A Bomb Squad Documentary. Bomb Squad Men; The Long Walk. 321 EOD Squadron

Documentary following three retired bomb disposal officers as they recount their experiences in Northern Ireland during the IRA bombing campaign of the early 70's. It was at this time the bomb disposal officer as we know it was born. As the documentary shows they were not trained for this type of work, they had to learn fast!!
One of the participants, Major Paul Wharton (retired) has written a book about his experiences which is available from Amazon and titled First Light. If you enjoy the documentary then you will certainly enjoy his book.

[@karenhathaway9036]

One of these men was my Father. He was such a good man, such a humble man who spent his whole life helping others both here and abroad. RIP Dad 💖

[@lfssasp5919]

Your dad was a very brave man may he rest in peace god bless you and your family

[@stuartmalone9617]

I was born and grew up in Belfast, I have served in the British Army now for 23 years and I have served 3 tours in N Ireland, 1 tour of Kosovo, 2 tours of Iraq and 2 tours of Afghanistan. I have seen death and I have buried friends. People struggle to understand why we do what we do but only the likes of me and your dad can answer that, and it’s not because we’re told to, it’s because we choose to, and we choose to make a difference. Northern Ireland is a buzzing, thriving country now and that’s because of people like your dad!! He will never be forgotten.......NEVER 🥀

[@tdtvegas]

Too bad your politican's have let the British military decay to such a point that the United States no longer looks at the UK as a credible ally…

[@karenhathaway9036]

@@stuartmalone9617 It's all my Dad ever wanted to do. He joined up in boy's service at 15 and served 32 years. You're right, thank goodness for people like you and him. My son is serving now too. Thank you for the lovely message ❤️

[@karenhathaway9036]

@W, O'Keeffe Thank you, really appreciate your lovely comment ❤️

[@PS-ru2ov]

thank you for your service from a Northern Irishman we are a changed society now thanks to your bravery

[@filtonkingswood]

These men deserve public recognition and a medal.

[@salfordladcraigedeane2356]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE LADS, REST IN PEACE TO ALL WHO NEVER MADE IT HOME! !!!

[@JOHNNIE1916]

Pity is any of them went home alive

[@tomsoki5738]

@@JOHNNIE1916 are you sad that we killed all your friends 😢 such a shame that the IRA were to cowardly to fight like men

[@sandocheese45]

To 321 and all ATOs. I take my hat off to you. Very brave. And you saved how many lives. Respect. Thank you 👍

[@n.poundo5257]

They are all unsung heroes. Big respect to all EOD&S and ATO regiments. Can't begin to comprehend the mindset of a person having to do "the long walk". It takes one hell of a person with a load of courage/ bravery.

[@moriarty6958]

teared up at just how humble these guys are, amazing men

[@eifionhughes2707]

I did 2 tours in 71 and 72. On my second tour I was on permanent mobile of Belfast City Centre so was in contact with the ATO’s frequently. I have never met a more braver bunch of guys. They should all receive special medals for the work they did throughout Op Banner. I salute you all gentlemen. 💂🏻‍♀️👍👍👍

[@jackietreehorn5561]

You must be 70 odd now

[@Exorcisor]

Such brave men, who risked all to save lives and property. Takes a special sort of person. Much respect.

[@CARLIN4737]

Absolutely...

[@charlieindigo]

I've never had dealings with a hero who ever thought of himself as a hero - and I've worked alongside many. These three men are so typical of a self-deprecating breed of men who simply say they did the job they were trained for. How many innocent lives they saved can never be known, yet their job was essentially learnt "on the job." What they did in Northern Ireland paved the way not only for their successors in Kossovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, but also helped train NATO troops in their operations around the world. Yes, they are heroes, every one that died and every one that survived. It's to Britain's shame that such men receive little thanks, much less any award for their gallantry. Had they been American, they'd probably be awarded the CMH by the President and given a hero's welcome in their home State. Due to the nature of extremist terrorism in Northern Ireland, any award would almost certainly bring reprisal to the family. As someone who lived and worked alongside the security forces at that time, I know what is was like to have to check my home and car several times a day, looking for concealed explosive devices - one never knew!

[@barrygnatek5139]

Fag

[@dancintilleyedie7287]

such brave men, i was a kid when this was happening my brother was there i remember watching the news all the time worried about him he was 19 just joined up and i was 9, never forget how scared i was for my big bro... RIP to all the brave men who did not return.

