4th Regiment, Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery in Townsville, Queensland | Community organisation

4th Regiment, Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery

Locality: Townsville, Queensland

Address: Chau pau Lines, Lavarack Baracks 4813 Townsville, QLD, Australia

Website: www.army.gov.au/our-people/units/forces-command/3rd-brigade/4th-regiment

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23.01.2022 The soldiers of 107 BTY RAA have served the Australian Army on many operations; warlike or peacekeeping, foreign or domestic, the Rammers are always ready when its needed. #AlwaysReady

23.01.2022 #OurPeople of 4th Regiment, Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery put down some impressive fire power during Exercise Chau Pha this month. This exercise provided gun detachments the opportunity to work together within their team, testing their technical and tactical skills across several Regimental gun positions in order to bring lethal and accurate fires supporting Battlegroup manoeuvre units. All eight Detachments worked hard to make sure they could quickly provide the syn...chronised fires in support of the Forward Observer. #ReadyNow

23.01.2022 CAPT Timothy Prier was recently promoted to the rank of major at the Regiments pre-exercise brief. Formerly our QM, he was appointed to the position of Battery Commander of CSS Battery. Pictured is his wife, Kerry, replacing his captain rank slide with that of major.

21.01.2022 This month 79 years ago, the 2/4th Field Regiment took part in the defeat of the Vichy French in Lebanon and Syria. During June and July 1941, soon after they were issued their new 25 Pounder guns, the Regiment advanced northward along the coast enduring regular air attack, tank encounters and counter-battery fire from the larger calibre French artillery. Most casualties were from the latter. Owing to the disparity in armour between the Australian and the French tanks, the gu...ns were often called forward to provide cover to advancing Allied armour. The final battle for Damour involved 72 field guns plus mediums, naval and air support. Mules were used by the OP parties to lay comms line to some of the OPs in the surrounding hills. It was at this battle LT Roden Cutler, from the neighbouring 2/5th Field Regiment was wounded earning his VC. The French called for an armistice on the 12th of July. The Regiment had fired over 40,000 rounds in 35 days and suffered three KIA and 14 WIA. Sources: 2/4th Australian Field Regiment - RL Henry 4th Field Regiment RAA Historical Guide - Arthur Burke See more

21.01.2022 Museum Curator, Paddy Durnford with the assistance of Storeperson PTE Cheney, conducted a stocktake on the museums valuable collection. The 4th Regiment museum is an incredibly important resource for our members - reflection and learning from our past helps us to be #FutureReady. When local restrictions are lifted, we would welcome a visit!

20.01.2022 This day in 1918, the 31st of Aug, marks the commencement of the three-day battle for the strategic Mont St Quentin and Perrone, the former by units of the Australian 2nd Division, including the 4th Australian Field Artillery Brigade (4th AFAB). In contrast to earlier, set piece battles, orders for the attack on the Mont were issued the evening prior, including the attacking force crossing the Somme River. A further contrast was that the understrength battalions would have on...ly five Field Artillery Brigades (consisting of three Field Batteries and one Howitzer Battery) in support, one of which was the 4th. The 107 and 108 Howitzer Batteries, as part of their Brigades, were to join the battle three days later. The usual creeping barrage was to be dispensed with and fire was to be lifted as the infantry moved forward, more in common with the quick fireplans of modern times. At 5 am two grossly under strength battalions (barely 550 men backed up by another 200 in close support), charged up Mont St Quentin yelling wildly like a lot of bushrangers to disguise their numbers. The cheering platoons at once ran into crowds of Germans, who seemed bewildered and quickly surrendered indeed in many cases they were simply pushed to the rear with their hands up, leaving their machine-guns lying on the ground. They were from one of the best divisions of the German Army which had just been sent up to relieve the overstrained garrison. It all happened like lightning, wrote the historian of one of the German units, and before we had fired a shot we were taken unawares. The 4th AFAB was the only brigade to have Batteries across the Somme River that day. One, the 12th, was credited with "magnificent shooting" by the attacking forces. Later that day, the understrength defenders were pushed off the summit by German reinforcements. The following day, September 1st, another infantry brigade retook the Mont and held it for good. Another Division attacked the nearby fortified village of Perrone the same day and had it completely in Australian hands by the 2nd of September. Commander of the Fourth Army (of which the Australian Corps were part of), Sir Henry Rawlinson, remarked that this feat by the Australian troops under Monashs command was the greatest of the war. This three-day battle resulted in 3000 casualties and eight Victoria Crosses being awarded to Australians. Sources: Beaten Down by Blood, The Battle of Mont St Quentin- Perrone 1918 - Michele Bomford AWM See more

