Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

Post 1945, United Nations Peacekeeping, Organisation des Nations Unies au Congo (ONUC), 1960-61

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Overview

In 1960, the Congolese government asked the United Nations (UN) for assistance when the newly independent nation erupted into violence. This large operation was the first UN peacekeeping mission with significant military capabilities. Australia provided Army staff officers and medical teams through the International Red Cross. Photo illustration is of Swedish soldier coordinating humanitarian relief operations.

Historical information

The U.N. deployed a multinational peacekeeping force—the Organisation des Nations Unies au Congo, or ONUC—that within a year totaled nearly 20,000 troops from more than 30 countries. Lacking training, common equipment and an operational doctrine, the peacekeepers soon found themselves embroiled in a violent civil war, each side bringing in large numbers of mercenaries from Western countries. ONUC ultimately had to resort to heavy-handed military force to prevent Katanga from seceding.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-57-013

Contextual Information

National Peacekeepers' Day: On 14 September each year, Australia observes National Peacekeeper’s Day, the anniversary of Australia becaming the world's first peacekeepers to deploy into the field, in the Netherlands East Indies in 1947.
International Day of UN Peacekeepers: 29 May is a day of commemoration and acknowledgement of all military, police and civilian personnel who have served as peacekeepers with the UN. Since UN peacekeeping began, more than 4,000 peacekeepers from many countries have lost their lives while performing their duties under the UN flag.

Geotag

-4.3333514178807, 15.30601136512

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