57 Signals Squadron in the UN Congo Operation

The following text is from the book, "History Of The Royal Canadian Corps Of Signals".

The Ethiopian commander was away from the UN headquarters protesting the incident at the airport to the Congolese military officials when he heard of the attack on the hotel. He immediately demanded the release of these prisoners, which was done, but one crew member of the second plane was taken to the Congolese camp and Ethiopian troops sent to rescue him were stopped at gun-point. Eventually all the prisoners were released, and the Ethiopians gave medical treatment and considerate attention to the injured men. Two of these were evacuated from Stanleyville by air that same evening.

The incident at Stanleyville had been in part manufactured by local elements to show their loyalty to Lumumba, but the Canadians had arrived without being documented in Leopoldville, wearing uniforms and carrying weapons similar to those of the Belgian troops, and as in the previous incident in that city, no one from Movements Control had met them. In both cases the results might have been more tragic had it not been for the quick and forceful intervention of the Ethiopians. Thereafter, Canadians coming to The Congo were directed first to Leopoldville for documentation; steps were taken to avoid confusion because of the uniforms; and Movements Control personnel were always on had to ensure the safety of the Signallers.

Elsewhere the Signals detachments got mixed receptions from the Congolese, but no incidents of violence occurred. From the outset relations at the Elizabethville and Gemena posts were good. At both Coquilhatville and Luluabourg the advance parties encountered local unrest and found difficulty in obtaining suitable quarters. Within a few days of reaching their scattered posts, the Canadian Mission and the ONUC were established successfully. But the 57 Squadron had other duties in The Congo. At Leopoldville a 200-line board was being operated by Canadians, and cipher detachments were handling all traffic for the UN Mission, except at Stanleyville initially. By the end of September there were detachments of 57 Squadron in Elizabethville, Coquilhatville, Luluabourg, Kamina, Stanleyville, Gemena and Matadi. All stations were operating on C.W., with an R.T.T. circuit between Leopoldville and Luluabourg.  Canadian Army personnel deployed in the Congo hinterland numbered 232, of whom 162 were from 57 Squadron, and a further 34 officers and men were stationed at the UN Canadian headquarters in Leopoldville. By that time too the political tension in The Congo was easing. The wild rumor-mongering had ceased; some A.N.C. troops had left for Kasai Province, and Premier Lumumba's power was waning as the more moderate Cpl. Joseph Mobutu had established military rule by a bloodless coup on 15 September.

With the communications system installed and operating, Canadian signallers now had time to size up their new surroundings. Working inside the pods of the  AN/GRC 26 sets they found the tropical heat and humidity a terrible drain on stamina. Recreation facilities at most of the outstations were non-existent. A minimum of contact with the native population was desirable in most areas, and local curfews prevented the men from moving from their quarters if they did have an evening free of shift work. At Luluabourg the men had to do some of their own messing as well as shift work on communications. In Coquilhatville laundry facilities were lacking at first. Through the R.C.A.F. radio circuit to Trenton personnel were able to speak with relatives at home, but service in The Congo was literally no picnic. Some compensation for the difficult living conditions came with the announcement in February of a special "UN Congo" allowance, retroactive to 1 December, later made retroactive to August to cover all the Canadians who served in that area.

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