In 1993, Irish troops were part of the United Nations Operation in Somalia II (UNOSOM II) - the second phase of the United Nations intervention in Somalia, from March 1993 until March 1995. 

The UNOSOM II intervention is well known for the Battle of Mogadishu and the resulting events portrayed in the book Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War, and its associated film Black Hawk Down.

In this documentary, Treasa Davidson joins the c.100 members of the Irish Army Transport serving in Somalia as part of UNOSOM II.

We hear about the setting up of camp, their eventual departure - and the move to "luxury" tents, roll-call, their long day's duties, off-duty activities, the isolation of camp and convoy duties.

We also hear about first-timers on the UNOSOM mission, soldiers’ letters home, medical precautions and the flight in a Hercules aircraft to Baidoa.

The soldiers speak their struggle in helping refugees, the proliferation of arms in Somalia and how society is organised there along tribal lines. 

Narrated and Produced by Treasa Davison

First Broadcast:  October 12, 1994

An Irish radio documentary from RTÉ Radio 1, Ireland - Documentary on One - the home of Irish radio documentaries