Page 96 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
something in excess of 30,000 flying miles with dogs being posted to North Africa, visits by the VOs to the Persian Gulf and dogs and handlers travelling to Aden.
1970s – Conflict and Change
The valedictory edition of the RAVC Journal was titled 2 ADTU the Mediterranean and Gulf theatre, where 3 ADTU laid claim to maintaining the RAVC’s presences in the region. Part of the presence included the pack mules who still played a vital part in Corps’ activities in 1971. However, twelve mules were exported to Hong Kong, a move that attracted a huge amount of media interest. They were escorted by Lt Col Harry Bishop who delivered the pack mules to their new posting – 414 Sqn.
There was more news on the dog front too as the team was withdrawn from Malta at short notice. The RAF dogs were retained at Luqa so remained on the VO’s visiting list which also included regular trips to Bahrain and visits aboard minesweepers, accompanied by an Arms Recovery dog for the benefit of the Navy. The RAF flew VC10s, Britannias, Argosys and Hercules to transport the vets where they were needed which also included trips in the Gulf region, to Masirah (Masirah Island, also referred to as Mazeira Island and Wilayat Masirah, is an island off the east coast of mainland Oman in the Arabian Sea, and the largest island of the country), Salalah and the Island of Gan.
The duties of the Pharmacy SNCO in Cyprus covered bases at Akrotiri and Episkopi with the RAF, the NCOs parish situated in the Western Sovereign Base Area on the west coast, and the RAF Command Dog Training School at Episkopi. He also travelled to Troodos, the highest point on the Island. His task was to provide veterinary advice and First Aid treatment to Service animals between the visits made by the two VOs from Dhekelia 80 miles away. All major cases were evacuated to 3 WDTU for hospitalisation. This was all made possible by having a close working relationship with the RAF so they, or the Corps, could fill in the gaps for each other when required – such as when the NCO travelled to Malta for three days to judge the RAF Dogs Trials. There was continuity in the Service as many of the RAF handlers had attended Inspector Courses held at Melton Mowbray.19
The rundown of the mule numbers in Cyprus continued in 1973 with more being posted to Hong Kong in the company of Sgt Mick Aylward and
Major John Tanner. And there was also good news to report, as the Journal mentioned Constable Ahmet's GOC’s Commendation for his work in the Unit – which was truly justified.
All this was in the shadow of a Greek-Cypriot coup and another division of the Island. Firing broke out in the Turkish Sector of Limassol on the morning of 20th July 1974.
As Turkish troops poured ashore at Kyrenia, Paratroopers dropped near Nicosia. Turkish aircraft took to the skies and launched bombing raids which prompted an urgent order to bring in Service families and civilians living in Larnaca, Limassol and Famagusta to the safety of the SBAs. British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) told residents to pack a suitcase, with clothes and food, shut off the water and electricity and secure their homes while they wait for further instructions.
A ceasefire was negotiated that afternoon but still hundreds of cars headed for the Episkopi base area – a stream of cars, all bumper-to-bumper seeking safety from the violence of the coup. While the families cramped into quarters and transit accommodation, the conflict gathered momentum and by Sunday 21st July the CinC BF Cyprus had informed the Greek and Turkish authorities that he was sending in protective Forces under the Union Jack to evacuate all British people, including holiday makers from Nicosia which was, by then, under heavy attack. An evacuation convoy was assembled and dispatched from Dhekelia to bring people in. Over five thousand people were evacuated in just a few hours.
Between 20th – 26th July 1974 reinforcements were flown into Cyprus to help the hard-pressed areas including the Cypriots seeking refuge from the fighting who were accommodated in tents in Happy Valley. As the whole evacuation operation came to an end, over seven thousand, five hundred and twenty-six people were rescued and five thousand, one hundred and seventy-one of them were British. After the 1974 coup, one hundred and eighty thousand Greek Cypriots moved north to south while thirty-seven thousand Turkish Cypriots moved south to the north.
As a result of the intervention by the Turks from the mainland, the UNFICYP was redeployed along the 135-mile buffer zone – 5 miles at its widest and 10 metres at its narrowest in the Old Nicosia City. The two SBAs in Episkopi and Dhekelia totalled 99 square miles which represented 3% of the island of Cyprus and were set up on the Mediter- ranean’s third largest island following the Treaty of Establishment in 1960 when Cyprus achieved
19 The Journal of The Royal Army Veterinary Corps Volume 42 and (final Volume) Summer 1971.
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