged at the Hotel Europe. They likely now heard the news that Dag Hammarskjöld (The Secretary General of the UN) had been killed in a plane crash just after midnight. Representatives from the International Red Cross visited 'A' Company prisoners on 26 September and reported that they were in good health and high spirits. This report was later reaffirmed by journalists who visited 'A' Company in late September. Comdt Quinlan reported that, while imprisoned in Jadotville, they had no complaints about their treatment. Still, 'A' Company remained on alert and made preparations to defend themselves if needed. The five personnel wounded during the Battle of Jadotville had recovered by early October. The fear in captivity was ever present but Comdt Quinlan worked tirelessly at keeping morale up during this period. The men were kept occupied with training, lectures, discussion, question-time and indoor games. The 156 members of 'A' Company were joined in captivity by two Swedes, one Norwegian and six Italians as well as other Irish soldiers who were captured during the fighting in Elisabethville. The prisoners were guarded by a platoon of Gendarmerie under the command of Adjutant Thomas Simbi.

'A' company’s position changed for the worse when, on 11 October, they and the other UN prisoners were transferred to Kolwezi. Before arriving at their new prison camp, 'A' Company were confronted by a large group of local women and Gendarmerie who launched into verbal attacks threatening abuse and violence. It was thought that some of the women were relatives of those killed at Jadotville. When 'A' Company eventually arrived at Kolwezi prison camp they were roughly searched and a couple were beaten. Comdt Quinlan and Capt Donnelly strongly protested this and the beatings stopped.

A Katanga-wide ceasefire came into effect on 14 October which provided for the exchange of prisoners. 'A' Company was not released as planned on 16 October. The prisoners were told to be ready to move and were transported out of Kolwezi. Confined to buses and with severely limited food and water, the prisoners were eventually returned to captivity. 'A' Company agreed that they would take over the convoy rather than let this happen again. Thankfully, this plan wasn’t necessary, and 'A' Company was released on 25 October 1961. They returned to the 35th Infantry Battalion and resumed their normal duties. Some would go on to see more action in December during the Battle of the Tunnel in Elisabethville.

Situation at Home

Initial reports during the Battle came through at home that some or all of the men at Jadotville had been killed. Families read news reports with figures of those killed. Even Lt Gen MacEoin recorded in his diary on 15 September ‘57 killed in Jadotville!’ News was slow to come through and was fractured. What emerged was a structure of communication between the families and neighbours who would relay at once any news of their relatives. With no official support or communication, they relied upon each other. During the period of captivity letters between families at home and 'A' Company were a lifeline. When one family received a letter the news would be shared amongst everyone. Tapes (see below for an extract) were also sent back and forth during captivity where the families and prisoners were able to record messages and in turn, hear their loved ones. The key message sent from the prisoners was not to worry, that they were in good spirits.

The Return Home

The 35th Infantry Battalion was repatriated to Ireland by 25 December 1961 with elements beginning to return home from late November. Members of 'A' Company received varying receptions. Some were met at Dublin Airport by Minister for Defence Gerald Bartley TD and Chief of Staff Maj Gen Seán Collins-Powell. Journalists were there to report on the return of the heroic Jadotville men. Other members of 'A' Company were met with jeering and white flags in their local barracks. Many Jadotville veterans have described being the subject of such derision. Family members of soldiers involved also tell of similar experiences. They too suffered insults and slaggings. Since their return to the 35th Infantry Battalion in October, 'A' Company felt tension with some of their fellow soldiers. This continued back home. In Barracks around the country, in bars and messes, taunts and name-calling became the norm for some members of 'A' Company. This eventually led to a culture where Jadotville was not spoken of.

For 'A' Company, following the battle, there was no debrief, no collective praise for holding out. Initial press reports told of the heroic actions of 'A' Company in Jadotville. Gradually this press interest and praise dwindled. Conversations around Jadotville turned negative. Nobody wanted to talk about it. Those who took part in the battle were trying to deal with their experiences in a time where mental health was not spoken of. There was no after-care. 'A' Company veterans were left to cope with their trauma by themselves or with the help of their families, who also suffered. As well as the memories of battle and captivity, the men of Jadotville had to face this culture of scrutiny. For some, they were able to carry on as normal, others felt they had to leave the Defence Forces. Many continue to have flashbacks and nightmares to this day.

Comdt Quinlan’s final words on Jadotville in his report on 30 October 1961 were:

'All I wish to state here is that I never once saw any man waver. All the officer[s] have the same to report. Every man gave his very best and tried to do more. Their steadfastness and coolness under heavy fire was extraordinary.
My most lasting impressions are of the complete loyalty and devotion to duty on the part of every officer and man'

*Material used for this exhibition comes from the following collections: 

• United Nations Operations in Congo Collection
• United Nations Unit Histories 
• Military Archives Photo Box Collection, Oral History Collection 
• and Private Collections.