DOCSLIB.ORG

Greenbank Naa Newsletter Grey Funnel Dits

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Greenbank Naa Newsletter Grey Funnel Dits GREENBANK NAA NEWSLETTER GREY FUNNEL DITS Disclaimer: The material contained in this publication is in the nature of entertainment for the members. Contributions are acknowledged, with thanks, from service organisations. The editor expressly Disclaims all and any liability to any person, whether an association member or not. Views expressed may not necessary be those held by the Executive or the members. Editor: Tony Holliday [email protected] 0403026916 Series No. 3 Date: September 2020 No.9 GREENBANK NAVAL ASSOCIATION Sub Section Events for September and October 2020 Tuesday 01 September 1900-2100 Normal Meeting RSL Rooms Wednesday 30 September 1000-1030 Executive Meeting RSL Rooms Tuesday 06 October 1900-2100 Normal Meeting RSL Rooms Wednesday 28 October 1000-1030 Executive Meeting RSL Rooms Great news with the awarding of the Australian Victoria Cross to Ordinary seaman Teddy Sheean. Great pride for his family and us Gunnery Jacks. Editors Request: Articles for the newsletter can be handed in at meetings, or by email: articles may be edited to fit the newsletter. The contents of this edition of the newsletter have been obtained from information provided from Len Kingston-Kerr whom I thank greatly, various publication publications and NAA information emailed in. 1 ROYAL USTRALIAN NAVY - PERSONALITY Commodore W A Kemp: William Alexander Kemp was born in the tiny village of Woomelang in Victoria’s Mallee Region on 29 February 1928. He joined the Royal Australian Navy as a Cadet Midshipman (Supply), at HMAS Cerberus, on 30 January 1946. After initial training he went to sea as a Midshipman (Supply) in the sloop HMAS Warrego (1946) and the heavy cruisers HMA Ships Shropshire (1946-47) and Australia (1947-48). William Kemp was then posted to HMAS Lonsdale and promoted Sub Lieutenant in May 1948. In late 1948 Sub Lieutenant Kemp was sent to England for training courses with the Royal Navy and on his return in 1949 he joined the cruiser Australia as a junior Supply Officer. He was promoted Lieutenant in April 1950 and shortly after joined the destroyer HMAS Bataan as the Supply Officer. In late June Bataan was en route to Japan for service in the British Commonwealth Occupation Force when the Korean War broke out. The destroyer was quickly diverted to Korea and saw service there from July 1950 until late May 1951. She carried out a variety of duties such as patrolling and blockading the North Korean coastline, providing naval gunfire support for land forces and escorting aircraft carriers. For his service in Korean waters, Lieutenant Kemp was awarded a mention in dispatches. Lieutenant Kemp was posted to HMAS Kuttabul during 1951-52 where he worked as a Staff Officer to the Flag Officer commanding the NSW area, before he became the Secretary to the Senior Officer in Command of the 1st First Frigate Squadron. During his tenure he served in the frigates HMAS Shoalhaven (1952-53) and Quadrant (1953-54). In 1954 he served in the destroyer HMAS Tobruk as the Destroyer Squadron Supply Officer before being posted to Navy Office (then in Melbourne) as a Staff Officer in the Directorate of Supply and Secretariat. In mid-1957 Lieutenant Kemp was posted to the United Kingdom to work on the staff of the RAN Liaison Officer, at the Australian High Commission, and was promoted Lieutenant Commander in April 1958. He returned to Australia in 1960 where he served at the Supply School (HMAS Cerberus), before becoming the Squadron Supply Officer of the 1st Destroyer Squadron (embarked in HMAS Vendetta) in February 1961. During his time in Vendetta the ship operated in Australian waters and was also part of the Far East Strategic Reserve based in Singapore. Kemp then served briefly at the RAN Apprentice Training Establishment HMAS Nirimba, from May- December 1962, before being promoted Acting Commander and posted to HMAS Leeuwin where he served as the Executive Officer during the period January 1963-July 1964. He was confirmed in the rank of Commander in December 1963. Commander Kemp then joined the staff of Fleet Command serving as the Secretary for three successive Fleet Commanders (Rear Admiral HO Becher, Rear Admiral TK Morrison and Rear Admiral VAT Smith). During that time his service alternated between ashore at HMAS Kuttabul and at sea in various ships when the Fleet Commander was embarked. In February 1967 he was posted to Navy Office Canberra as the Deputy Director Fleet Supply Duties and Administrative Planning. 