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National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Uniform - Army jacket
Issued to National Serviceman, Lance Corporal B A Rosenthal, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment 1967-8, Mentioned in Despatches for his command and control during a section ambush in which he was wounded. Unit Citation for Gallantry for his involvement in the Battle of Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral.Green battle dress jacket with red Royal Australian Regiment badge on each shoulder. Green lanyard attached to left shoulder. Two blue material badges under red badges on either shoulder. Size 10Regimental No. 4718450 Name B.A. Rosenthaljacket, rosenthal, army dress jacket -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Functional object - Key with tag
Used by National Serviceman, Lance Corporal B A Rosenthal, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment 1967-8, Mentioned in Despatches for his command and control during a section ambush in which he was wounded. Unit Citation for Gallantry for his involvement in the Battle of Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral.Single key attached to string and a label stating Equipment Label and information about owner. Pte Rosenthal B.A. 3 RAR 4718450key, 3rar, rosenthal -
Bendigo Military Museum
Photograph - PHOTOGRAPH, FRAMED
Desmond Jack DUFFY MC. ED. Regt Numbers 237501, NX34792, enlisted 22.6.1940. As a Capt in the 2/30th Bn he played a major role in the “Gemas” ambush in Jan 1942 against the Japanese. He was later taken a POW. He was discharged from the Army with the rank of Lt Col on 30.4.1960.Photograph - copy of black and white portrait photograph, paper, of Col. DUFFY M.C.ww2, photograph, portrait, military -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Functional Object, Compendium
Writing compendium used by National Serviceman, Lance Corporal B A Rosenthal, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment 1967-8, Mentioned in Despatches for his command and control during a section ambush in which he was wounded. Unit Citation for Gallantry for his involvement in the Battle of Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral.Brown coloured folder that holds writing paper, envelopes, postage stamps, Memorabilia for 1966 & 1967. Membership card and RSL membership card. Zippered vinyl folder.Rosenthal 4718450compendium, rosenthal -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Equipment - Army Issue Sewing Kit
Standard issue sewing kit as used by National Serviceman, Lance Corporal B A Rosenthal, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, Vietnam 1967-8, Mentioned in Despatches for his command and control during a section ambush in which he was wounded. Unit Citation for Gallantry for his involvement in the Battle of Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral.Green material sewing kit with 3 pockets containing vaarious threads, needles and pins for sewing.A Rosenthal 002 4718450kit sewing, house wife, rosenthal -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Equipment - Equipment, Army, Belts
Standard issue Army belts as used by National Serviceman, Lance Corporal B A Rosenthal, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, Vietnam 1967-8, Mentioned in Despatches for his command and control during a section ambush in which he was wounded. Unit Citation for Gallantry for his involvement in the Battle of Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral.Three belts as follows. 1 - dress belt, black fabric withbrass fittings. 1 - hessian brown belt with black fittings. 1 - green plastic belt with metal buckle.Rosenthal 4718450belts, army belt, rosenthal -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Equipment - Sweat rag
General purpose open weave cotton scrim as issued in Vietnam war. Used by National Serviceman, Lance Corporal B A Rosenthal, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment 1967-8, Mentioned in Despatches for his command and control during a section ambush in which he was wounded. Unit Citation for Gallantry for his involvement in the Battle of Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral.Green crochet cotton scarf used as a sweat rag for soldiers in jungle.scarf, sweat rag, sweat cloth, army scrim, rosenthal -
Archive of Vietnamese Boat People
Vietnamese Boat People - Pulau Bidong, 1979
The couple from this photo has gone through great hardship in the period they spent as refugees. They fled Southern Vietnam (Ca Mau) after the Vietnam War in late 1979 when the chinese have invaded and settled in Vietnam. They came on the #91 boat called Minh Hai 375 and arrived at the island on 10/22/1978. Prior to that they were ambushed by pirates who tried to rob, rape and completely take advantage of the vulnerable state the refugee people in. They recall having to purposely sink the boat so that they can be allowed into the country.This photo is great evidence to the family value Vietnamese refugees hold in the period of the period of fleeing the poor conditions that exists back in their country. People put their life online just to HOPE for a better life. Family portrait of a couple and first born child (son) in front of what look like their home at the time. This was taken at 1979 on the island called Pulau Bidong. It's a photo which has been laminated onto a light blue backing paper. The photo's corner has also been rounded with hand written label stating; 'Pulau - Bidong 1979' pulau - bidong 1977 -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph - black and white, Mr William J. Lambie - War Correspondent, 1900
