UNAMIR II - Australian Medical Support Force to Rwanda - Personal/Sub-Unit diary [ASC I COs diary LT Col P McIntosh] 25 Jul 1994 to 16 Dec 1994 - Part 9

157 
Wednesday 7 December .
[*Folio 232*] 
The Sitrep for the period 062200 to 072200

is at Folio 232.
[*Folio 233*]
The key Xmas tree  operation waving order
is at folio 233. Opsec to paramount !! 
[*Folio 234*]

ASC Xmas activity plan is  at Folio 234

I was advised by COMASC prior to prayers that 
LHQ was not happy about our APC training  with L HAWBATT . The
training had been advised in early October and they had 
been updated every week since 7 Nov 94, it appears that
their concerns were coupled with a PR article dispatched 
home, that did not pass OPI/ Ministers Office , The mighty
SITREP gave our answer to the 'please explain'.
The Deputy Minister for Health , Dr Charles visited 
CHK Military Wing for the first time . Not an overly 
impressive man and was very keen for us to leave all our 
equipment when we go in August,  Seemed happy enough 
and understood our desire to have the MOU signed 
as soon as possible .

A TCHAD soldier was killed in a vehicle accident 

yesterday evening , that required a deal of support from 
The unit today.  RSM arranged a send off service 
at the Airport with CANCON, INDBATT AND The GHANBATT 
band present. We provided a 20 man guard , pall bearers
and the Padre. Earlier in the day , our Surgeons 
assisted the FRAFBATT surgeon with the autopsy and 
raising of the death certificate .
The RSM concluded his busy day by presenting 

' The UN in The Western Sahara ' to Offr / SNCO training .
 

158

Thursday 8 December 
[*Folio 235*] 
The Sitrep for the period 072200 to 082200 Dec
is at Folio 235 
informed from Australia that the Ministers of 
Foreign Affairs and Defence had announced that a 
second contingent would relieve us in February . It 
was made plain that there would be no Third ASC !
The announcement coincided with the screening of the 
Channel Seven article on 'Summer Diary 'and a  number 
of media interviews/queries from home . ( ABC and 3AW)
The unit received  a letter of appreciation , from the 
acting Force Commander , for our efforts in arranging
the parade for the TCHAD soldier yesterday: Letter is at 
Folio 237. We will be doing it all again tomorrow, as 
a Ghanian MILOB died last night in CYANGUGU. The

MILOB  died last night in (CYANGUGU) . The 
SMO flew to the area to recover the body and assist 
with the drawing up of the Death Certificate . He died from
Cerebal Malaria - a timely reminder for everyone in the 
mission . 
I accompanied COMASC and  SQNLDR Peter Clarke 

on a tour of the hospital with the US Government 

Agency , DART (Disaster Assistance Relief Team). They were 
keen to see the NGO/ Military interface and visit 
Samaratins Purse facilities . The visit went well . 
About five of the CAPT's have received Posting Orders 
for at ' least one month to LSF for duty RHC . On enquiring 
I have been advised that it is only to allow them to take 
leave without , interference from their unit . This will be 
followed through .
GHANBATT finally moved out of the High Density block 
today and the Engineers from INDBATT moved in . Their 
OPSO did a great job in ensuring that the accommodation 
was handed over in a fit state — his methods of diplomacy 
were worse than mine when dealing with the Ghanaians !
PTE  Brown , Rifle Coy and Wo2 Townsend , CSM Log 
Spt Coy were both admitted to hospital today . At this 
early stage, it appears that they both maybe RTA  cases .
Log Spt Coy will miss their CSM - see Folio 238
The 4/94 Basic first Aid course concluded today .
 

159

Friday 9 December
(*Folio 236*) 

The Sitrep for the period 082200 to 092200 Dec

is at Folio 236
(*Folio 237*) 

A letter of appreciation for AUSMEDS participation

in the Tchad soldiers funeral is at folio 237

(*Folio 238*)
The CSM Lg Spt Coy was admitted to

hospital PM 8 December with a sprained  right

ankle. Coy concern is at Folio 238

I attended the formal orders group for OP OVERTURE.

