Danors´ Dog  Platton

   «... phew. it’s hot here in Gaza !» This would be lhe common verdict of the German Shepherd dogs used by the Danor soldiers during their night patrols.

   But they cannot complain, really. Platoon commander Lt. Torbjorin Antonsen takes very good care of his « dear charges » even when summer makes his task a little difficult. Hot weather tends to make the dogs lazy and irritable.

   The Danor Battalion had only eight dogs of its own. But to these were added the thirteen, some of them veterans of the Congo, left behind by the Swedes when they pulled out in April.

   To keep them in good shape, the dogs are fed half a kilo of fresh meat, two raw eggs and vegetables each day. They receive special attention during the summer. But summer or winter they must go through a daily two-hour schedule of rigorous training.

   Punishment is rare in Lt. Antonsen’s platoon. The only time a dog ever gets punished is when he attacks his master. But each case of misbehaviour is thoroughly investigated. A dog is excused if it has misbehaved in a state of nervousness.

   Twenty dogs have so far laid down their lives in the service of peace. A little cemetry with twenty tiny white crosses pays mute salute to their faithful service in this area.

   Featured on our cover page is one of the most intelligent dogs of the platoon,  << Rex >>. No wonder he is allowed to relax with a good pipe and a regolar UNEF summer cap on.

A Veteran Indeed

Pte.Jean Bjerkebekk of Danor Battalion

 

Who can beat his record in UNEF ? Pte Jens Bjerkebekk from the Danor Battalion has completed six 6-month tenures with UNEF and is doing his seventh.

This 39-year old soldler from Halden,  Norway. began his service with UNEF in 1956 as member of the f:irst Norwegian contingent. A driver in the Battalion for the past one vear, he has recently switched jobs. He is now working as a mechanic.    

What is tbat fasclnates him so much about this region that he has opted to serve seven times ? A gilsi friend ? No. «I like Norwegian girls,» he says.

    What is his secret then? His first love is travel. And being here gives him a tremendous opportunity to travei all over the Middle East. His second love is saving money. His target is to save enough to build a house of his own in Norway.

    We asked this veteran if the Strip has remained the same during his several tenures with UNEF. << Of course, not.  There have been lots of changes here. There are so rnany new buildings and Gaza today is a much nicer and prosperous town than in 1956 >>

    Did he pick up any Arabic ?  << Aiowa >> was his resounding reply.

     Has he ever been sick ?  << Le ( meaning in Arabic = no )>>.

    And what did he plan to do at the end of the seventh tenure ?  << Enlisting for another six months of course >>

    Mohammed Awartant of HQ Welfarehas added a new medal to his trophy-laden closet - a bronze one he won at Tripoili´s North African games held in March.

    The year before he had led bis Gaza team to fourth place at the Pan-Arab games held in Cairo.  

    A Palestinian employee of the Force, Mr. Awartani has been a familiar face at almost all the UNEF athletics claiming a number of honours in tennis, squash and chess. 

    His wins at the last UNEF games included championship in tennis singles, runner up in tennis doubles, third place in squasb and second place for his HQ chess team.  

    He is planning to make a fresh bid for all these titles at the next UNEF games. He is also tipped for the GANEFO games due to be held to Cambodia in September 1966.

 

 

Mohanmed Awartani of H.Q. Welf are.  

The Commander, Major-General Indar Jit Rikhye, has had a Family reunion this month. His wife, Usha, and two sons, Ravi, 19, and Bhalinder, 16,

joined him in Gaza 15 june. With Ravi was his flance, Miss Pamela Bunbury, a student of the Beaver College. Ravi himself is at Harvard,

one of the top Ivy League Colleges of United States. Younger son, Bhalinder, is attending Riverdale Country Scholl.

CHINESE NIGHT : The moving spirits behind the Chinese night at Seaview Officer Mess 4June were Miss B.Chang and Mrs.Elizabeth Tong, 

STAFF CHANGE : Maj. J.F. Sanderson of Canada who replaced Maj.J.M.Vicent as Senior Signal Sataff Officer.

   Force Commander Major-General Indar Jit Rikhye presented UNEF medals to two groups of Brazilians soldiers at ceremonial parades held 20 May and 18 June. UNEF troops are awarded these medals at the completion of their three months of service wlth the Force.

