3-2-1 Bomb Gone: Fighting Terrorist Bombers in Northern Ireland

Since the emergence of the terrorist bombing campaign in Northern Ireland in 1969, the dreadful atrocities committed by both nationalist and loyalist paramilitary groups against civilian and military targets in the province have regularly made news headlines throughout the UK, and on occasions, across the world. Behind these headlines there is the story of the British Army's bomb disposal operators and how they have worked bravely and tirelessly to defuse terrorist bombs before they can kill and maim. The Army has battled to keep abreast of the terrorists in the constantly evolving environment of booby trap bombs, ambushes and radio-controlled devices. Sometimes the operators have been lucky, but on occasions they have paid with their lives while attempting to defuse a bomb. Despite the Peace Process, terrorist bombing attacks continue in Northern Ireland, albeit at a much reduced level of intensity. At the same time there is a rapid proliferation of terrorism internationally. The Army's bomb disposal operators continue to fight the dissident terrorists in Northern Ireland, but are already having to enter the worldwide "War on Terror".