DOCSLIB.ORG

RAA Liaison Letter Autumn 2011

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
RAA Liaison Letter Autumn 2011 The Royal Australian Artillery LIAISON LETTER Autumn Edition 2011 The Official Journal of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery Incorporating the Australian Gunner Magazine First Published in 1948 Contents Editors Comment 1 Letters to the Editor 3 Regimental 7 Professional Papers 23 Take Post 31 Capability & Training 35 Personnel 45 RAA History & Heritage 71 LIAISON Associations & Organisations 85 Next Edition Contribution Deadline Contributions for the Liaison Letter 2011 – Spring Edition should be forwarded to the editor at his home postal or LETTER emailaddress,bynolaterthanFriday 2nd September 2011. ‘Late’ correspondence or submissions after that date should be forwarded to the editor via the School of Autumn Edition Artillery or his defence email address. 2011 LiaisonLetterInColourOn-line If you have access to the defence restricted network you can read the Liaison Letter in colour on the Regimental web-site found at:http://intranet.defence.gov.au/armyweb/Sites/RRAA/. Incorporating the Australian Gunner RAA DRN content managers are requested to add this site to Magazine their links. Publication Information Front Cover: CRAM in Afghanistan with 16th Air Defence Regiment. Top Left: Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar (LCMR) Bottom Left: LCMR display during operation in Afghanistan Right: Giraffe Agile Multi Beam (G-AMB) Radar Front Cover Designed by: Major D.T. (Terry) Brennan, Staff Officer to Head of Regiment Compiled and Edited by: Major D.T. (Terry) Brennan, Staff Officer to Head of Regiment Published by: Lieutenant Colonel M.R.C. (Mitch) Kennedy, Deputy Head of Regiment, School of Artillery, Bridges Barracks, Puckapunyal, Victoria 3662 Desktop Publishing by: Michelle Ray, Combined Arms Doctrine and Development Section, Bridges Barracks, Puckapunyal, Victoria 3662 Printed by: Defence Publishing Service – Victoria Distribution: For issues relating to content or distribution contact the Editor on email [email protected] or [email protected] Contributors are urged to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in their articles; the Royal Australian Artillery, Deputy Head of Regiment and the RAA Liaison Letter editor accept no responsibility for errors of fact. The views expressed in the Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter are the contributors and not necessarily those of the Royal Australian Artillery, Australian Army or Department of Defence. The Commonwealth of Australia will not be legally responsible in contract, tort or otherwise for any statement made in this publication. RAA Liaison Letter 2011 - Autumn Edition Changes in artillery By Lt-Col Mitch Kennedy and "The rest of the structure remains the same, "A key challenge will be that of cultural change Training on the new equipment will start this LCpl Mark Doran with an operations battery for the higher level - the RAA has been using a number of very month at the School of Arty. THE ARA Field Artillery Branch is in the coordination for the regiment and fire support sound tactics, techniques and procedures process of one of its most significant for the brigade and a combat support battery to effectively over a long period of time to support 1st Regt RAA reorganisations in the history of the Royal provide the sustainment and administration and manoeuvre forces," Lt-Col Kelly said. "The Barce Lines Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera Regiment of Australian Artillery. logistical support." introduction into service of Land 17 equipment • Operations Support Battery In January, the ARA field regiments At the heart of the reorganisation is the planned will require the RAA to modify some of these • 104th (Observation Post) Battery tactics in order to optimise the employment of reorganised to each contain three observation introduction into service of the Advanced Field • 105th (Observation Post) Battery Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS), a this equipment." Beginning this year, 1 and 4 post batteries sup-ported by a single gun • 114th (Observation Post) Battery fully automated digital battle-management Regt RAA will each receive 12 M777A2 battery. As part of the reorganisation, the • A (Gun) Battery system. 