Returning to Jadotville on 10 September, Capt Liam Donnelly, Comdt Joe Clune and Pte Michael Dunne (along with an escort) passed the Lufira Bridge, which was blocked by Gendarmerie. Gendarmerie were regularly patrolling the area and their numbers continued to increase. On 9 September Comdt Quinlan requested that a strong reinforcement be sent to Jadotville. 'A' Company spent the days leading up to the battle reinforcing and improving their defensive positions. These trenches would prove to be lifesaving. 'A' Company began digging into the extremely hard ground and bolstering their defensive area. ‘Digging in’ was embedded in Comdt Quinlan’s training. Comdt Quinlan reported that, on arrival, the Company dug trenches for ‘local protection as per COY SOP’ (Company Standard Operating Procedure). This grew as the days went on and was intensified by the growing number of Gendarmerie patrolling the area. There was an immediate sense of unease when 'A' Company arrived at Jadotville. The 81mm mortars and 'A' Company’s emergency rations were left in Elisabethville as a result of the quick move and lack of transport. 'A' Company, along with a section of two armoured cars commanded by Lt Kevin Knightly, moved to Jadotville using Irish and Swedish vehicles. Transport was seriously limited at this time. This population would later be described by Commandant Pat Quinlan, Officer Commanding 'A' Company, as openly hostile to UN forces. 'A' Company received orders to move to Jadotville on 3 September 1961 to protect the white population there. ( View the 35th INF BN Unit History HERE) (The Gendarmerie were part of the developing Katanga armed forces.) Gendarmerie movements and activities were being observed during this time. They carried out long-range patrols to Dilolo, Mokaiyibo, Kipushi, Jadotville, Kolwezi, and Kamina. (The 1st Infantry Group, another Irish contingent, was also serving in Katanga at this time and was based in Kamina.) The early part of their mission was relatively quiet. ONUC was continuously engaged with Katangese forces during this period. They were part of the Katanga Command and were based in Elisabethville. They deployed to the Congo in June 1961 and served there until December. The 35th Infantry Battalion was the fifth Irish contingent to serve overseas as part of this mission.
During this period of service 26 Irish soldiers lost their lives. Between 19, over 6,000 Irishmen served in this mission.
This activated the first Irish contingent, the 32nd Infantry Battalion, which led to the beginning of the Irish Defence Forces' four-year commitment to service in the Congo. They accepted the request and on 19 July 1960 the Irish Government passed the enabling legislation. Ireland was one of the countries requested by the United Nations to provide troops to the proposed ONUC mission.
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