2 In late 1968 he took up his final sea posting when he joined the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne as the Supply Officer. During his time in Melbourne the ship operated in Australian and South East Asian waters. On the night of 3 June 1969, when the carrier was operating in the South China Sea, it collided with the United States Navy destroyer USS Frank E Evans which was cut in two. Her bow section sank and 74 US personnel lost their lives. Melbourne returned to Australia for repairs to her bow during July-October 1969. In April 1970, Commander Kemp returned to Navy Office resuming the role as Deputy Director Fleet Supply Duties until promoted Captain in December 1971 after which he became the Director of Fleet Supply Duties. In February 1974 he was appointed as the Director of the Administrative Plans Branch. That branch was later renamed the Directorate of Naval Logistics Plans and Coordination. In January 1976, Captain Kemp was appointed in command of the RAN’s premier training establishment, HMAS Cerberus. He relinquished command of Cerberus in early 1978 and returned to Navy Office as the Director General Logistics Branch - Navy and was promoted Commodore on 26 August 1978 (with seniority backdated to 26 April 1978). Commodore Kemp’s final posting in the RAN, in March 1981, was as the Chief of Staff in Naval Support Command. He retired from the RAN in early 1983 after 37 years of service. Following his retirement, he resided in Canberra. Commodore William ‘Bill’ Kemp passed away in Canberra on 26 December 2014, aged 86. ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY - ADMIRALS RADM M F Bonser: Marcus ‘Mark’ Frederick Bonser was born in Sydney on 7 August 1952 and educated at Manly Boys High School and Macksville High School. He joined the RAN College as a senior entry Cadet Midshipman in January 1971. Bonser was promoted Midshipman and joined the fast troop transport HMAS Sydney in September 1972 for training, which included the ship's last deployment to Vietnam (during 23-24 November 1972) to deliver humanitarian aid to Cambodia (which was trans-shipped from Vung Tau). He was promoted Sub Lieutenant in December 1973 and appointed to the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne, in August 1974, to obtain his bridge watch-keeping qualification. Sub Lieutenant Bonser joined the patrol boat HMAS Advance in June 1975 as Executive Officer. During his year of service in her the ship operated from Darwin conducting fisheries protection and maritime surveillance patrols in northern Australian waters. Bonser was promoted Lieutenant in March 1976 and undertook short training courses at HMAS Watson and HMAS Cerberus in mid-1976 before joining the training ship HMAS Duchess, in September 1976, as an Officer of the Watch. 3 Duchess was a Daring Class destroyer which had been converted to a training ship in mid-1974 and took groups of midshipmen to sea for sea experience and navigational training. She operated mainly in Australian, New Zealand and South West Pacific Waters. Duchess conducted her last training cruise, to Fiji, in late 1977 and on returning to Australia was decommissioned on 24 October 1977.In October 1977, Bonser transferred to the new training ship HMAS Jervis Bay as an Officer of the Watch and served in her until April 1979. During his time on board the ship also conducted training cruises to ports in Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and the South West Pacific to provide ‘at sea training’ for RAN College midshipmen and trainees from other Commonwealth navies. He joined the hydrographic vessel HMAS Diamantina (a former WWII frigate) in April 1979 for her deployment to Northern Australian waters and Singapore with a number of embarked scientific staff conducting experiments with anti-submarine towed array systems. Diamantina returned to Sydney in August 1979, but more testing was undertaken off the east coast in October-November. Lieutenant Bonser departed the ship in November and returned to the patrol boat force in December 1979 as the Commanding Officer of HMAS Aware. While in command of Aware the patrol boat was based in Darwin, as part of the Third Patrol Boat Squadron, and conducted fisheries patrols and border protection duties. Bonser relinquished command in January 1982 and then served briefly in the Landing Ship Heavy HMAS Tobruk, during February- April 1982. He then proceeded to the United Kingdom to undertake the Principal Warfare Officers (PWO) Course and he subsequently qualified as a PWO (Anti-Submarine Warfare). Bonser then served on exchange with the Royal Navy in the destroyers HMS Antrim and HMS Glamorgan. He was promoted Lieutenant Commander on 31 December 1983 and returned to Australia in mid-1985. Lieutenant Commander Bonser was appointed to the guided missile destroyer HMAS Perth in June 1985 as the anti-submarine warfare officer. During his service in Perth the ship operated in Australian and Southeast Asian waters conducting various training activities and exercises. On 14 October 1985, while conducting Exercise CORAL SEA off the coast of New South Wales, Perth undertook the rescue of 24 crewmen from the Singaporean vessel MV Hoelien, the ship sank later that day. Perth also took part in the Navy’s 75th anniversary celebrations during 1986. In early 1987 he completed training at HMAS Watson before joining HMAS Torrens as Executive Officer in April 1987.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Final Draft ADFJ No
    Archived at the Flinders Academic Commons: http://dspace.flinders.edu.au/dspace/ This is the publisher’s copyrighted version of this article. The original can be found at: http://www.adfjournal.adc.edu.au/UserFiles/issues/ 171%202006%20Jul_Aug.pdf © 2006 Australian Defence Force Journal Published version of the paper reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Personal use of this material is permitted. However, permission to reprint/republish this material for advertising or promotional purposes or for creating new collective works for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or to reuse any copyrighted component of this work in other works must be obtained from Australian Defence Force Journal. Professional Military Education in Australia: Has it All Gone Terribly Right? Dr David Cox and Dr Andrew O’Neil Abstract In this article we discuss the contemporary challenges facing the delivery of Professional Military Education (PME) in Australia. Rather than criticising the current state of PME, we believe it is more productive to explore how positive outcomes can be secured within the constraints facing decision- makers over the next five to ten years. PME should, we argue, be regarded as an umbrella term that incorporates a much broader set of defence and security related educational processes and outcomes. Chief of the Defence Force (CDF), Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, recently announced a review into Joint Education and Training. Our intention is to discuss PME issues within the context of the historical development of Defence’s key PME provider in Australia—the Australian Defence College—and in so doing offer some points relevant to CDF’s review.
    [Show full text]
  • Journal of the Australian Naval Institute
    P JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN NAVAL INSTITUTE VOLUME 6 MAY 1980 NUMBER 2 AUSTRALIAN NAVAL INSTITUTE 1. The Australian Naval Institute has been formed and incorporated in the Australian Capital Territory. The main objects of the Institute are:— a. to encourage and promote the advancement of knowledge related to the Navy and the Maritime profession. b. to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas concerning subjects related to the Navy and the Maritime profession. c. to publish a journal. 2. The Institute is self supporting and non-profit making. The aim is to encourage freedom of discussion, dissemination of information, comment and opinion and the advancement of professional knowledge concerning naval and maritime matters. 3. Membership of the Institute is open to — a. Regular members — Members of the Permanent Naval Forces of Australia. b. Associate Members — (1) Members of the Reserve Naval Forces of Australia. (2) Members of the Australian Military Forces and the Royal Australian Air Force both permanent and reserve. (3) Ex-members of the Australian Defence Forces, both permanent and reserve components, provided that they have been honourably (discharged from that force. (4) Other persons having and professing a special interest in naval and maritime affairs. c. Honorary Members — A person who has made a distinguished contribution to the Naval or maritime profession or who has rendered distinguished service to the Institute may be elected by the Council to Honorary Membership. 4. Joining fee for Regular and Associate members is $5. Annual Subscription for both is $10. 5. Inquiries and application for membership should be directed to:- The Secretary, Australian Naval Institute, P.O.
