AUSTRALIA & united states CELEBRATING the first 100 years of Mateship personified: The “Bull” Allen Story

MA OUNT T MBU, NEW GUINEA. 30 July 1943 o one embodies the spirit of mateship between 2/5th Battalion stretcher bearer Corporal Leslie Australia and the United States more than (Bull) Allen, age 26, of Ballarat, Vic, carrying N to safety an American soldier who had been Australian Army Corporal Leslie “Bull” Allen. knocked unconscious by a mortar bomb. Allen This image has been chosen to symbolise carried out twelve American casualties while the enduring friendship between Australian and under fire on Mount Tambu. For this gallantry he received the United States Silver Star. American servicemen and women. During the Second World War, on 30 July 1943 at Mount Tambu, New Guinea, Corporal Allen safely rescued twelve United States soldiers from the front line. For his bravery he was awarded the Silver Star by the United States. The photograph captured of Allen’s actions on that day, carrying to safety an American soldier who had been knocked unconscious by a mortar bomb, has become one of Australia’s iconic war-time images.

In 2018 we will commemorate “100 years of mateship”. A unique bond forged in blood and shared sacrifice that endures through mutual respect and shared values.

But Hamel is only the beginning of a century-long story. Mateship forged Throughout the 20th century, servicemen and women from Australia and the United States have served side by side, as in battle friends and allies, in every major conflict, from WW1 to Iraq. The fine tradition forged in the mud of the Somme ustralian General, Sir John Monash, was continues into a new century, as Australians and Americans Athe first non-American to command U.S. continue to fight for freedom in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. soldiers in an offensive action – at the Battle of Hamel on the Western front in France in 1918. SOMALIA, It was also the American troops’ first MAGADISHU 1993 offensive action of the First World War. Four Sergeant Peter Sir John Monash Watson, 1 Military American companies were under Monash’s Police Company, of command, which proved to be a turning point in the Battle Rochedale, Qld, at of the Somme. the main gate of In honour of the Americans he was leading, Monash the US Embassy with US Marine chose 4 July 1918 for the assault on the strategically Lance Corporal important town. Darren Moore. His precise battle plan was radical for its time – it marked the first time tanks had been used on a battlefield to bring supplies rapidly behind the advancing infantry and the first time aircraft has been deployed to drop ammunition to ground troops. 100 years of mateship

Australia and the United States have fought side by side in ‘A perfect modern battle plan is like nothing so every major conflict since 1918. much as a score for an orchestral composition, where the various arms and units are the instruments, 1914-18 First World War and the tasks they perform are their respective 1939-45 second World War musical phrases.’ 1947-91 cold War -General John Monash 1950-53 Korean War 1962-75 The plan was described as a brilliant success. In only 93 1990-91 Gulf War I minutes, just three minutes longer than Monash’s plan, 1992-95 somalia all objectives were achieved. The town of Hamel was 2001- War on Terror captured by the Allies. 2003-11 Gulf War II Fourteen Americans were decorated by the British as a 2001- Afghanistan result of the battle. Among them was Chicago born Corporal 2014- counter-ISIL in Iraq/Syria Thomas Pope – who also received the Medal of Honor. In 2018 we will commemorate “100 years of mateship”. ‘His company was advancing behind the tanks A unique bond forged in blood and shared sacrifice that when it was halted by hostile machine gun fire. endures through mutual respect and shared values. Going forward alone, he rushed a machinegun nest, killed several of the crew with his bayonet, and, CHUNCHON, KOREA standing astride his gun, held off the others until 13 June 1953 reinforcements arrived and captured them.’ 1/7518 Captain K. Hatfield, of 3rd -Pope’s citation Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), sits on the wing of his aircraft and discusses When he passed away in 1989, Pope was the last surviving flight plan with pilot Lieutenant J. US Army Medal of Honor recipient from WW1. J. Sullivan, US Air Forces prior to take off for an air strike mission on Sir John Monash is considered one of the best Allied the enemy positions. Hatfield was Generals of the First World War and is Australia’s most serving as an air observer with famous military commander. American 6148 Tactical Control Squadron. In 2018 we will commemorate “100 years of mateship”. A unique bond forged in blood and shared sacrifice that endures through mutual respect and shared values.