[@gingeristhebest21]

Remember the men of 321EOD my friends and COLLEAGUES who gave their LIVES for the people of NI ALWAYS REMEMBERED NEVER FORGOTTEN RAOC VETERAN 1964 1973

[@Rutherglen1969]

Thanks for your service, lads. Shocking not one was recognised, by our Govt for it. Any other country in the world would have

[@stevieb9671]

Amazing to watch this. Sends a shiver down my spine. In 1974 I attended a RE Specialist Search team course at the RE Bomb Disposal School in Chattenden. I was heading out to Ballykelly/Londonderry for a 4 month tour in a Sapper role, including specialist search. 3 eight man sections from 16 Squadron were trained and 3 Sections from 33 Squadron RE then based in Antrim. We were the first six sections to undergo this specialist training; I was just 18 years old. When a problem was called in be it rural or urban, house, farm, factory, or car. We cleared the area for ATO (Felix) We went under the name of Snoopy. We had body armour and all sorts of kit much of it home made. Our helmets were motor cycle helmets painted green with a standard motor bike visor over the face. I have some hairy ass-nipping memories of that 4 months.

[@vilasalazar]

great respect.. Britain's past is full of quiet strong men like these who just shut up and did a terrifying job for little thanks..

[@kevinlynch9438]

vilasalazar vilasalazar.... Yea brave men but should never have been in Ireland .... Mick O'Neil???? Poor guy ... If he wasn't a Catholic neither am I ... Just working class guys sent to our country to die.... Prob decent enough guys BUT the enemy all the same!!!! 🇮🇪✊🏻🇯🇴

[@Ryan-le1nr]

@@kevinlynch9438 They still defused bombs left for the Shinners didn't they? there were would be a lot more dead catholic civilians as well if it wasn't for the bravery of these guys you bitter little shit. With people like you and the DUP ireland will never prosper.

[@RicTic66]

@@kevinlynch9438 bomb squad don't discriminate they saved as many republicans and their families as soldiers and loyalist s. All the men of violence did was indiscriminately blow apart innocent men women and children Omagh bomb for example why were Spanish school children the enemy? You mate are a fucking dinosaur a relic of the past like those evil bastards who shot and killed the young girl in Derry last month. All sides rightly condemned her murder it's just left to the likes of yourself to try and keep the hatred alive. Thankfully your sort are a tiny tiny few who hopefully will get your comeuppance and let the rest of us live our short lives in peace.

[@LazyCookPete]

@@kevinlynch9438 They were actually sent there to save lives and property, the dying was an occupational hazard. It was a dirty little war with bad guys on both sides. The first casualty of war is truth. We should all stop listening to those who seek to divide us. Nations are just a date and a line on the map. The British squaddie and his Volunteer counterpart probably had more in common than they did with their own respective commanders.

[@generationyoutube7104]

Respect, you set the standards. RIP your work saves lives today.

[@johnrooney1860]

Again thank you for your live saving bravery in northern Ireland and today's conflict. Read the book year's ago mental strength needed is beond belife. Ma mate was royal enginers bomb disposal plain clothes. John Rooney st.annes Lancashire UK

[@jeanhenderson1277]

This was brilliant I watched a video on the bomb disposal on another channel recently and wondered if the brave man made it home safely and was so glad to see he did . Thank you all for your service x

[@adrianadodds9523]

To know what devastation these devices could and would bring and still walk towards it goes way beyond bravery,.I can't help but think a little bit of crazy is an essential part of the mix too.

[@cormacburke1544]

I’m an Irish Republican , I don’t agree with the British army or their involvement in my country to be honest I have no time for them , but I just have to say those guys had some balls .... I don’t agree with them but for pure bravery . all I can say is RESPECT

[@darrenfarrell-bn2cb]

There Would be No Need For Bomb Squads . If They Didn’t Occupy another Country,

[@teddy1066]

Appreciate you saying that. 321 EOD Company RAOC is the most decorated unit in the British Army.

[@Mansviews]

You are heroes in my book. Thank you.

[@gremlinuk1968]

God Bless to you all,, ! Was a wee kid back then in the 70s, born May 23rd 1968, from northern Ireland UK,

[@exex9378]

The bravest of the brave, exceptional men!