155mm lightweight towed howitzers and regiments and batteries were renamed to better • Combat Service Support Battery reflect their new role, with the word "field" no AFATDS is a complex system which requires AFATDS. longer appearing in their titles. highly skilled soldiers who are experts in their The School of Arty will also receive eight guns 4th Regt RAA CO 4 Regt RAA Lt-Col Charles Weller said the fields. To enable this, the ARA Fd Arty Branch and AFATDS into the Joint Fires Wings and 53 Chau Pha Lines Lavarack Barracks, units divided what was a field battery - which migrated to three specialised employment Independent Bty to enable the successful Townsville included the forward observers, battery categories: ECN 255 Artillery Observer, ECN delivery of training. Early next year 8/12 Regt • Operations Support Battery will receive its allocation of AFATDS. The unit commanders' party and the guns - into a gun 254 Artillery Command Systems Operator and • 106th (Observation Post) Battery ECN 162 Artillery Gunner. will retain the in-service M198 155mm battery with three four-gun troops and three • 108th (Observation Post) Battery The changes are being made to meet the howitzer until the arrival of the 155mm observation post batteries, including the • 109th (Observation Post) Battery challenges of Adaptive Army and the self-propelled howitzer in 2016. forward observers and battery commander's • 107th (Gun) Battery par-ties. introduction into service of new equipment In early 2012 the ARA Fd Arty Regts will take • Combat Service Support Battery Under the new construct, each regiment provided by the artillery replacement project delivery of the Digital Terminal Control System provides a brigade-level Joint Fires and Effects known as Land 17. The Army's guns are being for observation post batteries, which will 8th/12th Regt RAA Coordination Centre (JFECC) and every replaced with the M777A2, a capable, complete the digital link between the joint fires Ypres Lines Robertson Barracks, observation post battery provides a battle group lightweight towed howitzer, which features team and the guns, and enable forward Palmerston observers to precisely identify and engage JFECC and three combat team joint fires teams. improved mobility, range and accuracy. The • Operations Support Battery new artillery pieces will be used to re-equip targets using the complete array of ADF joint Every gun battery now com-prises three troops • 101st (Observation Post) Battery units based in Townsville and Brisbane and the fires assets. of 155mm towed howitzers each with integral • 102nd (Observation Post) Battery School of Arty in Puckapunyal, Victoria. A number of these systems have already been command and artillery reconnaissance • 115th (Observation Post) Battery capabilities. CO 1 Regt RAA Lt-Col Dave Kelly said the received due to an operational urgent • 103rd (Gun) Battery "It has basically split the trade-lines with those M777A2 was a battle-proven lightweight requirement by the RAA, Special Operations • Combat Service Support Battery that provide the fire-support and those who howitzer in service with a number of Australia's Command and Air Force to support current coordinate the fire-support into separate coalition partners. operations in the Middle East. batteries," Lt-Col Weller said. 'Army', March 3, 2011 RAA Liaison Letter 2011 - Autumn Edition the tactical situation and the manoeuvre commanders intent and consequently were in a Editors position to 'order fire' rather then 'request fire' as was the situation with their junior US artillery Comment counterparts. New Structures Welcome to the latest The new era has brought with it substantial edition of the Liaison changes to the structure of our full-time indirect Letter – I trust you find it fire Regiments in particular the creation of separate an interesting and Gun and OP Batteries. People who take the time to enjoyable read. The long read my 'Editors Comment' section may recall that talked about new era for from the beginning when this was first mooted, I the Regiment has arrived was not in favour. My argument was that artillery and over the next few tactical control terminology already provided the editions I will endeavour necessary flexibility for an artillery commander. to ensure there are Sadly it would seem that the in barracks battery articles on the new capabilities as they roll out. 