    [Show full text]
  • Overview of the Defence Abuse Reporting Function, June 2019
    Overview of the Defence abuse reporting function by the Defence Force Ombudsman August 2019 Report by the Defence Force Ombudsman, Michael Manthorpe PSM, under the Ombudsman Act 1976 REPORT NO. 05|2019 CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................... 3 PART 1: INTRODUCTION ...................................................................... 4 The Defence Force Ombudsman’s role ................................................................... 4 Structure of the report ................................................................................................. 4 PART 2: ADMINISTRATION OF THE REPORTING PROGRAM .................... 5 The Ombudsman’s delivery of the program ............................................................ 5 Liaison role and overview of trauma-informed service delivery .................................... 5 Assessment process ............................................................................................................ 7 Available responses ............................................................................................................. 8 Staff wellbeing .................................................................................................................... 11 Observations on the administration of the program ............................................. 12 Program statistics ............................................................................................................... 12 PART 3: NATURE OF ABUSE IN
    [Show full text]
  • Counterinsurgency in a Test Tube
    THE ARTS This PDF document was made available CHILD POLICY from www.rand.org as a public service of CIVIL JUSTICE the RAND Corporation. EDUCATION ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT Jump down to document6 HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit NATIONAL SECURITY research organization providing POPULATION AND AGING PUBLIC SAFETY objective analysis and effective SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY solutions that address the challenges SUBSTANCE ABUSE facing the public and private sectors TERRORISM AND HOMELAND SECURITY around the world. TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE WORKFORCE AND WORKPLACE Support RAND Purchase this document Browse Books & Publications Make a charitable contribution For More Information Visit RAND at www.rand.org Explore RAND National Defense Research Institute View document details Limited Electronic Distribution Rights This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law as indicated in a notice appearing later in this work. This electronic representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for non- commercial use only. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of our research documents. This product is part of the RAND Corporation monograph series. RAND monographs present major research findings that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors. All RAND mono- graphs undergo rigorous peer review to ensure high standards for research quality and objectivity. Counterinsurgency in a Test Tube Analyzing the Success of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) Russell W. Glenn Prepared for the United States Joint Forces Command Approved for public release; distribution unlimited NATIONAL DEFENSE RESEARCH INSTITUTE The research described in this report was prepared for the United States Joint Forces Command.
    [Show full text]
  • Shas Chap 08
    CHAPTER 12 GUNNERY DEPARTMENT, FIELD GUNS, FREEDOM OF THE CITY April 2nd, 1889 - Cordite Patented "Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum" (If You Desire Peace Prepare For War) - Motto of HMA Gunnery School HMAS CERBERUS This motto reflects what the Gunnery Branch has been about since the science of naval gunnery was first practised in Austrahan Naval Forces. Gunnery training began in Victoria at the Williamstown Naval Depot in 1885. The Williamstown Naval Depot became HMAS CERBERUS in 1911 when the Royal Australian Navy was formed and the Gunnery School moved to Flinders Naval Depot (HMAS CERBERUS) in 1920, when the Williamstown Naval Depot closed down. HMAS NIRIMBA, has a Gunnery Officer and Gunnery staff dedicated to parade training for new entries and for training the many Guards of Honour and armed parties for ceremonial occasions manned by NIRIMBA personnel in the City and suburbs of Sydney. Parade training is part of the syllabus of first term entrants and parade training continues throughout the time trainees are at NIRIMBA. This training culminates with the Passing Out Parade when the graduates form the Passing Out Guard for the Reviewing Officer. In addition, the Gunnery staff is responsible for small arms and expedition training in conjunction with the Physical Training staff. HMAS NIRIMBA acquired two naval field guns in 1961 and for many years these guns were displayed at the entrance to NIRIMBA. Due to the number of times these weapons were hauled away by playful apprentices, they have lately been locked up and only taken out on ceremonical occasions. Elevaation and plan view of QF 12 pdr 8 cwt field gun Limber of 12 pdr The origin of these two field guns goes back to the days when the Royal Navy was often called upon to wage war in foreign lands at short notice.