   At the parade held 18 June at Camp Rafah. the Commander referred to the current reorganlzatlon and streamlining ot the Force to effect greater operational economics.

   He said, peace~keeping by the United Nations was under serious examination at New York. 
Although there was complete unanimity that United Nations should act whenever peace is disturbed in any part of the world, there were conflicting views as to the financing of peacekeeping operations. It was because of thls that UNEF had to Introduce streamlining and economies.
   «Much of our efforts», he added, <<are towards improvlng our operations to simplify procedures and to provide better administrative support to the units. 1 am therefore hopeful that it would be posslble to improve your living conditions and to meet many of your requirements, together wlth those of the other contIngents >>
   The Commander was fuIl of praise on both the occasions of the smart turn out and the good standard of drIll of the Brazllian soldlers. Commanding the parade was Lt. CoI. Cid Olive Ferreira.

    The small number of incidents in the Brazilian sector, the Commander, sald, « was largely due to the high degree of vigilance maintained by your Battallon.»He was confident that under the « able leadersbip of your commanding officer you wIll not permit the routine nature of your tasks to relax your vigilance and that you will continue to give your best in accordance with the high tradition of your Armed Forces.»

At the earlier parade at Fort Worthlngton, the Commander lauded BraziI’s lmportant contributlon to the work of UNEF. The presence of the Brazilian Battalion here had added significances In that it remained the only representative of Latin America ln this mission, he said.

   The Battalion is responsible for guarding Camp Raf ah which houses the Support Group; a section of the ADL in Raf ah district; and the northern portion of the Internatlonal Frontier.

Doing the medal presentation for Maj. A.G.R. GABRIEL, Operations Officer, is Mr. J. MACGOWEL of the Brazilian embassy in Lebanon, 

L/Cpl.G.A Stewart,demolition expert, Field Engineer Section, 

Engineer Coy, explains functions of anti-tank and anti-personnel

mines to menbers of UNEF Hospital

Maj.E.B. Creber,Support Group Workshop, welcoming 

UNEF HQ Staff to his unit.

Lt.Ron Paddock, spared parts officer Ordinance Coy, gives

the Yugo visitors a breakdown of his unit´s tasks.

 

Indian soldiers get aclose look of 115 ATU operated Caribou aircraft.

Canadian Contingent Commander Col.G.C.Bell welcoming the Canadian Forces DAy invitees at Camp RAfah.

 

   The Canadian Contingent played host to other contingents 11 June in celebration of their Armed Forces Day. Visitors were taken round Camp Rafah and a few even had a ride in the Caribou one of the fleet of 5 planes serving UNEF which are flown and maintained by 115 Air Transport Unit, RCAF.

   All Canadian messes at Camp Rafah had special buffet luncheons and, later in the afternoon, all ranks gathered at the sports field to witness a game of softball.

   What happened at Camp Rafah was part of similar celebrations all over Canada and abroad wherever Canadian soldiers are serving the cause of peace or carrying out their commitments under the North Atlantic Alliance.

   The first ever Canadian Armed Forces Day was observed in 1965 when it replaced individual « service days ». On this day, the Canadian Armed Forces seek to ínform the public how their national defence policy works. 

   Canadian defence commitments are two fold defence of the North American continent tied with the North Atlantic Alliance; and active participation in United Nations peace-keeping operations all over the worid.

 

   Also serving the North Atlantic alliance is the 4 canadian Infantry Brigade Goup in Germany equipped with M-113 armoured personnel carriers.A Battalion group for Allied CommandEurope (ACE) force,capable of rapid movement to any sector of NATO flanks, is earmarked in Canada.

   Her maritimes forces committed to NATO embrace all shore-based aircraft and helicopters and a mixture of destroyers and submarines in Canada.

   Canada´s contribuition to the United Nations peace-keeping missions has been everywhere - Kashmir, Korea, Egypt, Lebanon, The Congo, New Guinea, (West Irian),Yemen, and Cyprus.More than 2.100 canadian service-men still continue to serve the United Nations overseas and it is estimated than more 70.000 Canadian military personnel have served under the UN flag.

