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25.01.2022 On This Day 20 September 1917 This post covers two members who won the Victoria Cross- Near Ypres...Continue reading

25.01.2022 On This Day 12 September 1955 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, (2 RAR) advance party arrive in Penang, Malaya - Australian forces served in Malaya as part of the Far East Strategic Reserve. Their primary role was to deter external communist aggression against south-east Asia and their secondary role was to assist in the suppression of the communist insurrection in Malaya.... Australias involvement in the Emergency began in 1950 with the arrival of RAAF aircraft and personnel in Singapore. Dakotas from 38 Squadron were deployed on cargo runs, troop movements and paratroop and leaflet drops in Malaya, while six Lincoln bombers of 1 Squadron provided the backbone of aerial operations. As the capacity of army and police units operating against the communists improved, however, the need for air power decreased and, by 1952, Lincolns were increasingly used as part of combined air-ground assaults against the communists. One of the major military successes of the conflict was one such coordinated operation in July 1954, east of Ipoh in Perak. In Operation Termite, five RAAF Lincolns and six from a Royal Air Force squadron made simultaneous attacks on two communist camps, followed by paratroop drops, a ground attack and further bombing runs ten days later. The operation destroyed 181 camps and killed thirteen communists; one communist surrendered. By October 1955, when the main body 2 RAR arrived in Penang, the outcome of the Emergency was no longer in doubt, although a lengthy "mopping up" stage followed, largely undertaken by Australian troops. 2 RAR crossed to the mainland in January 1956 to begin anti-communist operations. Over the next 20 months, as part of 28 Commonwealth Brigade, 2 RAR participated in a variety of operations, mainly in Perak, one of the main areas of communist activity. Their work consisted of extensive patrolling, watching for contacts in the rubber plantations and mounting a perimeter guard on the New Villages, settlements which the government had established to provide infrastructure and services in outlying areas in the hope of denying the guerrillas access to their support base. Contacts were rare, however, and the battalion had a mixed record, killing two communists in an ambush on 25 June 1956 but losing three of its own troops. 2 RAR left Malaya in October 1957 and was replaced by 3 RAR in the same month. For further information see following link: https://malaysia.highcommission.gov.au//History%20of%20the YouTube links: https://youtu.be/XJ-jFcVBLsg https://youtu.be/CRz3O2qOQDU

24.01.2022 On This Day 20 September 1912 Official approval is given for the establishment of a military Central Flying School. Official formation of the Australian Flying Corps. The AFC went on to serve in Mesopotamia, the Middle East, and the Western Front and was the branch of the Australian Army responsible for operating aircraft during World War I, and the forerunner of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The AFC was established in 1912, though it was not until 1914 that it began... flight training. In 1911, at the Imperial Conference held in London it was decided that aviation should be developed by the various national armed forces of the British Empire. Australia became the first member of the Empire to follow this policy. By the end of 1911, the Army was advertising for pilots and mechanics. During 1912 pilots and mechanics were appointed, aircraft were ordered, the site of a flying school had been chosen and the first squadron was officially raised. On 7 March 1913, the government officially announced formation of the Central Flying School (CFS) and an Australian Aviation Corps, although that name was never widely used. In March 1914, a staff officer, Major Edgar Reynolds, was officially appointed General Staff Officer in charge of a branch covering intelligence, censorship, and aviation within the Armys Department of Military Operations. Following the outbreak of World War I and the expansion of the Army, aviation became a separate branch commanded by Reynolds. However, during the war, AFC operational units were attached and subordinate to Australian ground forces and/or British ground and air commands. Reynolds role was mostly administrative rather than one that involved operational command. Units were formed for service overseas with the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). They saw action, initially, in the Mesopotamian Campaign. It later saw action in both Palestine and France during World War I. In addition, a training wing was established in the United Kingdom. Following the end of the war, Reynolds was succeeded by Colonel Richard Williams. The corps remained part of the Australian Army until 1921, when it was re-established as the independent RAAF. For further information see following link/s: https://www.airforce.gov.au//RAAFmu/research/units/cfs.htm https://www.heritagemedals.com.au/central-flying-school-ge/ YouTube link/s: https://youtu.be/raenuJNfqMA https://youtu.be/e9Cu8n2iY1k

24.01.2022 Queen approves Victoria Cross for WWII hero Teddy Sheean About time Teddy gets the recognition he so truly deserved. Brilliant news https://www.abc.net.au//teddy-sheean-victoria-cr/12550210

