United Nations

“ With minor exceptions, all personnel are now housed in masonry-type buildings, and the remaining tents, which are few in number, are being utilized for storage purposes. The main engineer effort is now directed towards maintenance of existing buildings and facilities, while new works are kept to the minimum commensurate with the needs of economy. Further, in an effort to phase capital outlays over a prolonged period, only certain items of heavy equipment have been replaced during the year. ”

“ However in an effort to reduce the logistics overhead of the Force, older type vehicles which might otherwise have been retired are being retained on a "run down maintenance basis", i.e. no substantial quantities of spares are being demanded.
32. The Force vehicle establishment was again revised in late 1962 in order to bring unit holdings into balance with operational tasks. Procurement of vehicles in the future is to be limited to the quantities required to meet normal wear and tear and to permit a continuation of the standardization programme.
33. Communications equipment. ”

“ Cooperation with United Arab Republic authorities and the Gaza administration, primarily through the medium of the United Arab Republic liaison staff located in Gaza, continues on an effective basis. Relations between the Force and the local population have been very good throughout the year. ”

“ Locally procured items such as fresh vegetables are not in all cases up to required standards. This condition is further aggravated by lack of adequate cold storage facilities for such perishables. To ease the situation during the summer period, when the need is felt most, all outposts in the Sinai are not being supplied with canned vegetables regularly. Other units in the theater are given occasional issues. ”

“ To this centre transportation is provided by chartered commercial aircraft.
27. Sports and athletics and, particularly, inter-contingent competitions are very popular. Sports fields and recreational facilities are found in all of the camps. Welfare supplies and sports equipment are also provided and, in addition, grants are made from the UNEF Institute receipts to supplement and improve unit recreational facilities on a self-help basis.
28. Cinema shows continued to be given regularly in all camps and outposts in both the Gaza Strip and the Sinai. ”

“ The exercise of disciplinary powers continues to be the responsibility of the respective contingent commanders under the overall supervision and control of the Commander. All military personnel are governed jurisdictionally by their national civil and military laws.
24. The Commander is assisted in the maintenance of discipline and good order by a military provost company composed of specially trained military personnel provided by each of the participating countries. ”

“ These violations, except for the very few cases which involved planned attempts on the parts of individuals to enter the territory of the other side, were of a quite minor nature, such as incursions of 10 to 50 meters until the parties were warned off by UNEF patrols. Air violations continue to cause concern. There was one incident of air combat in July 1963 between United Arab Republic and Israeli aircraft near the IF. However, as in previous years, the greater number of air space violations occurred in the northeast area of the Gaza Strip. ”

“ Motor patrols operating from these bases cover the areas between outposts and certain tracks leading to the frontier. In addition to ground observation, the entire length of the IF is also patrolled at irregular intervals on an average of three times a week by aircraft of 115 ATU. While on these patrols the aircraft are linked by wireless communication to the unit responsible for the particular sector. Any suspicious activity seen from the air can then be checked by ground patrols dispatched from the reserves available in these units. ”

“ Maintenance and repair of equipment. The repair workload imposed on the UNEF workshop remains heavy. However, introduction of new procedure for provisioning and stocking of spare parts, together with a slight increase in technical personnel, and new vehicle procurement, should increase production and thereby overcome the existing difficulties. ”

“ Brazil: One year tour of duty; half the contingent being rotated each six months in a Brazilian naval vessel (in January and August 1963) . (b) Canada: One year tour of duty. Logistics personnel are rotated in small groups throughout the year and the reconnaissance squadron as a complete unit once a year (in February/March 1963) . All personnel are transported in RCAF aircraft. (c) Denmark, Norway, and Sweden: Six months tour of duty; all personnel are rotated by chartered commercial aircraft (in October/November 1962 and April/May 1963) . (d) India: One year your of duty ”

“ By night, patrols stand by ready to move out should the need arise. Squadron headquarters is located in the UNEF maintenance area at Rafah. (2) Sector 2 (from GR 0916-0340 to the Gulf of Aqaba, GR 1405-8785) - Yugoslav Reconnaissance Battalion This area is kept under observation by mobile patrols by day and standing patrols at irregular timings by night operating from the four permanent outposts and by OPs established at Taret Umm Basis, El Amr, El Quseima, El Sabba, El Kuntilla and Ras el Naqb. ”