1978 British Army Gazelle downing

1978 British Army Gazelle downing
Part of the Troubles and Operation Banner

A British Army Gazelle helicopter
Date17 February 1978
Location
Jonesborough, southern County Armagh
54°5′10.15″N 6°21′59.12″W / 54.0861528°N 6.3664222°W / 54.0861528; -6.3664222
Result IRA victory
Belligerents
Provisional IRA  United Kingdom
• British Army
Commanders and leaders
unknown Lt.Col Ian Corden-Lloyd †
Strength
1 active service unit 1 Army section
2 helicopters
Casualties and losses
unknown 1 killed
2 wounded
1 helicopter lost
1978 British Army Gazelle downing is located in Northern Ireland
1978 British Army Gazelle downing
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Location within Northern Ireland

On 17 February 1978, a British Army Gazelle helicopter, serial number XX404, went down near Jonesborough, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, after being fired at by a Provisional IRA unit from the South Armagh Brigade. The IRA unit was involved at the time in a gun battle with a Green Jackets observation post deployed in the area, and the helicopter was sent in to support the ground troops. The helicopter crashed after the pilot lost control of the aircraft whilst evading ground fire.

Lieutenant-Colonel Ian Douglas Corden-Lloyd, 2nd Battalion Green Jackets commanding officer, died in the crash. The incident was overshadowed in the press by the La Mon restaurant bombing, which took place just hours later near Belfast.