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08 MILITARY NEWS Latest snippets from Australia and around the World 12 FOREIGN LEGION One Aussie relates his experience with France’s foreign fi ghters 18 BATTLE SHOT An Australian trooper proves the hitting power of Javelin 20 TANKS FOR THE MEMORIES We look at the contenders as Leopard prepares to bow out 22 HMAS MELBOURNE On operations with the Navy in the Persian Gulf 24 FLYING HIGH Strap in for a back-seat ride with the RAAF Roulettes 30 THE LAST CHARGE Beersheba, 31 October 1916 3434 SHOCK TROOPS Inside the ADF’s commando unit 34 and how to enlist 42 SOMALIA Africa’s dirty little war throughthrough the eyes of an M113 commander 46 TIGER ATTACK A Army’s r my’s attack reconnaissancereconnaissance 58 helicopter comes to life 50 BURMESE REBELS CONTACTCONTACT in rebelrebel territory 56 REVIEWS 60 Military games reviewed and a good read recommended 58 3RAR Paras drop on ‘the Bay’ 60 JUST SOLDIERS War stories in dramatic detail 62 PRIVATE NOBBER 12 The adventures of a hapless hero 22 46

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COCONTACT 5 4 www.issuu.com/CONTACTpublishing www.Facebook.com/CONTACTmagazine 5 THE EDITOR’SEDITOR’S LETTER

Issue 1 – March 2004

AIR, LAND & SEA AIR, LAND & SEA

Editor Brian Hartigan Editor Brian Hartigan Design & layout [email protected] Blair@lemonsqueezee ph:[email protected] 0408 496 664 fax: (02) 4293 1010 Art/DesignAdvertising Brian Alisha Hartigan Welch Welcome to this, the fi rst edition of CONTACT Air Land and Sea for an AdvertisingPhone – (02) Brian6255 0083 Hartigan or 0439 787928 Australian perspective on all things military. E-mail – [email protected] [email protected] For those of you who don’t know me (as they say in certain circles) Contributors Sean Burton, Wayne Cooper, – I joined the Australian Regular Army in November 1990 as a RAEME Buy any advertisementJonathan in CONTACT Garland, AirDarryl Land Aircraft Fitter and worked in Townsville for more than six years. I was & Sea and get the sameKelly, ad Tony for Park, half Simon price in a keen, “green” pogue who participated in extra-curricular, 3 Brigade COMBAT Camera Pointer, Ashley Roach, Troy sporting and military activities. Rodgers, Jason Weeding, After Townsville, I landed a job at Army Newspaper Unit where I Alisha Welch Business Rosie Hartigan stayed until, with three hooks on my arm, I transferred to the Active Re- ManagerSpecial thanks to [email protected] Peardon and MGI Cell, 4RAR serve in June 2002. It was at Army News I developed some of the skills ph/fax: (02) 4293 1010 necessary to allow me the confi dence to take on this new magazine. Published by Contact Publishing Pty Ltd My aim in CONTACT is to bring a collection of news, features, photos PO Box 897, Dickson, ACT 2602, AUSTRALIA and items of interest to those of you who serve in the ADF. I also want CONTACTTelephone: Air 0408 Land 496 664 & Sea and to enlighten others who, for whatever reason, are interested in learn- E-mail: [email protected] ing more about the men and women who carry weapons, sail ships, fl y COMBATwww.militarycontact.com Camera magazines are Published by Contact Publishing Pty Ltd, planes or otherwise shed blood, sweat and tears in military service. PO BoxPrinted 3091, by Goanna Minnamurra, Print, Fyshwick, NSW ACT 2533, AUST I want to thank you for choosing to buy this magazine and I hope you will continue to support this publication. I know, however, that www.militarycontact.comCONTACT - AIR LAND & SEA is published(all info) in March, your continued support is dependant on delivery of a value-for-money www.combatcamera.com.auJune, September and December each (free year. All product. Please do not hesitate to tell me what you like and dislike about subscriptions,subscription, editorial both magazines) or other correspondence the content, look and feel of this magazine or what you think might be should be addressed to the editor as above, except www.issuu.com/contactpublishingadvertising enquiries which should be e-mailed (archives) to missing. Your feedback is vital. www.facebook.com/[email protected] I want to assure you I will always try to report accurately and hon- www.youtube.com/CONTACTpublishingSubscriptions $34 per year (incl GST, postage and estly on the issues that interest you and I or affect our lives – even if such handling). Fill out your credit card details on the honesty ruffl es a few feathers. This magazine is independent of offi cial subscription form available in this issue or send a infl uence from Defence or any Government agency and will always CONTACTcheque orAir money Land order & Sea made is payablepublished to on defend its right to that independence. Contact Publishing Pty Ltd, with the completed Also, let me extend an invitation to you to contribute in a more tan- 1 March,form, toJune, the editor. September and December. COMBAT Camera is published on gible way. I am more than happy to consider your stories, photos and 1 February,All material May, appearing August in this magazine and November. is copyright and may not be ideas for publication, whether they be from your last bush trip, a unit ad- reproduced in whole or in part without the express written permission Bothof magazinesthe editor. The views are expressed only inpublished this magazine are those of the in- venturous training exercise or your favourite out-of-hours, out-of-uniform electronicallydividual authors, on except the where Internet otherwise attributed,and both and do are not neces- hobby. I appreciate that some things need clearance through proper sarily refl ect the views of the publisher or of the editor. availableThis magazine by FREE is not ansubscription offi cial publication via of the Australian Depart- channels and I may be able to help or advise on these issues. Please get ment of Defence or any other agency of the Australian Government and in CONTACT www.combatcamera.com.audoes not seek to refl ect offi cial policy. It does, however, strive to report All editorial,accurately and advertising honestly on the people, and activities general and equipment enquiries of the Again, thanks for supporting us and until next issue, good soldiering, Australian Defence Force and on the defence forces of other countries. shouldCurrent be editorial addressed staff and the to publisher the editor. have a close affi nity with the smooth sailing and clear skies soldiers, sailors and airmen of the Australian Defence Force and seek to portray their activities and circumstances honestly. The publisher does All materialnot accept responsibilityappearing for inany this claim magazinemade in this magazine is protected by any advertiser – readers are encouraged to seek professional advice where by copyrightappropriate. Authorsand may and photographersnot be reproduced may submit high-quality in whole ar- or in partticles without and photos permission to the editor for consideration.from the copyrightThe editor accepts owner no (whichresponsibility may not for any be material Contact so submitted Publishing). and does not undertakeThe views to publish all submissions. Include a stamped, self-addresses envelope if expressedmaterial is in to bethis returned. magazine do not necessarily reflect Brian Hartigan, Editor the views of the publisher or the editor. The publisher [email protected] does not accept responsibility for any claim made by any author or advertiser – readers are encouraged to seek professional advice where appropriate. CONTACT 7 6 www.issuu.com/CONTACTpublishing www.Facebook.com/CONTACTmagazine 7 MILITARY NEWS

NEW FLEET FLOATED Defence Maritime Services (DMS) has won a $553 million contract to supply and support a new fleet of 12 Armidale class patrol boats for the RAN to be based in Cairns and Darwin. DMS has subcontracted Austal to build the fleet at its Henderson yard near Fremantle. At 56.8 meters long, the new boats will be able to operate in heavier seas, up to 1000 nautical miles offshore and be deployed for

up to 42 days. They will be equipped with two MEDALS AND AWARDS boats for patrol, surveillance and boarding operations and are armed with a Rafael 25mm Typhoon stabilised cannon. The first boat, HMAS Armidale, will be delivered in May 2005, BRAVERY AWARDED with the second and third An Australian military adviser to the six months later. UN’s top man in Baghdad, Col Jeff Davie, was awarded a Bravery Med- TROOPS al for his actions on the day a terrorist KAZ TECH JOINS NAVY bomb all but destroyed the UN HQ in FOR IRAQ the Iraqi capital. Sydney-based Kaz Technology Services has been awarded a $20 million GUTERRES Norway became Special Representative of the Sec- contract to develop an improved data management regime that will mon- the latest contrib- retary General, Sergio Vieira de Mello itor the maintenance and inventory needs of all Defence maritime vessels IN PAPUA uting nation to the – who was known to many Australi- including the Anzac and FFG (frigates), minehunters and LPAs. It is hoped International Security ans who served with INTERFET in East the new management regime will result in improved and cost-effective urico Guterres, the Assistance Force (ISAF) in Timor – died after the blast. maintenance reporting of all Navy ocean-going vessels. former leader of East Timor’s Aitarak militia Afghanistan after sending Col Davie witnessed the attack isE reportedly now operating in a 180-strong mechanised from a distance as he returned to Indonesia’s troubled province of infantry company in November his office and spent the next several Papua where security forces often last year. hour assisting injured personnel from Hawk in operations over Iraq and After successfully providing security to del- the building and helped locate Mr Afghanistan have demonstrated the engage local separatists. According to newspaper reports, egates at the Afghan Grand Assembly (Loya de Mello, staying by his side during huge capacity boost these assets can Jirga), as it passed a charter for a new consti- rescue attempts. bring,” Defence Minister Robert Hill said. Guterres, who was released on appeal from a 10-year jail sentence for human tution for Afghanistan, the Norwegian rapid Global Hawk can provide reaction force will now focus on providing a commanders with near-real-time, high- rights crimes in East Timor, claimed NEW SOLOMONS MEDAL the people of Papua had invited him range of guard and security duties. ADF personnel taking part in Opera- resolution intelligence, surveillance and Meanwhile, Germany has expanded its reconnaissance imagery from missions to help fight the separatists. tion Anode – part of Op Helpem Fren In the 1999 lead-up to East Timor’s commitment with a further 450 troops, bringing – in the Solomon Islands will receive that can last more than 20 hours. They its current strength to approximately 2200. aircraft have the capacity to support independence vote, Gueterres waged a new award in recognition of their a terror campaign against pro- The ISAF has recently strengthened its role service, Minister Assisting the Minister operations ranging from border control outside Kabul, by establishing Provincial to maritime and land operations in our independence peasants, allegedly for Defence, Mal Brough said. ADF TO BUY HAWK supported by then East Timor Chief of Reconstruction Teams (PRT) in the northern The Australian Service Medal with region and beyond. They could also assist province of Konduz. LOOKING MORE DESTITUTE THAN DESPOT, Police General Timbul Silaen. Clasp Solomon Is II will be awarded to One major new investment announced with civil tasks such as bush-fire detection. The Norwegian company will be part of the SADDAM HUSSEIN MEETS THE ARCHITECTS OF in Defence’s new Capability Plan is the Global Hawk became the first Coincidentally, General Silaen has ADF personnel who rendered service HIS DEMISE. YOU’VE PROBABLY SEEN THIS PIC been appointed Chief of Police in PRTs, which will implement security reforms ALREADY - IT’S SPEED ACROSS THE INTERNET acquisition of a squadron of Global Hawk autonomous aircraft to fly non-stop or completed operational sorties over ALMOST RIVALLED THAT OF THE ARMOURED the same Papuan province in which and provide protection to the government of a period of 30 days, continuous or ADVANCE ON BAGHDAD unmanned aerial vehicles costing up to across the Pacific in a 22-hour flight from Gueterres and his followers now Afghanistan and NGOs as they begin work aggregate, in the area of operations. $1 billion. Edwards Air Force Base to RAAF Base outside the relative safety of the capital to “The success of aircraft such as Global Edinburgh near Adelaide in 2001. operate. redevelop the nation. US AWARDS FOR ADF MILITARY NEWS IN BRIEF Three Australians have been award- ed US Army Commendation Medals with Melbourne-based GKN of Medicine at the University ADF members will be working AUST JSF WINS TOLL ROAD AHEAD BIG MACK REFIT and Army Achievement Medals for Aerospace Services to under- of Adelaide, to better meet in an environment that is as Australian companies have TenixToll Defence Logistics The Australian Army’s Heavy exceptional achievements in Iraq. take the design of fuselage the health-care needs of ADF safe and comfortable as practi- chalked up 10 contract wins in has won a contract worth up Recovery and Mack truck fleets Sgt Steven Attlier, Cpl Carl Connell structural parts. members during and after their cable,” Senator Hill said. the Joint Strike Fighter program to $920 million over 10 years are about to undergo major and Cpl Damien Woolfe received the JSF projects have thus far service. As part of the program, $35 with more contracts expected. for the provision of Defence’s overhauls after three contracts equivalent of a two-star senior officer’s been awarded to companies The Centre for Military and million was awarded to Mack Prime contractor Lockheed national warehousing and worth almost $40 million were commendation from US Lt-Col Ralph based in Moorabbin, Brisbane, Veterans’ Health (CMVH) will Trucks Australia to fit modern, Martin recently selected Lovitt distribution services and the signed, Minister for Defence Baker, for clearing large amounts of Melbourne and Perth. provide professional devel- commercial, off-the-shelf recov- Technologies Australia to man- maintenance support of select- Robert Hill said. munitions in a relatively short period, opment and training for ADF ery systems and address OH&S ufacture and supply several ed equipment. The work to be carried out is freeing up US forces guarding muni- FUTURE HEALTH members in medical and allied issues on each of 64 vehicles - precision-machined structural The contract, which repre- aimed at addressing occupa- tions caches to return to operations. A new military medical centre health care fields and will lead [almost $550,000 each]. wing components for the JSF sents savings of $40 million tional health and safety, noise In the course of 18 days, the team will be established at Univer- research into human perfor- over the next 10 years. against current costs, will allow and comfort issues with the of Royal Australian Engineers denied sity of Queensland’s Mayne mance as well as serving-ADF JAIL FOR FALSE VETS Northrop Grumman has Defence to reassign around 500 ageing trucks. access to tons of explosives by clear- Medical School in Brisbane with member and veterans’ health- People fraudulently claiming to also extended the scope military personnel to higher-pri- “This major modification pro- ing 16 unexploded ordnance sites. of its existing contract a ‘satellite’ facility at the School care issues. ority activities. gram will ensure the relevant be a returned soldier, sailor