    [Show full text]
  • Operation Relex
    13 Chapter 2 Operation Relex ‘The safety of ADF personnel and the wellbeing of the unauthorised boat arrivals and the Indonesian crew members is to be held paramount’. That is an extant direction that overrides everything. We are talking about people coming to Australia illegally. It is not World War III.1 ‘Was this a new style of operation for the Navy?’ the answer is yes. We had not done this style of operation before.2 Introduction 2.1 With the Government’s adoption of a more assertive posture towards preventing both asylum seekers and people smugglers from entering Australian waters, came a new role for the Australian Defence Force. 2.2 Since 1988, the ADF has supported the activities of Coastwatch and the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs in ‘national surveillance’.3 This work, according to Maritime Commander, Rear Admiral Geoffrey Smith, has been carried out under the auspices of Operation Cranberry and, in relation to matters such as illegal fishing and other Customs support, continues still.4 2.3 Since 3 September 2001, however, in the area of unauthorised boat arrivals the ADF has become the ‘lead’ rather than a supporting agency. It has designated its corresponding operation, Operation Relex.5 2.4 This chapter provides an outline of Operation Relex: its aim, operational arrangements, and an overview of its interception activities from the arrival of Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel (SIEV) 1 on 7 September 2001 to the arrival of the last illegal entry vessel, SIEV 12, on 16 December 2001. Aim 2.5 Operation Relex’s strategic aim was an extension of the Government’s new border protection policy: to prevent, in the first instance, the incursion of unauthorised 1 Rear Admiral Chris Ritchie, Transcript of Evidence, CMI 405.
    [Show full text]
  • The Navy Vol 34 Part 2 1972 (Aug-Sep Oct, Nov-Dec 1972-Dec 1973)
    AUGUST SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER, 1972 • or posting At a periodica' — Category A Cents THE NAVY. The magazine of tha Navy League of Australia Registered tor posting as a periodical — Category A Vol. 34 AUGUST-SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 1972 No. 3 A Special Edition for Navy Week in Australia — Featuring the Royal Australian Navy CONTENTS Page Page The Australian Fleet in the 1980's 3 Message from the Federal President of Message from the Minister for the Navy 5 The Navy League of Australia 27 Message from the Chief of Naval Staff 7 Ecumenical Church Service — Approval of DDL Project 9 Sunday, 8 October — Open to the public . 43 H.M.A.S. Watson — History and Activities 13 H.M.A.S. Penguin — Public Open Day — Programme 17 Public Open Day — Programme 45 Purchase of Sea King Helicopters 19 H.M.A.S. Ntrimba — H.M.A.S. Platypus — History and Activities 23 History and Activities 47 Public Opan Day — Programme 25 Public Open Day — Programme 47 New Survey Ship 35 New Oceanographic Ship — Cook SI Navy Weak in Australia — Sea Cadet Corps News — All States 55 Programmes of Events for all States 29 Navy League of Queensland — Annual Report. 64 Pi US SUNDRY STORIES AND PHOTOGRAPHS The views expressed in artcles appearing m this publication are those ol the authors concerned They do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, the Navy League, or oMicial opinions or policy Published by the Navy League of Australia. Box 1719, G.P.O., Sydney, N.S.W., 2001; Phone: 2411008 All correspondence should be directed to the EdRor.
