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DOP Note 706/70 (Draft)
Continued
relieving these units by others from our overseas world-wide
deployments, taking into account the political and military
implications of such actions, and makes recommendations.
CURRENT SITUATION IN NORTHERN IRELAND
7. The 4 units in the infantry role still remaining in Northern
Ireland from those sent as short term additional reinforcements in
June and July are:
a.
1st Battalion The Devonshire & Dorset Regiment (1 D and D).
16 Light Air Defence Regiment RA (16 Lt AD Regt).
b.
C.
1st Battalion The Green Howards (1 Green Howards).
45 Commando, Royal Marines (45 Cão RM).
8.
d.
The Army Department has examined the possibility of relieving
these units in Northern Ireland in order to release them for their
normal roles and planned commitments. They have found that there
are no Army units in Great Britain available for this purpose.
The only other source of units for such reliefs excluding the British
Army of the Rhine (BAOR) would be from outside NATO.
9. 1 D and D is stationed in Malta and was sent to Northern
Ireland on 30 June 1970. The Battalion is due to relieve the
second battalion in Malta in late September as part of the overall
Malta rundown. This involves changing barracks. The battalion
should be back in Malta by 10 September 70 to meet this requirement.
16 Lt AD Regt is stationed in Great Britain and could be
retained in Northern Ireland until 29 October 70 for a full 4 month
10.
tour.
BAOR
11. 1 Green Howards is stationed in Germany as part of BAOR.
has already been reduced to a level of 8 infantry battalions ie 6
below the ORBAT level of 14 battalions; 3 of the 6 being in
Northern Ireland and the remaining 3 being in 6 Brigade in the UK.
3
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