'administrative' structure that many of us 'grew up Most capabilities have been discussed to some with' was misunderstood and taken as being a rigid extent in previous editions. and inflexible structure operationally. Nothing could have been further from the truth. Similarly In this edition there is an excellent paper written by with regard brigade structures - I was always taught Lieutenant Jeremy Satchell on the first operational a brigade was no more than a headquarters and a deployment of the recently 'rapidly acquired' signal squadron. I may be wrong but it seems the Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar capability. adage - Group for Command and Allot for Control - There are also articles from a number of Regiments has possibly been lost or forgotten in some circles. documenting among other topics, the recently adopted names and force structure changes. I draw I feel that if you scratch below the surface - one of your attention to the History and Heritage Section the driving factors that lead the Regiment down
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Forgotten Fronts the First World War Battlefield Guide: World War Battlefield First the the Forgotten Fronts Forgotten The
    Ed 1 Nov 2016 1 Nov Ed The First World War Battlefield Guide: Volume 2 The Forgotten Fronts The First Battlefield War World Guide: The Forgotten Fronts Creative Media Design ADR005472 Edition 1 November 2016 THE FORGOTTEN FRONTS | i The First World War Battlefield Guide: Volume 2 The British Army Campaign Guide to the Forgotten Fronts of the First World War 1st Edition November 2016 Acknowledgement The publisher wishes to acknowledge the assistance of the following organisations in providing text, images, multimedia links and sketch maps for this volume: Defence Geographic Centre, Imperial War Museum, Army Historical Branch, Air Historical Branch, Army Records Society,National Portrait Gallery, Tank Museum, National Army Museum, Royal Green Jackets Museum,Shepard Trust, Royal Australian Navy, Australian Defence, Royal Artillery Historical Trust, National Archive, Canadian War Museum, National Archives of Canada, The Times, RAF Museum, Wikimedia Commons, USAF, US Library of Congress. The Cover Images Front Cover: (1) Wounded soldier of the 10th Battalion, Black Watch being carried out of a communication trench on the ‘Birdcage’ Line near Salonika, February 1916 © IWM; (2) The advance through Palestine and the Battle of Megiddo: A sergeant directs orders whilst standing on one of the wooden saddles of the Camel Transport Corps © IWM (3) Soldiers of the Royal Army Service Corps outside a Field Ambulance Station. © IWM Inside Front Cover: Helles Memorial, Gallipoli © Barbara Taylor Back Cover: ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ at the Tower of London © Julia Gavin ii | THE FORGOTTEN FRONTS THE FORGOTTEN FRONTS | iii ISBN: 978-1-874346-46-3 First published in November 2016 by Creative Media Designs, Army Headquarters, Andover.
    [Show full text]
  • Issue108 – Aug 2011
    ISSUE 108 Published Quarterly in August 2011 Victoria Australia See pages 17-18 1 Article Pages Assn Contacts, Conditions & Copyright 3 The President Writes and Membership Report 4 From The Colonel Commandant and Reserve Forces Day 5 Editor’s Indulgence 6 Gunner Dinner 2011 Invitation 7 New Boss. Lt-Gen David Morrison AO 8 Myths and Legends 9 New technology 12 Revolutionary rifle. Riding mishap. Honouring the Brave 13 Origins of the tank - pt 1 14 Love our Military - Please watch 16 Breaking out the Big Guns 17 Executing a Plan 19 Major General Brian (Ash) Power 21 Disappearing Gun 22 History of the Emu Plume 24 Vale Malcolm Bugg 28 Commendation for Gallantry Awards for WWII Prisoners of War 29 Coming to a sky near you 30 Gunner Luncheon Quiz Solutions 31 Navy values 32 Navy high-tech simulator 33 Herons flying hours 34 Vale Claude Choules - Service History 35 Australian VC Recipients 36 Cpl Ben Roberts-Smith in action; Counter-rocket radar system; More Bushmasters 38 Battlefield tested 39 Vietnam trip at Long Tan 40 Vale Sgt Brett Wood 41 Vale Lt Marcus Case; LCpl Andrew Jones; Spr Rowan Robinson 42 Parade Card/Changing your address? See cut-out proforma 43 Current Postal Addresses All mail for the Association, except matters concerning Cascabel, should be addressed to: The Secretary RAA Association (Vic) Inc. 8 Alfada Street Caulfield South Vic. 3167 All mail for the Editor of Cascabel, including articles and letters submitted for publication, should be sent direct to: Alan Halbish 115 Kearney Drive Aspendale Gardens Vic 3195 (H) 9587 1676 [email protected] 2 RAA Association (VIC) Inc CONTENTS AND SUBMISSIONS Committee The contents of CASCABEL Journal are determined President: MAJ Neil Hamer RFD by the editor.