18.01.2022 A lot of planning goes into deploying a Regiment! Before we deployed to the Townsville Field Training Area for Exercise Chau Pha, the regiment conducted extensive planning serials to ensure we remain efficient and effective in the battle space. The two-week Command Post exercise (CPX), which involves the coordination of fire support rehearsals, allows us to execute drills within the JFECC, Command Post and on the gunline prior to moving into the field environment.... Our CPX was carried out on the regiment parade ground, with each of the batteries conducting dry rehearsals of fire missions. #GoodSoldiering

17.01.2022 75 years ago this month, the end of the Second World War in 1945 found 4th Field Regiment in action in Bougainville, New Guinea (now PNG) and its 2nd AIF cousin, the 2/4th Field Regiment, at Balikpapan, Borneo (now Kalimantan, Indonesia). 4th Field Regiment: Two months after the epic battle at Porton Plantation, the Japanese were still providing fierce resistance despite Australian preparations for the coming surrender and occupation of Bougainville. On the 12th of August, t...hree days after the second nuclear weapon detonated over Nagasaki and one day prior to the surrender announcement, a gun of 4th Field Regiment had a round explode prematurely, killing GNRs George Bull, Henry Woodland and Tich Audsley. SGT George Hamlin, BDR Madden and GNR Tom Riley (later to die from wounds) were wounded. On the 19th the local Japanese had still not surrendered and attacked an Australian fishing party with a floating mine. GNR Toc Curtis was killed and GNR Jimmy Hartley was wounded. 4th Field Regiment sailed into Brisbane on Christmas Eve 1945 and soon disbanded, almost four years after being mobilised. 15 members paid the supreme sacrifice and 19 were WIA. Honours and awards included three MC, four MM, one MBE and 17 MID. 2/4th Field Regiment: At Balikpapan the Japanese were putting up ferocious opposition to the very end. Six members of the Regiment, all members of F.O.O. parties (mentioned in an earlier post), were KIA within eight weeks of the wars end. During August the gunners engaged the enemy with several rounds each night. On the night before the official surrender announcement, 7 Battery fired 1000 rounds with the honour of firing the final round being given to a local boy. The following month members of the Regiment attended the surrender ceremony and soon after raffled off Japanese swords and daggers handed in by the Japanese! The 2/4th Field Regiment returned home piecemeal according to their length of service, with the last element disbanding in Brisbane in February 1946. In the five years and nine months since the Regiment was raised, thirty members paid the supreme sacrifice. Honours and awards included two DSO, five MC, two MM and 14 MID. Sources: 4th Field Regiment Historical Guide 2002 Arthur Burke 2/4th Aust. Field Regiment RL Henry The Last Days of Word War 2 Notes by CAPT (later MAJGEN) J Whitelaw Picture #1 Bougainville during the last days of the war. GNR R. Warner of 4th Field Regiment, loading a cardboard container which carries propaganda leaflets - surrender messages - into a 25 pounder projectile. With him are GNR H. G. Brown and Gunner T. C. Felley. Picture #2 Japanese surrender at Balikpapan, Borneo, attended by members of the 2/4th Field Regiment.

