Glint of Steel

Colin Casey

We've just returned from another patrol safely to the shelter of the barracks for a short break.

Four of us facing god knows what out in these mean streets of Belfast in 70's. I am tail end Charlie; I spend most of my time walking backwards.

Must have pulled the short straw or something like that. On my possession I have my personal weapon, 7.62mm slr and the riot gun with ten rounds for same. The rest of the patrol has much the same plus extra rounds for riot gun.

The patrol commander has the radio for communications!

In we get our rifles are made safe and it's into the briefing room for our de-brief what our patrol was like, did we see anything of interest, who did we see, who they were talking to (Christ this is eating up oor break time) did we see anyone acting suspiciously?

Having given our officer the relevant information we at last get to our rooms flak jacket off jump on top of bed. Should be mail call shortly I wonder if mums sent my parcel. Yep here we go I've just heard my name being called.

Yes it's my usual from Mum god bless her, fags mars bars local gossip and all that kind of stuff. No sooner had I got it opened when it's time to go again, no rest for the wicked. I gets everything locked away and it's into briefing room for our next patrol. We're going into the heart of our patch.

Our patch was so rough that you could not take vehicles in as they would be too much of a target! Foot patrols only. Briefing over and we are ready to go out the back door the words of my Sgt Major ringing in my ear.

If you ever get complacent or lackadaisical out there just look at that back door on your way out! It was strewn with bullet holes from top to bottom, switch on. Out we go watching every thing my mates cover me I cover them.

My eyes are everywhere from the rooftops to the street below. We make our way into the heart of our patch. Soon we are approaching what we jokingly call the shooting gallery cos that's just what it's like only thing we are the bloody targets!

Here we go, you hear the all too familiar crack of the shot going off. You are watching now for the thump as it hits its target. WE are safe for now, crouching down, watching, listening, who's going to run the gauntlet first. Craaaacck. Another one thumps into the ground in front of us.

We are switched on! We are watching everything, trying to see where the shots are coming from, weve no chance cos we know he's streets away shooting through a hole in a wall could be three streets away.

We've got to make our move the patrol commdr is going first the other boy up front next and yes you've guessed correctly me last.

It happens quick Craaaacck! One thump into the building above me, eyes are everywhere hearts pounding, adrenalins pumping. Crazy thoughts going through my head my Mum family friends push them to the back of your mind concentrate.

Craaaack! I am concentrating thump into the building in front of me. It's my turn, take a last look behind and Im off like a scalded cat running zig zagging and hitting the deck covering the ground I've just crossed.

We gather our thoughts and continue on our way, watching everything around us having a blether with the locals have a crack wi' them cos they are not all terrorists. The majority of them are just ordinary folk going about their business.

Because of the present situation none of them can be seen to be too friendly towards us (which is understandable I wouldn't like to tarred and feathered myself). We couldn't even get served in the local shops.

I'm watching the rear, listening to everything about me ,we are approaching the Divis Flats where they throw concrete slabs and all manner of stuff from the top i'm over the other side of the road looking up for any debris from above.

Our patrol commdr signals to us that he wants a chinwag. Word has reached us that they have hi-jacked buses vans and artics and we have to return to base (no another bloody riot) no time for a de-brief it's just a quick word from our Sgt Major; right boys you know the drill.

Riot shields and all other equipment are loaded onto vehicles (Humber 3tnr known as the pig and Saracens these were used to take prisoners to jail as well as giving us a bit of protection as well). Riots usually took place on the main roads surrounding our patch.

We are ready just waiting for the word to go, having a fag relaxing. I had sent a letter back home to the Daily Record saying I was a soldier serving in Ireland and I was looking for pen-pals only thing was I didn't put my name to it but one of my mates!

You should have seen the sack full of mail he got from all these lassies back home he was handing them out to all of us all that was priceless. I'll leave it to your imagination what the Sgt Major said. He even seen the funny side of it, keeps moral up and gies you a laugh. Laugh I wis in stitches, ach there's the word tae mount up and we are off.

I'm snatch party dressed in combat trousers and short sleeved shirt baton in hand its my job to crouch behind the riot shields waiting for a gap to appear run out among them and grab the ringleaders arresting them!