A United States military convoy of Bradley Tanks drives past Leading Aircraftman (LAC) Scott Ryan, RAAF Airfield Defence Ground Guard (ADG) while on patrol at Baghdad International Airport. Foot patrols were undertaken throughout the Australian Section of the airport. Part of the RAAF Combat Support Unit, the ADG provided protection to the RAAF air traffic controllers and support staff who operated at Baghdad International Airport.

HMAS Sydney arriving in New York City in support of Exercise Northern Trident in 2009

Australian Corporal Dianne Cuttler of the 1 Aviation Regiment attached to the United States Army, seated in the door of a Black Hawk medical evacuation helicopter during operations in Afghanistan. In 2018 we will commemorate “100 years of mateship”. A unique bond forged in blood and shared sacrifice that endures through mutual respect and shared values. Honouring our heroes

The centenary of the Western front battles of 2018 will The Australian Government will mark the centenary of be a significant occasion for Australia. the Western front through a series of commemorations, From a population of fewer than 5 million, 60,000 culminating in July 2018. Australians lost their lives in the First World War. 45,000 of those were on the Western Front, where Australians ‘It is an historic event of such significance that it will were exposed to the front line in enormous numbers. live forever in the annals of our respective nations.’ – General John Monash Another 156,000 were wounded, gassed or taken prisoner. to US General Bell about the battle of Hamel, 5 July 1918 Their sacrifices, made so early in our nation’s history, helped shape Australia’s modern identity. Our bond on the battle ground also forged an enduring partnership with the United States that would be formalised in September 1951 in the ANZUS Treaty. To this day, the ANZUS Treaty remains the cornerstone of Australia’s national security. Background Photo: LAE AREA, NEW GUINEA. 1943 Australian troops disembarking from American Landing Ships, Tank (LST), including LST-456, east of Lae in preparation for the assault on that town. 20mm Oerlikon AA guns are mounted in the bows of the LSTs. Note the method of stowing fuel drums on the deck of LST-456, ready for rapid jettisoning in case of fire. Sharing our history

To continue to highlight the long history of Australia 2017 and the US in battle, the Australian Embassy will host as th a series of major events, including a “Mateship” gala ball, 28 February 75 anniversary of the Battle of Sunda Strait commemorations and guest lectures in the lead up to (Loss of the USS Houston and HMAS Perth) 4 July 2018. 29 April 65th anniversary of the ANZUS Treaty coming into force (Cold War) Each commemoration will focus on one of the battles in 4 May 75th anniversary of the Battle of Coral Sea which Australia and the US have fought together side by (WW2) side over the past century. 4 July 99th anniversary of the Battle of Hamel (WW1) 9 August 75th anniversary of the in the Guadalcanal campaign (WW2) 11 September 16th Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and the invoking of the ANZUS Treaty (Global War on Terror) 16 September 50th anniversary of the opening of the Australian/US Joint Communications facility HAROLD E HOLT at Exmouth (Cold War) 14 October 74th anniversary of the commissioning of the US Navy heavy USS Canberra (WW2)

2018

17 January 27th anniversary of the commencement of Gulf War 1 16 February 64th anniversary of the Australian-American memorial, Canberra – symbolising “Comradeship in Arms” during the Pacific War 1941-1945 (WW2) 15 March 75th anniversary of the forming of the US Navy 7th Fleet in Brisbane (WW2) WWI, FRANCE, MONUMENT WOOD. 11 July 1918. 28 May 50th anniversary of the award of the Australian and American soldiers in a trench examining a German tank Presidential Unit Citation to Delta Company trap, filled with powerful explosive, and a periscope of a type much used 6RAR for “extraordinary heroism in battle” by the enemy at that time. The tank trap was so devised that any heavy weight upon it would shear two pins and detonate the fuses. during the Battle of Long Tan. (Vietnam War) 4 July 100th anniversary of the Battle of Hamel (the first 100 years of mateship)

Cover Photo: A wounded American (right), waits for an ambulance, supported by an unidentified Australian corporal.