A Day in Anderson

The Land Rover was a complete right off! The Armalite rounds (5) penetrated the Radio (A41) the seats, Dashboard and the engine block.

There was 4 of us I was driving the OIC in the passenger seat and 2 lads in the rear. It was fortunate that they were seated with their legs laid along the bench type seats, as the rounds travelled along the space between the seats and through the structure of the vehicle. The first I knew of the incident was as I thought being stung on the cheek by bees. It was not bees but foam rubber from the seats. At this point everything seemed to go into slow motion as I realized the stings were not bees. As the Driver(Note Left Hand Drive) I was carrying a SMG across my chest. By the time I had reached cover (a Bus shelter) which was occupied by an old lady, who nearly had a heart attack, my SMG was off my chest and cocked (not the most stable of weapons) and pointing at her! All that Military training had come to fruition. I calmed her down and moved to a hedgerow.

Looking back to the location of the Land Rover I could see that it was still moving on its own accord and the crew had taken up fire positions in the gutters of the road. I cannot recall if fire was returned by any of us as the target probably vacated sharpest.

As we were fortunately in sight of base camp (Monagh Fort) and our radio was U/S the alert platoon were soon passing through our position, with various comments, with reference to the age of my new girlfriend!!

The land Rover was pushed back to camp where the above and other pictures were taken. I am sure the Individual in the picture will recognize himself and think back and remember how young he/we were.