    [Show full text]
  • CALL the HANDS NHSA DIGITAL NEWSLETTER Issue No.10 July 2017
    CALL THE HANDS NHSA DIGITAL NEWSLETTER Issue No.10 July 2017 From the President Welcome to the 10th edition of Call the Hands, a newsletter for Society members and the broader Navy Family. In this edition we continue to acknowledge significant 75th anniversary events, both ceremonial and tragic. These include the commissioning of HMAS Quiberon on 6 July 1942 and the loss of HMAS Ships Kuttabul and Nestor. We also recognize the contribution of a wonderful lady, Mrs Mae Clark who in her own quiet unobtrusive way contributed significantly to the wellbeing and morale of young apprentices at HMAS Nirimba for the entire commission of the base. Accompanying this edition is Occasional Paper 9, ‘The Loss of HMAS Armidale’. This paper is the transcript of a presentation recently given by Dr Kevin Smith, OAM to members in Sydney. Occasional Papers 10 and 11 have also been published on the Society’s website at https://www.navyhistory.org.au/reading/occasional-papers/. These papers were prepared by the Society and delivered as keynote addresses in support of Navy ceremonies to commemorate the loss of HMA Ships Kuttabul and Nestor in June 1942. A subscriber who is also a keen follower of ‘This day in History’ on both the Society’s website and in Call the Hands reminded us recently that 6 July is the 75th anniversary of the commissioning of HMAS Quiberon. Quiberon was one of eight Q class destroyers built in the UK during World War II. Quiberon and Quickmatch were transferred to the RAN immediately upon completion. Another three were transferred later and commissioned as HMA Ships Quadrant, Quality and Queenborough.
    [Show full text]
  • Shas Chap 01 07New
    CHAPTER 1 THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HMAS NIRIMBA - QUAKERS HILL NEW SOUTH WALES The requirement for a naval trade training establishment evolved from naval training activities in Victoria, which began in 1855, when Her Majesty’s steam sloop VICTORIA was launched for service in the young colony of Victoria. That ship formed the nucleus of the Victorian State Navy which was officially titled the Victorian Naval Forces. The Victorian Naval Forces based in Port Phillip Bay eventually grew to comprise the three decker battleship NELSON, gunboat PROTECTOR, four torpedo boats, COUNTESS OF HOPETOUN, CHILDERS, LONSDALE and NEPEAN, the ironclad monitor CERBERUS, gunboats VICTORIA and ALBERT and four smaller craft in addition, prior to the formation of the Commonwealth Naval Forces following Federation in 1901 and the Royal Australian Navy in 1911. Victoria possessed several shore facilities including the Williamstown Naval Depot where trade training was carried out in the Armourer, Torpedo (Electrical), Engineering and Ship's Carpenter branches. These recruits joined as apprentices in the Victorian Naval Forces. In 1910, the Federal Government requested Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson KCB, to state the best position for a central naval base and positions for secondary bases for the service of a fleet Admiral. Henderson’s lengthy report, dated 1st March 1911, caused the Government to establish Flinders Naval Depot at Westernport Victoria, whose role was to include trade training. Flinders Naval Depot commissioned as HMAS CERBERUS on 1st April 1921 when the Williamstown Naval Depot closed down - the various trade training schools having transferred to Flinders Naval Depot. Around that time tradesmen in the Royal Australian Navy were being recruited from shore either during their apprenticeships or following award of their Certificates of Competence as qualified tradesmen.