24.01.2022 On This Day 14 September 1914 HMA Submarine AE1 lost off New Guinea - The AE1 and AE2 were the first submarines to serve with the Royal Australian Navy. The AE1 disappeared without trace during operations for the capture of German New Guinea. The crew consisted of personnel from Britain, Australia and New Zealand (one).... The loss of AE1 with her entire complement of three officers and 32 sailors was the RANs first major tragedy and it marred an otherwise successful operation to seize the German colonies in New Guinea and the South Pacific. It is not known what caused AE1 to disappear without trace, and the first of several new searches was conducted in 1976 to establish her location. Until 2017 none of these had been successful. In December 2017 a new search, using the vessel Fugro Equator, located the wreck of AE1 in 300 metres of water off the Duke of York Island group. On 21 December 2017 the Australian Government formally announced that the exact location of the wreck would not be publicly disclosed. In April 2018, an expedtion was conducted using the Research Vessel RV Petrel to perform a detailed Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) survey of the wreck of HMAS AE1. The ships ROV, fitted with high-definition video and stills cameras, undertook a comprehensive, non-invasive inspection of the submarine, revealing new information. Over 8000 digital still images were collected during the survey and those images have been processed to generate a full photogrammetric 3D model of the entire wreck. A team of experts is now analysing the footage to better understand what happened to AE1. For further information see following link/s: https://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-ae1&xid=17259,15700002,1570002 YouTube link/s: https://youtu.be/Mv5z2Z0JRdM https://youtu.be/70PL4J0MZos https://youtu.be/gXkpymUMKVI

23.01.2022 For those that may have missed the Daily Telegraph video on Sunday about Luke, his own story on leaving the military, how our farm came to be and why the farm and the dogs have literally saved his life ... here it is ... Jane Thomson, The Daily Telegraph

23.01.2022 On This Day 21 September 1918 Australian Flying Corps at Wadi Fara - Australian and British airmen of the Australian Flying Corps and Royal Flying Corps attack retreating Turkish troops in the Wadi Fara, Palestine...Continue reading

23.01.2022 On This Day 12 November 1943 Last Japanese air raid on Darwin... On 19 February 1942, 188 planes were launched against Darwin whose harbour was full of ships. Eight ships were sunk, two were beached and later refloated and many of the other 35 ships in the harbour were damaged by bomb or machine gun fire. Darwin town and the RAAF aerodrome were also heavily damaged by the raid. A second raid of 54 bombers was launched two hours later on the same day. The raids on 19 February were the first two of sixty-four raids against the Darwin area and its nearby airfields, which bore the brunt of Japanese attacks on mainland Australia. In January 1943, No.1 Fighter Wing, RAF moved to the Darwin area with three Spitfire squadrons, No. 54 RAF at Darwin, No.452 RAAF at Strauss and No.457 RAAF at Livingstone. The Spitfires had major clashes with the Japanese on 2 and 15 March 1943. On 20 June 1943, the Spitfires intercepted the formation of 21 bombers and 21 fighters, shooting down nine bombers and five fighters. This was the most successful encounter by the RAAF over Darwin, during which the Group Captain Caldwell, an ace from the European theatre, shot down his fifth Japanese aircraft. The final air raid on Darwin took place on 12 November 1943. For further information see following link/s: https://www.awm.gov.au/articl/encyclopedia/air_raids/darwin https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au//australia-under-/air-raids https://sjacksonwartime.weebly.com/bombing-of-darwin.html YouTube link/s: https://youtu.be/WyvnnCTaYX8 https://youtu.be/LIn695k9QiU

21.01.2022 On This Day 13 November 1965 Warrant Officer Class 2 Kevin "Dasher" Wheatley, Australian Army Training Team Vietnam, is awarded the first Victoria Cross of the Vietnam War posthumously in the Tra Bong Valley, Quang Ngai province....Continue reading

20.01.2022 How AMAZING is this!! pins are still available at https://soldier-on.giveeasy.org/driveway-at-dawn 1 pin for $10+ donation

20.01.2022 On This Day 19 September 1943 2/6th Independent Company capture Kaiapit, New Guinea - Kaiapit was needed for the airstrip that was to be constructed there once the Japanese had been driven from the area. Kaiapit became a base for the 7th Divisions advance up the Markham Valley...Continue reading

