7/27/2019 British Units Deployed to Bosnia http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/british-units-deployed-to-bosnia 1/24 British units deployed to Bosnia This is a list of the British forces that served in Bosnia as part of any peackeeping force either NATO, EU or UN. It is NOT our intention to ignore any unit which served. We wish to get the facts correct and produce a accurate list of all the units who served. Due to time pressures and a lack of staff, we can no longer update these pages. This may change in the future, please bear with us. RAF Army Navy Royal Marines Joint Units British Element Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe As part of Op Grapple 2 Feb/Mar 93, several British Army & RAF personnel stationed at SHAPE in Belgium were sent to serve in the HQ BH Command at Kiseljak. They were commanded by a Lt Col in the Welsh Guards who become SO1 G1, and I was the Chief Clerk RAOC of G1. Thanks to Ron Frayne for this entry. Royal Air Force Squadron Aircraft Base E-3D Sentry AWACS BAE/McDonnell Douglas Harrier GR7 SEPECAT Jaguar Operation Deny Flight: July 1993 to July 1995 - based in southern Italy for missions over the former Yugoslavia.
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This is a list of the British forces that served in Bosnia as part of any peackeeping force either NATO, EU
or UN. It is NOT our intention to ignore any unit which served. We wish to get the facts correct and
produce a accurate list of all the units who served.
Due to time pressures and a lack of staff, we can no longer update these pages. This may change in the
future, please bear with us.
RAF
Army
Navy
Royal Marines
Joint Units
British Element Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
As part of Op Grapple 2 Feb/Mar 93, several British Army & RAF personnel stationed at SHAPE inBelgium were sent to serve in the HQ BH Command at Kiseljak. They were commanded by a Lt Col in the
Welsh Guards who become SO1 G1, and I was the Chief Clerk RAOC of G1. Thanks to Ron Frayne for this
entry.
Royal Air Force
Squadron Aircraft Base
E-3D Sentry AWACS
BAE/McDonnell Douglas Harrier GR7
SEPECAT Jaguar Operation Deny Flight: July 1993 to July 1995 - based in southern Italy for missions over
5131 (BD) Sqn, Royal Air Force I served as part of a two man EOD team operating out of Banja
Luka metal factory in 2006. I am unaware of how long RAF EOD was based there and it was in support of
Op occulus, as a EUFOR force. Thanks to Ali Stuart for this entry.
Tactical Communications Wing UNPROFOR(FWD) Sarajevo 1993 - 1995
Tactical Medical Wing RAF medical personnel have been deployed to FRY for many years,
manning the medical at Split, providing aeromed (casevac) with all helicopter deployments (including
845 NAS), & aeromed flights back to the UK. Additionally, RAF medical personnel have deployed with
army formations, either individually or in small "formed" units
Tactical Supply Wing
UK Mobile Air Movements Sqn (UKMAMS) UKMAMS were deployed from 1992 in various
locations through theatre. Dets included Zagreb (Pleso) under Flt Lt Erica Best and Split. The Split Airport
Det operated until 1996 when it became Split Airport Unit. NCOs and Airmen rotated through on 4 week
roulements but invariably returned 5-6 times. The Det was commanded at various times by Flt Lt CarlKeith, Flt Lt Pete Larkin and Flt Lt Stu Binns.
Air Transportable Surgical Support Team No1 & No2 ATSST1 (RAF) Located Sipovo attached
to 16 Armd Fd Amb. From Feb 96-Oct 96, you could say we were a miniture hospital, surgical team,
nursing staff, theatre staff and ward assistants including medical assistants dealing with the moral of the
group. ATSST No2 was deployed to Sariavo and not used. Thanks to Robert Richardson for this entry.
RAF Police Providing security for all British Military Aircraft and personel and working with
UK Mams at Split Airport, Croatia. 6 month detachments.
RAF Fire Service 13 personnel providing 24 hour fire cover for RAFSHF at Divulje Bks in split anddetachments in support of Defence Fire Service at Sipovo & MG.6 month tours. Thanks to Paul Taylor for
this entry.
Army
Operation Grapple
2,400 troops deployed to Bosnia and Croatia became operational on 13th November, tasked to provide
armed escort to humanitarian aid convoys. The core was provided by 1st battalion the CheshireRegiment under Lieutenant Colonel Bob Stewart. 45 Warrior IFVs formed the main protection, backed
up by Scimitars and other equipment.
These troops operated in the volatile and dangerous area around Vitez.