The OPORD is currently classified but I would expect it to be

downgraded for D Day.  Our orders will be given tomorrow.

CO's weekly conference was conducted with reminders

made to ensure that vehicles are operated safely and

malaria precautions are taken.

We again provided a 20 man guard at the service

to farewell the body of the GHANAIAN Milob, who died of

cerebal malaria. RSM became the parade coordinator,

as the GHANAIAN RSM was not able to organize any of
the arrangements !

2/94  Raven Instructors course concluded, with a

students attaining a good standard . This panel was made 

up of NCO's or PTE's who were Regt Signaller qualified, and

as expected, a higher standard was reached than the 

1/94 course.
I was at the hospital at 1720hrs when the resus

alarm rang - a man had stood on a TS-50 apers mine.
I followed him through resus, to theatre and finally to Intensive

Care Unit. It was very impressive to watch and ably

demonstrated the professionalism of the staff. As the patient
was accepted in ICU, a medic from the civilian casualty
area came to the hospital, to say that they had two mine/grenade

blast victims that they could not help.  The team quickly was

scrambled and two Rwandan 9 year old boys, became a

double resus . The two teams and the surgeons were very

impressive . They have developed a very effective teamwork

system and are doing the unit proud.  The rifle company

members who acted as stretcher bearers also did a stirling

job in difficult circumstances - two children - mutilated by

a stick grenade.

160

Saturday 10 December

The Sitrep for the period 092200 B & 102200 B

Dec 94 is at folio 239

WOI Reidy was dispatched to KIBINGO to investigate

the high rate of malaria reported by GHANBATT . The task

was given a high priority by FMO and revealed that the 

unit had a poor appreciation for standard malaria

precautions.

I gave formal orders for the deployment of the 

Casualty Clearing Post to Support OP OVERTURE. The OBED will

appear in the diary once it has been downgraded .

The unit played a series of sports against CANCON
in the afternoon . CANCON , as activity coordinator , organized

sports such as 'lob' ball and ball hockey that none of

us had seen before !  The volleyball teams achieved credible
results and overall the afternoon was extremely enjoyable.

The all girl 'lob' ball team had a great time and

certainly forced the ladies to come togther as a tight

knit group . About 70 members of the unit attended

the BBQ at CANCON afterwards , in respective messes .

3 PI, Rifle Company held their platoon Christmas Party

at the contingent BBQ area.

161

Sunday 11 December 
[*Folio 240*]

The Sitrep for the period to 102200 to 11 2200 Dec

is at folio 240
I was woken at 0540 hrs by the Duty Officer, to

inform me that the RPA LT and a local female were at our

guard box. The LT claimed that an Australian soldier had

stolen an AK47 from one of his guards and had been seen
to break into the lines . Shortly after they had arrived, a
taxi driver appeared saying that he had just dropped an
Australian soldier off , vicinity the US Embassy residence.

So started a long day that revealed the location

of the AK47 — locked in a vacant room of the high density

block , a muster parade of the unit to identify the

soldiers concerned and seemingly endless hours of interview
and questioning by SGT Salmon, our MP sergeant . OC  Rifle

Coy spoke with his key staff and indicated that he was not
pleased about the integrity of those involved and gave the

company until 2130 hrs to name the individual (s) involved .

All Coy  ROCL would be suspended until the matter was

satisfactorily resolved.

HQ UNAMIR and LHQ were informed and LT COL Brinelow

was a great source of support during the day.

At around 1900hr , two names were given up . PTE Fildes ,

who had been identified earlier by the woman during the 

muster parade , and PTE Cotterill . Pte Fildes had been responsible
for removing the AK -47 from the RPA soldier , PTE Cotterill had gone

to Kigali Night Club and returned in the taxi at 0600hr .

PTE Fildes claimed that the RPA soldier had pointed the 

weapon at him and so he had to disarm him . The fact that he

attempted to hide the weapon and not volunteer its location, nor
step forward on the muster parade , when asked by the RBM

could not be explained . PTE Fildes was placed in jail, & under closed arrest

for his own protection and PTE Cotterill was placed under
open arrest .