Col Bell seen receiving Lt.Col.Trimble and Mr.Delvote

Canadian Visitor

   Visiting the Canadian Contingent 12 to 15 june were Lt. Col.H.A.Trimble, military advisor,Canadian Permanent Mission to the United Nations, and Mr.Louis Delvote of Peace Keeping division of then Canadian External Affairs Ministry.

Their visit was part of a tour of UN operations in Cyprus, Jerusalem and the Middle East. Before arriving in Gaza they had been visiting the UN Force in Cyprus and the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization in Jerusalem.

   In Gaza they were particularly interested in studying the current reorganization and streamlining of the Force with special reference to the Canadian Contingent and the 115 ATU RCAF.

FRIENDLY CHALLENGERS : What started as a friendly challenge ended as an atual walk around the Camp RAfah perimeter to judge who could do it faster.

The picture shows Sgt. << Slim >> Young and Sgt. Rocky O´Connor walking neck-to-neck. Sgt. O´Connor was the winner having completed the walk l minute 30 seconds before Sgt. Young.   

Ambassador Haksar Pays Farewell Visit

   India' s Ambassador to UAR, His Excellency S.N. Haksar, paid a farewell visit to UNEF 18 May. He was accompanied by Mrs.Haksar and Military Attache, Col.B.K.Narayan.

    During his stay here he called on Commander UNEF, Major-General Indar Jit Rikhye, Governor-General of the Gaza Strip, Major-General Hosni and Chief UARLS, Brigadier -General Sharkawy.

    The Indian contingent hosted a party in honour of the visiting ambassador at the 3 Punjab officers' mess.

    The Ambassador was also  given a cerimonial luncheon at the <<A>> Mess. He returned to Cairo 20 May.

MRS.HAKSAR AT 3 PUNJAB MESS : (l to r) : Mrs Ghuman, Mrs S.P.Choudhree, Mrs.Kiil, Mrs.Haksar, Mrs. Sharkawy.Mrs. R.S.Bains,Mrs. Garcha and Mrs.H.S.Dalal.

3 Punjab Officer Retires

   A popular figure of 3 Punjab Battalion, Subedar ( Hony, Lieutenant) Bhagat Singh, has recently returned to India upon retirement after 29 years of distinguished service with the Indian Army. Here in Gaza he was second-in command of one of the 3 Punjab ADL coys.

   Hony.Lt.Bhagat Singh, 45 joined the army as private in 1937 and had seen action in the South East Asia Command during World War II.

   He rose to the rank of junior commissioned officer in 1958 and in recognition of his meritorious service was awarded the title of honorary Lieutenant on India"s Republic Day in 1966.

   Officers andmen of 3 Punjab Bn including the CO, Lt. Col.Bali, and Subedar-Major Relu Ram turned up in large numbers at Gaza airport to see off their retiring colleague.

Indian Officer' s Wives Visiting Gaza

   A flurry of charming ladies in dazzling saris have lately appeared in the Gaza Strip. There is no mystery behind their appearance.

   They are all wives of Infian officers visting the Strip either on their way home after accompanying their husbands to Europe or having a brief sojorn here before leaving for a tour of Europe.

   One of the star attractions for Indian officers here is the opportunity of seeing Europe during their official three-week aanual UNEF leave. Very few officers miss this opportunity and most of the married ones invite their wives to join them.

   The first Indian wife to arrive here was Mrs.Dalal, wife of Maj.H.S.Dalal of 3 Punjab Bn. Since then more than a score of other Indian' wives have been transiting the Strip.  The latest to arrive is Mrs.Hussein, wife of Maj. M.K.Hussein, second-in-command, 3 Punjab Bn.

   Lt.Col.B.N.Bali, CO 3 Punjab, left for Cairo l8 June to join his wife for their European tour. Lt.Col.M.M.L.Ghai, HQ chief Ops,is already vocationing in Europe with his wife.  Also enroute Europe are Mrs. Srivastava, and Mrs.Jasbir Singh accompanying their husbands Capt.S Srivastava, Staff Captain, Support Group, and Maj Jasbeer Singh, HQ Supply and Transport Officer.