16.01.2022 The Dome Simulator is an excellent tool that is frequently used within 4th Regiment, Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. It enables us to train the integration of a number of functions that are digitally connected to deliver lethal joint fires and effects across 3rd Brigade - Australian Army and #YourADF. Last week Gunners from 106th Battery conducted All Arms Call For Fire (AACFF) training with members from 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion - Australian Army Workshops. AACFF is a basic soldier skill that enables all-corps observers to engage targets with indirect fire assets, such as artillery and mortars. Members from 3 CSSB Workshops will be utilising these skills during a military skills competition in the coming weeks and we wish them all the best. #GoodSoldiering #AcceleratedWarfare #ArmyInMotion

16.01.2022 GNR Scott Gall next to the Regiments amazing new memorial. With black granite sourced from country NSW, it weighs 5 tons. It has over 200 names of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in four conflicts etched in gold. Scott made a significant contribution to the design. The concrete surrounds and garden have yet to be completed and we will post updates as they are completed.

16.01.2022 As unit training recommences, making sure the members of the Regiment are combat focused, last week 4th Regiment headed to the Marksmanship Training Range at Mount Stuart Training Area. This activity saw every person in the Regiment tested in the application of the marksmanship principles by engaging multiple static and moving targets at varying distances in a time compressed range practice. This training ensures every soldiers combat skills are ready to apply lethal effects... when and where they are required. #AlwaysReady #GoodSoldiering

15.01.2022 A great cause! Dig deep and support Legacy Australia. 4th Regiment soldiers will be out and about around Townsville again tomorrow supporting Legacy Week.

14.01.2022 On this day 75 years ago, the 2/4th Field Regiment took part in Australias largest, and last, amphibious landing of WWII, Operation Oboe II. The objective was Balikpapan on the island of Borneo, the site of Japans largest oil production facility. Neither the Australians nor the Japanese knew the war would end in six weeks. Despite a massive pre-invasion air and naval bombardment (12,000 rounds and 10,000 rockets), the 7th division still experienced heavy fighting as it pus...hed inland. The first battery reported ready 90 minutes after the initial landing and immediately commenced firing. In the first four days of the campaign the 2/4th fired more than 10,000 rounds including artillery duels with the Japanese. This was also the Regiments first use of air OPs. CAPT "Blue" Whyte earned the Military Cross for his excellent work at various OPs during the first four days of the campaign, despite being earlier wounded by a phosphorus round. OP members suffered grievously throughout this short campaign. LT Johnny Pearson was killed whilst patrolling with the infantry on the first day. He was the Troop Commander and first to jump at Nadzab in 1943. He was also awarded the Military Cross for his actions at Shaggy Ridge six months earlier. A week later, LBDR K. Goodhew was killed at his OP by enemy artillery. His medals are on display at our museum. Soon after, GNR AH Davis was killed by a mine and BDR Frank Brock, from the same OP party, was killed in an ambush. LT Frank Ross, another Nadzab veteran, was killed when the enemy attacked his OP. Three weeks prior to the Japanese surrendering, GNR JS Hatch was killed fighting off an enemy ambush whilst laying signal cable. Sources: AWM The story of the 2/4th Aust. Field Regiment, RL Henry

14.01.2022 On this day, in 1943, the airborne component of Operation POSTERN took place at a disused airfield called Nadzab in New Guinea (now PNG). On the day prior, the 9th Australian Division staged an amphibious landing east of Lae. This landing was the first amphibious assault by Australian forces since Gallipoli. The following day a "light section" of the 2/4th Field Regiment conducted an airborne insertion at Nadzab in support of the US 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR). A...Continue reading

13.01.2022 Tully Training Area has been used to prepare ADF soldiers for Jungle operations since the 1940s. 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery has recently deployed to JTW for two weeks of intense team training. The Jungle Training Wing from CTC has been exceptional in developing a program that focuses on foundation jungle knowledge, and working at small team and Battery level. Our small teams are the cornerstone of #OurArmy The Exercise will culminate with the True Grit Challenge, which will pit each section against each other in a half day race through the Jungle - more to follow....

12.01.2022 #OurPeople of 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery have been working diligently throughout the past weeks to ensure that they were prepared for their upcoming Regimental field activity. Prior to the exercise the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Allan CSM, conducted an inspection of each battery to ensure the Regiment is prepared to provide accurate and lethal fire support during exercise Chau Pha. Preparedness is an essential requirement of the 4th Regiment, ensuring that our equipment and skill sets are #ReadyNow and deployable.