19.01.2022 On This Day This post is a follow-on of my earlier post reference Australias involvement in the attack on the Hindenburg Line 1918. This post details two Australians that won the Victoria Cross at Le Verguier.... First 18 September 1918 Sergeant M V Buckley, 13th Battalion, originally from Hawthorn, Victoria, wins the Victoria Cross at Le Verguier Maurice Buckley (1891-1921), born in Hawthorn, Melbourne, was a coach trimmer before enlisting in late 1914. His early service was inglorious: while in Egypt with the 13th Light Horse Regiment, he contracted venereal disease and was sent back to Australia, where he deserted. Two months later, in May 1916, Buckley re-enlisted under the alias Gerald Sexton, and joined the 13th Battalion in France in January 1917. He fought at Bullecourt and through the third battle of Ypres; the next year, as a sergeant, he was wounded at Le Hamel. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his bravery near Morcourt in August. On 18 September, with his Lewis gun and "displaying boldness which inspired all", Buckley rushed enemy machine-gun positions, captured a field gun, and took numerous prisoners. He received the Victoria Cross. With the focus of attention now on him, he had to disclose his true name. Buckley was fatally injured in 1921 after being thrown from a horse; ten Victoria Cross-holders were pallbearers at his funeral. Secondly 18 September 1918 Private (PTE) J P Woods, 48th Battalion, originally from Gawler, South Australia, wins the Victoria Cross at Le Viguier. James Park Jimmy Woods was born at Gawler, South Australia on 2 January 1891. Raised by a stepsister after his parents death he tried to enlist in the AIF but was rejected as too short. Eventually accepted in Western Australia in September 1916, he reached France a year later as private 3244 with 48 Battalion. Woods exceptional courage in one of his battalions last actions of the war on 18 September 1918 near Le Verguier earned him the Victoria Cross. With a small patrol he captured a German post, then defended it against several counter-attacks by jumping onto the parapet and throwing bombs handed to him by his companions. The recommendation for the award reads: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the operations near LE VERGUIER, N.W. of St. QUENTIN on the 18th. September 1918. PTE WOODS formed one of a party of three to patrol the right flank. He encountered a very formidable enemy strong point consisting of about 25 men with four heavy and two light Machine Guns. Sergeant M V Buckley, VC - For further information see following link/s: http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/buckley-maurice-vincent-5416 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10676384 Private (PTE) J P Woods, VC - For further information see following link/s: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C243927

19.01.2022 On This Day 21 November 1943 Japanese counter-attack at Scarlet Beach...Continue reading

18.01.2022 On This Day 23 November 1901 Lieutenant L.C. Maygar, 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles, wins the Victoria Cross at Geelhoutboom, Natal. Maygar was the sixth and last Australian to be awarded the Victoria Cross during the Boer War...Continue reading

18.01.2022 On This Day 18 September 1918 Australian attack on Hindenburg Line - The 1st and 4th Australian divisions were successful in breaching the forward edge of the main German defensive line across the Picardy region of France.... The Hindenburg Line- the last and strongest of the German armys defence - consisted of three well-defended trench systems, established in 1917. Throughout September 1918, Australian forces had helped the British army to secure positions from which an attack on the Hindenburg Line could be launched. Planning began for a major attack at the end of the month. It was hoped that this attack would finally break the power of the German army. The First Attack The first battle on 18 September, showing the 45th Battalion overlooking Ascension Gully, in front of the outpost line of the Hindenburg trench system. On 18 September 1918, a preliminary attack was launched when Lieutenant General Sir John Monashs troops reached the first part of the Hindenburg Line. At 5.20 am, Monashs troops, supported by huge artillery barrages, attacked the heavily fortified German defences and machine-gun posts. Using only eight tanks (as well as dummy tanks to distract the Germans), they broke through German positions and took 4,300 prisoners. Although there were 1,000 dead or wounded, this cost was fairly slim compared to the losses of the German forces. The Second Attack On 29 September, the line was finally broken. Australian and US troops spearheaded this battle, given the task of breaking defences in the centre. They attacked a strongly defended sector at Bellicourt with tanks, artillery, and aircraft working in concert. Advances were made, but it was a struggle between the two forces. The fighting lasted four days and resulted in heavy losses. American bodies from the fighting on 29 September, near Gillemont Farm, when men from the 27th American Division attacked over the main Hindenburg Line. Gunner J.R. Armitage wrote: As we went over the ridge we found ourselves in the midst of the most wonderful and impressive battle field scene imaginable. It was a scene never to be forgotten with infantry, tanks, guns, everything in action in a sort of inferno of smoke and shell bursts. For further information see following link/s: https://www.awm.gov.au//exhibitions/1918/battles/hindenburg YouTube link/s: https://youtu.be/5vvGK_BWsI4 https://youtu.be/4fm5D0xssO8 https://youtu.be/Bp9xe-8j1SI

