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#Post#: 41590--------------------------------------------------
3ACC. Hamala. Bahrain
DIR By: alanshield
Date: May 21, 2017, 1:39 pm
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After the Withdrawal of British Forces from HQ Middle East Aden
in September of 1967......the Air Defence Unit of 303 Signals
was disbanded and re formed as 3ACC located to the new HQ Middle
East on the Island of Bahrain at RAF Muharraq.
The Mobile Radars and unit personnel were billeted temporarily
on the Airfield whilst a suitable site for maximum radar
coverage could be located on the Island of Bahrain.
A short period of time elapsed before trucks could be
requisitioned along with a water bowser in order to begin to
travel to the chosen plateau called Hamala located some twenty
miles from Muharraq.
Already situated on this plateau was a desert training camp used
by the British Army where troops of the Parachute regiment were
billeted.
Accommodation was found within this Army Camp at some distance
from the Parade Square (actually close to the rear perimeter
fence) which consisted of Twynham buildings built of
corrugated Aluminium enhanced at one end by an Air conditioning
unit thankfully.
The temperatures would frequently climb into the upper forties
centigrade.
Work detail began at 0600 where we boarded the three ton Bedford
trucks and drove in convoy to arrive at Hamala at 0700 .
Radar Operators together with Radar Technicians worked together
in order to install the mobile Radar TPS34 along side the UPS1
until a halt was called at 1300hrs.
Eventually, the accommodation on the Army Camp was made ready
which allowed for us to enjoy an extra hour in bed. However, it
was soon noticed by the Company Sargent Major that the RAF
personnel were WALKING passed the main Guardroom every morning
without any form of Military discipline!
Therefore we were transported everyday to and from the Radar
site situated some 400 yards from the main Camp !
We did have to dine in the combined mess where we
witnessed the consumption of a three course meal served into a
squaddies mess tin all at once!
I don't think a word was spoken between Army and RAF personnel
during any meal and it was not long before we were allocated
separate meal times!
I will never forget the amount of flies which of course found
their way into the Mess in order to get to the food before we
did!.
Then there were the Scorpions......not really deadly but capable
of giving a nasty reaction. (always shake your desert boots
before wearing)
It was not too long before we noticed that some very
expensive Cable seemed to disappear only to be re discovered in
a local Arab village some two miles away!
Strange thing was there were no Arabs to be found in the
village!
So the order was given to place a night Guard even though there
was quite a robust barbed wire fence surrounding the site.
How spectacular that night sky in the desert.!
#Post#: 41668--------------------------------------------------
Re: 3ACC. Hamala. Bahrain
DIR By: alanshield
Date: May 25, 2017, 8:29 am
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[URL=
HTML http://s858.photobucket.com/user/alanshield/media/142-011012112500_zpssoynprf7.jpeg.html][IMG]http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab142/alanshield/142-011012112500_zpssoynprf7.jpeg[/img][/URL]
#Post#: 41670--------------------------------------------------
Re: 3ACC. Hamala. Bahrain
DIR By: alanshield
Date: May 25, 2017, 12:20 pm
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In this picture taken during the initial laying of the outer
barbed wire fencing we see unit personnel dressed appropriately
which was severely frowned upon by the Company Sgt Major as
being a very bad influence especially when Walking past the
Parade ground as Soldiers were detailed to sweep clean the Drill
Square .
It took all of a Month to have the Radars up and running
and the site made secure.
An SOC was set up within the joint HQ British forces at the
Naval base JUFFAIR and a detatchment of Hunters were maintained
at RAF Muharraq.
We were also equipped with an HF link to Kuwait where
reception was far from satisfactory! However two way family
favourites could quite easily be received.
All N all there was a relaxed daily routine as far as operations
were concerned,
0700 Radar run up, then over to the canteen for a well earned
cuppa.
Flying routine depended on any inbound RAF flight accepting an
invitation to be intercepted ! Most invitations were turned
down which only left time to overfly Hamala so as to keep the
pilots familiar with the actual position of our Radar unit. The
controller's also enjoyed being kept in the loop I suspect!
#Post#: 41671--------------------------------------------------
Re: 3ACC. Hamala. Bahrain
DIR By: alanshield
Date: May 25, 2017, 1:32 pm
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Every morning 10:00hrs Monday to Friday the Army detailed an
Ambulance to transport any medical cases back to the RAF
Hospital at Muharraq.
However, there were many days that there were No passengers
aboard even though the detail still ran.
This was an opportunity to leave our remote camp and dine in an
Air conditioned mess with quite a sumptuous menu. Not a fly in
sight....... luxury!
These travel arrangements continued for quite some time before
the Ambulance came to a sudden stop at the main gate instead of
being waved through!
The back doors flew open and our friend the CSM screamed
"WHERE THE. F. Do you F------n Clowns think you are going?
Not sure what happened to the driver but we had to report to our
C.O.
Just another day in the Desert!