8 CONTACT CONTACT 9 8 www.issuu.com/CONTACTpublishing www.Facebook.com/CONTACTmagazine 9 MILITARY NEWS

NAVAL UPGRADE LANDMINE BAN IN Defence Minister Robert Hill NEPAL SUPPORTED recently announced two With a year-long ceasefire major projects worth more than $750 million to further still holding in the Himalayan improve the ADF’s maritime Kingdom of Nepal, Government defence capabilities through and Maoist insurgent leaders the upgrading of anti-ship have expressed support for a missile defences in the Navy’s ceasefire code of conduct banning ANZAC-class frigates and the landmines that have so far purchase of new lightweight resulted in approximately 1500 anti-submarine torpedoes. civilian casualties. Improvements to the Nepal is among 44 countries frigates will include an infra- that have not yet signed up to the red search and track system 1997 international treaty banning providing improved detection the use, production, stockpiling, PROJECT AIR 9000 UPDATE of low-level aircraft and and transfer of anti-personnel anti-ship missiles when close landmines. Project Air 9000 Phase 2 – the acquisition of an additional squad- to land, and improvements A recently released report ron of troop-lift helicopters – has entered a new phase with the to the existing fire control by the International Campaign elimination of the AgustaWestland proposal. radars. to Ban Landmines (ICBL) says This leaves Australian Aerospace and Sikorsky still in conten- military authorities in Nepal have tion with their NH-90 and UH-60M aircraft respectively. officially acknowledged the local production and use of anti- personnel mines in the civil war SEA BOARD with Maoist rebels. NUIE ASSIST A Royal Nepalese Army official A Royal Australian Navy warship successfully appre- told an ICBL mission that the Army hended the Maya V, a vessel believed to have been Australia sent a Hercules with 21 personnel fishing illegally within Australia’s exclusive economic and 25,000 pound of relief supplies and had used approximately 10,000 mines, mostly to defend army and zone around the remote Heard and McDonald Islands, medical equipment on board to Nuie in more than 4000 kilometres south-west of Perth. the South Pacific in response to January’s police posts around the country. Government spokesmen HMAS Warramunga first made contact with the devastating cyclone. Maya V on 22 January and an attempted boarding Operation Nuie Assist, which saw the offered assurances that all possible precautions were made to secure was abandoned after prevailing weather worsened, C130-J aircraft fly more than 4200km direct but two days later, when weather conditions permit- from Richmond in NSW, is primarily a mine-laying operations to prevent civilian casualties, including ted, sailors fast-roped to the fishing vessel’s deck from medical-assistance mission. their ship’s Seahawk helicopter and took control. Thirteen Defence medical personnel, fencing off the minefields, but the ICBL report indicates that Defence Minister Senator Robert Hill said HMAS supported by a HQ element of five, was Warramunga and her sailors on patrol in Australia’s one of the World’s worst ever earthquakes, operations had also included scheduled to remain on the island for at least southern oceans had battled extremely bad weather which killed more than 30,000 people in unmarked areas on roadsides and three weeks and would cover the emergency and high seas to intercept and board the Maya V. and routine medical requirements of the Bam in December. farmland in a bid to deny freedom A Royal Australian Air Force C130-J of movement to rebels. “It is a credit to their skill and professionalism that island until its sole medical facility, destroyed they were able to overcome dangerous conditions to in the cyclone, was rebuilt. model Hercules carrying emergency stores Rebels have in turn used in excess of 23,000 pounds of supplies left pressure, tripwire activated, successfully board the vessel.” C130 BAM RELIEF Richmond on December 28 and was met command-detonated mines and The mission to Nuie followed hot on the heals in Kerman, Iran by Red Cross and Red improvised explosive devices for of a similar deployment to Iran in the wake of Crescent personnel. vehicle ambushes, defence of safe areas and the destruction of physical infrastructure. MILITARY NEWS IN BRIEF

or airman could face six months in PILOT BLAMED manoeuvre in preparation for TNI Barracks was officially named the taking to support injured trainees. military authorities to trained Iraqi continue to be rotated,” he said. getting the most out of the ARH. prison under proposed new laws. A TNI investigation into the death anniversary celebrations. The ma- Private Jeremy Williams Rehabili- Pte Williams’ family and Army’s civilian controllers, currently under- The air traffic control element Minister Assisting the Minister Minister Assisting the Minister for of eight of the its army’s Special noeuvre is conducted by anti-terror tation Centre in a recent ceremony Training Commander, Maj-Gen Ian taking training in Jordan. has processed more than 100,000 for Defence Mal Brough said that Defence Mal Brough said anyone Forces (Kopassus) personnel during units to evacuate hostages. in Sydney. Gordon, attended the ceremony. But, according to Defence Minis- aircraft movements at Baghdad In- Defence had recently increased its falsely claiming to be a veteran an exercise in Ache in August has The bodies of the Kopassus The centre was named in memo- ter Robert Hill, while progress was ternational Airport since deploying quota for Army pilot training from should face the force of the law. laid blame with the helicopter pilot, personnel were found the following ry of Pte Jeremy Williams, a soldier ATC GROUNDED being made in re-establishing a to Iraq in May last year - equiva- 40 to 56 candidates per year. “It’s a disgraceful act that war- who will be court-martialled. day, tied together, floating near who committed suicide while ADF air traffic control elements number of essential services in Iraq, lent to the third busiest airport in The invitation to potential pilots rants a strong penalty,” he said. On 4 October, eight Kopassus sol- where they plunged. undertaking training at the School serving at Baghdad International transition to Iraqi control was not Australia. is extended to newcomers and “Many Australians have served diers fell 200 metres into waters off An official report said other of Infantry in Singleton in February Airport will remain deployed until yet complete. seasoned pilots alike. our country proudly, and wrongly Ache after the harness they were officers aboard the helicopter were 2003 after being injured during at least May to ensure a smooth “We expect all requirements to TIGER PILOTS WANTED Army pilot training begins with claiming to be a veteran is an hanging on to was severed by being looked at to share blame. basic training and transferred to transition to local civilian air-traffic be met in about May or June this The imminent arrival of Tiger ARH a six-month course on fixed-wing insult to those men and women.” crew when the chopper became the Rehabilitation and Discharge management. year and at that point our air traffic in Australia has seen a recent boost aircraft at Tamworth, with the new- Offenders face a maximum unstable flying in strong winds. NEW REHAB CENTRE Platoon within the school. The Coalition Provisional Au- control contingent can look forward in pilot recruiting. est batch of Tiger hopefuls having prison term of six months or a maxi- The elite soldiers were practis- A newly established Army Re- The establishment of the centre is thority is managing the transition to rejoining their families in Austral- It is recognised that recruiting a already started their training in mum fine of $3300. ing a stabilised tactical airborne habilitation Centre at Holsworthy one of a range of initiatives Army is of air-traffic management from ia. In the mean time, personnel will sufficient number of pilots is vital to February.

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IN FOREIGN FIELDS THE LEGION WAS MY HOMELAND An unknown number of Australians have served and continue to serve in the world’s most notorious military unit – the French Foreign Legion. This is just one Australian’s story – Shane’s story.

WORDS SEAN BURTON

all and wiry, with quick eyes and a says, he saw the Australian soldier at his best and quicker smile, Shane’s story starts is still passionately proud about the job he and his with tales of his great-grandfather’s mates did, helping people who had lost everything. exploits with 1AIF in WW1 that led But the situation on the domestic front was not him to embrace the ADF, where he going so well, with Shane and his wife splitting up served as an infantryman in the while he was in East Timor. TRoyal Australian Regiment. On returning to Australia, he picked up the Not long in the Infantry, Shane began to pieces and resumed his aspirations as a clearance develop career aspirations with the Royal diver with new vigor. Australian Navy (RAN) as a clearance diver, Encouraged by a quiet nod of approval from sparked by an interest in scuba diving. the RAN dive gurus who had trained with him, he Months of dive training at his own expense began the administration process to transfer. and long hours of hard physical training were He tried to track the progress of his transfer testament to his motivation. application as it disappeared into battalion In 1999, training was put on hold when he headquarters, but heard nothing as the deadline deployed to Dili as part of INTERFET where, he expired for that year’s course and subsequently

1212 CONTACT CONTACT 13 12 www.issuu.com/CONTACTpublishing www.Facebook.com/CONTACTmagazine 13 IN FOREIGN FIELDS

SHANE V ON GRAD- FRENCH FOREIGN UATION DAY LEGION SNIPERS ON OPERATIONS IN SARAJEVO

QUIET TIME IN THE LINES

finding it had never left his unit’s in-tray. This was dragged out of our sleeping bags after a 60km any ‘Anglo’ corporals, so we copped all the shit. Food at Aubagne was pretty simple – “lots of DAILY ROUTINE the straw that broke the camel’s back and Shane A WHACK FROM bread, but not that bad.” march because the picket had fallen asleep. “My Polish section commander, Cpl ‘Bad-nutz’ threw in his discharge papers in frustration. After passing three weeks of selection at “They had us leopard-crawling through snow hated the ‘English’. Every time he saw me he GROUNDHOG DAY “My life was a shambles – my wife had left, THE STAFF MEANT Aubagne, Shane and his fellow recruits arrived and stinging nettles, in our undies, doing push wanted to hit me. taking my son, and I thought the Army had let at Castlenaudary to begin basic training. ups in a freezing river – the whole deal. “He was a full-on Nazi. He was a hard man Regimental daily routine is fundamentally my career down. YOU SOON PICKED But, as training progressed, Shane started to “And, the officers were there with us – putting who, I think, was trying to harden us up, and I the same wherever a member serves with “I turned to the Legion because I wanted to do notice little things, and to silently question the in. They didn’t have to, but they led by example – came to respect him for that. He was a very good the Legion and Legionnaires will find little variation whether on overseas operations or a real job – the same reason I joined the ADF in professionalism of the organisation he was to unlike some I had worked with back home.” soldier – someone I would want next to me UP THE LANGUAGE in metropolitan France. the first place. serve in for the next five years. After a month at Castlenaudary the recruits when the shooting started. “At that time, any Army would have done. I “They didn’t teach us anything like became Legionnaires and received the “However, I question his ability to draw 0500 Wake up call called a few, but the Legion was the first to make marksmanship principles and I had serious prestigious Kepi Blanc – the symbol of the the line when using force. He could be a real 0530 Roll call French Foreign Legion. But Shane says he had me a definite offer.” around waiting to be processed or rejected. doubts about the standard of marksmanship the arsehole.” 0530-0700 Breakfast, ablutions, Corvee He freely admits he knew very little about Legion was producing. other things on his mind that night. duties (pronounced Kor-vay “If you’re not doing selection stuff you’re “The colour of my hat didn’t bother me, I just Men fight – always have done – and you have the French Foreign Legion before he set off for “Other training was very basic as well. For means chore, cleaning or me- cleaning shit that’s been cleaned a million times wanted to do a job. It meant little to me by then to be prepared to do it to them before they do France, enlisting in Bordeaux. example, first aid was non-specific, unlike nial task) already and if you cleaned the floor any more – my feet were fuckin’ sore from marching 60km it to you if you want to survive and be a man “There was just me and a recruiting corporal. Kapooka where one of the first things you learn 0730 Rassemblement compagnie you’d slip on it – but you do it anyway.” to the ceremony. But a lot of the young guys amongst men, especially in an enclosed area like He kept asking me how much we got paid in the is CPR and trauma. But in the Legion, training (company parade) Every day the number of recruits got smaller, were excited about it.” Castlenaudary. Australian Army – he seemed preoccupied with 0730-0900 Sporting activities but the routine was a familiar hurry-up-and-wait. was rudimentary to say the least.” As training progressed, Shane formed a But on one fateful day, the three ‘Anglo’s’ our pay and conditions.” 0900-0930 Showers At this early stage, Shane started to notice It was this non-specific approach to a friendship with the two other ‘Anglos’ – Dooley, a future careers with the Legion went into free-fall. Shane says things were pretty relaxed at how the different nationalities stuck together. fundamental life-saving military skill that was 0930-1200 Morning training/work details former South African police officer, and Morgan, The series of events started with Dooley 1200-1300 Soupe, (lunch). Corvee duties Bordeaux while waiting to go on to the next The biggest group appeared to be from the to spell tragedy and ultimately mean the end of a former Royal Air Force air-crewman. breaking his back in a skiing accident while 1330-1400 Corvee quartier stage of selection at the Legions HQ at Aubagne former Soviet Union and the majority of them Shane’s career in the Legion. Shane says Morgan had been awarded the training in the Alps, and would lead to his 1400 Rassemblement compagnie where he would join more potential recruits appeared to be there for a standard-of-living Teaching methods consisted of, demonstrate, Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions in eventual medical discharge. 1400-1730 Afternoon training/work details from another 15 recruiting centres around improvement. They were christened the Russian imitate and a whack to confirm. the first Gulf War, but had problems adjusting France. “A whack from the staff meant you soon Later that day, the platoon and its training 1730 Soupe (evening meal) mafia. to life after the war and was looking for a new 1730-2130 Free time, or When he arrived at Aubagne one of the “The Asians were pretty quiet. They kept picked up the language, watching and listening staff took the night off from mountain warfare challenge. training to let off some steam in a remote Alpine 1730-0530 allowed to be absent from first English speakers he met was a Canadian, together in a small group away from everyone to what was happening around you. The three native English speakers began to pub. camp if the member has smoking pot in a crowded courtyard. else and, being small guys, it was easy to see they There was no free time. There were no stick together more than ever, as the mafias applied for and been granted “I don’t think he had much of an idea. As we were intimidated. washing machines. Everything was done by became more prominent. “We’d managed to have a night on the piss during training, away from the barracks. It was a permission slip and passes walked past a heaving beam he gave it his best “It seemed most recruits joined for a new life. hand, in sinks – without making a mess. “It was a survival thing. We were on our own. uniform inspection pretty full-on – loads of piss and a stripper.” fly kick – he didn’t last long and he didn’t get in,” They didn’t want to volunteer for the paras or If Shane questioned the professionalism of We didn’t have a ‘mafia’. 2130 Corvee duties Shane laughs. snipers. Nor did they want to carry a heavy pack. the Legion’s teaching methods, he was however “If there was a duty to be done, do you think Shane says that during the night, one of the 2200 Roll call “We were all wearing Kapooka-style blue They didn’t want to work for it – they just wanted impressed by its French-only officers. the Russian corporal was going to give it to the Russians threw up all over a table and his ‘mafia’ 2230 Lights out track-suits and when not cleaning up we just sat the money and a French passport to a new life.” “One night out in the countryside, we got Russians? No. And so it went on. There weren’t forced a Portuguese Legionnaire to clean the

• SEVEN regiments are based in the ranks. The Legion views this who liaise with Interpol to weed out you can choose to change your • AFTER 15-years service, members • 15-45 days paid annual leave must FACTS OF LIFE IN THE LEGION France with the rest overseas in cultural melting pot as its strength. wanted criminals. name and leave history at the gates. qualify for an Army pension, be spent in France, except by hard- The reality of “romantic” French service Djibouti, French Polynesia, Mayotte Officially members have only one • COMPARED to times past, the Recruits can be issued a new name payable in any country. to-acquire permission. in the Indian Ocean and French nationality, that of Legionnaire, as Legion doesn’t need the hassle or later, their original identity through • VEHICLE ownership prohibited – • INTRUSION into daily life means • KING Louis Philippe raised the for example to Swiss or Canadian. Guiana in South America. reflected in the their motto Legio from the authorities. They can now a process called rectification. even push bikes. most Legionnaires only serve the French Foreign Legion in 1831 as a • TODAY’S French Foreign Legion • THE Legion has the same entry Patria Nostra – the Legion is our afford to pick and choose, as the • LEGIONNAIRES receive the same • EIGHT men to a room normal for basic five-year contract, which fighting force of foreigners to serve is 8500 strong, in 11 regiments standards as the regular French homeland. disintegrating former Soviet empire pay as regular soldiers of the French barrack accommodation. TV, VCR begins when he arrives at one of the French colonial interests. based on the same order of battle Army – poor eyesight, hearing and • THE myth that authorities turn a has provided plenty of ‘clean’ recruits Army with the usual sliding scale in and bar fridge are allowed. Legion’s 16 recruiting centres spread • THE only Frenchmen officially as the French Army, with the same fitness are screened out. blind eye to serious criminals joining eager for bed and board and a pay according to rank and length • ONLY single men may enlist, but throughout France. allowed to join its ranks are officers. equipment and military laws – • OF the 12,000 men a year who the Legion in exchange for dirty French passport to the West. of service. Bonus pay is earned marriage allowed after five-years However, Frenchmen do join, but except that no women are permitted want to be “a man amongst men”. deeds done dirt cheap, is not the • THE Foreign Legion is reputedly according to posting. Starting pay for service – with permission. Life in the French Foreign Legion: How to Join alter their nationality on enlistment, to serve. Only one in 12 is accepted. case – any more. IDs are processed the only institution where a man can a Legionnaire is 1040 Euro per month • CIVILIAN clothing never to be and What to Expect When You Get There – • 130 countries are represented in by the Legion’s security section be truly reborn, and it’s at Aubagne paid into an account of his choosing. worn except on annual leave. Book review on page 56.

