Niemba

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Niemba is a town in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga Province. It is situated on the Lukuga River, a tributary of the Lualaba river. The population is around 1,800. It is connected by rail to Kalemie.

[edit] Niemba Ambush

On the 8th November 1960 a nearby bridge over the Luweyeye River was the site of an ambush by local Baluba tribesmen on a platoon of 11 UN troops serving with ONUC. Nine Irish Army soldiers were killed as a result of the ambush and between 11 and 20 Baluba tribesmen. Two Irish soldiers survived the ambush. The platoon commander, Lieutenant Kevin Gleeson from Carlow, was killed in the action along with Sgt. H. Gaynor, Cpl. P. Kelly, Cpl. L. Dougan, Pte. M. Farrell, Tpr. T. Fennell, Tpr. Anthony Browne, Pte. M. McGuinn and Pte. G. Killeen.

For his conduct during the ambush, 19 year old Tpr. Browne was posthumously awarded the Military Medal for Gallantry, Ireland's highest military award. A stone commemorating Lt. Gleeson can be found in Carlow town. The Irish troops wore heavy "Bull's wool" uniforms, boots and leggings, all unsuitable for the hot climate and conditions. Coupled with this, their radio equipment did not work, so they used a short wave radio owned by missionary priests to contact HQ in Dublin. Popular stories which came back told of Baluba tribesmen who were seen wearing the boots and jackets of the Irishmen who died. Despite this first experience, the tradition of UN service is still strong in the Irish Army.