18.01.2022 On This Day 16 September 1943 World War II and the Japanese abandon Lae after heavy fighting. Lae was the focus of a major land, sea, and air operation by Australian and American forces. Fighting lasted until 16 September when the encircled Japanese garrison were either killed, captured, or escaped. The WauSalamaua campaign involved Militia, AIF and American troops, supported by hundreds of indigenous carriers, fighting a battle for the ridges at places such as Bobdubi Rid...ge and Mount Tambu. The September 1943 campaign opened with two converging advances on Lae. While the 9th Australian Division landed on the coast east of Lae the 7th Australian Division (supported by American paratroops) advanced overland from the west. Then, with Lae taken, the 9th began to clear the Huon Peninsula while the 7th advanced up the MarkhamRamu Valley. Each involved hard fighting in difficult country. The 9th became involved in the long slogging fight for Sattelberg, the 7th in a similarly gruelling fight for Shaggy Ridge. Later, Militia brigades joined the advance, pursuing the beaten Japanese fleeing westward. The New Guinea offensives saw Australians fighting some of the hardest battles of the war. They faced a determined and often desperate enemy. They fought in rugged terrain in an appalling climate, in which more men went down to mites and mosquitoes than to bullets. They fought in places which are now almost entirely forgotten by later generations places such as Nadzab, Kaiapit, Kankiryo Saddle, Finschhafen and the Finisterres. They involved episodes of gallantry, courage, suffering and endurance, including the 2/28th Battalions celebrated crossing of the mouth of the Busu River, the 2/48th Battalions seizure of Sattelberg, the 2/6th Commando Squadrons brilliant capture of Kaiapit, the unremitting attacks up Shaggy Ridge by the 2/16th, 2/14th, 2/27th (and others), and the hard slog of the 4th Brigades advance to Fortification Point. These, and many other actions, of the Australian forces which fought 60 years ago in New Guinea deserve to be remembered among the significant contributions that Australia made to Allied victory in the war against Japan. Photo: Lae area, New Guinea 1943. Diggers disembark from US landing ships east of Lae in preparation for the assault. For further information see following link/s: https://www.heritagemedals.com.au/japanese-abandon-lae/ YouTube link/s: https://youtu.be/JOlAN51fJPs

15.01.2022 Look, I really was unsure about posting this as I know that the defence isnt all like this, but I also know first hand that it isnt all peachy. Everyone is going to see this eventually, but I didnt want people to think THIS is what our defence force IS. There are jerks(keeping this PG for the young ones on the page) everywhere and sadly the defence has them and it brings the lot down. There are people in positions meant to help, and they fail, theyre evil people. If you b...elieve we need more than just a commission into veteran suicide after hearing just one account like this please sign the below link so we can get a Royal Commission. https://www.change.org/p/a-royal-commission-into-the-vetera

15.01.2022 Join us as we chat with Tony Dell, Founder and CEO of Stand Tall 4 PTS and the PTS21 Action Forum.

14.01.2022 On This Day 13 September 1943 Private Richard Kelliher, VC - Private R Kelliher, 2/25th Battalion, originally from County Kerry, Ireland, wins the Victoria Cross at Nadzab, New Guinea....Continue reading