    [Show full text]
  • Anzac Day 2019—Military Anniversaries in 2019: a Quick Guide
    RESEARCH PAPER SERIES, 2018–19 16 APRIL 2019 Anzac Day 2019—military anniversaries in 2019: a quick guide David Watt (with assistance from Lisa Richards) Foreign Affairs, Defence & Security After four years of activities commemorating the centenary of the First World War it is perhaps inevitable that military anniversaries in 2019 form a less thematic group than has been the case during the past four years. In this quick guide we have chosen not to cover First World War anniversaries because these have been thoroughly covered during the years of the Centenary of Anzac. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs website contains information about Anzac Day commemorations, which are scheduled to be held in a variety of locations. While the 100th anniversary of 1919 contains some well-known events, such as the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, it also contains others that are less well-known, such as the service of some Australians in North Russia during the civil war that followed the Bolshevik revolution. It is also the 75th anniversary of various Second World War actions, some of which are noted below. Date Event Description 5 June 1919 British North Russian Although no Australian units fought in the civil war Relief Force arrives in that followed the Bolshevik revolution in 1917, a Russia number of Australian servicemen volunteered to fight in the British units that went to Russia to assist the White Russian forces. The British had sent the North Russian Expeditionary Force in 1918 (which included nine Australians). When this force had to be withdrawn in 1919, the all-volunteer North Russian Relief Force was raised and sent to assist the safe withdrawal of the first force.
    [Show full text]
  • TRANSVAAL to TARIN KOWT Digital Booklet
    TRANSVAAL TO TARIN KOWT Australians at War Centenary of ANZAC Brisbane 25 April 2015 1 Before Federation From 1788 until Federation in 1901, the Australian colonies created their own naval and military forces for defence. Queensland came into being on 6 June 1859 and in 1860 raised its first military unit, the Queensland Mounted Rifles. Together with a small number of infantry and artillery, the colony's military forces totalled about 250 men based primarily in Brisbane and Ipswich. In 1867, two new units were raised; the Spring Hill and Fortitude Valley Volunteer Rifle Corps and the Frog Hollow Rangers. In 1897 the Queensland Mounted Rifles became the Queensland Mounted Infantry which was to serve in South Africa in the Boer War. The unit became part of the Australian Army in 1901 but retained its colonial name and distinctive slouch hat worn with emu plumes. It served with horses in World War One before converting to armoured vehicles in all conflicts from World War Two to Iraq and Afghanistan. The colonies also had their own gunboats. By 1880 Queensland had Her Majesty’s Queensland Ships Paluma and Gayundah shown here in South Brisbane Dry- dock. At Federation they became part of the new Australian Navy, later the Royal Australian Navy. 2 The Boer War 1899-1902 Although Australian colonial forces had been involved in the Sudan War in 1885 and the Boxer Rebellion in China in 1900, the first war in which Australia participated as a nation was the Boer War in South Africa from 1899 to 1902. The first conflict in 1880-81, not involving Australians, saw Dutch settlers or Boers resist their colonies being absorbed into the British Empire.