14 www.issuu.com/CONTACTpublishing www.Facebook.com/CONTACTmagazine 15 IN FOREIGN FIELDS

FRENCH FOREIGN LEGION PIONEERS ON PARADE

table while the Russian went to the toilet to clean and the rest of the platoon were quickly loaded himself up. on to trucks for the trip back to base. Shane and SHANE APPLIED A “I respected the Portuguese bloke – he was Morgan, however, were siphoned off to a separate a nice guy. The men in his family had all been truck where they waited alone in the dark. FEW CHOICE MOVES Portuguese firefighters and he tried to follow When a mob of Russian Legionnaire’s boarded, in their footsteps but was turned down. I think the tension became unbearable. Shane and he joined the Legion to prove something to AND THE SERGEANT Morgan understood that, one way or another, it himself and to his family. He was a good kid. He was going to be a bumpy ride home. didn’t deserve to be treated like that. So Morgan WENT DOWN AND The two ‘Anglos’ decided to break the ice by followed the Russian into the toilet and gave him singing Waltzing Matilda as loud as they could, a good beating.” STAYED DOWN further incensing the Russians who, with the Unfortunately for Shane and his offsider support of training staff, were not going to lose Morgan, things escalated from there and it any more national face. Now without his two mates to watch his back, signalled the start of a sorting out of who was As the truck picked up speed, the Russians and very much out of favour with the training who in the zoo. Grudges surfaced, scores were wasted no time, and hooked in with fists and staff, who made sure Shane was kept busy with settled and reputations were on offer. boots. Although out numbered, Shane and never-ending menial cleaning duties, Shane Until that night Shane had had no social Morgan gave as good as they could. However, realised he didn’t want the type of soldiering the contact with his platoon sergeant, but now Shane, Legion was offering. Morgan and the platoon sergeant were drinking things got a lot worse when Morgan disappeared, “I wanted controlled aggression, discipline. And heavily together and swapping stories. head first, over the speeding truck’s tailgate and As the night wore on, the pub became a into the darkness of the French Alps. I wanted to work with professional soldiers,” he pressure cooker of testosterone and alcohol. There was pandemonium as the men tried says shaking his head. The platoon sergeant, now stirred by alcohol frantically to alert the driver to stop. Shane Shane requested the termination of his and the fighting going on around him, wanted managed to get to the unconscious Morgan first – contract at the end of the Legion’s authorised six- some action of his own and challenged Shane to but it was too late. Lying in the road, his friend had month cooling-off period. a fight away from the eyes of the platoon, with no suffered massive head and neck injuries from the “After they knew I was serious about leaving, repercussions and no questions asked. beating and the fall. the system took over and things were OK. With a drunken, mischievous, devil-may-care Experienced in first aid, Shane began EAR and “Funnily enough I ended up in the discharge attitude, Shane agreed and the sergeant removed attempted to control the bleeding only to be room with Dooley, who was being medically his brassard as the two men walked out the door. pushed aside by a panic-stricken Russian SNCO discharged because of his broken back but which Outside Shane turned to face the sergeant who was shaking the dying Englishman’s head didn’t stop training staff allocating him strenuous and shoulders, screaming , “Souflee Morgan, who had conveniently found two wooden batons, cleaning duties. souflee” (breathe Morgan, breathe). which were already approaching Shane’s head at “A former Belgian paratrooper and a former Reeling in shock at the unprofessional a rapid rate. German Special Forces guy were also there. behaviour of these supposedly elite soldiers – Like the flick of a switch – thanks to long hours In fact, all my platoon’s former professional Shane wondered was this what he really aspired of military unarmed-combat training back in soldiers were in the discharge cell. Australia – Shane applied a few choice moves and to become? “Maybe that tells you something about the the sergeant went down and stayed down – but Nearly three hours later an ambulance arrived, type of person who didn’t want Legion life. not before biting Shane’s ear almost through. but on arrival, the medics didn’t fully comprehend “I have no regrets, though. I met some good Soon after, other SNCOs and Legionnaires came the injuries and, Shane says, that without any out to view the spectacle – but it wasn’t what they doubt, their resulting treatment did not help. guys who I still keep in touch with, I learnt a new expected, with the heavily bleeding Legionnaire Morgan later died in hospital. language, bits about other cultures, new skills – standing over the broken Russian sergeant. On returning to base, Shane was “interviewed” and my fitness was awesome,” he laughs. Not knowing that it was, in fact, just two with fists and kicks by everyone who had Shane’s advice to potential Legionnaires? consenting men having a bit of drunken rough something to lose from the results of an “Do it while you’re young. But, the type of guy and tumble, the other SNCOs presumed the impending inquiry into Morgan’s death and, who joins the Legion won’t listen to other people’s platoon’s hierarchy had been turned upside down. locked in a room, he was unable to give a advice anyway. He has to experience it for himself, To cut a long story short, the party was over statement to the investigating French Police. first hand – and he will.”

16 www.issuu.com/CONTACTpublishing www.Facebook.com/CONTACTmagazine 17 LOCKHEED MARTIN PIC

ANTI ARMOUR Bagram, north of Kabul. Near the end of SASR’s The CLU consists of the sighting system, con- There are two motors in the propulsion section, only as Trooper X, the Medal for Gallantry in involvement in Afghanistan, the Government an- trols and indicators and is a reusable portion of a smaller launch motor, which punches the missile relation to a contact which took place during nounced that Javelin would be acquired for other the javelin system. Javelin actually has two sight- out of the tube until it is a safe distance from the Operation Falconer. selected Army units by 2005. ing systems – a day sight and a night-vision sight. operator, and the main flight motor, which sends Trooper X’s patrol was tasked with clearing an With no let-up on operational pressures, The day sight works like a telescope and con- the warhead the rest of the way to the target. Iraqi installation, to prevent it being used for the BATTLE SHOT 4RAR(Cdo) and SASR personnel were trained in sists of a lens, status indicator and eyepiece. This The missile has two operator-selectable attack command and control of theatre ballistic missiles. the use of Javelin in the lead up to the deploy- sight provides the operator with a 4X magnifica- modes – top or direct. Each mode has its own Trooper X was the machine gunner in the exposed “What the F**k was that?” An Australian trooper battle tests the ment of another Special Forces Task Group in 2003 tion for target viewing and battlefield surveillance. flight path or profile for reaching the target. .50 Calibre mounting ring in his patrol vehicle. ADF’s new tank-killng pocket rocket to maximum effect – this time to Iraq. The primary sight used by the operator is the Top attack is the default mode when the missile “When contact was initiated we found our- As part of the wider introduction of the system, ‘night-vision sight’. This is an imaging infrared sys- seeker is first activated. In this mode, the missile selves screened by other vehicles, which provided WORDS TONY PARK members of 4RAR(Cdo) recently qualified the first tem, which can be used during either day or night. approaches from above to impact and detonate an ideal position to use Javelin from,” Tpr X says. five School of Infantry instructors in the system. It allows the operator to see during conditions of on the top of the target. Armoured vehicles The enemy force comprised utility vehicles here’s a split second after you hear the wire-guided MILAN, it does not require They will serve as assistant instructors for the fol- limited visibility, including darkness, smoke, fog usually have less protective armour on top. mounted with machine guns, and about 20 that first distinctive ‘click’, as the mis- the operator to maintain visual contact with lowing course. and inclement weather. In direct attack mode the missile flies straight at dismounted infantry, who were aggressively sile leaps from the launch tube like a the target once the missile has been launched Another course will be conducted next year, The night vision sight operates by converting the side of the target advancing on the SAS patrol’s position. During racehorse from a gate, when you catch permitting him to quickly reload and move to after which School of Infantry instructors will train an infrared target image to a visible-light image. the entire action Trooper X was under enemy fire. your breath and wonder if the thing’s another firing position. soldiers from relevant units. By looking through the eyepiece the operator can X-TREME ,JAVELIN - ONE “Using the vehicle as a stable-firing platform, goingT to just drop and fizzle out on the dirt. The missile can defeat any armoured vehicle Because of the way training is conducted, view the target area on a miniature television. TROOPER S TRUE TALE I engaged an enemy vehicle, which was firing a But, Javelin is anything but a dud in service worldwide but will supplement rather operators can be experts on the weapon Using this mini TV, the weapon operator On the return of the Special Forces Task Group heavy machinegun in our direction, with a Javelin After the launch motor propels the M98 A1 than replace the 84mm Carl Gustav short-range without actually needing to fire it. A computer searches the target area, identifies the target and from successful operations in Iraq, Prime Minister missile. This vehicle was destroyed. Javelin missile a safe distance from the operator, anti-armour weapon. simulation system provides the trainee with every locks on to the selected target by manipulating a John Howard awarded an SASR soldier, known “In the interim, I passed the CLU and expended the tail end dips slightly towards the ground. Just The hunt for a man-portable, long-range conceivable situation he would encounter, such set of visible gates through the use of the weap- tube to my offsider, who conducted a when it looks like it’s going nowhere fast, the fire support weapon capable of precision as a malfunction or infrared clutter, in multiple ons controls. Once these gates are located around reload. As this was occurring I engaged advancing second-stage flight motor ignites with a brilliant engagement of hard targets at 2000m, and tanks battlefield scenarios. the target, the operator locks them into place. The enemy with the vehicle .50 (calibre) machine gun. flash of light and the warhead’s on its way. at up to 4000m, began in 1999 with the Land During training, the instructor can see, on a weapon is now ready to fire. Once the Javelin had been reloaded and handed With a noise like a supersonic jet buzzing a Force Firepower Study. computer screen, the same picture the trainee can The night-vision sight display provides the op- USING THE VEHICLE back to me, I engaged a second vehicle at a much tower, Javelin streaks away. Milliseconds later, all Project Land 40 Ph1 addressed this deficiency see through both the day and night-vision sights erator with both a 4X and a 9X magnification, with closer range.” that’s left of the target is a cloud of dust. in the Army’s arsenal and set out to provide and can assess a trainee during target engage- a narrow field of view magnification for target AS A STABLE The second vehicle was destroyed and, It’s hard not to be left awe-struck by the speed selected infantry, cavalry and Special Forces units ment or provide a full critique by playback review. identification and selection. subsequently, as the patrol closed on the enemy and the accuracy of the ADF’s new Direct Fire with a new DFGW system. This was to be a new Operators can maintain their skills during field Positioned on top of the command launch unit PLATFORM, I position, Trooper X engaged a mortar tube with Guided Weapon (DFGW) system, or its real-time capability for the ADF – not a replacement for exercises or operations through the training is the launch tube containing a missile. The missile his sniper rifle, hitting the tube with his first round effects in the hands of a well-trained operator. anything else. software. New system upgrades can be done by a contains the guidance section, mid-body section, ENGAGED AN ENEMY and causing the weapon to explode. In a much-publicised contact, SASR Trooper “X” Javelin, an off-the-shelf system already in serv- computer-chip replacement or by download. warhead section propulsion section and control During the final stages of the contact, he used took out three targets with Javelin – two vehicles ice with the US Military, was eventually selected The simulation is so effective at developing and actuator section. VEHICLE, WHICH WAS the Javelin system once again to engage and and one building – from three launches while from a field of international competitors. maintaining operator skills, that trainees are not The warhead features two charges. The first, destroy, at long range, a communications building his patrol was being engaged by a numerically The new system was pressed into service on required to fire the weapon to become qualified. a precursor charge, causes explosive-reactive ar- FIRING A HEAVY in which enemy soldiers were located. superior force during the liberation of Iraq. a temporary basis when the SASR departed for mour on an armoured vehicle to detonate before All who witnessed the engagement agreed Manufactured by Raytheon/Lockheed Martin, Afghanistan in the wake of the September 11, HOW DOES IT WORK? the main charge reaches the target’s hull. The MACHINEGUN IN OUR that Javelin provided a flexible and very effective Javelin is a fire-and-forget weapon that can 2001, terrorist attacks. Javelin comes in two main parts – the Com- second, main charge is a shaped warhead charge weapon system which, through its superior range, engage armoured targets beyond 2000 metres. Javelin was carried on operations during the mand Launch Unit (CLU), and a launch tube, designed to penetrate the target’s main armour, to DIRECTION, WITH A design and easy-to-use drills was instrumental in Unlike previous in-service weapons such as conflict, and test-fired at the East River Range near containing a round. achieve a kill. JAVELIN MISSILE defeating a numericaly superior force.

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The criteria for the evaluation of tanks set ARMOUR forthforth in this articlearticle is the trinitytrinity of mobility,mobility, pro-pro- Armour is the ability to withstand the attacks TANKS tectiontection and fi repower.repower. ItIt is within this constructconstruct of an opponent by absorbing his strikes. As you wewe evaluateevaluate our selectionselection and,and, atat all times,times, using can imagine, this is a critical component of the FOR THE the LeopardLeopard 1 as a base against which toto com-com- vehicle and one which is the hardest to compare. parepare the others.others. Tank Armour MEMORIES MOBILITY Leopard 1 10mm-70mm steel plate WORDS SIMON POINTER Keep in mind thatthat the LeopardLeopard 1 is wearingwearing out M1A1 Classifi ed andand,, as a rresult,esult, it ccanan in rrealityeality not bbee cconsideredonsidered Challenger 2 Second Generation Chobham n Australia we have vast tracts of fl at ttoo hahaveve fi rst-class mobility.mobility. However,However, wewe shall Leopard 2 Spaced, multi-layer open land. This country lends itself to lolookok atat its ororiginaliginal design mobilitymobility in comparisoncomparison mobile warfare, and in any confl ict on the ttoo our threethree ccontenders.ontenders. We cannot really quantify or compare the Australian continent the side with the armour types within the scope of this article, greatestI mobility, fi repower and protection TTankank MMaximumaximum SSpeedpeed however, I am a fi rm believer in Chobham will eventually win. CHALLENGER 2 M1 ABRAMS LEOPARD 2 Leopard 1 65km/h armour and believe that although it increases So what is so wrong with our current tank Challenger 2 is currently the most advanced The M1 Abrams is a battle-tested and proven Leopard 2 is the oldest tank of the three con- M1A1 67km/h the weight of a tank, it confers a substantial pro- that we need to purchase new ones? tank in the British Army. Battle tested last year tank that, in its current form – the M1A1, is a tenders for the Australian armoury, being fi rst Challenger 2 56km/h tective force to the vehicle. It is my contention Firstly our tank, the Leopard 1, is old. It is in Iraq, it is quite a formidable machine. formidable armoured vehicle. deployed in the German Army in 1978. Leopard 2 72km/h that there is very little which could penetrate a design that was fi rst delivered to the West It was introduced into service in mid 1994 Unlike most other tanks in service today, Although the initial design is 24 years old, it this armour within our region. So I shall place the German Army in 1965. Australia’s Leopards – so it is the youngest of the three contenders. a gas-turbine engine powers the M1. This has been steadily improved over time and can The Leopard 2 appears to have the edge on Challenger 2 above that of the other three with were delivered in the mid to late 1970s and, The turret is manufactured from welded engine produces a vast amount of power really be considered a different tank in 2004 speed with the M1A1 coming in a close second, the Leopard 2 as second. The M1A1 cannot really like a second-hand car, are simply wearing steel with the new second-generation Chob- and in all M1s delivered, a governor is fi tted than it was in 1978. while Challenger 2 is slower than even the be considered because its armour is classifi ed out. Also, the armoured and anti-armoured ham armour is applied over it. This is a special (fi rst thing removed by crews) to prevent Leopard 2 is armed, like the M1A1, with the Leopard 1 because of its weight. and the Americans will not tell me. forces within our region have advanced to the type of armour designed to absorb the affect over-revving the engine and going above magnifi cent Rheinmetall 120mm smoothbore point where the 10mm-70mm thick armour of an incoming round. Additionally, the shape the maximum design speed. It is very reliable, gun. This weapon provides considerable RANGE FIREPOWER of the Leopard 1 is no longer adequate of the turret is very good ballistically and can mechanically simple and easy to service – all fi repower to the Leopard 2 and, like the M1A1, Tank Maximum Range The fi nal in our trinity – fi repower, the ability defence. Its 105mm gun is out-ranged by defl ect incoming rounds from certain angles. plusses for mobility. is coupled to an advanced target acquisition Leopard 1 600 km to hit an opponent with enough devastating most modern anti-tank weapons and by other Challenger 2 is armed with the new Royal However, the engine is extremely noisy and and identifi cation system, offering single- M1A1 480 km force at the correct range to either destroy or tanks in the region. Ordnance L30 rifl ed gun. The barrel is fi tted emits a lot of heat, both of which make the round kill. Challanger 2 450 km incapacitate him. Considering the trinity of mobility, fi re- with a thermal sleeve and muzzle reference M1 very easy to detect on the battlefi eld. The armour of the Leopard 2 is a spaced, Leopard 2 550 km With guns, both range and destructive force power and protection – If you are mechani- system. The thermal sleeve prevents undue Additionally the engine consumes a huge multi-layer application which offers effective are more related to the ammunition fi red rather cally unreliable, you can not ensure battlefi eld and uneven heating of the barrel while amount of fuel, and although it was not protection against most types of shaped Based on this comparison the Leopard 2 is than the gun itself. As this is not a discussion of mobility, if your armour can be easily pierced the muzzle reference system increases the a problem in the two allied wars against charges it is likely to come across. again the best contender, with the M1A1 a close tank-fi red munitions I can only say that, in my you have no protection and if your gun does likelihood of a fi rst-round hit. Iraq, it could prove to be a limiting factor if The Leopard 2 is a diesel-powered vehicle, second. Let us not forget that Australia is a big opinion, the Rhienmetall 120mm smoothbore is not have the range you can not destroy your This is the only tank to enter service recent- fi ghting in the Australian outback. This engine which allows the tank to use the most com- country and range is an important factor. Sadly it the best weapon available for tanks at this time. enemy. So, we need a new tank! ly with a rifl ed barrel – because of the British option was originally intended for a vehicle mon fuel type in the Australian Defence Force. would appear that no tank in our selection quite As a result, fi rst place is tied between Leopard 2 Army’s belief in HESH/HEP rounds. When one operating in the relatively confi ned European matches the original Leopard 1 for range. The and M1A1. of these rounds impacts an enemy tank, it theatre of operations. Crew 4 rational for this is that each of the three tanks is briefl y forms a cake of explosives against the The M1 has very effective armour, but its Armament 120mm smoothbore gun, considerably heavier than the Leopard 1 and has SO, WHICH IS THE BEST hull which, when detonated, dislodges a scab composition is classifi ed. However, what we 7.62mm co-axial machinegun, more powerful power plants. It is also not sur- Based on the trinity it must be apparent that 7.62mm machinegun mounted, of metal from the inside wall that ricochets can say is that, from combat experience, it 16 smoke grenade dischargers prising to note that the heaviest tank, Challenger Leopard 2 is the best all-round package – it has around inside, killing the crew and destroying appears to be very good at stopping most Armour Spaced, multi-layer 2, is also the tank with the shortest range. excellent fi repower, good armour and bril- equipment. The rifl ed barrel is necessary in forms of anti-tank munitions. Additionally the Length 7.72m liant mobility. Sure, it is not as well-armed as order to provide the spin stabilisation needed M1 has a compartmentalised structure, which Width 3.7m VERTICAL/TRENCH OBSTACLES Challenger 2 but it defi antly has the heavy for the HESH/HEP round in fl ight. means that a fatal hit to one part of the tank Height 2.48m Tanks must either go over objects or cross punch required. Additionally, it is a diesel vehicle, Challenger 2 is diesel powered and has will not be transmitted to the remainder, thus Weight 55,150kg combat weight trenches. This was part of their original design which gives us fuel compatibility with all the good over-ground performance. However, it increasing crew survivability. Engine Diesel, 1500hp at 2600rpm specifi cation way back in 1915 and is still an combat vehicles within the Australian Army. is a very heavy tank and, although it carries a Also, the main armament of the M1A1 is important factor within their designs today. So So, would I recommend the Leopard 2 to the large fuel load, its weight causes the engine to the magnifi cent Rhienmetall 120mm smooth- how do they compare? ADF as our next tank? No. work harder, thus limiting its range. This was bore gun. This weapon has the ability to fi re Surprised? not a problem in the recent war on Iraq when very-high-velocity rounds out to a very re- Tank Vertical Trench Well you shouldn’t be. We exist in a world, the allies were able to provide excellent logis- spectable range with a remarkably fl at trajec- Leopard 1 1.15m 3.0m which has not been in as much turmoil or tical support. However, when operating in the tory. Coupled to the gun is a state-of-the-art M1A1 1.07m 2.74m danger since the Munich Crises of 1938. The

