WAIT OUT part 12 Troops Deployed to Ireland

In 1971, the 2nd Fusiliers had no sooner moved from Berlin to Catterick Garrison when they too were sent to patrol the Belfast streets. Steen’s skills as an Army sniper were employed to watch over the Fusilier’s Headquarters, and return fire should an attack come from the Artillery Flats area of New Lodge. The PIRA were unlikely to launch an attack against one of their own and so Jock Steen had nothing to fear.
His skill as a, sniper training officer for the PIRA, was having greater effect, his labours being rewarded when, on December 4th at 8.47 p.m., following the sound of an explosion, which had been so close to the Glenravel Street HQ that they thought they were under attack, he stood in the OP’s room and listened to the radio chatter.
In the surrounding area, a huge bomb had been detonated seconds before a patrol from ‘C’ Company passed by. The patrol, led by Major Jeremy Snow were the first on the scene. Their eyes met a heap of smouldering rubbish which moments before had been a packed two-story pub. The cries of the wounded and dying filled the cold night air. A neon sign flashed ‘MERRY CHRISTMAS’ in the distance, barely readable through the thickening black smoke. The sound of advancing ambulances and rescuers grew by the second, as the patrol tended to the wounded before handing over to Major Mike Dudding, who would help with co-ordinating the rescue, freeing Major Snow and his team to carry on with their patrol.
Steen listened intensely, aware that but for the bombing, this had been a quiet night. That changed at 10.00 p.m., when reports came in of a one hundred strong Protestant mob who had assembled in Duncairn Gardens and were taunting the Catholics as they tried to come to terms with the bombing. Within minutes an equally strong Catholic crowd had formed and was shouting abuse back at the Protestants. Major Snow radioed for assistance. Steen’s ears ‘pricked up’ as he realised the crowds were moving into North Street.
In the dimly lit arena, Major Snow put himself between the warring sides, in an effort to bring some order to the deteriorating situation. As he did, shots rang out, sending people flying in all directions, leaving Maj. Snow alone and in full view. One more shot from an M1 Carbine was heard and the Major dropped where he stood in Hillman Street.
Steen listened in silence as the Battalion Ambulance carried the Major to hospital’ and radioed in a ‘contact’ report.
“It was a PIRA sniper then”. He said to no-one in particular.
His face showed no sign of remorse then, or later when he heard of Major Snow’s death. Later at the appointed time he made his nightly telephone call to his mentor on the mainland reporting the deployment of troops and the success of his sniper’s activity.
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