14.01.2022 On This Day 15 September 1944 Battle of Morotai - The battle of Morotai, part of the Pacific War, began on 15 September 1944, and continued until the end of World War II.... This campaign has not always been recognised as one of significance to Australia since MacArthur chose to limit Australian involvement by excluding the Australian Army from his island hopping operations. However, both the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force took part in the advance across Dutch New Guinea and the Netherlands East Indies. The fighting started when United States and Australian Forces landed on the south west corner of Morotai, a small island in the Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia), which the Allies needed as a base to support the liberation of the Philippines later that year. The invading forces greatly outnumbered the islands Japanese defenders and secured their objective in two weeks. Japanese reinforcements landed on the island between September and November, but lacked the supplies to effectively attack the Allied defensive perimeter. Intermittent fighting continued until the end of the war, with the Japanese suffering heavy loss of life from disease and starvation. Morotais development into allied airbases began shortly after the landing and played an important role in the liberation of the Philippines. Australian warships and landing ships gained considerable experience in these amphibious operations. The success of subsequent Australian landings in Borneo in 1945 owed a great deal to the practical experience gained in Dutch New Guinea, the Netherlands East Indies and later the Philippines. In the air, the RAAF contributed squadrons of Kittyhawk fighters, Beaufighter strike-fighters and Boston bombers which operated from some of the newly captured islands. One of the largest air bases was at Noemfoor Island, Dutch New Guinea from which the Australians flew many escort and ground attack missions sustaining mounting losses. For further information see following link/s: https://www.murrayvalleystandard.com.au//one-diggers-enco/ https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au//japanese-re/island-hopping YouTube link/s: https://youtu.be/vXDlaYVOff8 https://youtu.be/CKMdsM3YD5Q

14.01.2022 On This Day 16 September 1942 Japanese advance in Owen Stanley Ranges stopped at Ioribaiwa - The Japanese were too ill-equipped and their supply lines too extended over forbidding terrain to enable them to reach their objective Port Moresby... After the disaster at Brigade Hill, the Australian forces on the track once again undertook tactics of ambush, fight, stall, withdrawal. With their rear guard being harassed by the Japanese, the Australian forces fell back over the Maguli Range to Ioribaiwa Ridge. This was just two ridges from the end of the inhospitable jungle of the Owen Stanley Range. At Ioribaiwa Ridge the Australian forces were reinforced with the fresh 25th Brigade and overall command was now handed over to its commander Brigadier Ken Ether. The 21st Brigade were still in battle however they were severely depleted. The 2/14th and 2/16th were acting as a composite battalion and the 2/27th were still attempting to make their way back to allied lines via the jungle to the east of the Kokoda Trail. Australian fire power was increased with the addition of Vickers medium machine guns and also ten three inch mortars; however, at this point the Australians were still unable to be assisted by friendly artillery. The Australian artillery units were currently in the vicinity of Owers Corner (25 pounders) and still out of range. The Japanese had managed to man handle their mountain guns all the way across the Owen Stanley Range and at this point were shelling the Australians with depressing regularity. Japanese supply lines were now extended dramatically, at this point, reinforcements were minimal and the wounded were being retained at the front in the hope that captured medical facilities were closer than their own medical facilities in their rear. Over the period 14th to 16th September 1942 both the Japanese and the Australian forces initiated attacks against each other in the Ioribaiwa region. The battles in this area could almost be considered a draw: The Japanese failed to push the Australians off the ridge, however the Australians whom now had a much larger and stronger force had failed to remove the Japanese from the footholds they did have on the ridge. Photo: September 1942. Kokoda track. An Australian soldier looking out across the deep valleys towards Ioribaiwa on the Kokoda track, from a point where the road ends and the descent by foot track commences. This location is the starting point for Kokoda trekkers travelling north. For further information see following link/s: https://www.kokodawalkway.com.au/ioribaiwa/ YouTube link/s: https://youtu.be/spJk5uOG73g

12.01.2022 If you haven't already heard this song, please take a moment and listen.

12.01.2022 Hi all, I was not able to post a "On This Day" for today 10 Sep; however, I will be back tomorrow.

10.01.2022 On This Day Australias secret WWII unit. Z Special Unit (zed) was a joint Allied special forces unit formed during the Second World War to operate behind Japanese lines in South East Asia. Predominantly Australian, Z Special Unit was a specialist reconnaissance and sabotage unit that included British, Dutch, New Zealand, Timorese and Indonesian members, predominantly operating in Borneo and the islands of the former Netherlands East Indies....Continue reading