ADF PIC vast open plains of Australia with the limited laser range and targeting system, which feeds Challenger 2 0.9m 2.34m great democratic powers of Great Britain and the civilian and logistical infrastructure present, it into a targeting computer. This combination Leopard 2 1.1m 3.0m United States have been in a near or actual state could be a real handicap. On the plus side, the can give the tank crew the ability to achieve a of constant combat since October 2001. And use of diesel means it is in line with the fuel fi rst-round kill under most climatic conditions. The Leopard 2 most closely matches the with the likelihood of combat with North Korea usage of our other military vehicles. Leopard 1 for obstacles and beats the other two or Iran an ever-growing possibility, it would be in LEOPARD 1 Crew 4 tanks again. our best interests to select equipment which is Crew 4 Crew 4 Armament 120mm smoothbore gun, 7.62 In summary, Leopard 2 is the more ma- compatible with our allies. Arm ament 105mm gun, 7.62mm co- Armament L30A1 rifl ed gun, 7.62mm chain mm co-axial machinegun, noeuvrable of the three, is 5km/h faster than Sadly the Leopard 2 is not compatible with 12.7mm machinegun mounted, axial machinegun, 7.62mm gun, 7.62mm remote controlled the M1A1, can travel 70km further on a tank either the United States or Great Britain. Of the machinegun mounted, 8 x gun, 10 smoke grenade 7.62mm machinegun mounted, smoke grenade dischargers dischargers, 8 x smoke grenade dischargers of fuel and can climb higher obstacles and two remaining tanks it is really no surprise as to Armour 10mm-70mm steel plate Armour Second Generation Chobham Armour Classifi ed traverse wider trenches than either the M1A1 or which tank is the best purchase. The M1A1, in my Length 7.1 m Length 11.5m Length 7.92m Challenger 2. opinion, should be acquired for the Australian Width 3.25m Width 3.52m Width 3.66m Bear in mind however, that mobility is only Army as a replacement for the Leopard 1, thus al- Height 2.64m Height 2.5m Height 2.89m one item in the trinity and that in order to lowing us better interoperability with the United Weight 42,400kg Weight combat 62,500kg Weight 57,154kg achieve this performance some compromises States Army. Engine 10-cylinder multi-fuel, 830hp at Engine Diesel, 1200hp at 2300rpm Engine Gas Turbine, 1500hp at may have been made in either armour or fi re- Simon Pointer is a postgraduate student of military 2200rpm 30,000rpm power or both. Let’s have a look. history with a special interest in armour.

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MEAO

PERSIAN PATROL HMAS Melbourne patrols the Persian Gulf – again

PICS ADF

s part of Australia’s ongoing com- mitment to the rehabilitation of AIraq, guided-missile frigate HMAS Melbourne replaced sister ship HMAS Newcastle in mid November last on patrol duties in the Persian Gulf. The rotation maintains an Australian contribution to the security of Iraqi ter- ritorial waters and the prevention of oil smuggling and other unregulated cargo that diverts much needed funds from the beleaguered Iraqi economy. The 230-strong crew of the Australian ship is also tasked to protect an offshore oil terminal that injects an estimated A$100 million a day into the Iraqi economy – making it a prime target for insurgents. This is the second time in 18 months that Melbourne has deployed in support of operations in the Middle East Area of Op- erations, having patrolled the same waters between May and November 2002. In the interim, the ship participated in Exercise Sea Sabre, the fi fth in a series of initiatives aimed at stopping the transpor- tation of weapons of mass destruction. The exercise was the largest of its kind to date and involved defence and law-en- forcement agencies from 12 nations.

22 CONTACT CONTACT 23 22 www.issuu.com/CONTACTpublishing www.Facebook.com/CONTACTmagazine 23 RAAF ROULETTES FLYING HIGH Army Sergeant Troy Rodgers tries to explain to CONTACT what the hell he was doing chasing clouds with the RAAF’s top fliers – the Roulettes. time, nor the place for my endless repertoire of ‘Kiwi’ jokes. This man had the power to turn me WORDS SGT TROY RODGERS PICS SGT TROY RODGERS inside out at just the flick of the wrist or push of the pedal, so I kept the nervous chatter to topics s it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s an Army like his previous service in New Zealand. photographer barrel rolling, looping and “Right Troy, we are going to do a couple of whooping it up with the Royal Australian Air loops to see how you handle it. Are you ready?” Force’s aerobatic team, the Roulettes. came Andrew’s voice over the intercom. “Yeah IIt would have to be every young and ‘old’ boy’s mate, I’m ready!” Then, before I knew it, the pitch dream to do loops, barrel rolls and wingovers in of the turbine engine changed and I felt the an aircraft. And, for the lucky few, nothing beats g-suit suddenly inflate on my legs and abdomen. flying in formation with the RAAF’s top guns. The g-forces made my body feel heavier and I So, you are probably wondering what’s an struggled to lift my arms, and wondered how I’d Army photographer doing flying with the cope holding a camera. RAAF Roulettes – the RAAF have plenty of “How you going in the back there?” photographers? Well, it is like the old saying goes, I “Yeah great, this is amazing. I can’t believe you was in the right place at the right time. get paid to do this,” was my gleeful reply. At the time I was the Defence Public Relations Now, to describe the feeling of the g-suit photographer based in Melbourne when my boss inflating – it’s like when you visit your GP for a asked one day if I would be interested in flying health check and they test your blood pressure back seat with the Roulettes after the regular with that inflatable, hand-pumped device to stop photographer was injured. It took about half a the blood. A g-suit is like that, but faster and more second to say “YES!” intense. A small hose is attached to the aircraft My first flight was a test flight to see if I could from the suit and air is pumped in through the handle aerobatics. hose when the aircraft starts to pull g-forces, We took to the skies above the home of the better known as ‘gs’. Roulettes – East Sale, near Victoria’s Gippsland. Next, we flew over Ninety-Mile Beach – up side- With wide-open air and a perfect, cloudless day, I down! – and did more wingovers, barrel rolls and set off in the back seat of a PC-9 Pilatus. loops. It is so hard to describe the sensation, but I Flt-Lt Andrew Greaves, a former New Zealand guess, in the words of the Scottish warrior William Air Force pilot who was flying aircraft over “the land of the long white cloud” before the New Zealand Government disbanded the RNZAF’s fast jets, was my pilot, and I decided this was not the

2424 CO NTACT www.issuu.com/CONTACTpublishing www.Facebook.com/CONTACTmagazine CONTACT 2525 RAAF ROULETTES

Wallace, “Freedom!” comes close. I can honestly say I never felt so free before, especially when free-falling after a loop. I was surprised to find that I didn’t feel sick – except when we were level flying back to the RAAF base to pick up my camera gear and a second aircraft. I found the helmet and oxygen mask made placing the cameras against my face difficult, and cameras were heavy in my hand but the photographs appeared to be in focus and well exposed – to my surprise. The next task with the Roulettes was a rehearsal over Melbourne of the routine to be performed on an Australia Day public appearance. Policy has it that, during an air show, no one can fly in the back seat, so this was my only chance to photograph the aircraft over the city. On that day, the Australian Open Tennis was being battled out on the ground. The flight was to occur at midday during the lunch break but, And so a week later, because of low cloud, the timings were put back Bud Tingwell and I flew ‘till 1430. Defence had done the right thing and from Essendon to Barwon informed Tennis Australia that the flight was re- Heads, Lorne and back to a Spitfire pilot, scheduled, however, the message was lost. Essendon. flying missions I was having a great time in the chase aircraft With a little help on to the in the Middle East and, I must admit, there is no greater feeling wing, Bud was back in the saddle but, luckily, never than having control of six aircraft and having and you could clearly see he was experienced the horrors them do what you want to get a perfect shot. back in his element. I photographed like his Changi TV character. I kept telling my pilot, Flt-Lt Andrew Greaves, and videoed Bud in the wild blue yonder An offer was made to Bud to that I needed another fly-past to get the right and, as I found out later, he actually had get his wings back and come for a perspective against the city of Melbourne and, control and flew formation off us most of the flight with the Roulettes. He jumped at more importantly, give the spectators at the Rod time. Back on the ground the eighty-plus actor the chance – and this was also to be my Laver Arena a good show at the same time. had the look of an eighteen-year old fighter pilot next memorable flight. After landing I found out that Tennis Australia again. The wind-swept white hair, the sparkle in Bud proved to be one of the nicest people wanted my family jewels on a platter for the his eyes and the smile from ear to ear did not I ever met. Despite his age, his spirit to fly again disturbance to play. betray any hint of age. never held him back and he passed his pre-flight When Australia Day came around I captured That afternoon, I drove Bud home to his medical with (if you pardon the pun) flying the aerobatics from the ground and waited for the Melbourne residence and he could not stop colours. Unfortunately, on the day he was to fly, Roulettes to come back and sign autographs for talking about his latest adventure. He was “as the PC-9s were grounded an hour from taking off. the kids. giddy as a school boy”. Bud still went flying in a CT-4 trainer with While this was going on, well-known Australian My next flight occurred only because I had the Flt-Lt Michael Briggs. I suggested, however, that actor, Bud Tingwell, was present at the VIP area. cheek to ask – and it worked! The 2002 Australian this flight wasn’t going to spark media interest In real life, Bud was involved in World War II as MELBOURNE FROM Grand Prix was upon the City of Melbourne once and that we really needed to get Bud in a PC-9. A NEW ANGLE again and when I heard that two FA-18 Hornets

RAAF ROULETTES LIFE IN THE FRENCH CARVE UP THE SKIES FOREIGN LEGION OVER MELBOURNE HAS ALWAYS

FORMER SPITFIRE JOCK BUD TING- WELL LOVED THE ROULETTES

26 www.issuu.com/CONTACTpublishing www.Facebook.com/CONTACTmagazine 27 RAAF ROULETTES

FLOATING FLIGHT LINE

RAINBOW WARRIORS WORDS AND PICS US NAVY

that photo, I could have retired on the potential remember. My dignity, however, went with me in MY DIGNITY WENT sales at the race track. the bottom, zip-up pocket of my flying suit! My last flight with the Roulettes was over the The next time I flew with the RAAF wasn’t ver wonderedwondered what all those WITH ME IN THE venue for the 2002, 500cc Motor Cycle Grand Prix with the Roulettes, but was still quite exciting as coloured jerseys of fl ight-deck crew at Phillip Island. I documented US Marine Corps FA-18 Hornets on the US Navy’s aircraft carriers The youngest Australian rider for the race and French Mirage fighters conducting air-to-air mean? BOTTOM, ZIPPED- refuelling over Afghanistan. EThose involved in the fl ight deck was Casey Stoner, a 17-year-old speedster, who UP POCKET OF MY hung on every word Roulette One, Sqn-Ldr Sean Ah... but alas, that’s another story! operations have specifi c, clearly-defi ned Bellenger said to him during the safety brief and roles, and are easily recognisable by the FLYING SUIT ground training. colour of their jerseys. This flight to Phillip Island was to be my most Plane Handlers, Aircraft elevator memorable, with more aerobatics than I had ever BLUE Operators, Tractor Drivers, Messengers done with the Roulettes before – at least six and Phone Talkers loops, with barrel rolls and wing-overs thrown in for good measure. GREEN Catapult and arresting gear crews, While I was looking Air WingWing maintenance personnel, cargo-cargo- were arriving, I suggested to my boss that photos through the camera handling personnel, groundground support were required – not from the ground, but in the I was fine, but the equipment (GSE) troubleshooters,troubleshooters, hook air! He agreed, and so my next flight with the return flight is one runners, photographer’s mates, helicopter Roulettes was signed sealed and delivered. I do not wish to landing signal enlisted personnel (LSE) The FA-18 Hornets arrived late one afternoon RING-SIDE YELLOW Aircraft handling offi cers, cata- SEATS and I captured them over the Albert Park circuit. pult and arrestingarresting gear offi cers, plane It was just as much a thrill to fly beside them and directorsdirectors once again have the ability to move these multi- million-dollar machines where I needed them for RED Ordnancemen, crash and salvage my shots. crews,crews, explosive ordnanceordnance disposal (EOD) There would be only two-passes during which BROWN Air Wing plane captains, Air I had to shoot both stills and video. It was a WingWing line leading petty offi cers struggle, but the pilot of the PC-9, this time Flt-Lt WHITE Air Wing quality control personnel, Col Ells, showed tremendous skill flying inverted squadronsquadron plane inspectors, landing signal beside these supersonic jets, so I could get both offi cer (LSO), air transfer offi cers (ATO),(ATO), liq- jets and race track in the same shot. The photo uid oxygen (LOX) crews,crews, safety observers, worked and, if only I had copyright ownership of medical personnel PURPLE Aviation fuels

PILATUS PC-9 TWO-SEAT TRAINER Engine 950 shp Pratt & Whitney PT6A-62 Propeller Hartzell four-bladed, constant speed, fully feathering, 8ft diameter Wing span 10.124m (33ft 2.5in) Length 10.175m (33ft 4.75in) Max range 887nm (1642km) Max speed 320knots (593km/h) Max g limits +7/-3.5 The RAAF purchased 67 aircraft – the first two were delivered in 1987.