Lt.Col.Nikola Crevar, 42, Commanding Officer, 20th Yugo Battalion. A Veteran of the partisan war,he holds several decorations, including the <<Partisan Memorial Medal 1941>>. Before his assignment to UNEF, he was doing staff and command duties in the Yugolav Peoples' Army.

*   *   *

Maj. Vladimir Stojkovic, second-in-command of the Yugo Battalion

Enough time to write home, <<  we have arrived in Port Said.>>

New Yugo Bn Takes Over

   The 20th Yugo Recce Battalion is in full charge of its sector of the International Frontier now. The last batch of 243 new officers and other ranks arrived 10 June. The First part had arrived 7 May.

   The outgoing battalion hosted a masalama party to menbers of other UNEF Contingents 3l May. Lt.Col.Miloje Stopiljkovic, the outgoing CO who left for home aboard << Jugoslavija>> 10 June, welcomed the guests.  Also greeting the guests was the new CO, Lt.Col.Crevar.

   The Yugo Battalion conducted a series of sports tournaments in the later part of May in celebration of Youths Day which coincides with Marshal Tito's birthday.  Major Nalava's team received 4 medals, Captain Maric's Team I and HQ Yugo Bn team l.  Twenty eight other menbers of the Bn also received medals.

While one of the new Yugo soldiers guards the Battalion arms, above, others spend time playing cards in the ship's bar awaiting the arrival of the special train that would take them to El Arish, below.

Lively Entertainers

On the stage, they proved a smashing hit. 0ff the stage they were full of fun. That, ln brief, Is our irnpression of the gay ten days that the CBC concert group brought to UNEF.

    Apart from their spectacular Canada Day performance at Camp Rafah, the group made a whirl—wind tour of UNEF camps mixing entertainment with informal socials everywhere.

   The Sand Dune followed the group off the stage. The snaps on these two pages give a bare glimpse of tbe excitement the group caused among our men and officers. We are sure the entertainers themselves took back to Canada many a pleasant memory of the gallant, full-of-fun men wearing blue beret.

   Each member of tbe group did his or her bit to raise the morale of the troops. The most successful of them all was Daniele Dorice, the singer comedian who spared no one. At the Canada Day performance her random pick of the audience trapped Governor-General of Gaza, Major General A.M. Hosny and UNEF Commander, Major-General Indar Jit Rikhye. The audience drawn from all sections of UNEF and from as far as UNTSO, Jerusalem, roared with laughter when Daniele in her coy French-Canadian asked her victims such innocently loaded questions « Vaat aaar ooo dooooing toonite. »

    Another smash hit was Elan Stuart, the singer who did a  marvelous job in spite of a sprained ankie. The injury was sustained at 3 Punjab when the Battallon’s bagpipers reminded the singer of Scotland, her ancestoral home .And she let herself go.

   The concert party was much more than a group of entertainers. Among them were Miss Canada 1966 —as symbol of Canada’s healthy teen agers —and Jean Beliveau, captain of the famous Montreal « Canadiens » hockey team. They had something of everything to please all sections of the Force.  In the group were familiar faces from past groups - emcee Gordie Tapp, the Lounsbury sisters, producer Ken Dalziel, director John Cantelon and sound technician Bruce Ritchie.

   Among other top names in entertainment who formed the group were popular balladeer Reg Gibson and banjo virtuoso Maurice Boyler. The all star octet, the best so far, included Phil Nimmons, leader-clarinet Al Haris, guitar; Murray Lauder, bass; Pat Rico, saxophone; Mickey Shannon, drums; Dave Robbins. trombone Bobby Glmby, trumpet; Don Johnson, trumpet; and Ted Komar, accordian.

...off-the-stage it was the same story. It was Chief Administrative Officer Mr.D.G.Sullivan's turn to smile at Daniele's coy talk at the <<B>> Mess party (Bottom)

One of the two Lounsbury Sisters, Joan, couldn't resist Canadian Signalman J.A. Nadeu's request for an autograph at OR's Club 77.

Hail Scotkland ! That was singer Elan Stuart's rection when she heard the 3 Punjab bag pipers. 

...danding over a memento on behalf of Club 77`President, Cpl.Alexander.

<<I am real>> Miss Canada, Diane Landry,seemsto be telling an admiring group of In dian soldiers.

