The 33rd Battalion of the Irish army leave for the Congo on board a US Airforce Globemaster. The film shows the Irish troops parading and being blessed before departure at Baldonnel aerodrome.
Embarkation of the 33rd Battalion to the Congo, 18 August 1960.
In August 1960 with the permission of the Irish Air Corps, Thomas Fewer had access to film the departure of the 33rd Battalion of the Irish army to serve in the Congo.
The film shows the arrival of a US Airforce Globemaster at Baldonnel aerodrome. The parting troops parade before the Taoiseach, Sean Lemass, the Minister for External Affairs, Frank Aiken and the Minister for Defence, Kevin Boland.
The soldiers are blessed by the Rev. P Duffy acting Head Chaplin to the forces and say goodbye to loved ones before departing.
Michael Fewer son of the filmmaker Thomas can be seen with a notebook in hand coming off the plane and talking to American military personnel.
The soldier embracing his mother at the steps of the plane may well be Jimmy Forde. The bus his parents were travelling on from Cork broke down so by the time they got to Baldonnel their son has already boarded. An American officer arranged for Jimmy to come off the plane to say farewell to his parents.
Nine Irish soldiers of the 33rd Battalion were killed at an ambush at Niemba on 8th of November 1960.
Title: |
33rd Battalion Depart for the Congo |
Clip Duration: |
00:04:45 |
Material Type: |
Video |
Clip Title: |
Soldiers of the 33rd Battalion Depart for the Congo |
Series Title: |
Thomas Fewer Collection |
Information: |
Thomas Fewer (1910-79) was an accountant by profession, and worked for most of his life for Allied Iron Founders, in later years as Company Secretary. He was enthusiastic about his home city, Waterford and all things Waterfordian, a member of the Harbour Board, the Chamber of Commerce (President from 1966-1968), the Festival Committee and many other voluntary groups promoting the city. Thomas Fewer was keen on photography and took up a cine-camera in 1955. As well as recording the family history on film for almost the next 25 years, he also covered many important Irish and Waterford events. |
Coverage: |
Ireland |
Topic: |
The Media |
Contributor(s): |
Thomas Fewer (Filmmaker) |
Publisher: |
RTÉ |
Production Year: |
1960 |
Country of Production: |
Ireland |
Original Identifier: |
DF3320 |
IPR Restrictions: |
Rights Reserved - Free Access |
Rights, Terms and Conditions: |
Copyright Thomas Fewer. This material may not be replicated in any form or manner without the prior express permission of the copyright holder. For more information contact RTÉ Archives. |
Item Type: |
part/extract |
Colour: |
Colour |
Sound: |
Silent |
Aspect Ratio: |
4:3 |