[@johnmillar5073]

I thank you all. We will not forget.

[@fratercontenduntocculta8161]

Even after 3 combat tours in the middle east, I can tell you that EOD is one of the most dangerous jobs in the military, and I got to witness them neutralize, collect and dispose of those items. They talked a lot to us about how the Brits learned a bunch of valuable info on bomb construction and disposal methods specifically from the troubles.

[@jackietreehorn5561]

They also learned lessons id say about how to treat the general public

[@vinnyhunt8756]

Clever,humble,fearless and such nice people, thank you for your service

[@vilasalazar]

some of Britain's finest here - respect

[@edwardodonnell6857]

Hope these lads have had a happy peaceful retirement.They where very brave men heroic put everything on the line to save life.

[@irishboer7124]

My mum got blown up in the Abercorn explosion but lived. Met Dave Taylor in 2009.

[@davidm3maniac201]

Wow she was lucky. I am glad she survived

[@motorcop505]

So glad she survived! The IRA were total cowards.

[@andrewmacdonald7423]

Fantastic and breve men. Thank you .

[@grantchallinor5263]

Yes, brave and special men - and their families too.

[@cometor38]

awesome doc, the troubles were insane

[@thepolishnz]

and ironic that those events save lives today

[@ggff3761]

Andrew DePietro the British armies bomb squads most active deployment remains in Northern Ireland even in 2018 but they use the bots now so it's much less dangerous for them

[@kevcification]

Brave,brave men....great film,thanks for posting......

[@Pedrovarni]

My best mate at school Mike G joined Ordnance Corp in '88 after Sandhurst . Not sure he knew he'd signed up to bomb disposal haha but kept passing the exams ...he went to Gulf 1 capping oil wells ...left a Major...top man

[@ryangarritty9761]

Such gentle and unassuming men who were caught up in an ugly and bitter conflict.

[@shaunmartin6767]

Walking towards potential death day in day out must take its toll eventually, on you mentally and to detach yourself from that realisation takes a different breed of person.one thing I noticed was how articulate and methodical all the lads are in this documentary. Respect to all including the one's you never see suffering the families.

[@georgebuller1914]

Such disrespect! Clickbait crap!!!

[@frankklaassen]

Those men deserve my respect

[@yan24to]

Amazing and humble men.

[@ringsidejudge4302]

Quality people who showed sincere dedication to their jobs . Many a life was saved by these heroes. The terrorists that made these devices may have had plenty of devilish expertise, but the men who had to defuse them really had guts. In the end the terrorists were defeated and I am sure the gems of 321EOD have contented minds not like the evil cowards that are now jumping in rivers and ending up in mental institutions Good always prevails over evil in the long run.

[@CliffordWynne]

I was an escort for 321 from Albert street mill Belfast. I used to make plaques and run the bar.

[@Arthur54321]

I remember being on a Cordon in Belfast (ICP Cdr) and I pointed out to the ATO that he did not have a mag on his 9 millie. He smiled and said " i'm happy that you are looking after me Cpl and where I might be going its not going to be much use" 😆

[@-DC-]

Bravery beyond belief ♥️

[@burtthebeast4239]

Thank you all, God bless you...

[@skinnymason]

Cant respect these men more, have lots of balls

[@studavies1967]

Thank you eod

[@johnvarley-g5v]

What an amazing story of some very brave, dedicated, men.

[@anthonymcnamee6297]

Scary stuff

[@grahamallen1970]

Humans run from danger....heros walk towards it....thanks for your service

[@lloydwalden3541]

RESPECT TO ALL THE BRITISH SOLDIERS WHO WENT TO IRELAND TO WIN A PEACE ! NOT A WAR,THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.REGARDING OTHER ISSUES, HEBREWS,9.27.KJV.🙏🙏❤👍🇬🇧

[@andypandy8569]

Courage and determination. Hat’s off!

[@M9090d]

i was in the royal engineers 33 E.O.D. i served 12 years and proud i did it.and i played with E.O.D. WELL DONE BBC you are showing something that has never been seen behined the iron door.thank you.

[@nick3551]

No ATO.

[@scramblerkrush5088]

I was attached, as an escort for 321, in ‘89 at Girdwood Park, with 42 Commando…what a great bunch of blokes👍….it opened my eyes to the fact that you didn’t have to have a green lid to be a good c!?t…🤣

[@georgebuller1914]

Head shots as well - superb!