12.01.2022 With the Regiment deployed on Exercise CHAU PHA and LONG KHAN over the past two weeks, #OurPeople of 4th Regiment, Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery occupy a large footprint on the battlespace. Prior to departing, the 4th Regiment command team conducted an inspection of all mission essential equipment to ensure that we are able to rapidly deploy in support of manoeuvre elements. These field-training exercises deliver engaging, technical training, ensuring the Regiment is... proficient when providing accurate and lethal fires. More exciting photos and videos to follow! #ReadyNow and deployable.

12.01.2022 Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Smith, a former member of the Regiment, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) for distinguished leadership in warlike operations as Commanding Officer Training Task Unit, Task Group Taji VIII in Iraq from December 2018 to July 2019. LTCOL Smith was a former soldier, NCO and OPSO of 4th Regiment.

11.01.2022 79 years ago this week the 2/4th Field Regiment saw its first significant action of WW2. On the 9th of June 1941 the 2/4th Field Regiment was supporting the 21st Brigades drive into Lebanon and Syria, held by the Vichy French (who had sided with the Axis Forces) when they came under fire from two French Destroyers, the Guepard and Valmy. In the ensuing duel the ships withdrew under cover from a smoke screen. GNR J Perry became the regiments first WIA from a ships shell sp...linter (the original panorama shown is displayed in the School of Artillery). Soon after, the Brigade crossed the Litani River in a hard-fought action for which CAPT DC Gaunt was awarded the MC and LBDR Roy Murphy was MID. The action continued over the next week during assaults an Adloun and the fortified city of Sidon. Two more WIA from air attacks were followed by several section and single-gun deployments to the front, engaging tanks and enemy guns over open sights. The CO, Major (later LTCOL) L Rau, personally led one 25 Pdr forward at night and, at short range, they drove off eight light tanks and destroyed a fortified house. Sadly, in another engagement over open sights, a section of guns sustained direct hits killing LT Tony Doolette and GNR Norm Hamshaw and wounding five others. One gun was left behind but was later retrieved. Sources: 4th Field Regiment Historical Guide, Arthur Burke. Second World War Official Histories - Australia in the War of 19391945, Gavin Long 2/4th Aust. Field Regiment, 2/4th Field Regiment Association

11.01.2022 The soldiers of 4th Regiment have been doing it tough the last couple of weeks at Tully. They completed two weeks in the jungle with the True Grit challenge today, where sections competed in pack marching, stores carry, obstacle course, bayonet assault course and stretcher carry. The announcement for the Best Section and image gallery to follow...

10.01.2022 Today would have marked the commencement of the Regiments 60th Anniversary Celebrations. Unfortunately, the events that the Regiment had planned have been postponed and we will not be able to celebrate this significant occasion together. The Regiment will endeavour to keep everyone informed once the celebrations have been rescheduled. Until then, here is a look back on our Regimental history and other significant occasions at 4 Regt, RAA. 3rd Brigade - Australian Army Australian Army

10.01.2022 The Sallyman has been an institution in the Australian Defence Force for over 120 years, on base, in the field and on operations. Our Sallyman has always been readily available to support 4th Regiment. This years Red Shield Appeal has gone digital. Please consider donating to this great cause. The funds raised will stay in Townsville and will support a wide range of Salvos community activities.... #TeamSallymanLavarackBarracks

09.01.2022 Congratulations to Major Jackson Stanhope on his promotion and selection to be the next Battery Commander of 107th Battery. Major Stanhope follows in the footsteps of his father, Colonel Richard Stanhope, AM, who was the Battery Commander of 107th Battery in 1992-93 and the Commanding Officer of 4th Regiment, Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery in 2000-01.