<< No Goride, there an't any fly in your drink>>. Maj Preston looks on as Gordie Tapp bends over his drink. 

<<Fellows, believe me, there is nothing like ice hockey...>>> Jean Beliveau with appreciative Canadian soldiers at Camp Rafah.

   An adroit administrative manoeuvre has resulted in a recurring saving of nearly $40,000 each year for UNEF

   The Tre Kronor barracks fell vocant when the Swedish contingent left for home in March this year. Brains started chicking on how to hit <<Two birds with one stone>> as the popular saying goes,

   They did get their << two birds>> by one hit. One was providing accommodation to carious offices, estalishments and men housed in privite villas all over the town; and the other to effect a sizable saving in the annual expenses of the Force.

   Those moved into the camp are the Military Police, including the indian Provost  Section, and all HQ other ranks. Space has been provided in the camp for the

 MIR, Engineering Comnpany Detachment , <<C>> Sergeant' Mess and the HQ Quarter-master stores

   According to Maj. J.S.Narasimhan, HQ commandant, the move has enabled UNEF to de-hire 18 villas and save pay and allowances of about 77 local employees on UNEF pay rolls as watchmen, labourers or batmen. This has also brought down expenses on electricity and water. The figures quoted above do not include thefringe saving on consumption of kerosene and cut in transport that linked all the de-hired villas to the UNEF bus service.

   An added advantage of the move is the facility for sports at The Kronor. Now the men can

 

   

kick a ball or hit it hard to let off steam.

   Work is still on to modify some of the structures. The dog kennel, for instance is being renovated to house the Military Police Company office ( for wach dogs of discipline ? ) and the Swedish chapel building will now be used as an interrogation centre ( where one can still confess ! )

   How do the men, who were pulled out of the spacious villas feel ?  There seems to be no hard feeling whatsoever. Warrant officer Paine of Canada likes it here as the sea is so close. Then there are game enthusiasts and cinema fans whose tastes are better served in the camp.

   Indian Sargeant Nair's reply to the question sums up the feelings os everyone. He said, <<a soldier must always feel at home in his barracks>>

The new quarters on the HQ MIR showing the OC, Maj P.J.Asmussen of Denmark talking to a patient.

* * * * * * *

HQ Commandant, Maj. J.S.Narasimhan on an inspection visit to the QM stores looks on as the Quartermaster, right examines a gasoline cooker

We have a happy news to share with our readers. A new menber, Capt. P.J.Prasad fron India, has joined our staff and will be editing The Sand Dune beginning this issue.

 

   P.J.Prasad of India

Capt. Prasad brings to the Sand Dune several years of experience as a writer and editor. For the past five years, he has been on the editorial staff of the India Army publication, Sainik Samachar. A very warm welcome to Capt.Prasad 

    Capt.Prasand'sarrival gives Mr.K.D.Singh much needed relief. He has been doing the dual chores of photography and editing in addition to his responsibilities as PRO, Indian Contingent. Very few people know that the public Information Office has a dark room of its own. The tasko manning the dark room is Mr. Singh's responsibility too.

    In Spite of the heavy burden of his many tasks,Mr.Singh has added another feather to his cap - or rather turban, we should say. He now holds a diploma from the New York School of Photography after successfully completing its correspondence course during his tenure here. Incidentally, this is Mr. K.D.Singh's second assignment. He did a two-year stint in 1957-59 and is nearing the ende of his present two-year assignment.

   We arestill wondering how to lure the menbers of the Force into contribuiting to the SAnd Dune. Early this month we discussed this question with the unit PROs at our regular monthly staff meeting. Everyone agreed, we in UNEF consume the largest number of films per person than anywhere else in the world. Some among us must certainly have shaped into fine amateur photographers. Why not share these snaps with other colleagues through The Sand Dune.

   We are told there are quite a few good writers and cartoonists in the Force too. The Sand Dune would welcome contribuitions in these fields also.

   In return, we are planning a SAnd Dune Contributors' Club. If thereis enough response fromm you all, we plan ( with the approval os the Commander and the CAO, of course ) to award special certificates of membership to all contributors.  Won't you like to carry home a lifetime memonto such as this certificate ?