With the Legal Officer away , I rang LHQ OPS to discuss
the matter and sought legal advice from Sol Legal. COL OPS

also informed.

162

Monday 12 December
[*Folio 241*]

The Sitrep for the period 112200 to 122200 Dec

is at folio 241
After the high drama of yesterday , today was

comparitively quiet . However alot was achieved , as the 

Casualty Clearance Post Group deployed to the Assembly Area
(Butare) , as part of  OP OVERTURE . The overall mode of the
groups was one of excitement , so hopefully they will not
be disappointed with their participation in this ambitious

undertaking .

Investigations into the Fildes incident slowed today

as we were not able to complete an interview with the RPA

soldier . This will be pursued tomorrow. A letter was drafted,

by  myself , for the DFC's signature to the Chief of Staff

of the RPA — see folio 242. It expressed regret for the

incident and requested the RPA's assistance to ensure that
the investigation could be completed in a timely fashion.
The RSM conducted his muster parade as usual and
'ripped' into the unit for their recent behaviour whilst

having access to alcohol. Last night a bottle was thrown from
the balcony of the High Density block , into a neigbouring
house . Attendence at the scene, by the duty staff, revealed

that some JNCO's had been drinking in the lines . Their

charges will be heard tomorrow.

LT COL Brinelow , 93 Plans , visited to advise that

INDBATT would be moving their enigeer company into the 

barracks . We had hoped that they would share the

accommodation , by placing a rifle company here. The

engineers will have a considerable amount of heavy plant

and this will definitely cause over crowding problems.

163

Tuesday 13 December

(* Folio 243*) The Sitrep for the period 122200 to 132200
Dec is at folio 243

(*Folio 244*) The weekly Sitrep for the period 5 Dec to

11 Dec 94 is at Folio 244

The RPA contiued to make things difficult in
the gathering of statements for PTE Fildes charge . The

2LT and PTE involved can now not be found! MAJ Oswald

returned from leave and was briefed on the incident .

A gentleman claiming to be the French Ambassador
to Rwanda made an unofficial visit to the hospital and

was asking difficult questions about the equipment in

the Operating Theatre and our policy on accepting cases .

The reason behind his visit is unclear but it is apparent
that there are concerns about our low occupancy rate
in the wards . COMASC directs me to look at a 

proactrive plan for handing part of our Wing over to

Samaritins Purse , some time around mid Jan 95 . The 

plan should include a pleased 'withdrawl' that sees

ASC 2 , or another UNAMIR Medical unit , using only a 

'corner' of the facility come Aug 95 . I will discuss this

with the CO on his return.

CO's weekly staff conference and COMASC's conference
were conducted — nothing significant to report.

I heard the charges of CPL Dawson, Rush and Taylor

who had admitted to drinking in the lines on Sunday

night . All were  'dressed down' regarding poor example
and fined two days pay.

ADJT , RSM and I attended the opening night of
the Canadian Concert Show — a professional band and

comedian flown in from Canada . They were excellent !

Our contingent has been invited to attend tonight
and Im positive that they will thoroughly enjoy it.
 

164

Wednesday 14 December

(*Folio 245*) The Sitrep for the period 132200 to 142200
Dec 94 is at Folio 245

Today was D Day for OP HOPE (formerly OVERTURE).

Details on the progress have not been regular nor 'informative_I

however it appears that the operation is going according

to plan . Work for the CCP Gp has been steady , but not

spectacular. A total of 54 patients were seen on D Day,

with 12 being UNAMIR. No cases were evacuated to Kigali ,

so we have not been 'touched' by the operation at all. 

The woman involved in the Fildes incident presented

herself , this morning , to the headquarters . She wished to

speak with SSGT NOwicki and no one else. Once he returns

from OP HOPE , I will dispatch him to her home, to see what

she has to say . The LT who commands the RPA soldier

involved in 'losing' the  AK 47 also appeared and left

a statement with the ADJT.

