Relations with ethiopia under the derg quickly deteriorated because of its growing ties to the ussr and its human rights abuses. I like the way paul weaves history, politics, and geography into his novels. It sits at the intersection of the red sea passage to the mediterranean and the indian ocean and controls a point of access to the middle east oil fields. For example, it is a history of cia activities in the middle east in the 1960s and 1970s. Soviet and american influence in the horn of africa. Among other things, this impacted the kagnew station, established as an. Betit worked as a general assignment reporter or as a sportswriter for nearly 39 years, including stints with the kennebec journal 197485 in augusta and the portland a former maine newspaperman, mr. Kagnew station was a united states army installation in asmara, eritrea on the horn of africa.
The cold war listening station, kagnew station, was located nearly on the equator and at an altitude of 7,300 feet 2,200 m above sea level. His books include phu bai, kagnew station and the recentlypublished the man in the canal. I have seen plenty of kagnew station patches, but i have only seen one example on a uniform. And to all local civilians who helped keep the machinery of kagnew in motion. Sequel to phu bai and kagnew station by paul betit 2014, paperback at the best online prices at. It can be viewed as an enhanced history of us diplomacy and the often mangled process of communication during that tempestuous period in the middle east.
Its altitude and close proximity to the equator made kagnew station an ideal site for the cold war listening stations dishes and the 2,500acre 10 km 2 antenna farm. So many of the places mentioned in the story are just as i remember them. See more ideas about east africa, army base and ethiopia. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. The main character in these novels, john murphy, a military investigator, moved on to ethiopia in the second novel.
Kagnew station and maag ethiopia eritrea uniforms u. Its altitude and close proximity to the equator made kagnew station an ideal site for the cold war listening stations dishes and the 2,500acre 10 km2 antenna farm. It was later to play a similar role in the korean war and the cold war. In 1973, the army ceased operations at kagnew, but the station remained a major telecommunications base for the navy. The political repercussions of the usg decision on kagnew could be greater outside ethiopia than within it. Ted vestal book on haile selassie peace corps worldwide. Like betits earlier book, phu bai, kagnew station is a very good, fastpaced read. Foreign relations, 19691976, volume e6, documents on africa, 19731976 released by the office of the historian. Kagnew station army base, asmara, ethiopia, east africa. Chit book officers mess, kagnew station apo 09843, asmara, eritrea kagnew gazelle u. I called the number ans wow he was blown away when he found out who i was. The kagnew station sitea site dedicated to the military and civilian personnel who served at kagnew station in asmara, eritrea. Radios located here are able to pick up clear signals from thousands of miles away. Members of kagnew battalion were, with few exceptions, drawn from the ethiopian imperial bodyguard division the battalions rotated yearly, with the first kagnew battalion arriving at the front in 1951.
A history of kagnew station and american forces in eritrea. A typical outlying village with a home and cucalyptus trees typical of the area. American personnel at the station were gradually reduced amidst the ethiopiaeritrea fighting. Now a somewhat secretive eritrean military base, kagnew station was one of americas key listening posts for much of the cold war. The cold war listening station, kagnew station, was located fairly close to the equator and at an altitude of 7,300 feet 2,200 m above sea level. Especially loved going back in time to kagnew, where i have many fond memories of buddies on d trick, company b, 6163. He spent two years at kagnew station as an intelligence analyst. Contact me at with any questions, comments, or suggestions.
See more ideas about ethiopia, army base and east africa. Foreign relations of the united states, 19691976, volume. I actually learned a lot about ethiopia and eritrea. Through the cold war, kagnew station served as a key intelligence installation.
Foreign relations, 19691976, volume e6, documents on. Army radio station, taking over and refurbishing a preexisting italian naval radio station, radio marina, after italian. I was wondering if any of you have an example of a kagnew station patched uniform or a uniform idd to a maag ethiopia vet i dont believe there was an ssi for this unit nor have i seen a crest for the standard maag patch that says ethiopia. Army was pulling out of tract e and the communications sites in 1973. Entrance to kagnew army station, asmara, eritrea, circa 1952. Throughout its history, there have been numerous occasions where. A history of kagnew station and american forces in eritrea is an authorized. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. I recommend it to everyone who loves suspense and mystery. After july 1, 1973, correspondence regarding this book should be addressed to.
It was recorded in the club bulletin that the dinnerdance held at kagnew station in may 1966 had total attendance of 335 people and revelry went on till 3. Kagnew station news newspapers books scholar jstor january 2014 learn how and when to remove this template. Kagnew station and fluctuating policy on ethiopia clements. The work of the intelligence services is by nature secret, but veterans of the army security agency which served in world war ii through the cold war are hoping to find some recognition. One of my links pagesdedicated more to coins than to trains. Entrance to kagnew army station, asmara, eritrea, 1950s. The official history of kagnew station, written as the u. Ethiopia in the korean war 1951 kagnew battalions october 15, 2016 october 22, 2016 mengistu 5453 views 0 comment ethiopian history, kagnew battalions, korean war in june 1950, when the korean war began, the u.
The following is a timeline of the history of the city of asmara, eritrea. The destinctive kagnew station patch features a gazelle head. The membership from the modest membership of 30 in 1957, the club grew rapidly. A history of kagnew station and american forces in eritrea lulu. In the 10 years ive been doing this web page, this is only. A history of kagnew station and american forces in eritrea paperback january 1, 1973 by john r. In the 10 years ive been doing this web page, this is only the 2nd copy ive ever seen.
With north africa now in the news on a daily basis, it got me thinking of a former american base in the region. The history on the kagnew site was manually keyed in by me years ago from a photocopy of this book. Dedicated to all asa, afss, nsg, stratcom soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, civilians, and dependents who were at kagnew station, asmara, ethiopia now eritrea, and like us, will never forget the island above the clouds. A group intended for friends, family and those who were stationed at kagnew station. Protecting the station with armed americans would substitute one irritant for another by making the presence of this foreign facility all the more obvious and contentious. Kagnew station the book with author paul betit youtube. Are you looking for someone who is or was in kagnew station,asmara, ethiopia. Kagnew station was established at asmara, eritrea, on the horn of africa in 1943. A mystery novel set at kagnew station, eritrea but then ethiopia and surrounding territory including keren and massawa. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. The story of ethiopian fighters in korea, published in 1954 shortly after the armistice was signed, is now finally available in korean todays books. Michela wrongs earlier book, in the footsteps of mr kurtz, described the interplay of homegrown tyranny and western greed in the congo.
In 1953 haile selassie agreed to lease kagnew station to the u. The venomous despot dia and the kagnew station cia. Various wearware with the kagnew station emblem emblazoned thereon. Eventually dubbed kagnew station, this base played an important role in intercepting coded nazi radiograms during wwii. These are books, magazines, pamphlets, articles and other printed materials dealing with asmara, eritrea and kagnew station. I didnt do it for you is likewise strong on the grotesque aspects of the foreign presence in the horn of africa.
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