10.01.2022 On This Day 22 November 1963 Lyndon B. Johnson becomes US president after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and announces that the US will continue support of South Vietnam. ... On November 22, 1963, Kennedy was shot and killed while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. Johnson was sworn in as president later that day aboard Air Force One, and immediately reassured a shocked and grieving nation that he would make Kennedy’s progressive vision for America a reality. Despite Johnson’s success in promoting his domestic reform policies, his presidency was also defined by the failure of his policies toward Vietnam. Like the three presidents before him, Johnson was determined to prevent North Vietnamese communists from taking over the U.S.-supported government of South Vietnam. A believer in the now-discredited domino theory, Johnson worried that America’s security depended on containing the spread of communism around the world. As part of this effort, Johnson steadily escalated U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War. The number of American troops in Vietnam soared from 16,000 when he took office in 1963 to more than 500,000 in 1968, yet the conflict remained a bloody stalemate. As the war dragged on and American and Vietnamese casualties mounted, anti-war protests rocked college campuses and cities across the U.S. Johnson’s popularity within his own party plummeted as well. When it appeared that he might face a stiff challenge for the 1968 Democratic presidential nomination, Johnson announced his decision not to run for re-election. I shall not seek, nor will I accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your president, he said in a nationally televised speech on March 31, 1968. Johnson explained that he wanted to focus on the peace process and pressing domestic issues during his final months in office without the distraction of a political campaign. The conflict in Vietnam, though, brought him nothing but pain and frustration until his last days in office, and U.S. military involvement in Vietnam continued for four years after his departure from Washington in January 1969. Australian support for South Vietnam in the early 1960s was in keeping with the policies of other nations to stem the spread of communism in Europe and Asia. In 1961 and 1962 Ngo Dinh Diem, South Vietnam’s leader, repeatedly requested security assistance. Australia responded with 30 military advisers. Their arrival in South Vietnam in July 1962 was the beginning of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. Australian overall support in the conflict reached 49,211 personnel. For further information see following link/s: https://www.history.com/topi/us-presidents/lyndon-b-johnson YouTube link/s: https://youtu.be/C1ri9KlhBZ0 https://youtu.be/vkQqihYdjuk

09.01.2022 In their Words: Doug and Kaye Baird This Remembrance Day, as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, we reflect on those who hav...e died as a result of war, warlike operations, peacekeeping and humanitarian operations. In their words is a collection of short films sharing personal stories of service and sacrifice from the front line and at home. #IntheirWords #WeRememberThem #Lestweforget #OurContinuingStory

09.01.2022 On This Day 21 September 1914 World War I and German New Guinea surrenders. The former German New Guinea was placed under a military government until 1921, when Australia received a mandate from the League of Nations to govern the country. ...Continue reading

08.01.2022 On This Day 17 September 1944 Damien Parer killed - Academy award-winning, Australian cameraman Damien Parer killed while filming American troops on Peleliu in the Pacific. Parers documentary, Front line Kokoda, won an Oscar for best documentary in 1943. Having filmed Australians in action during the early years of the war, Parer accepted a job with the American film company, Paramount, to film Americans in action in the Pacific...Continue reading

08.01.2022 On This Day 17 September 1916 Bir el Mazar - Bir el Mazar was about halfway between Kantara on the Suez Canal and the Egyptian-Ottoman territorial border. ... There was a Turkish garrison at Bir el Mazar, only twenty miles short of El Arish on the direct track, believed to be 2200 strong and made up of Romani survivors. It was decided to mount an attack on this on 17 September, but there was no water supply for horses between Mazar and Salmana and it was necessary to improvise one to avoid a dry round trip of 37 miles. The mid-September weather was still hot. Seven hundred camels no less, each carrying a twenty-gallon fantass of water, were to rendezvous with Chauvels troops ten miles east of Salmana on their return journey. This was only one oddity in this untypical and, in the end, controversial operation. On 15 September, Chauvels three Australian brigades marched to Salmana. They were sighted there on the 16th and machine-gunned by a German aircraft which no doubt informed the garrison at Mazar of its discovery. After dark, the 2nd Brigade, now once more under Brigadier General Ryrie and the 3rd Brigade under Royston, marched on Mazar while the 1st Brigade followed about seven miles in rear. At dawn, Ryries 5th and 7th Regiments dismounted and advanced to within 700 yards north and west of the Turkish trenches. There was stiff resistance from enemy mountain batteries and rifles. The 3rd Brigade swept right round the position and began attacking it from the south and east so that the Turks were virtually defending on all sides, A battalion of the Imperial Camel Corps should have attacked with them, but was late due to a difficult passage through single-file gullies and soft sand. For further information see following link/s: http://alh-research.tripod.com//el-mazar-sinai-september-/

07.01.2022 On This Day 11 September 1914 - Royal Australian Navys (RAN) first action in WWI. Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force lands at Rabaul (Rabaul is a township in New Britain, Papua New Guinea) - The RAN and Military Expeditionary Force landed at Rabaul and went into action at Bitapaka. This was the only major New Guinea action of the First World War....Continue reading

07.01.2022 Commencing just prior to 11am, to coincide with a 2 minute silence as the Nation reflects on our history; honouring our heroes.