COCONTACT 2299 28 www.issuu.com/CONTACTpublishing www.Facebook.com/CONTACTmagazine 29 SIGNPOST HERE

THE WELLS OF OLD BEERSHEBA

...They lined the ridge at sunset and, in the waning light The far-fl ung line of squadrons came on in headlong fl ight, The desert land behind them, in front the fearful fi ght, The Wells of old Beersheba must fall before the night.

The Turkish rifl es raked them and horse and man went down, But still they held the gallop towards the blazing town, They heard the hot lead whining, the big guns thunder-roll, The Wells of old Beersheba their destiny and goal.

With cold steel bayonets gleaming, in sodden seas of blood They raced towards the stronghold, all in a crimson fl ood, Such maddening surge of horses, such tumult and such roar The Wells of old Beersheba had never seen before.

They stormed across the trenches and, so the stories say, They drove the Moslem gunners as wild winds scatter spray. No force or fi re could turn them on that long maddening run, The Wells of old Beersheba had fallen with the sun...

...Remember them, my brothers, lend them a helping hand, They led that charge of splendour that won the Promised Land, And those who came not homeward, their memory is grand, The Wells of old Beersheba will guard their graves of sand. AWM-ART0A2811

Edwin ‘Trooper Gerardy’ Gerard, Palestine 1917

BEERSHEEBA, OCTOBER 31, 1917 extreme thirst and exhaustion. The Australian enemy numbers to 35,000 Turkish and 6000 Light Horse endured these appalling conditions THE AUSTRALIAN German troops. British and Allied mounted units throughout 1916 and for much of 1917 as political were united into what Allenby called the Desert events across Europe gradually dictated the LIGHT HORSE Mounted Corps, under the newly knighted Sir course of the war. Harry Chauvel, a Queenslander. With a force of THE LAST CHARGE For Britain, the Russian Revolution, which ENDURED APPALLING 88,000 men – seven infantry divisions and three The Australian Light Horse – soldiers famous for their inspiring display of valour and daring during began on March 8, 1917, was a crucial point in the mounted divisions – Allenby planned a strategic war that coincided with heavy fi ghting in Gaza CONDITIONS attack intended to capture southern Palestine. what has been described as one of the greatest mounted infantry charges in the history of warfare. against the Turks. As the Bolshevik revolutionaries Gaza was to be continually bombarded for three began peace talks with Germany, British forces THROUGHOUT 1916 days by land and sea, and the Australian Light STORY ALISHA WELCH PICS AUSTRALIIAN WAR MEMORIAL were suffering heavy casualties in the Middle Horse was to be deployed to the area around the East. Reports to London on the fi rst battle of ancient town of Beersheba. The plan emphasised uring the total devastation that was Allied success in the Middle East was critical in By the fi rst anniversary of the Gallipoli landing, Gaza were misleading and the man in charge, that once Beersheba had fallen, the Australians the First World War, Australian military the journey towards total victory. By mid-January the Allies had lost more than 250,000 men – dead, General Sir Archibald Murray, was ordered to were to take Gaza from the rear. In addition, the forces repeatedly proved they were 1916, all the troops evacuated from the Gallipoli wounded and prisoners – fi ghting the Turkish attack again – 6444 British soldiers were killed Light Horsemen were to capture the wells at not simply colonial puppets, but a campaign had been sent to four different fronts Army. At the same time, British intelligence compared to 2000 Turkish dead. As a result, Beersheba before the enemy had a chance to force of highly competent and gutsy – Salonika, Mesopotamia, France and Egypt. Those reported that 25,000 Turkish soldiers were again Murray was replaced as commander by General invade the Holy Land and take Palestine, Syria and sabotage them. Unless the town and its life saving Dfi ghters willing to lay down their lives for the who returned to the desert, and the old bases approaching Egypt. Despite this, within months, Sir Edmund Allenby – a cavalry offi cer to whom Lebanon. The objective was the same as for the wells were captured on the fi rst day, the men and benefi t of the British Empire. near Cairo and the Suez Canal, formed the heart of Allied defensive action had turned offensive in British Prime Minister Lloyd George said that the invasion of the Gallipoli Peninsula – the collapse horses would have little chance of survival. While the Allied landing at Gallipoli on April 25, the 280,000-strong force that continued fi ghting nature as the mighty force – led by the Australian capture of Jerusalem was wanted ‘...as a Christmas of the Ottoman Empire – and Allenby’s forces The town of Beersheba was situated in a valley 1915 is known as Australia’s baptism of fi re, the the Turks. This force was successful in safeguard- Light Horse – crossed the Sinai in some of the present for the British nation...’, to compensate for had six months to break their way through the surrounded by the Judean Hills around which success of the Australian Light Horse at Beersheba ing the Suez Canal by creating a Turk-free zone in harshest environmental conditions on Earth. disastrous losses on the Western Front. Gaza/Beersheba gateway. 1500 Turkish defenders had managed to exploit was a victory in which the heroic mythology the Sinai and later crossing the desert to invade The temperature often rose to between 43° and At the time of Allenby’s appointment, it was As Allenby arrived in Palestine, supply remained the terrain by building a network of trenches in surrounding Australian soldiers fl ourished. Palestine and Syria. 52°C resulting in men and horses suffering from decided that British and Allied forces were to a problem and reinforcements had increased a horseshoe shape around the valley. Despite

30 CONTACT CONTACT 31 30 www.issuu.com/CONTACTpublishing www.Facebook.com/CONTACTmagazine 31 CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE

GIZA, EGYPT, CIRC 1914. LT BENJAMIN MEREDITH - THIRD FROM LEFT - WAS KILLED AT BEERSHEBA AWM-P00133_001A

this strong defence, the Desert Mounted Corps, resistance crumbled and, in the rear lines, groups by dawn on October 31, had taken up offensive of demoralised men surrendered – sometimes to positions in the hills. The Allied infantry divisions EVEN SOME TURKS a single trooper. The 12th Light Horse continued began their assault on the town early in the the charge into Beersheba to secure the wells, morning and, as the battle raged on throughout STOOD AND AP- which had been wired with explosives but, as fate the day, the Allies had barely tarnished the Turkish would have it, not destroyed. The Australians had resistance – towards evening Beersheba was still PLAUDED - SUCH successfully completed their mission and opened in enemy hands. the gateway to the Holy Land. Chauvel knew that the uncertain situation WAS THE MAG- In what was one of the most successful attacks required daring and decisive action if victory in modern warfare, the Australian Light Horsemen was to be achieved. The 4th Light Horse Brigade NIFICANCE OF THE captured 738 enemy troops, while losing only 39 – comprising the 4th and 12th Light Horse of their own men. One trooper was shot dead by Regiments – had been held in reserve all day FEAT a German officer after having captured a group of but, as evening fell, the Australians were ordered Turks who had surrendered. The prisoner was later to ride out of the hills on the south side in order to break through the Turkish lines of defence. executed. Another German major, taken prisoner This sector of the town was heavily defended by by the Australians, summed up the feelings of artillery and machine guns, but Chauvel had faith the defenders when he said the Anzacs “...are not in the strength of the Light Horse. soldiers at all, they are madmen”. The capture of Beersheba paved the way for the With the 11th Light Horse Regiment following effect. The speed of the attack and the fact swift collapse of the whole Turkish defensive line. the 4th and 12th, the 500 Light Horsemen rode that the guns had been established to destroy Allied forces pushed forward and, on November over a ridge and headed down the open valley approaching infantry, not cavalry, reduced the towards the town, as a hail of Turkish shrapnel 6, Gaza fell, followed by Jerusalem on December impact of the bombardment and ensured the 9. Thanks to the gallant efforts of the Australian rained down on them. To reduce the impact of Australians reached the panic-stricken Turks the bombardment, the Australians fanned out Light Horsemen and their trusty whalers, Allenby having suffered very few casualties. At the scene across the valley advancing at a thundering was able to deliver the much-needed morale- was Ian Idriess, who, after witnessing the attack, gallop, yelling and coo-eeing as the euphoria boosting Christmas present to the Allied nations, wrote, “This charge was the grandest in history. of the wild charge ran through their veins. As and indeed, the legend of the Australian Light hundreds of horsemen charged towards them, the A magnificent cheer went up from the watching Horse was born. Turkish artillery had difficulty finding their range British troops and even some of the Turks stood – as did two German Albatross aeroplanes as they and applauded, such was the magnificence of the Sources: Voices from the Trenches: Letters to Home. swooped low, spraying machine gun fire over the feat. Hopelessly outnumbered and outgunned, By Noel Carthew. New Holland Publishers. 2002; horsemen with little effect. they thundered on, their plumes fluttering From Gallipioli to Gaza: The Desert Poets of World Once the mounted infantry were within firing proudly, and the gateway to Jerusalem was War One. By Jill Hamilton. Simon and Schuster. range, the Turks opened up a barrage of machine opened that day”. 2003; Australia’s War 1914-1918. Edited by Joan gun and rifle fire that did not have the desired The fury of the attack ensured the Turkish Beaumont. Allen and Unwin. 1995.

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4RAR(CDO) SHOCK TROOPS 4RAR(Cdo) will benifi t most from the ADF’s new Special Forces Direct Recruiting Scheme. CONTACT takes a look inside the unit and the inovative scheme.

WORDS CONTACT IN ASSOCIATION WITH SOCOMD PICS PTE BEN PEARDON, CPL SEAN BURTON AND SOCOMD

fter WW2, Australia disbanded In 1995 Townsville-based 2/4RAR was split, with the M and Z Special Units and the 4RAR moving to Holsworthy and re-roled from Independent Commando compa- light infantry to commandos in 1997, becoming nies that made up its fi rst special operational in November 1999. forces units. The 2000 Defence White Paper reiterated the During 1955 in a bid to maintain requirement and confi rmed the Government’s Athe skills developed by M and Z Special Units, two commitment to project Land 132 – the implemen- reserve commando companies were raised. tation of a full-time commando capability. These companies operated independently, Project Land 132 has a budget of $117 million training reserve and regular commandos and comprising $44 million for facilities and $73 maintaining commando techniques. Commandos million for equipment, including M4 modular from these companies went on to assist in man- weapon systems, para-Minimi, sniping systems, ning the SASR when it was raised as a company Commando Watercraft, all-terrain vehicles and in 1957. surveillance/reconnaissance vehicles.

34 CONTACT CONTACT 35 34 www.issuu.com/CONTACTpublishing www.Facebook.com/CONTACTmagazine 35 Assembling boats at any time is a laborious task but in the water it’s extremely hard, physical work. THERE IS NOTHING An experienced amphibious operator says RAMBO NEED daylight water landings are easier compared to DISCRETE ABOUT ground ones, but that’s when the fun stopped. NOT APPLY “Its bloody hard yakka in the sea – day or night A COMMANDO – everything’s a struggle and you can multiply Nowhere else in the ADF is that by 10 when the sea state is up.” there a greater emphasis OPERATION, WHICH In addition to his insertion skills, which include placed on physical fitness static line parachuting, commando amphibious than in Special Forces. operations, airborne repelling and military roping For personnel taking IS AN ACT OF their first steps towards the modern commando has advanced infantry SF entry, the standard skills as well as specialist communications and EXTREME FORCE appears daunting. first-aid skills. He is also trained in advanced urban, A popular miscon- close-quarter battle skills, cliff assaulting and ception is that by the demolitions. time they attempt entry off without incident and 4RAR(Cdo) re-deployed During its recent Gulf deployment, 4RAR(Cdo) testing, applicants should back to Australia in November, replacing their UN was deployed as the Quick Reaction Force for the already be marathon-run- berets for commando berets and re set itself to Special Forces Task Group. Other responsibilities ning body-builders and part- giving Australia a full-time commando capability included the traditional commando role of time Olympians. by September 2002. combat search and rescue. 4RAR(Cdo) PTI, Cpl Glen Even after recent high-profile deployments to These skill-sets do not exist in other Australian Folkard says this is not true the Gulf on Operation Bastille, a fair proportion Defence Force units outside of Special Forces. and he is keen to dispel the of the ADF and the Australian public still have Coming under the SOCOMD umbrella, along myth, believing it deters little understanding of the unique operational with the Incident Response Regiment, 126,152, suitable applicants. capability 4RAR(Cdo) offers as the nations newest 330 Signals Squadrons, SASR, and the Special “We’re not looking for Rambo here. A lot strategic asset. Operations Combat Service Support Company, of blokes arrive at se- Commando operations span the gap between 4RAR(Cdo) have at times attracted unfair criticism. lection and think they conventional infantry and unconventional Critics say that 4RAR(Cdo) is an unnecessary have to be super-man operations, principally focused on strikes niche capability, especially in a time when defence on day one. Relax conducted at long distances from Australia. spending is under close scrutiny. guys – that’s not what Primarily organised, trained and equipped to Maj-Gen Duncan Lewis disagrees and says it’s about.” he says. “But a strong aerobic base – through running or swimming for example – is essential. You must be able to do push ups, chin ups and dips. So, when it comes to bush and pack work the SF soldier is not a Neanderthal – he’s got a more natural body shape.” He says there are very few blokes in 4RAR(Cdo) who are ‘monsters’ and it’s usually the shorter, wiry blokes who get through assessment easiest. “Most guys here are phys- ical types anyway because the last two years have seen a massive emphasis on physical training. It’s the nature of the During April 2000, 4RAR(Cdo) were warned out conduct strike operations, the unit is capable of that 4RAR(Cdo) has increased the flexibility of beast, it’s ingrained into for peace-making duties in East Timor in 2001. being inserted into a target area by a variety of air, Australia’s Special Forces but are a different animal the commando subcul- CHOOKS. NO COMS, NO BOMBS Training for this mission was temporarily sea or land insertion methods including specialist compared to SASR. ture – if you don’t keep it up you’ll fall behind An integral part of any Australian SF unit is its highly halted during this period, however, as Bravo advanced parachute techniques. “The commandos are major muscle movers. your peers.” experienced and respected signal operators – affectionately Company and HQ 4RAR(Cdo) were deployed to One specific skill is beach parallel parachuting. They are heavily armed, operate in large numbers Self-discipline is known as chooks. But why? It originated when a 152 Sigs In this technique commandos parachute into the and are designed to fight. They are deployed to north Queensland as a quick reaction force for essential, with regular Sqn sergeant in Borneo, didn’t trust his troops to take their reach out and apply a great deal of concentrated Operation Plumbob, the evacuation of foreign ocean and swim to a beach-landing site through workloads demanding anti-malaria tablets and took to handing out the pills on military force and then return home,” he says. nationals caught between warring ethnic factions the surf zone. that soldiers do training in parade. Grunts, seeing this, likened it to chooks, “pecking in a simmering Solomon Islands. If commandos can’t get close enough to the “SASR are different. They are an organisation their own time. up” their tablets. The term was further reinforced in Vietnam In April 2001, 4RAR(Cdo) deployed as a light- coastline they can use an insertion method called designed for a more surgical approach to warfare. If you want to join 4RAR(C- with Sigs using a small morse key, which looked and scale infantry battalion group to East Timor parachute load follow. This involves parachuting They operate in a more discreet fashion compared do), get some advice from sounded like a chook pecking at something. Then there’s the during the country’s most precarious period since into the sea behind bundled deflated Zodiacs to the commandos because there is nothing SFTC, speak to an ADF PTI visual reinforcement of seeing a signaller bent over, under INTERFET – that of post-independence elections. which are assembled in the water in preparation discreet about a commando operation – which is and start on the right program pack, with two legs sticking out the bottom – like a chook. In testament to efforts of the whole battalion for the team’s arrival soon after, also by parachute. an act of extreme force.” from the outset. group, the potentially explosive elections passed

