I know there were some Canadian units that saw combat action in Somalia, but, probably due to the Somalian Affair, Canadian military literature on the period seems to be pretty thin on the ground. Could anyone direct me to some authoritative books or sites on the subject? I'd love to include some Canadian scenarios in the new Day of the Rangers book.

Hard info on the combat experiences of other nations involved in the conflict in Somalia would be most welcome, too!

If you guys have anything to share, we'd sure appreciate it!

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Shawn Carpenter
Game Designer, Ambush Alley Games

"I don't wanna be remembered as the guy who died because he underestimated the threat posed by a monkey."

maybe the 2 helo crash scenarios can be be based on the real crash sites ??

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'' I love my models , they are made of swiss cheese ''

Here's a news segment from The State Run News Network showing the early days of the Canadian operation - http://archives.cbc.ca/war_conflict/pea ... lips/4324/

You can find mind news clips about the Canadian involvement in Somalia (as well as other peacekeeping operations) here - http://archives.cbc.ca/war_conflict/pea ... lips/4324/

Shawn,

I studied the CF in Somalia as part of my Canadian Forces History course. I had to return my course reading list books, but A Military History of Canada by Desmond Morton covers the subject quite well (from memory). Also, try this website for the Canadian Government Somallia report: http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/reports-ra ... ex-eng.asp

Marcus

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Wellswargamer

Hey Shawn,

Just read your post...definately the scandal that erupted from the mission and the disbanding of the Airborne Regiment has left that a very sour time period! However, it might be worth searching through the Canadian Military Journal for various articles.

I will poke around my books and jog my memory from back then...hope this helps in the interim:

http://www.journal.dnd.ca/index-eng.asp
http://www.commando.org/somalia.php
http://www.forces.gc.ca/somalia/vol1/v1c9e.htm

I'll let you know when I find more.

Stan

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Oiler72

Thanks, gents! That'll all be quite helpful! I really regretted not having more info on Canadian activity in Somalia in the original edition of Day of the Rangers because the Airborne were very active. Finding info just proved impossible - these new sources are a great help, though. If any of you have information on how an Airborne Regiment platoon was organized, that would be excellent (assuming I don't find it in some of the links I haven't gotten to yet).

Thanks again!!

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Shawn Carpenter
Game Designer, Ambush Alley Games

"I don't wanna be remembered as the guy who died because he underestimated the threat posed by a monkey."

Speaking of Canadian Forces Ops, where you able to get the info you needed for Canadian operations in Afghanistan for Enduring Freedom?

Hey Shawn,

I've been doing some further looking into your question...hopefully I'm not restating anything that you already know. As well, when I get the opportunity I will talk to a couple of buddies of mine who were in Somalia with the Regiment and get any other details they're able to provide....

- Canadian Airborne Regiment Battle Group
--CARBG HQ: Command Section, CP, the liaison Sect, Signals Platoon, Int Sect, Pers Sect, MP Det, PA cell, and Combat Support Platoon (x3)

--Combat Spt: Direct Fire Support Platoon: 30 pers, 9 x armoured veh's (likely Cougar AVGP's), 4 x long range nvg's
---Recce Platoon: 32 pers, approx 3 x Recce Sect
---Mortar Platoon: 1 RCR, 44 pers, mounted in Bison armoured vehicles

--3 x Infantry Commando; 1, 2, and 3 Commando...1 & 3 mounted on armoured veh's; 2 Cdo dismounted
--each Cdo: 3 x Airborne platoon
---Airborne platoon: 3 x Infantry Sections (approx 10 men each) armed with C7/8 rifles and 1-2 x C9 LMG/SAW, platoon is further armed with long range nvg, 2 x C6 GPMG, 1 x 84 mm Carl Gustav anti-tank gun, and 1 x 60 mm mortar.

CARBG also had available:

--Royal Canadian Dragoons Armoured Squadron: 4 x Armoured Troops; 4 x Cougar AVGP/Troop
--Engineers Squadron, Combat Engineer Regiment: approx 80 pers, tasks included clearing minefields, approving routes for patrols, preparation of field defences and bunkers, demolition of buildings, disposal of unexploded ordinance, supply of water, maintenance of airfield and roads, and other technical, construction, and electrical tasks

primary reference:
http://www.forces.gc.ca/somalia/vol3/v3c25be.htm

As I said, I hope this is helpful and not redundant...if there are any other questions feel free to ask.

Cheers,
Stan

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Oiler72

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I could agree with you...but then we'd BOTH be wrong.

Very helpful, Oiler72! Thanks!

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Shawn Carpenter
Game Designer, Ambush Alley Games

"I don't wanna be remembered as the guy who died because he underestimated the threat posed by a monkey."

Your Jim Keats you can afford it lol........Mikey

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"All Men for the rights of Every man, every man for the rights of all Men"

I apologize if this is in the wrong section...however, here's a pic of some Airborne troops in Somalia. The intersting part will be trying to find figures with the old-style fatigues (pre-CADPAT) with the new weapons (the C-6/7/8/9 entered service in late 80's early 90's) and the old CF bush hat is very similar to the Australian Army hat (not sure if Aussies still use it; stopped use in CF in mid 90's)...perhaps some head-swaps (frankly beyond my skill level)...

Cheers,
Stan

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Oiler72

So, anyone do a 20mm Bison?

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Hurray, boys! We've got them. We'll finish them up and then go home to our station.
General George Custer, before battle with Indians at Little Big Horn