William Lambie was one of two war correspondents riding behind the Australians patrol when they left Rensburg Base. The objective was to determine the strength of the Boers south of Rensburg Siding. The group split in two. The group the journalists were with went on ahead. They were ambushed and surrounded by Boer horsemen and told to surrender. They ignored this and made a dash for the safety of the British lines. Lambie was shot in the head and died instantly. The other journalist was wounded and taken to the Boer's camp and tended, then later sent to hospital. Lambie was buried by the Boers on the farm Jasfontein owned by Hendrik Kotze.Digital portrait from "In Memory of the Gallant Officers and Men of Victoria in Transvaal War, 1899-1900".war correspondent, rensburg base, rensburg siding, boer, horsemen, jasfontein, hendrik kotze, william lambie -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Claymore Mine
The M18A1 'Claymore' Directional Fragmentation Mine which is used as part of the perimeter defences at, for example Fire Support Base or for use in ambush situations. The convex side is faced toward the enemy and the mine is configured to be electrically detonated from a remote location, (these mines can be connected by white "det cord" & detonators from the detonator wells show to link a series of mines)). It is raised off the ground by a small stand to maximise the blast radius. Claymore mines contain 700 steel ball bearings impressed into 650 grams of plastic explosive. The M18A1 has a lethal range of up to 100 metresA replica of the M18A1 'Claymore' Directional Fragmentation Mine. The convex side is faced toward the enemy and the mine is configured to be electrically detonated from a remote location. In practice this mine type is raised above the ground slightly by a small legs designed to maximise the blast radius. These mines contain approximately 700 small steel ball bearings impressed into 650 grams of plastic explosive. The M18A1 has a lethal range of up to 100 metresOn the front"Front Toward Enemy" on the reverse "Back M18A1 Apers Mine" -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph (black & White), Lieutenant-Colonel Eyre Crabbe - South Africa
In 1898 Eyre Macdonnell Stewart Crabbe had been promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and became commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. In 1899 he led the Battalion to South Africa following the outbreak of the Second Boer War. At the battle of Belmont he was wounded but able to continue and attend the battle of Magersfontein. He was wounded again in 1900 when ambushed at Karee Siding but a month later was back in action. In 1901 he fought against Fouche and Kritzinger, and defeated Van der Merwe and Hildebrand. After the war he held staff posts at Aldershot but died suddenly in 1905 aged 52.Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards. eyre crabbe, lieutenant-colonel, 3rd battalion, grenadier guards, south africa, second boer war, battle of belmont, battle of magersfontein, karee siding, fouche, kritzinger, van der merwe, hildebrand -
Geelong RSL Sub Branch
History - 2/6 Independent Company, The Purple Devils, Syd Trigellis-Smith
The 2/6th Commando Squadron (Australia) was one of 12 independent companies or commando squadrons raised by the Australian Army during WW2. The 2/6th served in four major campaigns - Kokoda, Buna, Markham-Ramu and Borneo and was involved in the Battle of Kaiapit. Late in the WW2 hostilities 2/6th Commando Squadron was at Balikpapan and attached to 25th Brigade to provide support to the Brigade - reconnaissance patrols, fighting patrols, ambushes and humanitarian assistance to local inhabitants. The 2/6th Commando Squadron was disbanded in 1946. The Sword returned to Australia with a member of 2/6th Commando Squadron VX132826 W G H Burrell. The Book Purple Devils was written by Syd Trigellis Smith in his retirement, he had served during WW2 with 2/2 Field Regiment in New Guinea.VX132826 W G H Burrell served with the AIF during WW2 in New Guinea and posted to 2/6th Commando Squadron and was on Borneo and at Balikpapan. George Burrell was able to being back the sword at the end of hostilities. The Book the Purple Devils is the 2/6th Commando Squadron history as interpreted by Syd Trigellis Smith.Book Purple Devils by Syd Trigellis, Smith, a Japanise Sword - steel blade encased in a leather scabbard and the military history of VX132826 W G H Burrell who served with 2/6 th Commando Squadron.The Book - Purple Devils, a History of 2/6 Australian Commando Squadron, ISBN 064607125-4. vx132826 w g h burrell, ww2, new guinea, 2/6th commando sqn, gunto sword, purple devils -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Album - Ringer's River by Des Martin - Plate 15 - Confrontation with Police
