United Nations

“ Experience has shown that only certain areas along the international frontier are so sensitive as to require constant patrolling and observation. Rough terrain and other conditions limit the possibility of infiltration along many sectors of the IF. The policy of the Force is to patrol daily in certain areas which are sensitive and where vehicles can travel without too great difficulty. ”

“ The Canadian Reconnaissance Squadron disposes of three troops of sixteen, all ranks, each for duty along its sector of the IF. The Yugoslav Reconnaissance Battalion has ten platoons for duty on the IF, for guard duty at El Arish and to provide a small reserve. Platoon strength is twenty-six, all ranks.
20. The Commander of the Force finds that the present allotment of operational troops meets the essential requirements of the UNEF mission, the sectors allotted now being within the capability of the battalions. ”

“ In this regard, economy in the use of military manpower has been effected not alone by replacing only 307 of the Colombian contingent of 522, but also by a reduction of sixty-one, all ranks, in the ordnance and signals detachments. Moreover, a large number of civilian personnel, recruited locally, continue to carry out essential duties, many of which would be performed by soldiers in the usual military organization. ”

“ The total strength of the Force, following the withdrawal of the Colombian contingent, was, as of April 1959, approximately 5,000 officers and other ranks. Since then, through partially replacing the Colombians by an increase of approximately 300, all ranks, in the Scandinavian contingents, the Force has been maintained at approximately 5,350 officers and other ranks. Brazil, Canada, Denmark, India, Norway, Sweden and Yugoslavia are the countries now participating in the Force. ”

“ The 307 additional troops in the new Scandinavian contingents were carried by SAS regular flights to Cairo and Beirut. The personnel landing in Cairo were taken to Gaza by train, while those landing in Beirut were brought in by UNEF aircraft in eight special flights. The rotating Brazilian, Indian and Yugoslav contingents are normally carried by sea. The next rotation of the Brazilian contingent is scheduled for October and, as in previous years, a Brazilian naval vessel will be used to carry the troops each way. ”

“ Each observation post is connected by line telephone with neighboring observation posts and platoon/company headquarters. This facilitates the observation and apprehension of infiltrators. At night, the men in the observation posts are withdrawn and patrols are sent out. There are numerous patrols nightly in each sector and each patrol is along the line for from three to five hours. During the night, also, reserves are maintained at platoon headquarters. A system of flare signals enables patrols to call for help from the reserves, when necessary. ”

“ In other sectors along the IF which, though sensitive, offer very rough going for surface vehicles, numerous air reconnaissance are made at varying times, while ground patrols are sent out only from one to three times a week. In addition to this, camps and observation posts are established at especially sensitive sports, to observe the IF and to maintain mobile reserves which can be dispatched speedily to any trouble spot. ”

“ The leave centers at Beirut, with a capacity of twenty officers and 280 other ranks, re-opened on 18 May 1959. A contract has been awarded to Middle East Airlines to transport UNEF leave personnel between El Arish and Beirut, calling for a maximum of ten flights per week, carrying twenty-eight passengers per flight. UNEF aircraft will be used to transport leave personnel over and above 280, the maximum to be carried by UNEF per week being forty.
28. The high morale of the Force has continued. ”

“ The general state of well-being of the Force continues to be excellent. The health record has been consistently good since the inception of the Force. The hospital situated at Rafah which, prior to 1 March 1959, had been operated jointly by Canadian and Norwegian personnel, since that date has been staffed entirely by Norwegian personnel. The Canadian medical complement of four officers and fifteen other ranks operates a medical inspection room for the Canadian troops. ”

“ The Brazilian Battalion subsequently was relieved of its guard duties at the Rafah maintenance area and the warehouse, and it and the Indian Battalion assumed the tasks described in paragraph 12 above.
15. The system of mobile patrols by vehicles during the day introduced in sectors 4 and 5 by the Brazilian and Indian Battalions economized on manpower, but it was found that the ADL could not be kept under constant and full observation by this means and hence was less effectively controlled against infiltrators. ”

“ This is supplemented by radio communication which keeps the platoon/company commanders informed of the activities of the patrol.
17. The Brazilian, DANOR, Indian and Swedish Battalions dispose of fifty-seven platoons for duty along the ADL and provide guards and detachments, as noted in paragraph 12 above. About seven of the fifty-seven platoons are held in battalion reserve, which is also the Force reserve to provide against emergencies and to allow for some training. The average platoon strength is thirty-nine, all ranks. ”

“ Thirty-nine Members have made no payment of their 1958 assessments and four have made partial payments. Sixty-one Members have made no payment of their 1959 assessments and two have made partial payments. ”