    [Show full text]
  • Issue 11, August 2017
    CALL THE HANDS NHSA DIGITAL NEWSLETTER Issue No.11 August 2017 From the President Welcome to the 11th edition of Call the Hands, a newsletter for Society members and the broader Navy Family. A large part of this edition and the accompanying Occasional Papers is contributed by readers, members and volunteers which is greatly appreciated as your stories are generally untold. The Society continued support for Navy with Treasurer, Nick Horspool attending the graduation of New Entry Officers Course (NEOC) 56 at HMAS Creswell and presenting the naval history essay prize. Long term member and volunteer, Leyland Wilkinson represented the Society at a ceremony in Iluka, NSW for the unveiling of a plaque to to HMAS Waree a steam tug which was wrecked there on 17 October 1946. Following receipt of a Community Heritage and Icons Grant from the Department of Environment and Energy to redesign of the Society’s website work commenced in July on this important project. The website is central to most Society activity. A key feature of the website will be pages featuring 15 heritage sites of naval significance. Three of these are World Heritage listed. The Society looks forward to launching the new site in the coming months. Acknowledgment of the significant contribution made by Mrs Mae Clark to the wellbeing of apprentices at HMAS Nirimba in our July edition brought to mind the efforts of another important lady. In this case, Mrs Carleen Angel whose selfless efforts made it possible for naval personnel to enjoy theatre experiences they may otherwise missed. Her contribution to Navy and the Defence community spanned more than 3 decades.
    [Show full text]
  • HMAS Leeuwin: HMAS the Story of the RAN’S RAN’S the of Story the Recruits Junior No
    Papers in Australian Maritime Affairs No. 29 Papers in Australian Maritime Affairs Papers in Australian Maritime Affairs No. 29 HMAS Leeuwin: The Story of the RAN’s Junior Recruits Brian Adams The Story of the RAN’s Junior Recruits The Story of the RAN’s HMAS Leeuwin: Brian Adams SEA POWER CENTRE - AUSTRALIA HMAS LEEUWIN: T HE STORY OF THE Ran’S JUNIOR RECRUITS © Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2009 This work is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, and with standard source credit included, no part may be reproduced without written permission. Inquiries should be addressed to the Director, Sea Power Centre – Australia, Department of Defence, CANBERRA ACT 2600. National Library of Australian Cataloguing-in-Publication entry Adams, Brian 1952 - HMAS Leeuwin: The Story of the RAN’s Junior Recruits ISSN 1327-5658 ISBN 978-0-642-29717-4 HMAS LEEUWIN: T HE STORY OF THE RAn’S JUNIOR RECRUITS Brian Adams Disclaimer The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Government of Australia, the Department of Defence and the Royal Australian Navy. The Commonwealth of Australia will not be legally responsible in contract, tort or otherwise for any statement made in this publication. Sea Power Centre – Australia The Sea Power Centre – Australia (SPC-A), was established to undertake activities to promote the study, discussion and awareness of maritime issues and strategy within the RAN and
    [Show full text]
  • Projection to East Timor
    Chapter 11 Projection to East Timor In August 1942 in New Guinea during the Second World War and in 1966 in Vietnam an accumulation of risks resulted in a small number of Australian troops facing several thousand well-equipped, well-trained and more experienced enemy troops. Fortunately, climate, terrain and the resilience of junior leaders and small teams, as well as effective artillery support in 1966, offset the numerical and tactical superiority of their opponents. Australian troops prevailed against the odds. If either of these two tactical tipping points had gone the other way, there would have been severe strategic embarrassment for Australia. There could have been public pressure for a change in Government and investigations into the competence of the Australian armed forces. For 48 hours in September 1999, renegade members of the Indonesian military forces and their East Timorese auxiliaries provoked members of an Australian vanguard of the International ForceÐEast Timor (INTERFET) in the streets of the East Timor capital, Dili. Indonesians outnumbered Australians, who carried only limited quantities of ammunition.1 On the night of 21 September, a 600-strong East Timorese territorial battalion confronted a 40-strong Australian vehicle checkpoint on Dili's main road. Good luck, superior night-fighting technology, the presence of armoured vehicles and discipline under pressure resulted in another historic tactical tipping point going Australia's way. Had there been an exchange of fire that night, there would have been heavy casualties on both sides and several hours of confused fighting between Australian, Indonesian and East Timorese territorial troops. There was also potential for Indonesian and Australian naval vessels to have clashed as Australian ships rushed to deliver ammunition to Australian troops, as well as for Australian transport aircraft and helicopters to have been attacked at Dili airport.
    [Show full text]