SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY - THE END OF OPERATION BANNER
FROM GENERAL SIR RICHARD DANNATT KCB CBE MC
CHIEF OF THE GENERAL STAFF
It has been announced today [25 July 2007] that Operation BANNER, the Army’s support to the civil authorities in Northern Ireland, will end on 31 July 2007. After 38 years of military operations in Northern Ireland, it is appropriate that we pay tribute to all those involved and to acknowledge the part that the campaign has played in shaping the British Army of today.
Throughout the Operation, the British Army consistently demonstrated a resolute, disciplined and flexible attitude adapting uniquely to the deployment of military forces on United Kingdom territory. At the height of the operation, 28,000 troops were deployed and a total of over 250,000 members of the Regular Army have taken their turn to serve. It is often overlooked, and sometimes simply not known, that over 600 soldiers died. The majority were killed by terrorist action, including 102 soldiers who were killed in 1972 alone, showing how intense it was even by today’s standards.
As Operation BANNER comes to an end, it is fitting that we take a moment to reflect on the achievements of all those soldiers that have served on Operation BANNER in support of the civil authorities and in turn, supported by the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and by members of the Civil Service. Above all, we should pay tribute to all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