The remainder of the Unit's day was routine, with

a large turn over of personnel departing and returning

from leave. The RSM left on ROCL this morning.

As many people as possibe attended the Canadian

christmas concert , at the Stadium.
 

165

Thursday 15 December

(*Folio 248*)  The SITREP for the period 142200 to 152200 Dec 94 is at folio 248

(*Folio 246*)  Warning Order 56 for the deployment of a Dental clinic

to Kibilira on 16 Dec 94 us at Folio 246

(*Folio 247*) Notification of the reclassification of Operation HOPE is at 
Folio 247

I returned from ROCL at about 1000hr . I took

the leave in the UK and conducted a handover/

takeover at Camberley for three days during

the period.

I received a detailed brief from the OPSO . It

is concerning that there were about four

drinking relate incidents during the previous

weekend. It would appear that the staff acted

promptly and appropriately to limit the damage

and to punish the offenders. I will hear the 
charges against PTE Fields and PTE Cotterill.

The CCP and support staff returned from

OP HOPE bout 1500 hr.  The OPeration was

uneventful medically as they were only 

required to examine 43 detainees and treat

the local who had been beaten by the RPA  .

The medics also treated a number of UN

soldiers who took the opportunity to drop

in both minor ailments. The only significant

concern with the operation from the medical
perspective was that the LZ for AME acft

was about 8 Km from the CCP rather

than hear the CCP as advised at orders.

During the evening MAJ Day briefed

the officers and NCOs on his experiences

in Bosnia . He gain a brief history

of the region to set the scene. The brief

was vey interesting and was well received

by all.

166

Friday 16 December

(* Folio 249*) The SITREP for the period 15200 to 162200 Dec 94 is at Folio 249

(*Folio 250*) A copy of the Ceremonial Procedure for funeral services conducted

for UN personel is at Folio 250

(*Folio 251*) The ASC UNAMIR Maintenance Instruction is at Folio 251

At prayers this morning the DFC and SRSG

expressed appreciation for the way that OP HOPE

was conducted . They also expressed anger at

the way that some relief organisations had

sabotaged the operation by leaking information

to the press and informing the  DPs that

the operation was pending . A press

(*Folio 252*) release on the operation is at Folio 252.

The operation was considered a great 

success by UNAMIR HQ. Militarily it did not

achieve all the objectives as the serious

criminal element had fled as surprise

had not been achieved . Also, our staff

were critical of the planning and

execution of the operation . This was to be

expected as there were nine countries

working cooperatively with the RPA. I consider

it to have been a success because UNAMIR

took the lead to address a serious

problem and effectively exercised control

over the RPA for the conduct of the operation.

This opens the way for more cooperative

efforts in the future.

The Legal Officer , MAJ Oswald, worked with

the Provost Marshall all day to screen and

process detainees. I released MAJ Oswald for 
the task as we were seriously concerned

that people had been detained without any

prima facie evidence . MAJ Oswald reviewed

the evidence against each detainee and 

advised the prosecutor , NCRC and Human

rights Commission of those that he felt

had been wrongfully detained . Of the 43

 

167

detained only eight had prima facie evidence
against them. The provost marshall and ICRC

will monitor the processing of the detainees

through the Rwandan judicial process.

I conducted a ward round at

the hospital with COMASC at 1100 hrs. Afterwards,

I discussed the need to review the use

of facilities that was being applied for us

to give back some of the buildings/facilities
that we are occupying. If possible, I would

like to hand back two buildings which

would require the relocation of the Dental Sect,

RAP and our recussitation bays. This is

achievable . I gave the OC Med Coy until

Monday 19 Dec to come up with a

facilities plan to take us through until

end Aug 95.

I conducted the CO's weekly conference

at 1330hr. I highlighted the need to keep

the soldiers busy and to maintain discipline

over the next couple of months. I will not

see all our good work ruined by a 

few individuals who can't hack the pace.

The CS officers visited the officers mess for

a BBQ and happy hour during the evening.

It was a successful and relaxing
evening. .