United Nations

“ Long range air support of UNEF continues to be provided by aircraft of the Brazilian, Canadian, Scandinavian and Yugoslav Air Forces. The Canadian Air Force withdrew its North Star aircraft in November 1965 and replaced them with the C-130 Hercules operating between Marville, Pisa and El Arish. These aircraft continue to be the main long-range logistics carrier. From November 1965 until March 1966, UNEF and the United Nations India-Pakistan Observation Mission shared the Hercules flights originating in Marville which extended fortnightly from El Arish to Lahore and return. ”

“ The Welfare Section organizes tours at reasonable prices to a number of places of interest in the area. In the past year approximately 3,500 men made use of welfare organized tours.
33. The semi-annual sports programme is still conducted with fifteen events. Two full seasons have been completed since last June and trophies and medals were presented to individual and team winners of all events. This programme creates lively interest and a high spirit of competition among all troops and contingents. All equipment and supplies necessary for the sports programme are supplied by UNEF.
34. ”

“ This Force continues to be a major stabilizing influence and the principal means of maintaining quiet in the area in which it operates. Despite a reduction in its strength, UNEF has continued to discharge its responsibility effectively, although it must be said that in the period under review it has not been confronted with any stern challenges in the form of major incidents. ”

“ The policy established early in 1965 governing the repair of vehicles is being followed and has proved effective and economical despite the expense of establishing a float of major assemblies such as short engines, transmissions and differentials. ”

“ Stand-by detachments in each company sector are earmarked so that one jeep with three to four men is kept ready on call during daylight hours and one section strength is kept ready at fifteen minutes' notice at all times. ”

“ The primary object of the review was to provide units with vehicles of types and in quantities compatible with their needs. The result has been a reduction in general purpose vehicles from 634 to 557 and in special purpose vehicles from 87 to 85, a total decrease of 80 vehicles.
41. Efforts at standardization in the general purpose vehicle field have met with success. In the case of special purpose vehicles, funds will be required to replace heavy mobile equipment which has deteriorated, particularly engineer automotive equipment. ”

“ Talent show - August 1965 Scandinavian show - September 1965 Danish show - January/February 1966 Canadian show - May 1966 These entertainment groups normally visit all locations of the Force, thus giving a chance to all men to enjoy them. The UNEF troops talent show, which took place in August 1965, was very successful and approximately 110 people representing all contingents took part in it.
31. The UNEF film programme is still operating in the service of forty-two locations supplied with four films per week. ”

“ It also took over the northern part of the International Frontier from the Canadian Reconnaissance Squadron. One platoon of this battalion is now deployed on the International Frontier. (d) Yugoslav Battalion: Except for the portion of the International Frontier which is the responsibility of the Brazilian Battalion, the Yugoslav Reconnaissance Battalion became responsible for the entire International Frontier in the Sinai. This Battalion also took over the additional responsibility of guard duties at El Arish airfield and at the 115 Air Transport Unit base camp at Marina, El Arish. ”

“ There have been fires resulting in three deaths, without major property loss from this cause. All contingents have taken steps to prevent fire accidents. Unit holdings of fire-fighting equipment have been inspected and brought up to the required standard.
Disposal of Surplus Stores and Equipment
50. During the calendar year 1965, write-off of UNEF surplus property with an initial value of $1,266,704.60 has been affected. Scrap, condemned vehicles and stores no longer of use of UNEF have been sold. ”

“ Finally, a report was made to Denmark to reduce the personnel of the UNEF Hospital by 20 men.
73. Agreement has been reached on the reduction of the Brazilian and DANOR Battalions, which will be reduced by the proposed numbers at the end of August and November, respectively. Concerning the Indian contingent, it has been agreed that the strength of the Indian Battalion be reduced to 910 and that the Indian Composite Company, Army Service Corps, be withdrawn although a small detachment of the Indian Supply Unit will be retained. ”

“ Thereafter the rotation will be annual. (b) Canada: One year of duty. Personnel are rotated in small groups throughout the year. (c) Denmark, Norway and Sweden: Six months' tour of duty. All personnel are transported by chartered commercial aircraft in October/November and April/May. The Swedish and the "DANOR" contingents alternate each year (in April) to provide the Scandinavian battalion. (d) India: One year tour of duty, rotated annually by ship in October/November. (e) Yugoslavia: Six months' tour of duty, rotated by chartered ship or aircraft in November/December and May/June. ”