    [Show full text]
  • Russia and USA Allies? Melbourne Cup Day Australian's
    BRISBANE WATER (NSW) LEGACY No 70 November 2013 Australian’s awarded VC’s in Russia? Russia and USA Allies? Melbourne Cup Day Night of Stars NIGHT OF STARS NEW BUS DRIVER On Thursday 19th September at Legacy Hall in Point Hello to all my friends at BWL. Frederic, an evening event was held to formally thank After 37 years working for an American multinational and recognise all staff who have worked for Brisbane company in sales, I decided to take early retirement in Water (NSW) Legacy for 10 or more years. All received a May 2012 and then I had eight months off to “smell the Legacy Australia 90th Year Gold Medallion, along with a roses”, as they say. certificate recognising length of service. One of the most magnificent things I have noticed On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to is how all the ladies in the widows groups support thank all these staff: each other during all their ups and downs. This is so important in our Australian society and our Legacy Gail Wilkinson 31 years ladies lead by example here. I have said even before I was Pauline North 25 years with BWL that the generation who are now in their 80’s Shirley Alchin 24 years and 90’s are the greatest generation this nation has ever Cheryl Sami 24 years had. I stand by that statement unequivocally. Ruth Egan 24 years The way I have been accepted into BWL has been quite Gweneth Peace 24 years overwhelming. The management, staff and residents Dawn Waterman 23 years at Point Frederick, the staff and residents at Wyoming Marion Frith 23 years and the staff and residents at Norah Head have all been Jan Stinson 22 years so supportive.
    [Show full text]
  • Australian Contribution to the Allied Intervention in Russia 1918–1919 from Wikipedia
    Historical Officers Report April 2019 Australian contribution to the Allied Intervention in Russia 1918–1919 From Wikipedia Australian Fusiliers of the 45th Battalion in Russia, 1919 The Russian Civil War (1917–1921) began after the provisional government collapsed and the Bolshevik party assumed power in Russia in October 1917. The principal fighting occurred between the Bolshevik Red Army and the forces of the White Army, being a group of loosely allied anti-Bolshevik forces. During the war a number of foreign armies also took part, mostly fighting against the Red Army—including the Western allies—whilst many foreign volunteers also fought for both sides. Other nationalist and regional political groups also participated in the war, including the Ukrainian nationalist Green Army, the Ukrainian anarchist Black Army and Black Guards, and warlords such as Ungern von Sternberg. Despite some pressure from Britain, the Australian Prime Minister, William Hughes, had refused to commit forces to Russia following the end of World War I in 1918. However, while no Australian units were engaged in operations there, many individuals did subsequently become involved through service with the British Army during the North Russia Campaign. They served in a variety of roles, including as advisors to White Russian units as part of the North Russian Expeditionary Force (NREF). About 150 men of the Australian Imperial Force who were still in England awaiting repatriation following the end of World War I also enlisted as infantry in the North Russia Relief Force (NRRF), where they were involved in a number of sharp battles. The Royal Australian Navy was involved too, with the destroyer HMAS Swan briefly engaged in an intelligence gathering mission in the Black Sea in late 1918 on behalf of the British military mission then advising the White Russian general, Anton Denikin.
    [Show full text]
  • Recipients of the Victoria Cross
    Recipients of the Victoria Cross Recipients of the Victoria Cross The following 26 stories are about outstanding valour on the battlefields of the Great War. They tell the story of those men, either born or resident of Victoria, or who enlisted here, who were recipients of the Victoria Cross, the British Empire’s highest award for bravery in wartime, and now Australia’s pre-eminent award for conspicuous gallantry in combat. he award dates back to 1856 when it was instituted by Queen Not surprisingly most of the exploits occurred at Gallipoli and on TVictoria after the Crimean War and made retrospective to cover that the various battlefields of France; this includes the first Australian soldier conflict. It is an award that from the outset could be awarded to a soldier of the war to receive the Victoria Cross, Albert Jacka. of any rank, providing the action could be attested by witnesses and But other actions occurred in further fields. William Dartnell, born took place ‘in the face of the enemy’. in Collingwood in 1885 and buried in Kenya, was awarded his Victoria When hostilities broke out between the great powers of Europe Cross posthumously, after dying in September 1915 while fighting one hundred years ago, Australia had been a nation for only 14 years. against the German army in East Africa. The colony of Victoria had been established in 1851, only five years Samuel Pearse was born in Wales, migrated to Mildura, joined up before the introduction of the Victoria Cross, and the Queen had given when he was 17 and survived France, but received his posthumous her name to both.