[URL=
HTML http://s858.photobucket.com/user/alanshield/media/FB_IMG_1495104341064_zpscbtv99cy.jpg.html][IMG]http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab142/alanshield/FB_IMG_1495104341064_zpscbtv99cy.jpg[/img][/URL]
#Post#: 41673--------------------------------------------------
Re: 3ACC. Hamala. Bahrain
DIR By: Bill Reid
Date: May 25, 2017, 7:51 pm
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Jealous grunt by the sound of it!!
#Post#: 41693--------------------------------------------------
Re: 3ACC. Hamala. Bahrain
DIR By: alanshield
Date: May 27, 2017, 8:26 am
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The Great Escape
Our C.O. handled the whole incident very we!l and as a result,
he arranged for a Monthly recreational trip into Manama (the
Capital of Bahrain) with the use of the units three ton truck
and driver who we always tipped handsomely!
These outings were very popular for visiting the souks and
markets and a chance to exercise our negotiating skills in order
to gain the "Best Price Johnny"
Then it was off for a fine meal and drink at the one and only
venue able to sell Alcohol as Bahrain enjoyed strict Muslim law
which we always honoured!
' Elsworthy House' was built in the style of a very large
Colonial Mansion with large exterior Varandas which overlooked
a large Garden kept in good order by the staff.
There was large Bar area with fans to help keep the temperature
a little cooler and in the corner of this room there was a very
old upright Piano.
I have been known to rattle a few keys in my time so I was
bundled onto the piano helped by copious amounts of beer which
appeared all along the top of the instrument.
Roll out the Barrel and 'Eskimo Nell' to name but two of the
renditions progressed into other very well known lyrics and it
was then that a visiting Seaman who had heard the party going
on joined in and stumbling to the Piano insisted that he sang
"Ring of Fuire"
We got through the first three lines before he fell over
absolutely intoxicated!
Alas before we could help him our driver appeared and so we
boarded the truck for the twenty mile journey back to camp .
Unfortunately, during this ride I began to feel a little
'under the weather and as I turned away I thought I saw Davie
Sutherland fall off the back of the truck!
I hammered on the cab roof for the driver to stop only to find
out that Dave was attempting to relieve his bladder over the
tailgate as we bumped and swayed along a desert road!
Just as well someone hung on to him as the driver was not going
to stop for man nor beast and believe me......there were a few
beasts on that return journey!
Wonder what happened to that German seaman?
[URL=
HTML http://s858.photobucket.com/user/alanshield/media/FB_IMG_1495185022392_zpsjsjcxduw.jpg.html][IMG]http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab142/alanshield/FB_IMG_1495185022392_zpsjsjcxduw.jpg[/img][/URL]
#Post#: 41694--------------------------------------------------
Re: 3ACC. Hamala. Bahrain
DIR By: alanshield
Date: May 27, 2017, 8:41 am
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Marty Parkhouse. Johnny Waters. And Johnny Baker at
Elsworthy house.
#Post#: 42452--------------------------------------------------
Re: 3ACC. Hamala. Bahrain
DIR By: cpentith
Date: July 2, 2017, 10:40 am
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GREAT sTORY, I was very lucky all my pals from induction,
Bawdsey and Pat went To Hammala, as I was informed it was named,
I went or sent to 282 SU broke the unwritten law, I volunteered
for Overseas duty, Posted to 280 su, NON vols, Messes Hamlet,
Macniel, Grimsley, Jimmy Mark,
Taff Lloyd, Bernie Urmston all got the SAND.
cjp
#Post#: 42454--------------------------------------------------
Re: 3ACC. Hamala. Bahrain
DIR By: alanshield
Date: July 2, 2017, 12:38 pm
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[URL=
HTML http://s858.photobucket.com/user/alanshield/media/Bahrain_Causeway_1963_RD_zpswiouw7o9.jpg.html][IMG]http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab142/alanshield/Bahrain_Causeway_1963_RD_zpswiouw7o9.jpg[/img][/URL]
Digging around, I came across this picture taken as we crossed
the causeway from Muharraq Island the location of the Air base,
across to Bahrain Island the site of 3ACC Hamala and the Capital
city of Manama.
#Post#: 42455--------------------------------------------------
Re: 3ACC. Hamala. Bahrain
DIR By: alanshield
Date: July 2, 2017, 1:02 pm
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During the very Hot afternoons when we were stood down from
the Radar Watch, most of the guys would make a B line for their
"Pits" and catch up with some sleep as we were always on early
call around 0530.
However, I do remember one particular afternoon when the word
went around that someone had got their hands on a Blue Movie and
was about to arrange a viewing in the Tech accomodation .
Now this was long before the advent of the DVD..... so a
projector had to be found together with a very large White sheet
which doubled as a screen.
As their were NO Women on camp apart from one elderly lady who
used to run a coffee shop, the Gentlemen of the Squadron
scrambled post haste in order to get the best seats.
There was not one square inch of bed space which was vacant as
the lights went down and the flickering of the picture began to
unfold.
Now service personnel have a built in sence of humour which
quickly became evident as the storyline progressed.
The comments and counter comments came fast and furious and we
laughed for days after.
just another day in the Desert.
(sorry No pictures were taken that afternoon!)
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