United in the service for peace (Multinational Force and Observers Sinai)

In 1989 i served in the Dutch military as Corporal first class in a Signal unit to take part in a peace mission in Egypt. In the Sinai desert the Multinational Force and Observers was stationed with one headquarter in El Arish (north) a subcamp in the south (Sharm el Sheik) and several sector control centers (SCC's) and Observation points. Our main Job was to maintain stable communication networks 24/7 to provide radio (HF-VHF), telex and telephone communication.

With 11 nations they needed the Dutch military because we are famous for our knowledge of languages. On school the most learned at least the basics in German and French and English is our second language. While working with the Coastal Patrol Unit from the Italian navy we found out that it was the best option to solve communication errors to learn some Italian basics.

With respect for each other and a smile you can learn how you can cooperate for a common goal : peace in the Middle East. Even today in my work as planner in logitcs for IKEA i learned some Russian language to help the drivers from Eastern Europe, Spasiba Doswidania ! By visiting Eastern Jeruzalem i wass impressed by the fact that so much religians could live together in such a small and historical old city.

Let us never forget what two brave men learned us : Anwar Sadat (Egypt) and Menagem Begin (Israel) signed for peace in Camp David and ended a bloody period of war and bloodshet.

Left The Sinai desert





 Right : Sadat-Carter-Begin

The remains of war
in the desert.

Mortar bombs
Tank shells



Mines 

After this view of the former war area i will show you something which give you an inpression about the daily work in the Multinational Peace Force.

Transall C 160



The Vietnam veteran helicopter HUEY



The Twin Otter.






For transport there were services from the fixt wing avaition unit from France, the helicopter pilots came from the Canadian detachment. The Transall C160 was for transporting personell and equipment between the two camps and the Twin Otter was used for  the trips with personell to Cairo.    



101 Airborne on SCC guard post



Today i am active in a Veteran school project. I tell the children something about the military live, different tasks, and my job for 6 months in the Sinai desert. I try to explaine that with respect for each other we can work together for a better world in peace. But we must always maintain a strong defence for the worst case . let us never forget where  the veterans from the second world war fought for : our precious FREEDOM.

An other educational project in which i am active is from the foundation for information on world war 2 (STIWOT), my speciality is the Landing in Normandie France, D-Day 6 june 1944. I explain children from about 12 years old that our freedom started over there and that our Liberators fought for their freedom.

The last update is that we received a donation whith original battlefield items from the Normandie beeches.

One exploded part of a Navy shell and the remains of a Garand rifle.



THE TWO PARTS FROM THE CONFLICT : 1. THE IDF.





IDF on the Eilat beach (south)



Border crossing...waisting time...
but security is needed.



Eilat border patroll IDF, with MAG machinegun.





Eilat border patroll on alert.




IDF patroll in M151 Jeep.

 _________________________________________________________________________________

Let's have a look at the Egyptian side.

 

Russian build T54 tanks.

A great export product used by 65 different country's.

But Israelian forces knew the shortcoming of this Egyptian tank :

the bad elevation from the gun downwards

and used this knowledge in combat.