07.01.2022 There are still places left (free) for this afternoon with the Ozy Youth Choir as they conduct a Online LIVE Commemorative Service for Veterans of Vietnam <3

04.01.2022 Such a great tribute to a historic event.

03.01.2022 Have you started to think about Remembrance Day? Will you be displaying Poppies out front of your house? Perhaps a Poppy Remembrance Wreath? Will you be at work and want a way to still show your thanks to those Veterans who weve sadly lost?... Click the link below for a view of the full range https://militaryshop.com.au/veterans-organisa/remembrance/ #RemembranceDay2020 #LestWeForget #AussiesandKiwisforANZACs #WeWillRememberThem #ThankYouForYourService #ArmisticeDay #11Nov #MilitaryShop #Poppy #PurplePoppy

03.01.2022 On This Day 15 September 1939 After the following broadcast - It is my melancholy duty to inform you officially that, in consequence of a persistence by Germany, in her invasion of Poland, Great Britain has declared war upon her and that, as a result, Australia is also at war. Prime Minister Robert Menzies, September 3, 1939... World War II and the Australian Government announces mobilisation of the militia and the establishment of the second AIF for service abroad. Australia needed to raise a volunteer force for overseas service in the Second World War while the militia were initially only allowed to serve in Australian territories. Australia had a dilemma at the start of World War Two. When Britain declared war on Nazi Germany in September 1939, Australia had to decide whether to use her military to support Britain in the European sphere of war or to keep her forces in the Far East in view of the worsening situation there with regards to Japanese expansion. Any movement of Australian troops to Britain (or to places such as Egypt) would weaken the strength of Australias military at home. Any serious Allied military defeat would also impact on the Australian military, which might be part of this defeat. The Australian government decided that any major Axis victory in Europe against the British would almost certainly be decisive and change the course of the war therefore, the government decided that it would commit all its forces against the danger Germany posed in Europe. Australia had anticipated Britains declaration of war against the Germans as early as August 1939. Heavy artillery units were mobilised and outlying military centres such as Port Moresby, received supplies of weapons and ammunition in case such a declaration stimulated further Japanese aggression. The Australian Parliament was united on a declaration of war against the Axis powers. The only potential problem was the issue of conscription. During World War One, this had caused major political troubles. However, in World War Two, a compromise was reached. Lieutenant General Thomas Blamey was given command of the Second AIF on 13 October 1939 and retained it throughout the war. As such, he was answerable directly to the Minister of Defence, rather than to the Military Board. He was given a charter based on that given to Major General William Throsby Bridges in 1914. Parliament voted in November 1939 for conscription, but conscripts could only serve in Australia itself and neighbouring islands. Size- 307,000 For further information see following link/s: https://www.heritagemedals.com.au/2nd-aif/ https://veteranssa.sa.gov.au//the-formation-of-the-second/ YouTube link/s: https://youtu.be/_moP0lr2s1w https://youtu.be/0mshs4HLZB0

02.01.2022 One This Day 23 November 1948 Formation of the Australian Regiment, which became the Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) in March 1949....Continue reading

02.01.2022 On This Day 21 September 1971 Battle of Nui Le, South Vietnam - Soldiers of B Company and D Company, 4RAR/NZ, fought an intense battle against a large enemy force from 33 North Vietnamese Army Regiment in the north of Phuoc Tuy province. The enemy defended their well constructed bunker systems and then attacked D Company for several hours. Five Australians were killed in action, and 24 were wounded in this battle, which was part of Operation Ivanhoe. This was the last battle ...Continue reading