36 www.issuu.com/CONTACTpublishing www.Facebook.com/CONTACTmagazine 37 Stomping into the future, 4RAR(Cdo) doesn’t The Australian Defence Force is offering just recruiting candidates to the General Reserve and After ARTC, the applicants begin 12 weeks of Special Operations Commander–Australia Maj- forget its roots and has deliberately strengthened such a job to fit young men with a taste for says he has no problem with thinking outside the THE ISSUE OF infantry Initial Employment Training (IET) at the Gen Duncan Lewis is adamant that applicants will its ties with the 4RAR Association, who are regular adventure. But make no mistake, entry standards square to find potential new commandos. ‘grunt factory’ – Infantry Centre, Singleton – with be required to meet the same exacting standards as guests at Holsworthy, including at the battalion’s are second to none. “The SFDRS has a lot of potential, a lot of merit, US MAINTAINING standard instruction from commando and infantry those joining Special Operations Command through recent birthday parade. If you’ve been put off by the thoughts of a so ultimately – why not?” platoon staff. traditional avenues. Veteran’s of past South East Asian wars stood in ‘standard’ career in the military, now is your If you think, however, that this scheme is some After successfully completing IETs, applicants are “The issue of us maintaining standards is not huddles talking with commandos. chance to grab your spot at the sharp end – sort of back-door, shortcut to Special Forces, you’d STANDARDS IS posted to 4RAR(Cdo) but only take the short walk to negotiable,” he says. “It’s a different ball game, a different type of Australian Special Forces. be well off the mark. The scheme has its critics, the SF Training Centre, also at Singleton, where they “But, SOCOMD development means we need job from my day but these boys must go hard, I The Special Forces Direct Recruiting Scheme of course, but, it would seem potential SFDRS NOT NEGOTIABLE begin an eight-week accelerated training course on more high-quality applicants – and we need them wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of ‘em”, (SFDRS) has been developed to meet Government applicants have a very high standard to meet. the long, challenging path to fully fledged Australian now. Therefore we have had to widen the pool of one Veteran mused while examining a display of requirements to increase the capability and Starting with the basic enlistment process, Special Forces status. potential applicants through the introduction of high-tech equipment. force structure of Special Operations Command applicants face a much more stringent physical, With a further 125 positions to be filled in the The accelerated course has been designed to the SFDRS. We’re trying a different approach to find He lent closer, out of ear shot of the others, and (SOCOMD) – specifically, 334 additional psychological and security checking regime than financial year 2004-05, a second full-strength give applicants the basic skill-sets that an infantry more people – and offering them the chance of a whispered as if sharing a secret, “When I heard commando positions including a number in their regular Army counterparts. For example, platoon will commence training this month, with a soldier would have gained after one to two years lifetime in return. what these young fellas go through to get that support. SFDRS applicants must attain ‘beep-test’ level 10 third course starting in May also expected to be full. experience in an infantry battalion. These skills are “We’re hoping to attract people with drive, Green Beret... Mate! I bought him a bloody beer!” This opportunity for direct entry into Special compared to 7.5 for regular enlistees. The scheme’s backers anticipate that between 70 to required to pass the Special Force Entry Test (SFET) determination and high levels of intelligence who he said with a hint of pride as he acknowledged a Forces is based on a similar successful concept Of the more than 900 enquiries for the scheme 80 per cent of applicants will stay the distance and and are the necessary building blocks to really see service in the Special Forces as the ultimate commando across the table. currently operating in the US but it’s not an thus far received by Defence Recruiting, roughly earn the coveted Sherwood Green commando beret. start absorbing special-operations training on the challenge. We can promise them a high-intensity hat would you say if someone entirely new idea to Australian Special Forces. 100 of those have progressed. Training at Kapooka will follow the standard Commando Training Courses. lifestyle, great training and, best of all, the chance offered you a job that paid damn Commando Training Courses Senior Instructor However, the scheme’s target appears to be on template, but special-forces aspirants will train Applicants who fail to meet the grade will be to work with a group of like-minded and dedicated well to do all the high-tempo, at the Special Forces Training Centre (SFTC) Capt track with 45 applicants having commenced the together and receive added motivation from Special given options at a number of decision points to professionals.” adrenaline-junkie challenges you Damien McMahon says 1 Commando Regiments’ first stage of training – the standard six-week Forces staff posted to ARTC not to lose sight of their pursue either an alternate role in the ADF or return Maj-Gen Lewis says that SOCOMD is looking to currentlyW pay good money to do on weekends? Simpson Platoon ran a successful trial last year recruit-training course at ARTC Kapooka. goal. to civilian life. recruit Commandos and Special Forces signallers

URBAN RECON COMMANDO SNIPER OPERATIONS PATROL STATIC LINE PAIR ASSAULTER MEMBER PARACHUTIST COMMANDO SKILL SETS

OFFENSIVE FIRE SPE- CIALIST LEAD CLIMB- AMPHIBIOUS COMMAN- ER OPERATOR DO IN PLF INSERTION KIT

38 www.issuu.com/CONTACTpublishing www.Facebook.com/CONTACTmagazine 39 RAY SIMPSON VC DCM COMMANDO

Ray Simpson, an exceptional Aussie Com- mando, was born in NSW in 1926 and joined the Army in 1944 with 2nd AIF. He served with the RAR in Korea and Malaya, and later joined the SASR. While he was with 1 Cdo Regt and attached to the Australian Army Training Team, Vietnam, his actions saw him later awarded the Victoria Cross. In a battalion-scale operation on 6 May 1966, the 232nd Company of the Mobile Strike Force, under Simpson was moving through jungle in II Corps area near the borders of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. When one of his platoons became heavily engaged with the enemy, Simpson led the remainder of his company to its assistance. As the company moved forward, one platoon commander, WO2 M.W. Gill, was seriously wounded and the assault began to falter. Simpson, in the face of heavy enemy fire, moved across open ground and carried Gill to safety. He then crawled forward to within 10 metres of the enemy where he lobbed grenades into their positions, ordered his company to withdraw and, with five others, covered them. Four days later, contact was again briefly made with the enemy. At first light the next day artillery pounded the ene- my positions and when the battalion moved forward they found the bunkers unoccupied. The battalion probed 39 passed and 30 were ultimately selected, he ahead with W02 A.M. Kel- ly leading the 231st Com- I WOULD SEE MOST never once considered opting out. pany. In the first burst of “I did whatever I had to do to get over that fire from the next contact, CONSOLIDATING finish line”, he says. “Becoming a commando was Kelly was wounded and my goal and I didn’t want to let my mates down or the battalion commander, SKILLS AT get left behind.” US Capt Green, was killed when he went And its been well worth the effort, he laughs, to assist. Simpson quickly organised two 4RAR(CDO) BEFORE adding, “We get to do the fun stuff all the time platoons and led them to the location – shoot lots of bullets, fly around in choppers, of the contact. Simpson moved forward ATTEMPTING SASR scream around in boats – that’s the shit, mate. through withering machine-gun fire in That’s what I joined for.” order to cover the initial evacuation. The SELECTION Pte Nick Thelan who, at 18, was one of the wounded, including Kelly, were evacu- youngest soldiers to become a fully qualified ated with Simpson covering. The action commando, echoes this sentiment. ended indecisively next day when the for service in 4RAR(Cdo) but is also seeking a few After four years at 4RAR(Cdo) he says his career battalion was evacuated. high-grade applicants for service in SASR. highlights have so far included deployments to Simpson received his VC during an “If we think they have what it takes we’ll offer East Timor, the Gulf, and recently qualifying as a investiture in Sydney in 1970. The United them a chance at SASR selection but I would see sniper, “So things are going pretty good”. States also awarded him the Silver Star most consolidating skills at 4RAR(Cdo) before “I work with a good bunch of blokes. We and the Bronze Star For Valour. attempting SASR selection a couple of years down Ray Simpson VC DCM died of cancer in experience things that civilians can’t, plus we get the track.” Japan on 18 Oct 1978, while posted to the paid well for doing real-time, high-tempo work. Completing his barrier testing and Commando Australian Embassy and is buried at the “My advice to SFDRS guys starting out is, look Yokohama War Cemetery. Training Course in 2002, Pte Ben Sykes says that after your feet and look after your mates.” after 24 days of assessment, which 65 men started, “Go-on, throw your hat in the ring.”

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CON36_006.indd 6 8/11/12 10:27 PM SIGNPOST HERE SIGNPOST HERE

OPERATION SOLACE WELCOME TO SOMALIA Reporting on Australia’s involvement in Somalia in the early ‘90 was far less comprehensive than subsequent deployments, much to the chagrin of many who were there. In this new series we get a first-hand account of what it was like

WORDS WAYNE COOPER PICS PETE REEVES, WAYNE COOPER & ADF

fter more than 20 hours on the plane, we the next 17 weeks. As the aircraft taxied down the runway finally started to descend and my anxiety we got our first glimpse of Mogadishu. The city sprawled began to rise. We came in low over the Indian around us and at first its white buildings looked relatively Ocean, continuing to descend until it seemed normal – an illusion that was to be short-lived. we would land in water. We crossed the coast, The devastated city formed a sinister background for andA the city of Mogadishu suddenly spread out either side the mass of military hardware lined up on the side of the of the Qantas 747 seconds before the wheels touched. airfield. Attack helicopters, armoured fighting vehicles and Crew requests that we stay seated until coming to a military aircraft of all descriptions sat in the morning heat complete stop were ignored as soldiers pressed their faces like a giant Jane’s car-park sale. It seemed the whole world against the windows to see what would be our home for was here and had come ready for business.

42 CONTACT CONTACT 43 42 www.issuu.com/CONTACTpublishing www.Facebook.com/CONTACTmagazine 43 OPERATION SOLACE

It became obvious we had flown into something live rounds into a magazine in a real AO (area of AusCams. We found the remaining 1 Troop and yelled orders at each other, before going back to and was an ex-artillery bombardier. He was a few we passed – it was quite clear that not everyone really big and, for a moment, I felt reassured – surely operations). The act itself becomes very familiar Squadron HQ vehicles parked in a quiet corner of our game of cards, which was promptly interrupted years senior to me and had taken a drop in rank to thought us being here was a good idea. with all this hardware, the bad guys wouldn’t mess after a few years in the Army – you can carry it out the port and tried to make ourselves comfortable. by a burst of .50 Cal fire just outside. Nervously we come to Cavalry, so it was also pretty obvious he The road to Baidoa was long, straight and boring with us. My relief was short lived as the plane taxied without really thinking. But as I pushed the SS109 We sat and watched as Somali kids threw rocks and peered out of the tent to see the Arabs screaming was not terribly impressed having a brand-new so the packet stopped every hour to check vehicles past four gutted Canadian armoured vehicles. rounds into the Steyr magazine I wondered how jeered at the soldiers working in the port. abuse at a bashful-looking soldier standing behind lance corporal telling him what to do. and give the drivers a rest. Driving an M113 at Welcome to Somalia. long it would be before I had to decide whether or As the sun began to set on our first day in his smoking machine gun. Although time would show we got off to a rough speed is not like driving the family sedan, it is a It was Monday, 18 January 1993, and I was not to fire one of these at another human being. Somalia we found a few Yanks who were keen to The rounds had passed through the back of start personally, Pete and I clicked as a crew almost very demanding and a physically draining task. part of the 1RAR Battalion Group – 1000 diggers Word went ‘round that they wanted some 3/4 get their hands on some Aussie rations. We made the truck in front, without killing anyone, and this immediately. We were both keen to get to work and Although it was not strictly legal, many of the crew sent to Somalia as Australia’s contribution to Cav guys to go to the port and guard some of the an outrageous demand of one box of American seemed to be OK by the UAE soldiers who, after professional enough not to let personality interfere commanders swapped with their drivers and took Operation Restore Hope, a US-led mission to secure carriers left by 1 Troop, who had already left for MREs (meal ready to eat) for each one-day Aussie yelling at the culprit for a minute, mounted their with our jobs. Time would also show that through the sticks for a stint to give them a break. the distribution of humanitarian aid. My unit, B Baidoa. Nine of us piled into the back of a Rover ration pack and, to our surprise, they accepted. With vehicle and proceeded toward the gate. The Arab 17 weeks of Operation Solace, Pete would prove After an exhaustive day’s driving, we finally Squadron 3/4 Cavalry Regiment was attached for and headed for the port – and our first up-close the exchange made, we sat and filled our faces with with the itchy trigger finger shrugged and smiled an excellent driver and crewman and we would approached the plateau that led up to the inland the duration. We had all hoped that we would one look at Mogadishu. As we drove through a gate the overly sweet and fatty Yank rations, glad to have sheepishly as he drove past us. We pondered the become best of friends. city of Baidoa. We stopped a couple of kilometres day be part of a real operation, a chance to get our guarded by anxious looking Pakistani soldiers, we something different to eat and feeling pretty smug. odds of getting killed by friendly fire in Mogadishu. At 0600 on the morning of 22 January we outside the city to clear a truck from the road and hands dirty. Finally our wishes had been granted. went to “action” on our rifles for the first time and Little did we know, the supply of the relatively We needed no other incentive to get our vehicles lined the vehicles up in packets and proceeded took the opportunity to stretch our legs. We stood on the tarmac and waited. All around moved outside the wire into the twilight zone. We boring, but practical Aussie ration pack would dry and get out of Dodge. toward the port gate for the 300km convoy to My troop sergeant, Shane Wakley, and his driver us, Americans sped past in trucks and Humvees, drove quickly through the back streets of the city. up in a fortnight and we would be stuck eating HMAS Tobruk arrived on 20 January and we set Baidoa. The vehicles were filled to the brim with decided to investigate the small abandoned village kicking up dust as we all tried our best to look The devastation was overwhelming. Every MREs for the next five months. out to the port to unload the vehicles. The driver spares, ammunition and rations and most had a just near the road. The seemingly innocuous group relaxed. As I surveyed the bustle of Mogadishu building was damaged, riddled with holes caused Mogadishu at night was a scary place and even of the Rover I was standing in took a wrong turn in huge wooden crate containing a spare engine or of huts turned out to be a lot more interesting than airport I was reminded of the opening scene in by various calibre of ammunition. Burnt-out cars from the relative safety of the port I could feel the the city and got off the main route. As he stopped differential strapped to the roof. We waited at the Shane had suspected as he realised he had walked

TPR DAN MINTON TPR PETE REEVES AND CPL RAY MOORE AND SURVEYS A ROAD (CIRCLED BELOW) LCPL TPR DAN MINTON WAYNE COOPER CHECK THEIR BEARINGS