08.01.2022 Our Joint Fires Teams in the field! After conducting realistic, yet simulated training at our Dome Simulator throughout 2020, #ourpeople were able to put their skills into practice during 3rd Brigade - Australian Army's Exercise Brolga Run. Here, members from a joint fires team identify targets with a Vector 21 LRF from a stationary observation post in preparation for an assault during Brolga Run's culminating live fire exercise, Long Khanh, at Townsville Field Training Area.... #goodsoldiering

08.01.2022 #OurPeople from 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery and 5th Aviation Regiment have recently conducted a service of air mobile operations. These operations ...form part of a larger training activity, which will see several of our M777 Howitzers transported from Lavarack Barracks to the Mount Stuart Training Area. #GoodSoldiering #ArmyInMotion

08.01.2022 The 4th Regiment, Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery, have recently introduced a new barrel cleaning system to increase effectiveness in the cleaning and ma...intenance of their M777 Howizters. The introduction of the Airnesco Barrel Cleaning System and chatterer plates has allowed the Regiment to enhance weapon care duties while reducing manual labour requirements. 4th Regiment General Engineering Corporal, Lachlan Fraser, said the new system has made it a lot easier on soldiers. Prior to employing this new system, it was basically manual labour used to clean the guns, Corporal Fraser said. The operators used to spend up to six hours to complete the manual clean and they do that every time they fire while out field and at the end of every exercise. This system is a lot easier on our teams, its automatic and our operators are qualified to use the system. The technical clean with the chatterer plates will then be completed by our workshop technicians. The M777 is the latest artillery piece to be employed by the Australian Army and enables the 4th Regiment, Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery to coordinate and provide joint fires and effects in order to enhance 3rd Brigades warfighting capability.

08.01.2022 Yesterday morning, the Gunners of 4th Regiment hosted the Penrite Racing duo from Erebus Motorsport, taking them through some of our new and technical equipment, followed by a challenging battle PT session. Weve had a partnership with Erebus since 2016 and currently two #AusArmy apprentices work with the Erebus team to hone their skills working on the vehicles. Both the Australian Army and Royal Australian Artillery Association emblems are displayed on the racing vehicles, raising awareness and funds for some of our really important veterans community organisations, such as The Oasis Townsville and Legacy Australia This is particularly relevant this week as it is Legacy Week. #GoodSoldiering #OurPeople

08.01.2022 The Battle of Suou Chau Pha. On this day in 1967, 106 Field Battery provided vital fire support to A Coy 7 RAR who were in a vicious firefight with a similar sized Viet Cong force at Suoi Chau Pha, north west of the 1 ATF base at Nui Dat. After the initial contact, a quick ambush by the leading platoon, both forces attempted to outflank each other and many casualties resulted. The Forward Observer, LT Neville "Nobby" Clark (on right of picture) had 106 Field Battery and a bat...tery of US 155mm howitzers at his disposal. The M2A2s of 106 were firing at near-maximum range of 10,000m and despite heavy fire from RPGs and automatic weapons, he directed fire close to within 50m of the lead platoon. His own words best describe the effect: "Then with the whistle and hollow roar of an express train they were on us. They constitute the loudest noise I have ever heard in my life. The first one, flicking down out of the monsoon, crashed fair and deadly right on the spot I had identified as the most troublesome. Before I could draw breath, the second one fell in exactly the same hole. The third one hit a tree and the crack was ear splitting." The mission was paused only to let RAAF CASEVAC helicopters arrive resulting in two crew injured and the lead aircraft taking eleven hits. The artillery fire was credited with forcing the VC to withdraw. Six Australians were KIA and a further 14 wounded but it was estimated that up to 200 enemy were killed or wounded. In the words of the CO 7RAR, "Lieutenant Clark had acted calmly, methodically and with complete disregard for his own safety throughout the action. His calmness under fire and his professional skill were an inspiration." For this he was awarded the Military Cross, one of three awarded for the battle. To commemorate the part played by the guns in this battle, the accommodation of the 4th Regiment at Lavarack Barracks was named Chau Pha Lines. Sources: Porky Seven website article entitled Suoi Chau Pha by LTCOL Eric H Smith (CO) 4th Field Regiment Historical Guide - Arthur Burke

08.01.2022 The Regiment congratulates Private Mikaela Gallaher, the recipient of the Soldier’s Medallion earlier this year for her diligent and tireless efforts as the Acting Quartermaster of 107 Battery. Despite her lack of experience she displayed initiative, maturity and dedication to perform the role in the face of ever changing requirements in a dynamic work environment. Pictured is the CO, LTCOL Peter Allan, and the RSM, WO1 Matthew Miller CSM, presenting the Soldier’s Medallion to PTE Mikaela Gallaher.