OP Gapple 6(MNB)/IFOR Aug 95-Feb 96 Bugojno, Mt Igman, Kiseljac, Banja Luka Wood Factory, OC Maj
Polley
SFOR Mar 00-Sept 00 Banja Luka, OC Maj Good
A Sqn, Light Dragoons
OP Grapple 4 May 04-Nov 04, Tomislavgrad, Maglai, OC Maj McKenzie
IFOR June 96-Dec 96 Banja Luka Wood Factory, OC Maj Bate
SFOR Oct 98-April 98 Banja Luka
D Sqn, Light Dragoons
OP Grapple 3/4 Feb 94-Aug 94 Busovaca, Maglai, Zepce, OC Maj Elwood
SFOR March 98-Oct 98 Banja Luka, Maj Frost
BRITCAVBAT Feb 94-Aug 94 Maglai, CO Lt/Col Webb-Bowen.
The King's Royal Hussars, The KRH served in Bosnia between June and December 1997. RHQ was in
Mrconij-Grad, B Sqn was in Birachi on Challenger MBT, and C Sqn was in Sipovo formed as a Formation
Recce Sqn attached to the Infantry Battle group based in Jace. B Sqn returned to Mrconij-Grad betweenJune and December 1999, They were the last MBT Sqn to serve there.
The Queen's Royal Hussars
A regiment of tanks sent to Bosnia in January 1995 to form part of a rapid reaction force for UNPROFOR.
9th/12th Lancers (Prince of Wales's)
A reconnaissance squadron was sent to Bosnia in June 1992 tasked with safe passage of humanitarian
aid alongside the Cheshires.
B Squadron, 9/12 Lancers deployed to Bosnia in Nov 92 as Recce SQN attached to the Cheshire
Regiment, The Sqn was command by Major A. Abrahams and was split between Vitez and Tuzla.
The Royal Dragoon Guards
A Squadron deployed to Bosnia in the summer of 1998.
1st Battalion The Royal Highland Fusiliers Gorni Vakuf from November 1994 to May 1995 under the UN,
Commanded by Lt Col Edwards. SFOR.
C Coy, Grapple 4.
1st Battalion The Royal Scots deployed to Bosnia as part of SFOR in 2002.
2nd Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment(27th Inniskilling, 83rd and 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment)
For Operation Grapple 1. The regiment was attached to 1st Battalion the Cheshire Regiment from
November 1992 to May 1993. Commanding Officer was Colonel Bob Stewart. Detachments to C
Company in Vitez, B Company in Gorni Vakulf. C Company then stationed in Tuzla for last six weeks, two
kilometres from the front line.
2nd Battalion The Royal Irish Rangers Op grapple 1. b coy Gornji Vakuf
1 Battalion The Worcestershire & Sherwood Foresters Regiment 1wfr tour dates apr 96 taken over from
2li as part of IFOR replaced by the green howards oct 96, bhq located at bus depot m/g a coy
shoefactory m/g, b coy sanski most, c coy gorni ribnik, d coy nail factory. co was lt col p mercer
deployed to Bosnia as part of SFOR in 1998.
2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Regiment deployed to Bosnia as part of SFOR in 2001.
22nd Special Air Service Regiment
Royal Regiment of Artillery
AMF(L) UK Force Artillery, I commanded the AMF(L) Force Artillery from May 1995 to Nov 1997. During
that time my unit deployed to the Balkans twice. In July 1995 my Headquarters and 19/5 (Gibraltar
1779-1803) Battery deployed to Ploce, Croatia in support of 24 Airmobile Brigade whilst their indigenous
artillery (19 Regt RA)was deployed on Mt Igman in support of the multi-national force. Returning to UK
in Sep 1995, my unit re-deployed to Mt Igman in late Nov 1995, to relieve 19 Regt in place. My unit
comprised 2 light gun batteries provided by 19/5 Battery and an additional battery 8 (Alma) Commando
Battery from 29 Commando Regiment. My unit was split between Gornji Vakuf (8 Bty) and Mt Igman
(HQ and 19/5 Btys). On the assumption of command by NATO from the UN on 20 Dec 1995, my unit
redeployed to Sippovo in support of 4 Armoured Brigade under Brigader Dannett. We were relieved by
26 Regt RA in Feb 1996, when HQ and 8 Btys returned to the UK and 19/5 remained under command 26regt until returning in May 1996. We were awarded both UN and NATO medals for our service in the
Balkans in 1995 and 1996, one of the few units to receive both.
1st Royal Horse Artillery B/L bty Deployed in May of 1996 at Glamoc until Jan 1997 as Ifor.