[@maxt7525]

The commanding officer of their tour should be stripped of his award. These men should all be awarded by the queen ❤️

[@karenhathaway9036]

My Father who was Dave Greenaway in this Documentary did receive a medal from the Queen. It was a very proud day for us all. Sadly he passed away a couple of years ago.

[@leod-sigefast]

They are all aristocratic rich boys with connections. Of course the Royals are going to decorate their own.

[@johnmillar5073]

Thank you.

[@Jack-fs2im]

what an amazing documentary and people

[@johnbutler3654]

we will never ever reward these brave men as there is nothing that we could give that would equal there courage,my goodness bravery i thought i had seen it all till i watched this programe thank you bomb disposal lads

[@Ricky-ribs70]

The absolute definition of cold courage

[@dazk55]

nice one felix.

[@daveregan8410]

That brings back memories

[@rogerscottcathey]

Danger UXB was a good series.

[@LazyCookPete]

That was about Royal Engineers bomb disposal teams diffusing enemy bombs in WWII. I thought Anthony Andrews played a blinder in that series. IEDs have always been the responsibility of the RAOC and later the RLC, as in this video.

[@johnrooney1860]

A simple egg timer could be used a set off device mechanism or electric one early car alarms mercury switch tilt . Even strong winds would make a contact fitted 1 on my cortina mk4 .John Rooney st.annes Lancashire UK ps

[@davidm3maniac201]

@@LazyCookPete its being repeated in the uk. Watched it in the early morning at 3am. Lol

[@dallasreid7755]

They really were on a suicide mission at the start not having a clue what they were up against and every variant the Germans created cost at least one life to identify the new trick.

[@anavasa2519]

Thank you!

[@LazyCookPete]

RAOC EOD (IED) operatives already had some experience gained in the 60's riots in Hong Kong, but methods were still very crude and operatives were terribly exposed until the Wheelbarrow robot was introduced. The Royal Signals 'Bleeps' and their Electronic Counter Measures were also indispensable, without these highly professional operatives there would have been much more carnage.

[@allenjames.4323]

Jul 1988. I was about a mile and a half in another military compound at new Barnsley. And we were listening to what was happening at one of our other nets. We heard the first bomb go off and then it went quiet for a while. A second device was detonated by booby trap and WO2 John Howard was killed. Never forget any or these very brave men. God Bless.❤️❤️🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@rjds1800]

So I’m not the only one who saw the kid in the black hoodie crouched on the bottom shelf of the supermarket when the gent was in the supermarket shopping?

[@mpccenturion]

They were Hero's. Every single one. Northern Island was fighting with itself. Sad

[@nodohare]

|Northern Ireland is under British rule, know your history. Absolute typical quote. Idiot

[@mpccenturion]

@@nodohare I am sorry. I never lived there. My family moved thru there 170 yrs ago. My ancestors left during the famine. I try not to be an idiot, but I can never know what you know. You lived it. I can read - both sides, but I only can see what is available. Again - I apologize.

[@nodohare]

Centurion Wizofid The truth is in the geography, Centurion. God bless you, keep safe 🙏🏼👍

[@mpccenturion]

@@nodohare May He or She bless us all. My ID is based on the Canadian Battle tank. Tip my glass to yah, whiskey. At least that is not F'ed up with this Cov19 stuff. Geography and History have been my enjoyment for years. Cheers to you Sir!

[@billybraithwaite67]

Incredibly brave..in stark contrast to those who planted the bombs. No medal would ever do these guys justice. Thank you 🙏

[@mariafelices8000]

Thank you plain and simple ❤️🇬🇧❤️🇬🇧❤️🇬🇧❤️🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧❤️🇬🇧

[@eire3261]

Yes but you can't just steal land either, stolen land is stolen land. 🇮🇪💚🍀🇮🇪💚🇮🇪🍀

[@francishutchinson6311]

Take a history lesson before posting stupid comments.

[@keithroberts6718]

As Bleep tried to ID radio control bombs and jam them. Initially 27mhz chips, then ICOM2e & 4E later other more complex triggers

[@Threetwocharlie]

Heroes all. Thank you an english soldier ‘69 - ‘78

[@Jon-ql4iy]

As we used to say in the army, OBE=OTHER BUGGERS EFFORTS. Saw these men regularly, whilst on tour, Deepest Respect to every ATO.