06.01.2022 FIRST INSTALMENT - Gunners from 4th Regiment, Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery had the opportunity to conduct engaging training in collaboration with pilots from 5th Aviation Regiment - Australian Army. Air Mobile Operations were executed with the CH-47 Chinook, a capability that is critical in enabling our field artillery to rapidly manoeuvre around the battlespace, allowing us to provide accurate and lethal offensive support. ... The Regiment will be putting this training into action over the upcoming weeks at Townsville Training Area, providing timely and accurate offensive fires in support of 3rd Brigade on Exercise BROLGA RUN. More to follow...wait out. #GoodSoldiering #ArmyInMotion

06.01.2022 Bringing the fire! Our Regiment was proud to work with units from across 3rd Brigade - Australian Army to provide joint fires throughout Exercise Brolga Run 2020. We finished with a bang during the culminating combined arms live fire exercise, Long Khanh, led by our mates at 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment.... #alwaysready #goodsoldiering

06.01.2022 75 years ago this month, 4th Australian Field Regiment (Jungle Division) took part in the battle of Porton Plantation on the northern end of Bougainville (now part of PNG). On the 8th of June 1945, a reinforced company of the 31st/51st Infantry Battalion was to conduct an amphibious assault onto the plantation in order to cut off the withdrawing Japanese. 11 and 12 Batteries of 4th Field Regiment and 2nd Mountain Battery were in support. The force instead landed further north...Continue reading

06.01.2022 Penni Roden, our Salvation Army rep, also known as the Sallymaam has come through with more personally knitted baby rugs for our members who are expecting babies. Penni, youre a legend. #TeamSallymanLavarackBarracks

06.01.2022 On this day in 1918, the 4th Australian Field Artillery Brigade (consisting of three 18 Pdr gun batteries and one 4.5 inch howitzer battery) was withdrawn from action to rest after the German’s last significant line of defence, the Hindenburg Line, fell. They were located in Busigny, northern France, firing barrages in support of American infantry right up until the day prior. Like the rest of they Australian Corps, who were withdrawn earlier in the month, they were exhausted... from months of constant action, illness (particularly Spanish Flu) and casualties. Since the commencement of mobile warfare after the Battle of Amiens in August, the unit had suffered over 250 casualties, most of them during October. From their ranks four Military Crosses and eight Military Medals were awarded during that period. Such was the frenetic pace of the mobile operations at that time, a battery reconnaissance party overtook the American infantry and were the first to liberate a local town, much to the joy of the enthusiastic civilians. The Fourth didn’t know it at the time but the war would come to an end in only three weeks, before they would be ordered back to the front. Pic: guns of the 4th AFAB operating in the open shortly before being withdrawn to rest. Sources: 4th Field Regiment, RAA Historical Guide 4th AFAB War Diary, October 1918

05.01.2022 Earlier this week, 90 soldiers from the 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, deployed to south-east Queensland on Operation COVID-19 Assist. The troops undertook a series of briefs and training in preparation for the deployment, including increased training on how to keep themselves and the community safe during the pandemic, culminating in a comprehensive readiness check to ensure every soldier and officer deploying is the best prepared they can be to complete their mi...ssion. The ADF is contributing to the whole-of-government response to the COVID-19 pandemic with a range of personnel and logistics support. Defence continues to respond to a variety of contingencies through the Emergency Management Australia-led response. #AlwaysReady #OpCOVID19Assist