Half an hour later her brother Keiran gallops up with the news that Artie Klinberg's mob has been ambushed by police. All the cattlemen other than he had been caught. Keiran escaped by jumping fences and coming home across country. Soon after Sergeant. Baker and Trooper Ryan arrive, and are refused entry by the widowed Mrs. Ellen O'Hara whose husband, some years previously, had been shot by police in mistake for a wanted bushranger. As he is acting mainly on presumption the chagrined Sergeant has to leave, warning O'Day to watch his company. Realising someone has "dobbed them in", Keiran decides it has to be George, "Microbe" Nugent, an unpopular fellow - traveller at loggerheads with Klinberg, and vows vengance. Maj. John Hardwick as Sgt. Baker. Mrs. Kerry Hardwick as Mrs. O'Hara. Bill Tenteye as Keiran.The album and images are significant because they document literature written by a prominent member of the Wodonga community. The presentation of this precis was supported by several significant district families and individuals.Ringer's River Album Coloured photo Plate 15des martin, many a mile, ringer's river, northeast victoria stories -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book, Keep Your Head Down by Nathan Mullins
Nathan Mullins deployed to Afghanistan as a Special Forces Commando. Spearheading Australia's Special Operations troops, he and other Australians like him sought the Taliban in the valleys and hills of Uruzgan through Afghanistan's harsh winter while at the same time attempting to bring a human face to the villagers caught in the middle of the fighting. They lived with the daily threat of roadside bombs, ambush and firefights, where survival meant learning to read the signs to determine friend from foe. And they did what they could to relieve the awful effects of war on the men, women and children of the civilian population caught in the crossfire. But these were not your regular soldiers. Sure, they had trained for years for the role but these were citizen soldiers, reservists who had put aside their usual jobs as salesmen, farmers, scientists, lawyers and students to fight Australia's 'war on terror'. Keep Your Head Down is a brutally honest, first-hand account that takes you into the centre of the action and asks some tough questions. What is Australia doing in Afghanistan? What would winning that war look like? What makes a man leave his family to go to war when he doesn't have to? Can there be such a thing as a just war? Nathan Mullins isn't a typical Special Forces soldier. In his day job he is the International Program Manager for Australian Aid International, a humanitarian organisation that responds to disasters and emergencies around the globe.soft cover bookaustralian special forces, australian commando, afghanistan -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book, My War: An Australian Commando in New Guinea and Borneo 1943 to 1945
Brian Walpole, the author, was a Australian Commando and special operations operative behind enemy lines in New Guinea and Borneo during WW2. Brian was a commando with the Australian 2/3 Independent Company. He went to New Guinea in January 1943 and remained until the fall of the Japanese base at Salamaua in September. He fought on the Bobdubi Ridge. His commanding officer was the well-regarded George Warfe, whose portrait was sketched by war artist Ivor Hele. Brian blazed a trail through the New Guinea jungle which appears on some maps as Walpole’s Track, discovering and naming the ambush site Goodview Junction. Soon afterwards (July 1943) Goodview Junction was the scene of a key campaign victory which contributed to George Warfe being awarded the Military Cross.Brian’s Special Operations training mostly took place at Careening Bay (Western Australia) and Fraser Island (Queensland). He arrived in Borneo at the time of the 9th Division’s landing at Labuan Island, and took part in two SRD operations – Colt and Semut 3. After the surrender, Walpole's work continued as many of the Japanese did not recognise the surrender and continued to fight on. Brian relates how on the 14th of September 1945 while still an operative in SRD he was able to save POWs from certain death and after a firefight arrested 10 Japanese soldiers at Simanggang Borneo. He was alone and had been assisted in the battle by 20 headhunters from the jungles along the Rejang River. One of the people saved was a young nurse in her 20s, Lena Ricketts. ww2, australian special operations, australian commando, new guinea, borneo, world war ii -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Ephemera - Order of Service, framed
