Central Bureau Intelligence Corps Association Inc. MARCH 2000 CENTRAL BUREAU INTELLIGENCE CORPS ASSOCIATION Inc
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Central Bureau Intelligence Corps Association Inc. MARCH 2000 CENTRAL BUREAU INTELLIGENCE CORPS ASSOCIATION Inc. MARCH 2000 Publicity Officer: Dennis Moore 183 Sylvania Road Miranda 2228 02 9524 6267 [email protected] PRESIDENT'S REPORT. Sydney' s secluded and picturesque bays and provided 1999 the opportunity for us to foregather in a totally informal and relaxed atmosphere enjoying drinks and a bistro For CBICA Inc. in 1999 there were two events that style lunch. stood out. The first was the address at our Anzac Day Reunion by Desmond Ball, special professor at the Strategic Defence Studies Centre A.N.U. and co The steady stream of publications relating to SIGINT author with David Horner of "Breaking the Codes- in WW2 continued this year and included: "Leybum' s Australia's KGB network". Professor Ball's Liberators and Those Lonely Special Duties revelations of Soviet espionage in Australia and Operations" by Phil Dynes, "Station X" by Michael activities of Australian communists during the Second Smith (also run as TV series), "Allied and Axis World War were both startling and disquieting. It Signals Intelligence in WW2" (various authors was certainly a blow to the pride we had gained in our including Joe Richard and Frank Cain), "The own SIGINT achievements to learn that while we Codebreakers of Bletchley Park" and an article in the were laboriously gathering intelligence about National Geographic magazine. These days, of course, Japanese operations, Australia's own security was so an important added source of information is the web lax that "Tokyo was receiving top secret intelligence site through which our indefatigable Newsletter editor reports, details of General MacArthur's war plans Dennis Moore has established valuable contacts with and other sensitive material concerning the Allied the Garat's Hay Branch of The British Legion and the war effort." US Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association and also with Chatsworth TV Ltd. regarding a proposed documentary film series about the work of intercept The second outstanding event was the final release of personnel from Europe, Australia and the US. the long sought "Technical Records of Central Bureau". For this we owe a debt of gratitude to Myra Rowling, Assistant Director Defence Signals The Association has continued to support the General Directorate, who sent them to Secretary Helen in Douglas MacArthur Memorial Trust in its efforts to response to her letter along with much helpful establish a memorial in the AMP building in Brisbane. information about additional CB files held in Thanks are due to Allan Campbell, Frank Hughes, Australian Archives. Canberra members Vic Lederer John Stumm and Betty Chessell who have been very and John Laird are still researching these archives. active in this matter. The Technical Records are available on loan to interested members from Hon. Treasurer Bruce Finally, it is once again my sad duty to record the Bentwitch. passing of the following men and women who were involved with SIGINT Operations in WW2: Marion From the social aspect the Anzac Day Reunion and Winn, Nobby Clarke, Keith Jarrott, Keith Leopold the Mini Reunion held on 9* November were both and Mrs N.Howard. highly successful. Fifty four members, spouses and friends attended the luncheon at the Mercure Hotel My sincere thanks to Secretary Helen Kenny, amidst the usual atmosphere of good fellowship. It Treasurer Bruce Bentwitch, Publicity Officer Dennis was particularly pleasing to note the number of Moore and all committee members for their unstinting interstate members and also the good will messages efforts throughout the year. from those unable to attend. The Mini Reunion was held at the Kirribilli RSL Club on the shores of one of Gordon Gibson President. PAGE 1 Central Bureau Intelligence Corps Association Inc. MARCH 2000 EXECUTIVE NEWS the great feeling of hostility. As the A-AA's journal reported recently: "Campbell was approached by US Colonel (later Brigadier-General) Diller at the FROM THE PRESIDENT request of General MacArthur to. organise a campaign to forge better relations between the servicemen of the two countries." Gordon has advised that Roy Ward and Geoff Patience are Allan Campbell, then on part time duty as a Captain in Intelligence completing arrangements for the Sigint Reunion in Melbourne had his own advertising company, was former Assistant Manager later this year. He has announced that a letter will be sent to every of Queensland Country Press, and was Chairman of Directors of known member of an Australian Sigint Association within the the Trocadero Dansant (the biggest dance hall in South Brisbane.) next few months setting out details and inviting participation. If He helped to set up the