05.01.2022 Today marked the end of 4th Regiment, Royal Regiment of Australian Artillerys two weeks of intensive jungle operations at Combat Training Centre - Live - Australian Army in Tully. It was finished with an old Tully tradition being the True Grit challenge. Activities like True Grit, where a soldiers physical and mental endurance are tested, are crucial in the development of our individuals and small teams into a coherent fighting force. Congratulations to 12 Section, led by ...BDR Shaw of 109th Battery. Their team finished True Grit with best time to claim the Champion Section. Conducting jungle training in Tully enables the men and women of our Australian Army to develop leadership and teamwork skills, tactical and technical mastery, and ensure we are #alwaysready to respond to a range of operational requirements. #GoodSoldiering

03.01.2022 At the start of the year, 4 Regt, RAA deployed on Exercise SHOT START as part of a deliberate progression of technical training. The Regt continues to prove that it is highly lethal; connected; and is able to adapt and integrate teams. All in order to provide capability to the 3rd Brigade, wherever and whenever required. We are prepared for the future challenges and remain mission focused always.

03.01.2022 The Battle of Amiens. On this day in 1918 most of the Australian Army in France and the entire Canadian Army spearheaded a significant allied force in their largest and most successful assault. The 4th Australian Artillery Brigade (pictured below sometime after the battle during the mobile phase) as well as the 106th, 107th and 108th Howitzer Batteries (as part of their respective Artillery Brigades) were part of the massive fire support provided. Entire divisions leapfrogged... on another including several artillery brigades in support. This battle was the opening offensive in what was to become the Hundred Days Offensive and the armistice of 11 November. In just over 3 hours, the enemys front line had been overrun. In total, the Allied forces captured 29,144 prisoners, 338 guns, and liberated 116 towns and villages. It marked the end of trench warfare and the commencement of mobile warfare for the remainder of the war. The German leader, General Ludendorff called 8 August "the black day of the German army". Extracts of the Brigades war diary reveals interesting facts and perspectives. Each F.O.O (Forward Observation Officer) party will consist of two officers and three signallers with two DIII telephones, two Lucas lamps (pictures below) and one pair of pigeons. An F.O.O. from the 4th was lucky enough to operate one of the new wireless sets, necessitating a ride in a support tank to the first objective, picture below. The attack and the following offensive can be summed up in the Brigades war diary (also pictured): "The month of August has been one of the most eventful in its history. It has been a month of movement and successful fighting and has provided plenty of excitement and opportunities for the Brigade to prove its mettle. The pushing forward of Sections in close support of the Infantry has given subalterns opportunities of proving their ability as gunners. The Gunners and Drivers have also enjoyed this period and are looking forward to more "pushes" as an offset against the tedium of trench warfare. The hardships have been many, no shelter, nightly bombing, no sleep and hard work but the excitement and the success has kept everyone cheerful and in good spirits." The allies did not have it entirely their own way that day. A German shell killed five command post members from 106th Howitzer Battery and an entire detachment from the 108th were killed or wounded by German counterbattery fire. Source: AWM

02.01.2022 Warrant Officer Tony Kennedy, a former RSM of 4th Regiment, has been awarded the Order of Australia Medal in the Military Division in the Queens Birthday Honours List for meritorious service to the Australian Defence Force in personnel management, training and leadership. 4th Field Regiment was his first posting in 1986. He was to return many years later as the Regiments inaugural Master Gunner and Regimental Sergeant Major. He has since performed the duty of RAA Career Manager and was appointed RSM of the 7th Combat Brigade in January 2018. He has been deployed on three occasions including OP CATALYST in 2006, OP SLIPPER in 2011 and 2012 as well as OP HIGHROAD in 2019.

01.01.2022 A simple but important question: R U OK?

01.01.2022 Throughout 2020, our Joint Fires Teams have used the Dome Simulator to train in engaging enemy targets by joint fire assets and calling for indirect fire support from artillery and mortars. This training culminated on Exercise Brolga Run when the JFT called in both mortar and artillery live fires onto enemy positions. The Dome Simulator is a key training facility at the regiment and provides a realistic training environment for a number of training objectives, including all arms calls for fires training, command decision making exercises, mortar training and more. Check back tomorrow to see how this simulated training transfers to the field environment!