6 Artillery Support Squadron, Royal Artillery 6 months at Split North Port.
1st Field Squadron, 21 Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers. Deployed on Op Grapple 2 1993 maintaining
routes from Tomislavgrad to Vitez primarily Routes Triangle, Circle and Diamond, but split throughout
whole AOR. Then returned on Op Grapple 6 in 1995, based in Gornji Vakuf, and Bugojno carrying out
force protection and maintenance of routes again.
2 HQ Squadron 32 Engineer Regiment, HQ sigs was part of 32 Engr Regt. I went with advance party midDec 95. The regt was there (31engr sqn,77 engr sqn, 26 engr sqn all part of 32 engr regt.)
Our Co ran 7 armoured brigades ops room in sipivo because top guy was visiting or hob nobbing every
day. When john major visited I was put in a land rover and told to drive for two hours in one direction,
go to a pol point, fill up then drive back to sipivo! I left with most of regt jun/jul 96.
4 Field Squadron, Royal Engineers formed as part of Task Force Alpha, part of UN Multi-National Brigade
in September 1995. Returned to Bosnia as 4 Armoured Field Squadron in March 2000 as part of
Operation Palatine.
Mountain Troop, 15 Squadron, 38 Engineer Regiment Deployed with 38 Engineer, Ripon, in October1995 as part of Op Grapple 7, lots of snow, abandoned cars, and attaching/unattaching of snow chains!
The plant troop earned every penny. Thanks to Danny Crangle for this entry.
Elements of? 21 Engineer Regiment, left Emden on 6th June 1995 for Bosnia.
22 Regiment, Royal Engineers based at gorni vakuf in the persision factory attached to the mines team. I
was in country for 12 months training un troops mine awareness. we moved the team upto Banja Luka
from where we sent teams to monitor the demining teams.
We where responsible for the destruction of upto 100,000 antipersonal mines over the 12month period.
in the 12months i was training britfor pax an other nations in mine awareness we had no solders killedor wounded from mine strikes. a record im proud of.
23 Amphibious Engineer Squadron, Gorazde, September 1994 to March 1995 attached to RGBW. Thanks
to Cpl Paul Ian Wilkie for this entry.
26 Armoured Engineer Squadron, Op Grapple 7 / Op Resolute 1 - 1 Troop, 26 Armoured Engineer
Squadron relieved 31 Armoured Engineer Squadron in Sept 1995 and was based in Kiseljak Brick Factory
and on Mount Igman. In December 2005 the Troop relocated to Mrkonjic Grad Bus Factory which
subsequently burned down. Unit was commended by US 1st / 10th Special Forces group. Thanks to Paul
Ford for this entry.
29 Field Squadron Royal Engineers, Deployed on Op Grapple 5 Nov 94 to May 95. Maj Stewart as OC
(GingeBat) based in Vitez School, Gornji Vakuf, Bugonja, TSG, Roukes Drift, Happy Eater and one section
north of the Magli Finger. Thanks to Ex Cpl Wayne (Titch) Shenton for this entry.
42 Field Squadron was responsible for camp at Gorni Vakup not Rourkes Drift as posted on site,
(Rourkes Drift was built by 5 or 12 Field Squadron can not remember which (part of squadron history
relates to Lt Chard of Rourkes Drift hence camp name)(This Squadron joined 35 Engineer Regt Group
during Op Grapple 1 tour)).
44 HQ and Sp Sqn 35 Engineer Regiment, Deployed as part of 35 Engineer Regt Group in Oct 92 on OpGrapple 1 initially to split as advance party to prepare Split port and Divulje Brks for arrival of rest of
regiment. Moved to Tomislavsgrad (TSG) (leaving RHQ elements and a resources cell in Split) to set up as
a Field Support Squadron providing heavy plant and artisan tradesmen to build the roads and camps
from Split to Vitez.
36 Engineer Regiment, Headquarters based in Tom Factory in Gornji Vakuf under CO Robbie Burns.
Detachments in Tomislavgrad, Bugojno and Vitez. Main job keeping mountain supply routes open
especially routes circle and triangle. Rebuilt Baily Bridge in Mostar after original bridge destroyed.
Operation Grapple 4 from 1994.
14 Indep Topo Sqn, Royal Engineers 14 Topo Sqn deployed from Moenchengladbach, Germany to Split in
December 1995 and subsequently established itself in Kiseljak in late January 1996. The Squadron's role
was to provide geographic support to IFOR, including field survey, terrain analysis, map production and
map supply.
On deployment the Squadron was supported by 19 Specialist Team Royal Engineers and reinforced by
soldiers from the School of Military Survey and 42 Survey Engineer Group. The Squadron was replaced in
theatre in July 1996 by 13 Topographic Squadron Royal Engineers, who remained in Kiseljak until
November 1996.