[@thatbuckmulligan]

Thanks for the upload

[@plumduff3303]

I worked the met police divisional bomb car...every division had one...mirrors ballistic vest and luck was all we had.. cannon fodder ..i totally respected the bomb squad and expo officers

[@Jimmie16]

REspect gentlemen.

[@billyvinilly8104]

Ubique

[@tomratican6345]

very brave men and gentlemen too

[@AnonAnonAnon]

I worked alongside RE EOD. I got an introduction to shoring up around unexploded ordnance with them. Not something I'd recommend to anyone with a nervous disposition! And the Top Cat lads in Belfast, nails!

[@prillewitz]

They paved the road for their colleagues in Afghanistan.

[@wicked96ta]

Why do you feel like you need throw out that he's an American as an insult? There are idiots everywhere. Their country has nothing to do with it. I'm an American, I served, and I think this documentary is amazing.

[@mathoe87]

legends ...they saved hundreds ofmen women and children, on both sides. respect

[@CARLIN4737]

Very brave men

[@userone2658]

Brave people where are the medals what a joke

[@nigelgibbens9864]

The British government could to award theses brave men awards so easily why do they not do it !!!! Shame on you the government shame on you

[@caegareg1]

Brave men.

[@stevebarr5301]

Respect these men with medals

[@karenhathaway9036]

They did. My Father was David Greenaway. He was awarded the BEM for gallantry by the Queen

[@colinfarren8326]

WOW these guys are incredibly brave.

[@salfordladcraigedeane2356]

They got no medals, shame on u the British army,

[@PaddyInf]

There were plenty of medals. They hold the highest number of GCs of any unit because of NI.

[@karenhathaway9036]

One of them was my Dad and he did get a medal. He got the BEM for gallantry. I still remember watching him receive it from the Queen.

[@manofknowledge1000]

very interesting documentary

[@xjboy550]

From the days when being a British solider wasn't an arrestable offense

[@barrygnatek5139]

Love my boys USMC EOD 1989 2002

[@petemack6079]

What's your area of polite military service Barry, if I may be so bold as to even ask?

[@plumduff3303]

I remember inglis barracks at mill hill scary times

[@NickMusselle]

respect Earned

[@Cypher791]

I was curious when that bombing happened in the post office and i can not find anything. I have gone down such a rabbit hole with this. It seems it went off in the "General Post Office", which may have been called the "Head Post Office", which was next to the grand central hotel, which had been taken over by the army. But that was the first grand central hotel, there is another one with the same name at a different location, the new shopping centre on that site has changed the whole area so much none of those streets are even there anymore. I have read through every bombing of the troubles in the 1970s, and every bombing on bloody Friday in case it was one of them, I cant find any mention of it anywhere. There is obviously archive footage and photographs from the incident, on here, so it must have been reported I just don't know why there doesn't seem to be any record of it anymore.

[@robnorton9496]

I was wheelbarrow IED robot technicians out there. We used to drive around alone with just pistol.

[@grahamwatts8836]

Explosives in three very large milk churns massive explosion, two churns did not explode, could have been three times the explosion if not for actions of the ATO Officer, bosses should have been very appreciative.

[@karenhathaway9036]

I think this is the job Dad got his BEM for gallantry.

[@grahamwatts8836]

So much is owed to so few, I could not imagine how dangerous it would have been for them, extraordinary people.

[@Monsoon-sd6vr]

I spent 30 years in a front line Infantry unit whose main form of taxi to battle areas was C130 which never landed. Deployed world wide, but spent many, many years in the Province, I met and worked with so many ATOs, SATOs, and on occasion CATOs. These days everybody according to the media is a "hero" they have no idea, Bomb disposal were and are top of the range, the country still does not know enough about the people

[@picassoboy52]

what a shame, such a beautiful country. The national pastime is blowing itself to bits.....

[@npc77107]

Heroes period.

[@AA-69]

I loved when he said that the top man got a medal, while the one's at the coalface got bugger all !! They should have had a whip round and sent him a package 🙉

[@MrWadstw]

Legends !!

[@benwedgwood1766]

You are heroes.

[@CARLIN4737]

Magical

[@gringotom242]

23:20 Bloody good shooting by the sound of it!