Oliver Stone’s Platoon, with the FNGs to get his bearings, a group of Somali men stared gate for about 20 minutes for the US MP escort into a patch of anti-personnel mines. Back-tracking gawking at their new surrounds – at at us from across the street, one of whom pointed before the convoy commander decided to keep to very carefully, the sarge and his driver escaped least no one was loading body bags. THE FIRST AUSSIES WHO LANDED HERE at me and lifted his shirt to reveal a semi-automatic schedule and go without them. unscathed and we took it as a timely reminder The Qantas crew posed for a TWO BEFORE HAD BEEN SHOT AT AS pistol. My heart raced and, as I raised my rifle, he As soon as the first vehicles moved out the that there were over a million mines in the ground photo as forklifts unloaded our kit. made the shape of a gun and pretended to shoot gate they were fired at. We did our best to turn in Somalia and that everywhere was unsafe until Somewhere among those pallets THEY STOOD UNARMED ON THE TARMAC me. After a few nervous seconds the Rover began the vehicles outward into some form of defensive proved otherwise. were our personal weapons and we to move and the man, who I later realised was posture, but half of us were still inside the port gate. After marking the minefield we mounted our were all keen to have a rifle in our hands. probably stoned on the local narcotic, Khat, just The lead vehicles reported a contact and waited, vehicles and made our way up the plateau to The first Aussies who landed here two days waved and laughed. resisting the urge to return fire in such a built up Baidoa. We moved through the outskirts of town, before had been shot at as they stood unarmed on lined the streets and destroyed armoured vehicles tension and menace of the city. I tried to go to We unloaded Tobruk through the day and half area without a defined target. past the densely packed refugee camps and the the tarmac and we were not keen to be caught in a sat where they had died as if to remind us of sleep but was too full of nervous energy. I lay on the night. The old transport ship sat dwarfed by After a few tense minutes the MPs showed up buildings that were to become very familiar to similar situation. the dangers of armoured warfare in an urban top of my sleeping bag listening to gunshots and the huge American craft nearby. As we rolled the and the decision was made to move on and leave us over the next 17 weeks. As we made our way The crew quickly retreated inside the 747, turned environment – a warning not lost on we Cavalry. watching tracer fire arc over the city, wondering 30-year-old M113s off by the back, an old Yank the shooters for them to chase. We had been through the city it was very apparent that this it around and took off after less than an hour on Mogadishu port was a very busy place. Old what the next 17 weeks had in store for us. gunnery-sergeant walked over and, with a rye grin, told in our convoy orders the night before that region and its people were in a much worse state the ground. As the first sounds of distant gunfire shipping containers stacked four high surrounded After a fitful night at the port we returned to the asked why we had brought our museum. intelligence had warned of a possible ambush on than Mogadishu. Baidoa’s nickname, City of Death, drifted in from somewhere in the city I watched the the main dock area to keep the locals out, as airport to wait for the arrival of HMAS Tobruk, which Jibes aside, I was happy to have my ancient the road to Baidoa – and we hadn’t even made had been an accurate description indeed. big plane head out over the ocean. There was one massive military and civilian ships unloaded cargo. was carrying our M113 APCs and the rest of our vehicle and home-away-from-home. The M113 was it out of the port without being fired on. As we As we approached the gates of the airfield pilot happy to have his big, shiny and expensive Lined up on the dock were masses of tan- troop’s personnel. Our eagerness to get the vehicles more than 10 years older than me, but it was tough, filed through the gate and turned left, every that was to be our new home, the desolation and target out of harms way. coloured Marine Corps tanks, trucks and artillery and move to our AO in Baidoa was compounded reliable and virtually unstoppable cross-country. turret traversed and pointed its guns towards the despair of this dying city washed over me. The We were eventually loaded on to trucks and waiting to be loaded as streams of green-coloured by poor discipline among the UN soldiers guarding Besides, when the bullets start flying, I’ll take three building where the shots had come from, each of people on the side of the road looked up through moved to an admin area. As we sat in shabby US Army equipment poured ashore. The Marines the airport. Besides, Cavalry soldiers don’t like inches of compressed aluminium armour over a us quietly begging them to try it again. sunken eyes and, for the first time, the enormity American tents, and played the first of countless were leaving as the Army was taking over, and the playing without their cars and we were all getting baggy green shirt any day. We drove out of the city and most of the people of our task struck me. With death and danger all card games, our weapons finally arrived. Our relief enormity of the US war machine was on display. toey anyway. My driver had also arrived on Tobruk and we set treated the convoy with disinterest. Some children around us, one thing was certain, it was going to be at being armed was somewhat diminished as we Everywhere large American soldiers in tight, On one hot afternoon, a group of United Arab about preparing our vehicle and getting to know ran to the roadside and waved while others gave an interesting four and a half months. waited another couple of hours for ammunition. tailored desert cams moved equipment and stores Emirates vehicles lined up in front of our tent for a each other. Tpr Peter Reeves had recently been us the one-fingered salute. Occasionally, an angry Wayne Cooper served in the Australian Army for 14 years There’s something daunting about loading oblivious to the gawking Aussies in their baggy patrol. We watched in mild amusement as soldiers posted to 3/4 Cav from 2/14 Light Horse Regiment looking Somali man would spit at the vehicle as – 10 years in the Royal Australian Armoured Corps.

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ARMY’S ARH TIGER ATTACK With the Army’s entry to the world of attack reconnaissance helicopters less than two years away, soldiers across the country can soon expect to see a Tiger prowling among the weeds

WORDS BRIAN HARTIGAN PICS FULLFRAME PHOTOGRAPHICS AND DESIGN AND AUSTRALIAN AEROSPACE

f the 22 Tigers ordered by has come a long way since signing the spares and tooling, and have army [ground] Australia under the terms of project just over two years ago. personnel trained, with mission and support the Army’s Project AIR87 – the The company has grown and changed its equipment in place.” replacement of the Vietnam- name, new assembly and support facilities And, he says, the company is looking well vintage Kiowa reconnais- have been built in Brisbane and a small placed to meet that commitment. sanceO and Huey gunship airframes – the army of Australian companies have been The second stage of certification – mis- first should have already been test flown in sub contracted to assist with a wide array siles and other weapons – will take place in France when this magazine goes to print. of construction, development and support 2005 and, by mid that year, the full platform Three more – Numbers 5, 6 and 7 – have aspects of the project. will be in Australia and ready for operational commenced production, with the first of “[This year], 2004, is another very evaluation by the Australian Army. these already standing on its own wheels, at important year for us. We must prepare for Tiger is a highly sophisticated war a specially built facility in Brisbane. type certification of the Tiger in Australia machine, armed to the teeth with 30mm The bulk of the Australian airframes will and we must achieve two aircraft flying at cannon, guided missiles and unguided rock- actually be assembled in Australia. the Army School of Aviation in Oakey by ets, backed up by serious computer power Vice President ARH Tiger Project Marc December,” Mr Jouan says. and sensor suites, and is built like nothing Jouan says that Australian Aerospace “Not only that, we must have two teams before seen on the Australian Army’s order (formerly Eurocopter International Pacific) trained, have a reasonable amount of of battle.

46 CONTACT CONTACT 47 46 www.issuu.com/CONTACTpublishing www.Facebook.com/CONTACTmagazine 47 ARMY ARH

TIGER ASSEMBLY LINE IN BRISBANE

Mr Jouan says that the Army needs to use the simplifying and automating where possible. platform to fully understand its capabilities and Computer menus are laid out in logical develop its own techniques. ITS CHIN-MOUNTED sequences, minimising the number of keystrokes “So far they can only imagine what they can required for any given function. use the platform for and until they have the real 30MM CANNON And in the maintenance shed, Tiger is smart platform in the air, they cannot fully quantify the enough to tell the mechanic exactly what ails it. operational capabilities of this aircraft.” PACKS MORE Australia was the first Tiger export customer As a fighting machine, Tiger is very capable. It’s for Eurocopter, the world’s leading helicopter chin-mounted 30mm cannon (1.2 inch on the old WALLOP THAN manufacturer. Through this acquisition, the scale) packs more wallop that even ASLAV. Australian Army, and particularly its Aviation Corps, Slaved to either the pilot’s or the gunner’s EVEN ASLAV are on the brink of a quantum leap in capability. helmet – following their head movements, ready for action – the cannon fires up to 10 rounds in a burst – not to where the target is, but to where a firing-resolution computer predicts the target will rockets with nothing more than a Mark1 eyeball be when the bullets get there, based on the relative through an unaided reflex sight. Then consider speeds and direction of both the Tiger and the that his Tiger ARH counterpart will aim through target. helmet-mounted sights assisted by either low-light Under ‘wings’ on either side of the ‘skinny’ TV or Infrared sensors backed up by considerable helicopter dangle an array of air-to-air, air-to- computer power. It’s then that one begins to ground, guided and unguided missiles and rockets. see the scale of change about to unfold in the How many and of what type will be dictated by the Australian Army Aviation Corps. mission of the day. Simulator training programs are being Under its skin – which is made of carbon developed as part of the overall project composite materials – Tiger is a very smart animal. commitment to assist in this transition. Flight, Pre mission, the pilot climbs aboard and pushes cockpit and maintenance simulators will augment two buttons. While he straps in, Tiger’s computers flight crew and RAEME support staff training run up the engines, cycle through their own pre- programs at Oakey and, to a lesser degree, at the flight checks and, when all the lights go out, the squadron level. pilot is ready to take to the skies. Australian flight and maintenance crews are Before that day, however, it will take a quantum also being trained at Tiger’s home facilities near leap for Australian Army aircrew and ground crew Marseilles, in the south of France. alike to upgrade from their very basic Vietnam While the Tiger cockpit has been described veterans to an aircraft designed and built for the as equally complex as an F/A-18 Hornet, many 21st Century. thousands of hours have been invested in Consider first that the UH-1H gunner aimed his

ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE HELICOPTER

Cockpit Tandem with the pilot forward rounds, 750 rounds per minute, Airframe Carbon composite materials high lethality to 1200m, +/- 90 de- Main Rotor Hingeless elastomeric hub, 13m grees azimuth (left and right from diameter, 4 blades centre) -30 to +33 degrees eleva- Engines 2 x MTR 390; 1171shp max contin- tion; up to 68 x 68mm rockets in uous each; 1770shp super contingency four pods (five types of warhead); Fast cruise speed 275km/hr = 148kt (at air-to-air and anti-tank missiles max weight) Maintenance 4hrs maintenance per Max Weight 6600kg (14,537lbs) 1hr normal flying; engine change in Weapon Systems 30mm cannon, 450 less than 2hrs; self diagnosis.

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CON36_008.indd 8 8/11/12 10:29 PM BURMASIGNPOST REBELS HERE

GUERRILLA WAR

JUNGLE FIGHTERS Burma’s rebels still fi ghting for independence 40 years on

WORDS CONTACT PICS ANON

urma’s military government has for more than 40 years banned journal- Bists from the country’s war zones but, recently, a photographer who, for his own safety must remain anonymous, smuggled these photos out of the country exclusively for CONTACT. In a country as repressive as Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, these photographs could mean death for their author. In October last year, the Burmese Army launched an offensive against the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). Twelve Burmese Army battalions with artillery support were sent to the area near the Thai border, where fi ghting concentrat- ed on Lee Day Mountain, the highest peak in the region. They faced KNLA guerrillas, armed with Vietnam-era M-16s, AK-47s and a 12.7mm anti-aircraft gun. Desperately short of ammunition, the guerrillas resorted to laying thousands of landmines, which reportedly accounted for up to 150 government soldiers. But the real victims of this tactic – as too often is the case – were local villagers. Relief agencies working in the area report that the army torched several villages, forcing more than 500 villagers to fl ee into the jungle, some crossing the border to become refugees in Thailand. Others were rounded up and forced to carry artillery shells through the jungle or become human mine sweepers. Allied with the British during World War II, KNLA rebels have been fi ghting for their own independence since Burma was granted its independence from Britain in 1948 without provision for a Karen homeland.

50 CONTACT CONTACT 51

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THE AUSTRALIAN MILITARY MAGAZINE still available on paper Australia’s two best boots-on-the-ground military magazines

COMBAT Camera is a photo-essay-based magazine with the same DNA as CONTACT. CC01 is available in print only.

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Send the following details by mail or email (or use PayPal on our web site) ALL BACK ISSUES Name – Address – Phone – Email – and Credit Card details including card number, expiry date, 1 to 40 STILL 3-digit CSC, the name on the card and the billing address (if different to magazine delivery address) to - Contact Publishing, PO Box 3091, Minnamurra, NSW 2533, Australia AVAILABLE or email [email protected] or visit www.militarycontact.com IN PRINT Don’t forget to also include your postal address and to list which magazines you are ordering! 54 www.issuu.com/CONTACTpublishing www.Facebook.com/CONTACTmagazine 55 SIGNPOST HERE SIGNPOST HERE

GAMES REVIEWS SAPPER GAMEBOY BOOK REVIEW SEAN BURTON REVIEWS

LIFE IN THE FRENCH FOREIGN LEGION: HOW TO JOIN AND WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU GET THERE

EVAN MCGORMAN

BOOK REVIEW PSI RESEARCH RAINBOW SIX 3 US$19.95 on the Internet

Life in the French Foreign Legion has always made for a good yarn but what’s fact and what’s fi ction has been hard to differentiate Rainbow operatives are leading is nowhere to be seen). The same game up with a headset to access throughout the Rainbow series Aussie XBox Live community play- RAINBOW SIX 3 the charge in quality XBox titles. menus exist but some options its greatest feature – voice com- and this game seems to have ing this game and it is never hard over the years – but it’s that very mystique which has served as the Legion’s best recruiter. UBI SOFT Along with their green-role are limited – there is no more mands. Rainbow Six 3 is available it just about right. The enemy is to get in and enjoy some serious Those looking for relevant fi rst-hand information on what to XBOX associates in Ghost Recon, Ding agonising for hours over camou- in a pack with a Rainbow-themed cunning, well-trained and, on the multiplay fun. The game includes expect, should they decide the French Foreign Legion’s basic no- www.rainbowsix3.com Chavez and his team have proved fl age choice or planning intricate, headset, allowing the team to be higher diffi culty levels, damned le- 15 levels and downloadable con- frills military life is for them, will be frustrated and could end up $99.95 ($120 incl headset) that immersive and highly-de- coordinated shock actions. controlled via voice commands thal. More importantly in a game tent will be available through the tailed military-themed gaming is The game is optimised for con- in both single and multiplayer of this type, Ding’s three offsiders XBox Live service. making a costly, ill-informed decision. It was this lack of real information which led former Legionnaire Those who said a console could possible on a console. sole controller use but it still takes games. Although talking to the TV are very competent. They will Rainbow Six 3 will also be never replace a PC for a complex Rainbow Six 3 has been specifi - some getting used to. Variable sounds stupid, actually command- behave realistically, cover arcs released for PS2 in March. and Canadian Evan McGorman to write the remarkable straight- and detailed gaming experience cally made for the console – rather targeting reticle sizes allow easier ing the assaulters through the and use each of their weapons talking book, Life in the French Foreign Legion: How to Join and What must have had an absolute horror than just porting the PC version targeting for those with poorer headset is very easy. Surprisingly systems to great effect. Lead them RATING to Expect when You Get There. of a Christmas. Not only were – and this ground-up approach is thumb control and other options my shockingly rough Aussie ac- stupidly, however, and they’ll In 1983, McGorman read a magazine article about the Legion PC releases pretty average and evident in the game’s functional- are available to adjust the compe- cent even worked, so most players succumb to terrorist bullets quicker and the article sat smouldering in his curiosity for the next six years extremely low in number, XBox ity. The instantly recognisable tence of the enemy. The interface should have little trouble getting than you thought possible. during military service in the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. sales in particular went through Rainbow feel is in the game, but it is well done and, for the fi rst time, the team to do what is required If you have XBox Live, Rainbow In 1989, McGorman left the Canadian Army and, without really the roof. This is in no small part has some major differences. Play- everything seemed to be assigned with the simple commands. Six 3 will become your new home knowing what he was getting in to, took the plunge and enlisted in thanks to the much-expanded ers are now restricted to one team where it should be on the control- Apart from the interface, the – you can also use your Live the French Foreign Legion for the standard fi ve-year contract. of four and play as Ding Chavez ler. This well-designed interface greatest feature of the game is headset for the game and buy the range of titles available for Micro- In his book, McGorman recounts every detail of his time with the throughout the campaign (unfor- does become slightly redundant, the AI. Friendly and enemy AI cheaper game-only version for the soft’s fl agship gaming product. As Legion, from the “pure, heart-pounding rush” of arriving in Paris to tunately Aussie Timothy Hanley however, if a player teams the have been tweaked and groomed same experience. There is a strong most would expect, Tom Clancy’s enlist at the Fort de Nogent recruiting centre to regimental life with the 2nd Parachute Regiment based in Corsica, to UN operations in Sarajehvo and fi nally to his discharge fi ve years later. The intention behind McGorman’s candid book was to give potential recruits something he never had, a solid basis from which to make an informed decision. Speaking from his native Canada, McGorman told CONTACT that the real litmus test to his book’s credibility was what former Legionnaires thought of it. “Almost all of the feedback I’ve received has been very positive,” he says. And what of the readers who were potential recruits to the Legion? “There have been a handful who’ve indicated they decided against joining after reading my book, but a lot of guys are still willing to take their chances even with ample dissuasion.” the fi ne art of manoeuvre is been a few tweaks to the overall play-by-e-mail or straight TCP/IP ian defence of Trig 29 outside El Aussie diggers using perfect Eng- LifLifee in the FFrenchrench FForeignoreign LLegion:egion: HHowow ttoo JJoinoin and WWhathat ttoo COMBAT MISSION: apparently something that only engine based on player experi- for multiplayer gaming. Alamein, a short, sharp contact lish when thousands of Jerries are Expect when You Get There pulls no punches ababoutout the ttotalotal AFRIKA CORPS those wearing large silver watches ences with CMBB and judging In CMAK, players fi ght in one of the vineyards on Crete, approaching. While graphically dedicdedicationation and ccommitmentommitment requiredrequired toto givegive fi veve yearsyears of can truly appreciate. For the rest by comments on the forums, throughout the Mediterranean through to the Germans slogging it is not up there with the latest in yyourour liflifee ttoo the LLegion,egion, this strstraightforwardaightforward bbookook is a mine BATTLEFRONT of us, Battlefront’s third iteration of Battlefront look to have got it right. from July 1940 at Libya through it out with the French Foreign the FPS genre or even the newer of information and will leave potential recruits in no PC/MAC the Combat Mission game may be CMAK, is instantly playable and to the capitulation of Italy in 1945. Legion at Bir Hakim. Each scenario 3D RTS games, it’s not that harsh doubt what awaits them. www.battlefront.com (order online) just what is required to understand totally rewarding. There are more than 700 vehicle has been painfully researched on the eye and the gameplay COMBAT MISSION: AFRIKA CORPS McGorman says that in spite of its shortcomings, US$45 (incl shipping) this strange phenomenon. For those unfamiliar with and unit types from 10 countries and play-tested by a dedicated soon makes up for the strange many former Legionnaires have found service in the Combat Mission: Afrika Korps the series, CMAK uses a hybrid available including a fantastic design team. Unfortunately the way troops run across the ground. Legion to be their beacon in stormy seas. Talk to any WWII armour (CMAK) is a remake of 2002’s turn-based system as its basis. array of Aussies, Kiwis and South activities of David Stirling’s boys CMAK is only available for pur- Without the slightest regret in joining, he says afi cionado about the push-pull “Wargame of the Year,” Combat Essentially each player issues Africans along with the more and the LRDG fail to make it into chase from Battlefront’s website that looking back on his service, his expectations of campaign in the African desert Mission: Barbarossa to Berlin commands to their units and then widely represented British, French, the game but there is an included for US$45 including shipping to life in the French Foreign Legion were unfulfi lled and, and their eyes will glaze over, (CMBB). Essentially, the developers sits back to watch the results in Germans and Italians. The game scenario allowing a player to Australia. as disappointed though he ultimately was, he also drool will form at the corner of have changed the cold and bleak 60 seconds of real-time action. It includes 70 battles and operations scream through enemy lines in a Windows 95, 98SE, ME, 2000 believes that serving in the French Foreign Legion is an their mouths and all conversation Russian landscape for a hot and offers all the deliberate planning and the ability to make thousands Jock Column that is enjoyable. or XP. CMAK is also available for will cease for at least a couple bleak African landscape, adjusted available in a turn-based game more with a quick-battle maker The game uses 3D audio to Mac OS 8.6-9.xx running on a G3 undertaking without equal. of minutes. The fi ghting in Africa the unit types and equipment to and the action of a real-time and a full scenario designer and good effect, although, I quickly or better. ““ThereThere isnisn’t’t much on the planet thathatt ccanan ccompareompare ttoo it. I with its massed-armour battles, suit the new theatre of war and let game and really is a happy map editor. The battles cover found the Commando-comic style wouldn’t have traded it for anything.” long-range engagements and a the award-winning game system medium between the genres. a wide range of historical and Aussie voice cues started to grate RATING wide expanse in which to practise do the rest. There have of course It also allows a choice between fi ctional fi ghts such as the Austral- on me – I can just never imagine RATING