    [Show full text]
  • Winter 2020 Gallipoli Gazette
    Vol. 50, No. 2 (New Series) WINTER 2020 THE GALLIPOLI GAZETTE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE GALLIPOLI MEMORIAL CLUB LTD Alison Mackay with her winning painting "Breathe" 2020 Gallipoli Art Prize Despite the COVID-19 lock down, the 15th Gallipoli Art Prize proceeded with electronic assistance. Alison Mackay, of St George’s coast and posed a real threat to for their bravery. Their courage Basin at Jervis Bay on the NSW her community. and comradeship reminded me of South Coast, won the $20,000 “We spent New Year’s Eve the ANZAC spirit,” Alison said. acquisitive Gallipoli Art Prize for dressed in masks and goggles to “With the world now battling 2020 with her powerful work protect our eyes and lungs from corona virus, the painting has a Breathe which depicted nine diff- smoke as we stayed to defend our certain prescience although it was erent gas masks, mostly from home from potential ember attack. painted before the first case of World War One. It was a scary time for everyone, COVID 19 was diagnosed in Alison said she began thinking but particularly it reminded me Australia,” according to John about breathing masks and what an extraordinary job the Robertson, President of the respirators over the summer Rural Fire Service was doing day Gallipoli Memorial Club and one period when the bushfires were at after day to keep us all safe. We their worst on the NSW south owe them a great debt of thanks of the judges of the prize. 1 ‘The title Breathe is perhaps a including the Bundanon Collection semi-automatic rifle, the standard timely reminder that, in these and National Gallery of Australia, issue personal weapon for difficult days, we all need to take a Canberra (as part of the Animalia Australian soldiers during the moment to breathe.’ print collection).
    [Show full text]
  • Camaraderie Vol 50, No 3
    PRINT POST APPROVED PP100008161 COST: $5.00. FREE TO MEMBERS A PERSONAL VIEW OF PTSD AND THE ADF WOMEN IN COMBAT Investment Decisions DEFENCE FORCE WELFARE ASSOCIATION www.dfwa.org.au Lestpoppy We locket Forget Endorsed by the Defense Force Honour the memory of a hero in elegant style Association of Australia Poignantly engraved Keep your hero with you always. Diamonesk® simulated Diamond • 24-carat gold plated The vibrant poppy is a symbol of remembrance honouring those who sacrificed all so that we remain free. Now you can keep the memory of your hero close in LocketLoLockkett shownshow larger than actual size of 3cm high x 2.2cm wide to highlight the eexextraordinaryxtraaorrdinary detail of its design. (Photo not included) the “Lest We Forget Poppy Locket,” an artful new jewellery creation available ©2019©©220119 TheT BradfordBra Exchange Ltd. A.B.N. 13 003 159 617 503-SAM71.01 only from The Bradford Exchange. Expertly hand-crafted, the 24K gold-plated design showcases a delicate poppy PAY NOTHING NOW created in lustrous, hand-applied enamel with the words “Lest We Forget” Please Respond finely etched beneath. 16 genuine Swarovski crystals add sparkling contrast to Promptly the elegant design. Inside the heartfelt words “At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them. Lest We Forget” are carefully engraved. YES! Please reserve the “Lest We Forget Poppy Locket” for me as One side has space for a photo of a loved one who served so their memory can described in this advertisement. I understand I need pay nothing now.