Australian-American Association, became you know of any former WWII service person who does not its inaugural President, went on to serve with Central Bureau, and belong to CBIC A Inc or AS WG or a WU Association please send after the war received other awards, including an Italian names and addresses to Secretary Helen Kenny so that they may knighthood. When Chairman of Red Cross he raised funds to be added to the mail out list. rebuild a Trieste hospital, which had been destroyed by earthquake.) HON. SECRETARY'S PAR. Greetings to all, and I do hope to see some of you on Anzac Day In Canberra, at our request, Vic Lederer and John Laird have and Anzac Eve in Sydney. Members of CBICA are scattered been going through the Australian Archives, looking at material throughout Australia Some will be able to attend Wireless Unit concerning CB, ASWG, wartime intelligence and Sigint. Theatres and ASWG reunions as well as CB get-togethers, but others, covered include die Middle East, India and South-East Asia We isolated from their units, will still gather at Anzac ceremonies thank Vic and John for undertaking this task and for giving up a where ex-servicemen and women meet. We think of you and great deal of time to it. They will send a report summarising their hope that on November 11 and 12 this year, some may be able to findings. make the journey to Melbourne, where CB started, and join in the Combined Sigint Reunion. Norma Keeling is now living at Grosvenor Nursing Home, 48 Nelson Ave, Wentworth Falls, NSW , 2782, phone 4757-1117. We held our Annual General Meeting on February 7, and there This is in the Blue Mountains, close to the home of her daughter were few changes to the executive team. President is Gordon Jacqui. Norma who would love to hear from CBers, hopes to be Gibson, Vice-Presidents are Frank Hughes and John Shoebridge, well enough to come to the reunion lunch on Anzac Day the Hon Treasurer is Bruce Bentwitch, I (Helen Kenny) am still Coral and Sandy Hinds wrote from Baxter, Victoria with apologies that they could not come to the A.G.M. The reason? the Hon. Secretary, and the Executive Committee comprises th Mike Casey, Gordon Swinney, and Madeline Chidgey. Coral explained: "Sandy and I are to attend the February 19 Publicity Officer is Dennis Moore, who is Newsletter editor, Darwin Defenders 1942-1945" gathering in Darwin. "Sandy was Networker and World Wide Webber. The Newsletter is now on there on the 'drome on February 19" when the Japanese bombers the Web , and communication around the world seems instant came What next to report? TIMOR In Queensland John Stumm has undertaken a Colossus of a task. By the time of the Melbourne Reunion he hopes to record the CBer Bob Leonard is organising an exhibition of Timor names of all those who served with CB and combined Sigint photographs at Westpac Bank, George Street, Sydney, from associations Already the list is long, and names flash up April 10 to 28. Earlier this year Bob asked Major-General Peter electronically. Cosgrove, head of Interfet forces in East Timor, if he would open Allan Campbell, from Brisbane, writes of his disappointment it. Major-General Cosgrove, now back in Australia after over delays in the planned General Douglas MacArthur Memorial. relinquishing his Interfet role agreed. Bob Leonard, Westpac The building is still closed. (For the reason, see Frank Hughes' RSL Secretary, has been organising such exhibitions since the explanation in this Newsletter.) 1960s, and had the great forethought to line up Major-General However, he was made most happy at the end of January when Cosgrove for this one. The display will contain about 500 modem and historic photographs (some of Gallipoli because this the Australian-American Association honoured him with life th membership. The US Consul General, Richard L. Greene, made is the 85 anniversary of Anzac Day. a special visit to Brisbane to present the award, and the Australian Some show the Australians of the 2/2 and 2/4 Independent American Association's media release proclaimed him to be a Companies, who, helped by brave Timorese, fought a guerilla "living treasure." war in the mountains of Timor against the Japanese in World War A-AA President, Ms Denise Reghenzani, said it was "relevant to 11. Darruen Parer, the celebrated wartime photographer, made acknowledge the major contribution that Allan has made to the film of this. A~AA, and indeed Brisbane." In February 1945 the Australians were ordered to evacuate After the "Battle of Brisbane" (1943), when an Australian soldier Timor, but left one officer and 12 other ranks behind All were was killed by an American and six others wounded after a volunteers Four more joined them There was one cipher confrontation in Adelaide Street at the Amencan canteen, operator, and signallers whose wireless set could transmit to Campbell was asked if he could find some way of calming down Darwin but not receive.