The dramatic sequence of events in the Niemba massacre of Irish soldiers at the hands of Congolese tribesmen is recounted in graphic terms in the latest official report, a copy of which has been seen by The Irish Times.
The ambush, which took place on November 8th, 1960 and led to the deaths of nine Irish peacekeepers, remains a subject of controversy.
A confidential report to the Defence Forces Chief of Staff by Col Tom Behan urged that "official recognition and acknowledgment" should be given to the two survivors, Pte Thomas Kenny and Pte Joseph Fitzpatrick, for "displaying fortitude and tenacity".
But Col Behan adds: "I do not recommend the award of medals to the two men."
Speaking to The IrishTimes yesterday, Mr Kenny expressed satisfaction with the manner in which the inquiry was conducted but would not comment on the conclusions.
"I honestly think that they did the report very fair and square," said Mr Kenny, who was severely wounded at Niemba. "At least they had the courtesy to sit down with us and speak to us."
There was a different reaction from Mr Fitzpatrick who told RTÉ's Morning Ireland last week he still wanted a medal and that Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea was "afraid to offend the Army fathers".
He added: "What about my 46 years of post-traumatic stress, nightmares, cold sweats, people calling you 'Cowards - ye ran away', surely I deserve a little medal for that if nothing else?"
In a graphic reconstruction of the massacre, Col Behan describes how the 11-man patrol under Lieut Kevin Gleeson was attacked at a crossing-point on the river Luweyeye by "a large force of Balubas armed with clubs, axes, bows and arrows".
He continues: "It appears that this all happened so fast and there were so many Balubas that it was inevitable that the patrol would be overcome, despite the fact that many of the Balubas were killed and wounded by fire from the patrol.
"The patrol ran into the bush to try to regroup, but they were now surrounded by a very large number of Balubas. When a final effort at parlaying failed, Lt Gleeson ordered the troops to disperse and try to escape."
The Minister told the Dáil the report would be available in the Oireachtas Library.