    [Show full text]
  • Australian Victoria Cross Recipients
    AUSTRALIAN VICTORIA CROSS RECIPIENTS There exists amongst the Australian Defence Force and a number of Australian defence- related organizations (such as the Australian War Memorial and the Department for Veterans’ Affairs) a misunderstanding with regard to the number of Australian Victoria Cross (VC) recipients. The current stated figure of 98 recipients is, to put it bluntly, wrong and the problem is that Australians, particularly school children learning about out Defence history and visitors to the War Memorial, are being taught and informed about a distortion of facts. The correct number of Australian VC recipients, as at 2011, is in fact 93. An Australian VC recipient is a person who was in the Australian defence force, as an Australian serviceman, at the time of the action for which he was awarded the Cross, regardless of his country of origin or citizenship. It is interesting to note that of the Australian servicemen awarded the VC eight were English, four were New Zealanders, two were Irish, two were South African and one was Danish (an “English” Australian Serviceman was awarded the Cross during the South African War and during The Great War the Australian recipients included the other seven Englishmen, the four New Zealanders, the Irishman and the Dane). The incorrect number of 98 includes four Australians and an Englishman who were NOT Australian servicemen at the time of their relevant actions. These men were as follows: Sergeant James Rogers. Rogers initially served in the South African War in Australia’s 1st Victorian Mounted Infantry Company; however, when the Unit returned to Australia in 1900 Rogers stayed behind, discharged from the Australian colonial unit and joined the South African Constabulary.
    [Show full text]
  • Camaraderie Vol 47, No 2.Qxp Layout 1
    PRINT POST APPROVED PP100008161 WAR IN SOUTH CHINA SEA? MEFLOQUINE IN THE ADF THE ADF AT WORK NON LIABILITY HEALTH CARE CPL COSMOS REPORTS AND MUCH MORE! DEFENCE FORCE WELFARE ASSOCIATION www.dfwa.org.au THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE DEFENCE FORCE WELFARE ASSOCIATION Vol. 47. No. 2 Second Edition 2016 PROUDLY SERVING MEMBERS OF THE ADF AND THEIR FAMILIES SINCE 1959 EDITOR A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Mr Les Bienkiewicz This edition was difficult to compile given the date of the federal election, so there is little on PO Box 4166 DFWA policies etc. Nevertheless I trust you enjoy reading the magazine, and if you do, please KINGSTON ACT 2604 pass it along to a friend, neighbour or drop it off at your doctors etc office ! I also encourage P: 0411 444 248 E: [email protected] you to support our sponsors, whose advertisements are in the magazine. Les Bienkiewicz Please do not contact the Editor or National Office for membership enquiries etc. Branch contact details are at page 4, and in Branch News at the end of this magazine. If unsure, please CONTENTS SECOND EDITION 2016 then contact the National Office. Contact Details 4 From the President’s Pen 5 Camaraderie is produced with the object of keeping every member abreast of the more National Office Roundup 6 important actions taken by the Association on The Coming War for the South China Sea 7 behalf of its members, as well as keeping them informed about matters of interest. Letter to the Editor 12 It is published three times a year and distributed The ADF at Work - HMAS Darwin 13 free of charge to every member of the Australian Values 14 Association usually in March, July and December.
    [Show full text]
  • Print This Page
    RAAF Radschool Association Magazine – Vol 35 Page 12 The VC. Chris Jobson With the recent awarding of a VC to an Australian soldier the Australian media and the Australian War Memorial comment that there are now "98 Australian VCs"; this figure is wrong - there are now 93 Australian servicemen that have been awarded the Cross. There exists amongst the Australian Defence Force and a number of Australian defence-related organizations (such as the Australian War Memorial and the Department for Veterans’ Affairs) a misunderstanding with regard to the number of Australian Victoria Cross (VC) recipients. The current stated figure of 98 recipients is, to put it bluntly, wrong and the problem is that Australians, particularly school children learning about our Defence history and visitors to the War Memorial, are being taught and informed about a distortion of facts. The correct number of Australian VC recipients, as at 2011, is in fact 93. An Australian VC recipient is a person who was in the Australian defence force, as an Australian serviceman, at the time of the action for which he was awarded the Cross, regardless of his country of origin or citizenship. It is interesting to note that of the Australian servicemen awarded the VC eight were English, four were New Zealanders, two were Irish, two were South African and one was Danish (an “English” Australian Serviceman was awarded the Cross during the South African War and during The Great War the Australian recipients included the other seven Englishmen, the four New Zealanders, the Irishman and the Dane). The incorrect number of 98 includes four Australians and an Englishman who were NOT Australian servicemen at the time of their relevant actions.
    [Show full text]