Operation Restore Hope. The Australian Experience.
Abstract
In the early hours of 17 Feb 93, an Australian Army section, on patrol in the town of Baidoa in central southern Somalia, was fired upon as it approached the town main water point. In the ensuing firefight, three Somalis were wounded, one of whom subsequently died. This small action marked the first time since the end of the Vietnam War that Australian soldiers had engaged in an exchange of hostile fire, and it came, ironically, while engaged on a massive humanitarian mission to save Somali lives. I had the privilege of being the Commander of the Australian contingent on Operation Restore Hope, the UN sanctioned, US led effort to provide security for the provision of humanitarian relief for the population of Somalia. This paper will address some of the issues which arose during the planning and execution of the Australian contribution, which was known as Operation Solace. The observations made are, of course, entirely my own, but with the limited availability of Australian documentation in my present circumstances, they are also made largely from memory, and readers should bear that in mind at all times. PG3. JMD
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA294704
Entities
People
- W. J. Mellor
Organizations
- United States Army War College