01.01.2022 On This Day 12 November 1940 HMAS Sydney [II] in action at Strait of Otranto...Continue reading

01.01.2022 On This Day 19 September 1918 5th Light Horse Brigade capture Nablus - Nablus fell to the Australians during the final period of the war against Turkey. British Empire troops also made impressive advances and destroyed several Turkish armies between the Mediterranean coast and the Jordan River.... World War I and the 5th Light Horse Brigade captures Nablus in Palestine some fifty kilometres north of Jerusalem. Nablus fell to the Australians during the final period of the war against Turkey. British Empire troops also made impressive advances and destroyed several Turkish armies between the Mediterranean coast and the Jordan River. Nablus, the action following the British breakthrough at Sharon on 19 September 1918 which saw the Turkish Seventh Army under Mustafa Kemal (later known as Kemal Attatrk) put to flight and forced to male a hasty and costly retreat north-east across the Jordan. After creating the gap in the Turkish defences on the coastal plain for the cavalry to pass through, the British 21st Corps wheeled north-east towards the hills to attack Tul Keram which contained the headquarters of the already overwhelmed Turkish Eighth Army. The left flank of this advance was protected and pressed ahead by the 5th Light Horse Brigade under Brigadier General George Macarthur-Onslow. Passing north of the town, the task of cleaning out the pockets of resistance was left to the infantry and the light horsemen concentrated on the column of Turks fleeing east along the road to Anebta and Nablus. By 1800hrs the Australians had captured 2,000 prisoners and fifteen guns. Moving during the early hours of 20 September, Macarthur-Onslows brigade pressed on across the trackless hills northeast of Tul Keram. The purpose was to reach Ajjeh, a point on the railway line running north to Jenin, and to destroy the track to cut off this avenue of escape for Turks in the area around Samaria and Nablus. By 0700 the leading Australian elements had achieved this objective. After re-assembling at Tul Keram, the 5th Brigade was ordered to resume an easterly advance the next morning down the road from Anebta towards Nablus. Troops from several British infantry divisions were already moving up against these places from the south, so that the route of the Australian horsemen effectively brought them in upon the enemy rear. Enemy resistance already weakened by masses of troops in disorganised flight quickly began to collapse in the face of this vice-like movement, so that by nightfall the Seventh Army was in full retreat. For further information see following link/s: https://www.heritagemedals.com.au/5th-light-horse-battle-n/ YouTube link/s: https://youtu.be/npuZ990vvak

01.01.2022 Good afternoon fellow Aussie & Kiwis for ANZAC Patrons. This page takes great effort to present factually correct information to help educate our ANZAC history. At times there are posts that can question some information presented. Where we welcome educated debate, we will always present information that, where possible, is correct. If we have made an error we ask that you present the factual information to us with the associated references, and if we have in-fact made an err...Continue reading

01.01.2022 On This Day 20 September 1918 The Battle of Nablus Palestine... Nablus, the action following the British breakthrough at Sharon (see Megiddo) on 19 September 1918 which saw the Turkish Seventh Army under Mustafa Kemal (later known as Kemal Attatrk) put to flight and forced to male a hasty and costly retreat north-east across the Jordan. After creating the gap in the Turkish defences on the coastal plain for the cavalry to pass through, the British 21st Corps wheeled north-east towards the hills to attack Tul Keram which contained the headquarters of the already overwhelmed Turkish Eighth Army. The left flank of this advance was protected and pressed ahead by the 5th Light Horse Brigade under Brig.-General George Macarthur-Onslow. Passing north of the town, the task of cleaning out the pockets of resistance was left to the infantry and the light horsemen concentrated on the column of Turks fleeing east along the road to Anebta and Nablus. By 6 p.m. the Australians had captured 2,000 prisoners and fifteen guns. Moving during the early hours of 20 September, Macarthur-Onslows brigade pressed on across the trackless hills northeast of Tul Keram. The purpose was to reach Ajjeh, a point on the railway line running north to Jenin, and to destroy the track to cut off this avenue of escape for Turks in the area around Samaria and Nablus. By 7 a.m. the leading Australian elements had achieved this objective. After re-assembling at Tul Keram, the 5th Brigade was ordered to resume an easterly advance the next morning down the road from Anebta towards Nablus. Troops from several British infantry divisions were already moving up against these places from the south, so that the route of the Australian horsemen effectively brought them in upon the enemy rear. Enemy resistance - already weakened by masses of troops in disorganised flight - quickly began to collapse in the face of this vice-like movement, so that by nightfall the Seventh Army was in full retreat. For further information see following link/s: http://alh-research.tripod.com//nablus-palestine-septembe/ YouTube link/s: https://youtu.be/vI7tuAMwMWI