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PARA GROUP

DROP-IN ON CROC ‘03 3RAR exercises its wings at Shoalwater Bay

WORDS CONTACT PICS ASHLEY ROACH

combined force of roughly 10,000 Australian and US troops took part Ain last year’s Exercise Crocodile ‘03, the most signifi cant ADF activity for the year, outside operational commitments. Croc ‘03 was designed specifi cally to train Australian and American forces in combined operations led by Australia and supported by the US. Among those who made their usual, spectacular entrance to Shoalwater Bay Training Area were the soldiers of Austral- ia’s only parachute infantry battalion – the recently much maligned yet justifi ably proud 3RAR. The role, mission and capabilities of 3RAR are a unique and highly valuable asset on any commanders order of battle. 3RAR is a battalion-sized group of air-de- ployable infantry that can be assigned to seize and secure a point-of-entry (POE) for follow-on elements. Their doctrine calls for them to fi ll the capability where conven- tional methods of insertion are unavailable or not appropriate. Battalion philosophy is to overmatch an adversary on the ground by using surprise and the indirect approach to rapidly achieve decisive advantage.

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PIC SUPPLIED BY WO1 DARRYL KELLY

back by accurate German artillery fire. The front out for each other – both in and out of the line. a large rock alongside the tracks with such force was strewn with Australian wounded. With total By a stroke of luck, Warne was released on leave he was thrown under the wheels of the train. disregard for their own safety, Warne and a friend early and thought he would surprise his family by The lower portion of his right leg was shattered, WITHIN SIGHT OF HOME – Pte Richard Stutz MM, also from Owanyilla and catching an earlier train – scheduled to arrive on he suffered head injuries including a compound who would go on to marry Warne’s sister after the the morning of the 25th. fracture of the skull, and he sustained multiple After enduring the unmitigated horror that is war – and living to tell the tale – Pte Richard Warne war – went out under heavy fire and dragged their While on the train, Warne was horrified to contusions to the rest of his body. discovered to his cost that fate had not finished with him and still had a cruel and bitter blow in store wounded mates to safety. For their selfless bravery discover this train would not be stopping at At about 7am, Eva Lay, the wife of a local that day, both soldiers were recommended for Owanyilla. He pleaded with the driver to make a linesman made her way to the platform – her job WORDS WO1 DARRYL KELLY bars to their Military Medals. special concession – an unscheduled stop. The was to open the gates. She noticed the kitbag The battalion, as part of the 5th Division, was driver refused, the best he could do was slow lying on the platform, but on searching for the later dispatched south to Amiens to confront a down to allow Warne to jump. owner of the bag she found the platform deserted. ichard Warne was born to simple coun- objective, a system of heavily fortified trenches reports of the casualties and the heavy losses full-scale German offensive, but soon the Germans At around 5am, as the train reduced speed on Curiosity got the better of her so she checked try folk in Maryborough, Queensland, known as ‘the maze’. – particularly disturbing was the loss of so many were retreating on all fronts, with the Allies hard its approach to Owanyilla, Richard Warne hung along the track. To her horror, she stumbled across in 1898. A boy of the land, he worked As the Diggers advanced towards the enemy mates – he pestered his superiors to post him on their heels. During an attack in September, the out the window of the carriage. He could see the the bloodied and badly injured body of the young hard on the family farm at Owanyilla in line, no part of their training could have prepared back to the front. In October 1917 his request was 31st again came under heavy German artillery fire. lights of his home and could imagine his mother soldier. On closer inspection, she could see a slight supportR of his family’s endeavour to eke out a liv- them for the conditions they were about to granted and he returned to his battalion in France. A Lewis gun section, which included Richard cooking breakfast. rise and fall of his chest – was it possible that he ing. He was bright at school and did well, but with experience. France was entering the worst winter In November of that year, Richard experienced Warne, sortied forward to locate the troublesome Black walked with Warne to the carriage door was still alive? little leisure time on his hands, sport took second in 100 years. The troops were enveloped by his first taste of military discipline. He was charged enemy gun battery. They engaged it with accurate where they paused, shook hands and said their Being new to the area and with her husband place. When the opportunity did arise, he enjoyed freezing cold, relentless damp, knee-deep mud with the serious crime of stealing – not for taking small-arms fire and forced the Germans to good-byes. As the platform came into view, Warne away, she raced to the nearest farm for help – the a hard game of tennis. and the constant presence of death – a scenario a mate’s money or possessions but for pinching temporarily abandon their guns. This respite from threw his kitbag from the train, watched to see it property of the Warne family. On arrival at the On his enlistment in the Australian Imperial they could never have imagined in their wildest two kilos of apples which he had given to attack enabled the 31st to continue its advance. land safely on the platform, then having carefully scene, Richard and Clara Warne looked down at Force in March 1916, he was one of a select group dreams. The Australians succeeded in capturing members of his section. He was found guilty and Warne’s name was submitted for a bar to his judged his timing, he jumped. the battered form of the young soldier only to of recruits commonly known as ‘the fair dinkums’– some of the trenches, only to lose them again in sentenced to one day’s detention. Military Medal, but it was not approved. The sequence of events that followed can only see that it was their own son, Richard. A series of the volunteers who knew what to expect of war counterattacks a couple of days later. The Australians held their ground through An armistice was declared on 11 November be described as a horrible twist of fate. The train phone calls clacked along the ancient telephone after Australians had been made aware of the In February 1917, Warne was on a ration- the great German Spring Offensive of April 1918 1918 and the battlefield took on an eerie, ghostly was going too fast; he had completely missed the lines, urgently requesting that the ambulance carnage at Gallipoli – that this was not the great carrying party supplying the front line. As the – finally the tide was turning and they had ‘Fritz’ silence – finally the war was over. platform and bounced along the ground. He hit from Maryborough be sent. overseas adventure that had prompted so many party wove its way forward, the scream of on the run. Private Richard Warne MM, would have to wait The attending ambulance officers did their best. to join up when war was first declared. incoming shells pierced the night. Diving to Richard showed his worth at Morlandcourt, his turn to go home. He was sent to England on They placed young Richard in the back of their Richard Warne was first posted to the ranks ground, Warne and his partner sought safety in where, on the night of 28 July 1918, he volun- leave and took the opportunity to sight-see and vehicle with his mother cradling her son’s battered of the 41st Battalion. He enjoyed his life in the the mud, but as the shells exploded, a piece of teered to act as stretcher-bearer to retrieve participate in the post-victory revelry. Finally the head. The ambulance sped towards Maryborough military and adapted well to the rigours of shrapnel shattered the urn they were carrying and wounded from a captured position. Despite order he had waited so long to hear – HOME! AS THE TROOP but as it approached the hospital, Private Richard training. In May 1916 he boarded the troopship drenched Warne’s feet with boiling water. fatigue and lack of food, he worked all night and As the troopship neared the coast of Australia, Warne MM lost his final battle and died in his Demosthenes in Sydney, bound for training As the young soldier was carried to the dressing most of the next day, under heavy fire, until all the Diggers swore they could smell the gum trees. mother’s arms. camps in England, where the Diggers would be station, he pleaded to stay with his mates, but the wounded had been brought in. Private Warne attended a final medical board SHIP NEARED THE The citizens of Maryborough district contrib- instructed in the skills required for the war on the medics knew the burns Warne had suffered would He was awarded the Military Medal for his in Brisbane on 22 August 1919 and was passed uted funds to have a memorial erected over the Western Front. require specialist treatment in England. On 8 bravery. In part, the recommendation reads, ‘His fit with no disabilities. He sent a telegram to his COAST, DIGGERS young soldier’s grave. His grieving mother never In late 1916, Warne received his orders to February 1917, Warne was admitted to the Norfolk splendid contempt for enemy artillery set a won- family advising he would catch the first available recovered from the death of her first born and embark for France - he was being assigned as War Hospital where he received treatment for the derful example to all...’ train from Brisbane, which was due to arrive in SWORE THEY secretly, her favourite child. She lived a further 41 a reinforcement for the 31st Battalion which next eight weeks. In August 1918 the battalion participated in the Owanyilla on the afternoon of the 25th. years of anguish and torment, never coming to had suffered heavy losses in actions in the On his release from hospital, Warne was capture and liberation of the French town of Vil- He intended to travel with Private George COULD SMELL THE terms with the tragic loss of Richard. She finally Somme Valley. On 17 November the battalion assigned to remain in England to assist with lers-Bretonneux and later, Bullecourt. At one point Black, also of the 31st. They had been the best found peace when laid to rest, alongside her son, was engaged in heavy fighting at Flers – their the training of new recruits. As he read news the 31st became bogged down and were driven of mates for the past 18 months and had looked GUM TREES in 1960.

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became awareaware of engine noise reaching a deafening JONATHAN GARLAND ILLUSTRATION GREG@TWIST WORDS a vehicle ascend- crescendo and headlights coming ing the rroadoad on the to bear, Nobber made a desperate opposite side of the dash for the knee-high stone wall BOMBS OVERridge. For reasons ringing the lookout and launched that no doubt himself into the dark unknown. SOLOMON seemed good at the His plan, he would later explain, NOBBER GOES time, he gave the was to hug the far side of the wall order to take cover. until the all clear. The section Naturally, it didn’t work out scattered, leav- like that. In his haste, Nobber had ing Nobber standing like forgotten two crucial facts. First, a TO GROUNDa scarscarecrowecrow in a wheat fi eld. lookout is so-named because it is DARWINBlinking thrthroughough his spectacles, commonly situated at the top of with blood pounding in his ears, ground that rapidly slopes away. E he incident occurred dur- despite the best attempts of both Nobber looked around uncom- Second, his momentum was vastly ing a return to barracks Nobber and his trainers, the soldier prehendingly as his commander increased by the weight of the from a day tramping threw himself into PT with the shouted at him to, “Get the #$%^ pack he was carrying. through the weeds. grace of a stork tap-dancing – and off the road!” So, Nobber found himself land- TThis particular base was ringed to similar effect. As the urgency slowly ing several metres further away by hills and there was a lookout So, by the time the weary sec- penetrated, Nobber began from the wall than he intended platform where the road to the tion reached the summit, Nobber moving, looking for a place big and, having struck the ground, exercise area crossed the ridge. was huffi ng and puffi ng like the enough to hide him, his weapon was quite unable to stop. The lookout afforded, in daylight, big, bad wolf and seeing more and his pack. By now, of course, The luckless soldier and his pack A an unobstructed and picturesque stars than were visible in the night all the good spots were taken. bounced rapidly down the slope view of the countryside for sky alone. He darted from place to place like two sacks of potatoes tied kilometres around. As they approached the like a graceless hummingbird, together, thumping over stones, It was well after dark, however, lookout, the section commander unable to fi nd cover. Finally, with brush and what could have been when Recruit Nobber and his a startled wombat. He made futile section reached that stretch of grabs at the ground every time ascending tarmac known lovingly it passed in front of him and was by PTIs – and with unmitigated THE LUCKLESS SOLDIER AND repeatedly brained by his pack loathing by everyone else – as as the two of them continued their K Heartbreak Hill. dance downhill. Now, Nobber was far from the HIS PACK BOUNCED DOWN THE There is no telling how far he fi ttest member of his section. This might have gone had the slope was not entirely through lack of SLOPE LIKE TWO SACKS OF been uninterrupted. But, eventu- effort on his part. But, ally, Nobber struck an obstacle POTATOES TIED TOGETHER and there was a cessation of noise and movement. LIMITED EDITION COLLECTORS PRINTWhen the remainder of the section reached him a few mo- I ments later, there was a long, startled silence – followed by uncontrollable laughter. Nobber lay, blinking in the light of a hastily AVAILABLE DIRECT NINE COLOURscrounged torch, RUN almost up- side down in a barbed-wire FROM THE ARTIST 700MMfence. X 1000 His rightMM arm and both legs were comprehen- N AUTHENTICITYsively DOCUMENTtangled in the wire and his pack had cleared JAMES BAINES CODEthe top KEY strand, falling back against him from the 9 MARY STREET HISTORYopposite READOUT side and pinning him beyond any hope of self- MALANDA extrication. The soldier stared into the torchlight from below G QUEENSLAND 4885 – or above – the bush hat ADF PIC that inexplicably remained fi rmly jammed on his head. After a moment, he saluted PHONE/FAX with his free hand. The charge was written (07) 4096 5915 up as damage to Com- monwealth property. The E-MAIL offi cer hearing the charge couldn’t keep a straight [email protected] $220face either.

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