11 Field Squadron, 38 Engineer Regiment The advance party of the squadron deployed on the 28thOctober 1993. The squadron served a 6 month tour and worked closely with the Coldstream Guards.The
majority of the squadron was based in Vitez, however there were elements based in Split & Gorni
Vacouf. The squadrons main rolls were to maintain and keep open the main supply routes (MSR), route
clearance, field defences, Supplying power to british camps, as well as exposive work when supporting
the members of 33 EOD on larger tasks.
Redoubt Camp. I deployed as the Sqn Recovery Mechanic from Oct 93 until Apr 94. Our detachment was
resposible for the maintainence and route clearence of route triangle between Tomislavgrad at the
bottom of the mountain and the quarry situated to the North of Lake Prozor. The road was little more
than a loggers mud road over the mountain. Every humanatarian aid convoy had to use this route to get
up country, GV; Vitez and beyond. It was also during a very harsh, freezing and snow filled winter. Thr RE
lads did a fantastic job of rebuiding and maintaining the tarck. I myself in the 6 month tour conducted
well over 250 major recovery tasks thus keeping the route open for all traffic. Most of the plant
operators and myself spent many a night living out of our trucks at the side of the road, 5000 ft up a
lonely mountain. Thanks to Gordon McAndrew for this entry.
38 Engineer Regt, Sept 97 - Mar 98 Op Lodestar 2. 38 Engineer Regt deployed on Sept 97 till Mar 98, 11
Fd Sqn (Based in GV under WO2 SSM Tony Cork RE), 32 HQ Sqn, 15 Field Park Sqn (Based In Split) 11
SQqn are already listed but different tour, the Sqn went there more than once!
64 HQ Squadron, RE Part of OP Grapple September 1994 to March 1995, Based in Tomislavgrad and
various locations along Route Triangle (Fort Redout & Fort Invicta, Mountain Troop).
519 Specialist Team, Royal EngineersThe first STRE in Bosnia as part of Op Grapple. Deployed in 92,
returned 93. CO Major Cox. Team of 17 specialists and support, developed Divulja Barracks and provided
Clerk of Works support at Tomislavgrad and various road stops (happy eater etc.) Designed most of the
accommodation packs for the road teams.
522 Specialist Team Royal Engineers, man design team deployed on Op Grapple 2 from April to October
93.
Mine awareness training team started at gorni vakuf in pressision factory with 22re then moved upto
Banja Luka. we ran teams out of here operating in most areas. Trained Canadian, Czech, Spanish,Belgian, some American mine monitors. Supervised Bosnia, Croat and Serb demine teams.
Royal Corps of Transport
7 Squadron, 27 Regiment, Royal Corps of Transport We were based at Omis Camp, UNPROFOR, and
served on Grapple 2 from April 1993 - October 1993. Thanks to the 35 Engineers lads our journey along
Route Triangle was much improved during our tour.
17 Squadron, 10 Corps Transport Regiment, Royal Corps of Transport OC - Maj M Hood RCT, OC Des -
Maj R Castell RCT, Nov '92 to May '93 - Split, TSG, G Vakuf, Kiseljak, Vitez.
27 Transport Regiment, 8 Squadron. deployed on 15th July 1995, spent a week at Dole camp, Croatia.
The Regiment was then sent to Tuzla as a huge UN convoy to help support the Norlogbat. The regiment
collected supplies daily for the thousands of refugees on the airbase/camp at Tuzla. The regiment
remained there about 2 weeks, then returned to Lipa, the tour lasted until February 1996.
42 Squadron RCT AMF(L) 42 Son RCT AMF(L) sent 8 Drivers to support Royal Artillery, and Special Forces
Teams aboard RFA Argus and HMS Ark Royal during 1993 .
Royal Army Ordnance Corps
31 Ordnance Company Op Grapple 1 Nov 1992. Main company deployed in Split, with detachments
deployed in Tomislavigrad and Vitez providing logistic support to the Cheshire Regiment and 42 Field
Squadron Royal Engineers. Thanks to J Carslaw for this entry.
3 TROOP 148 EFI SQN RLC served from start of op grapple 2 to close down after op lodestar i personally
served 5 tours of 6 months from op grapple 7 to op lodestar days. was based in
plit(dalma),kupres,mg,sipovo,and sarajevo.
908 PLSU : I Served with 908 Pioneer Labour Support Unit who came under MND(SW), HQ BITFOR minor
unit, they supplied and employed all the LECs for Bosnia. They'd moved from DJ Bks in Split, Croatia atthe end of Nov 00 to BLMF. I served with them as a Reg Reservist cap badged QOH from 17th Dec 00-6
June 01. Thanks to Jason Kellner for this entry.
