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barriers, observation positions and standing patrols throughout the area of
operation.
4.71.
Maj. Henry had begun preparations on 21 May when he positioned
a platoon at MSOC as a pre-deployment exercise.
Deployment of Bravo Company
4.72.
On 24 May, augmented by soldiers from various other Companies,
Bravo was deployed at 11.00 a.m. from Up Park Camp in vehicles.
4.73.
At 11.24 a.m. Bravo arrived at “the drop off point” at the
intersection of Pechon Street and Beckford Street which had already been
secured by Alpha Company of 1JR. Alpha facilitated safe passage west along
Beckford Street. While moving west on Beckford Street, Bravo came under
gunfire from the direction of Tivoli Gardens. At first the gunfire was intermittent
but it intensified as the Company moved further west.
4.74.
In oral evidence, Maj. Henry testified as follows:
“The group I was with (about 50 persons) was to move west
into the market without crossing Darling Street. As we
advanced north, we encountered heavy gunfire the closer
we got to Tivoli Gardens. As we pushed further west, the
impact became more intense. Bullets were hitting the road
and buildings.”
Bravo’s Entry into Coronation Market
4.75.
Maj. Henry’s first objective was to gain entry into Coronation
Market. About 15 minutes after being dropped off, Bravo entered the market
directly to the north of the destroyed Darling Street police station. The Major
described the intensity of the gunfire to which Bravo was subjected as follows:
“Immediately we came under sustained pistol, rifle and
machine gunfire from the west, rifle fire from multi-storeyed
buildings to the north along Spanish Town Road and