Adjutant Generals Corps
Intelligence Corps
The Int Corps was active throughout the Bosnia operations, both in Bosnia and in UK where it collected
information from refugees for the UN and NATO to support Ops in Bosnia. At first, there was an acute
shortage of any Serbo-Croat speakers, since no-one had predicted the rapid disintigration of Yugoslavia.
The MOD took the bold step of establishing the Defence Debriefing Team, a unit of volunteer tri-service
reservists about 60 strong based at Ashford Kent but working (when in UK) from home. These men and
women learnt the language on intensive courses and then worked in both UK and Bosnia, taking a lot of
the strain off the regular Int Corps. Under the UN the deployment was rather piece-meal, with individual
soldiers and officers detached to contingents such as the Turks and Canadians. When NATO took over,
there was a large deployment of three JFITs (Joint Force Intelligence Teams) who carried out Human
Intelligence (HUMINT) duties throughout Bosnia.
In addition, the British-run HQs such as HQ Sector SW had the usual Int Sections, and the shadowy world
of Electronic Intelligence was also around, as were the image analysts pouring over the latest satellite
images.
Royal Military Police
3 RMP i was attached to 3 rmp i was in the reme in the lad in banja luka metal factory.
4th Armoured Brigade Provost Unit RMP, As an Australian CAPT on exchange duties with RMP in
Germany, I was the OC of this unit which deployed to Bosnia between 1 Oct 95 and 14 Apr 96 first as the
BRITFOR Force Military Police Unit (FMPU) during OP GRAPPLE 7 (UNPROFOR) then in our accustomed
role supporting 4th Armd Bde during Op RESOLUTE 1 (NATO). The 2IC was LT Eric Tomlinson, RMP and
the CSM WO2 Linda Kilbride, RMP. The unit eventually consisted of 64 all ranks, including REME, RLC
and AGC(SPS) members. We were based throughout Sector South West during UNPROFOR then
throughout the 4th Armd Bde AO during Op RESOLUTE 1. Several members of the unit were fired upon
and involved in mine incidents during our tour, but no casualties were incurred. 4 Armd Bde Pro Unit
RMP was drawn from 115 Pro Coy RMP in Osnabruck, Germany. Thanks to Ian Smith for this entry.
111 Pro Coy RMP I was part of the Military Police (FMPU) support, during UNPROFOR operations Apr 94-
oct 94. During the operation I was one of 34 members of my unit. I was based in Vitez other unit
members were based in Gornji Vakuf, Kiseljak, Maglaj and Split. I wish to add a peice of informationwhich I believe has not yet been mentioned and that is that during my tour Cpl Philip Bottomley, HQ
BRITLOGBAT, Transport Sqn, was killed as a result of enemy action, whilst on a resupply mission.
Army Air Corps
9 Regiment with two Lynx helicopters, left for Split by air in June 1995.
661 Squadron with Lynx Mk 7, UNPROFOR.
664 Squadron with Lynx Mk 7, UNPROFOR.
669 Squadron The Sqn was based in the Tom factory at GV between Dec 98 and Jun 99. A rear ech was
located at DJ Barracks Split and a forward base was situated at Banja Luka. On the 22nd Dec 98 Capt Phil
Jarvis, Sgt Dave Kinsley and Cpl Chris Addis were killed when their aircraft crashed just outside camp. We
were a close Sqn they are sorely missed.
Royal Navy
HMS Ark Royal led TG.612.02 in Adriatic, supporting UN operations in the former Republic of Yugoslavia
from 23/4/1993 with 801, 820 846 and 849B NAS embarked.
HMS Invincible relieved HMS Ark Royal 7/1993 with 800, 814, 846 and 849A NAS embarked.
HMS Ark Royal relieved HMS Invincible 1/1994 with 801, 820 and 849B NAS embarked.
HMS Invincible relieved HMS Ark Royal 8/1994 with 800, a flight of 899, 814 & 849A NAS embarked.
HMS Illustrious (801, 820 and 849B NAS embarked) relieved HMS Invincible in Adriatic 3/1995.
HMS Sheffield (F96) was deployed to the Adriatic in dirsup of Operations inland. OP Grapple support,
IIRC. We provided some interesting support and I had the chance to see the very professional British
Army at first hand in Split / TSG and more! I was totally bowled over by the troops. Time of my life.
Places like the burned out bus junction, happy valley, the quarry at vitez, seem surreal now. I will never