Operation Hammersley , 10 February until 9 March 1970, was undertaken by a combined force of: C Company, 8th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (8RAR); armoured personnel carriers from 3 Cavalry Regiment; tanks from 1 Armoured Regiment; sappers from the Royal Australian Engineers; a mortar section from 8RAR’s Support Company; air support, and even a Navy destroyer off-shore to provide gunfire support. The operation aimed to protect 17 Construction Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers, at a quarry in the western foothills of the Long Hai hills. The Long Hai hills were a stronghold for the Viet Cong, who used the caves there as a bunker complex and had planted many landmines and booby traps in the area. Over two fierce weeks, 8 RAR carried out patrols and conducted ambushes, engaging VC troops and eventually capturing the bunker system. However, it was a costly campaign. In total, over 70 Australians were killed or wounded during the operation. The worst day for mine casualties in Australia's war in Vietnam occurred on 28 February 1970. It became known as 'Black Saturday". Nine members of 8RAR were killed and 29 wounded. This item is the Order of Service from the memorial service held at Nui Dat on 3 April 1970 to honour those killed at Long Hai. It was issued to the donor, National Serviceman G G Ravenscroft, who was serving in 1 Platoon, A Company 8RAR during Operation Hammersley, and received a minor shrapnel wound on Black Saturday.Two typed A-4 pages that have been folded into booklet, now flattened and framed. Listed are the prayers, Bible readings and sermon given, along with the names of the 8 fallen soldiers, and the chaplains who officiated.8rar, long hai, long hai hills, black saturday, 1970, operation hammersley, ravenscroft, geoff ravenscroft, memorial service -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Poster - Poster, Information Board, 5 RAR 1966 - 1967 (1st Tour)
An Poster, Information Board of 5 RAR 1966 to 1967 (tst Tour). The 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment ("Battalion") were the leading element of the First Australian Task Force (1 ATF) and stationed in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. The Battalion's task was to break Viet Cong control over the central region of Phuoc Tuy Province - an area that communists had freely operated in since 1945. Commencing of the 24th May 1966, the Battalion conducted its first operation codenamed "Hardihood". Their objective was to sweep and clear areas to the north and east of Nui Dat to a distance of 5000 meters, then create a defensive position to enable 1 ATF to establish an operation base. The Battalion conducted eighteen full-lenght operations as well as numerous day and night cordon and search, search and destroy, ambush and clearing patrols conducted at company, platoon and section levels. the Battalion achieved considerable success during Operations Canberra and Queanbeyan in October 1966 when it swept and cleared the Nui Thi Vai mountain. A Viet Cong base consisting of training facilities, a hospital, booby trap factory and several tonnes of rice was located and destroyed. during phase two (Operation Queanbeyan) the battalion discovered complex cave and tunnel systems along with other fixed installations that were vigorously fought for and destroyed by the battalion. Not only di the caves contain large quantities of weapons, equipment and documents but the 274 VC Regiments deputy commanders radio complex. For bravery and leadership, three Military Crosses, one Military Medal and one Mentioned in Dispatches were awarded. The last was awarded posthumously. However, at the completion of the battalion's first tour, the 274 and 275 Viet Cong Regiments remained functional. While the enemy retained the capacity to inflict serious casualities on smaller allied forces, the Battalion and other elements of the 1 AFt were successful in denying the enemy their previous gains. This enabled the South Vietnamese Government to re-establish control of over 96 per cent of the Phuoc Tuy Province during Australia's involvement. Source O'Neill, RJ Vietnam Task, the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment 1966/67, Melbourne. Cassell Australia Ltd, 19685 rar, 1st tour 1966 - 1967, operation hardihood, 1st atf base, poster, information board, nui dat, nui thai vai mountains, operation canberra, operation queanbeyan, viet cong, 274 vc regiments -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Book, Soldiering On - The Australian Army at Home and Overseas, 1942
This volume is like a veteran 'gong' - winner with years of tough going and breathless incidents to draw from. The service and the blokes in it have been able to dig into this pile of gen. and present some amazing stories, pictures, poems, graphics and cartoons.Personal recounts from RAAF service personnel by way of stories, poems, cartoons, illustrations and portraitsSoldiering On - The Australian Army at Home and Overseas. Red hardback front and back with light coloured text of title. The rising sun badge, with text under it - The Australian Army at home and overseas. Inside front and back cover show illustrations of RAAF personnel dressed in the uniform which depicts their job i.e. females in nurse uniforms. raaf,, wwii, new guinea, malaya, middle east, bethlehem, south west pacific, bab-el-mandeb, doughboy, royal womens army service, syria, cairo, singapore battle, jungle ambush -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Book, Soldiering On - The Australian Army at Home and Overseas, 1942
This volume is like a veteran 'gong' - winner with years of tough going and breathless incidents to draw from. The service and the blokes in it have been able to dig into this pile of gen. and present some amazing stories, pictures, poems, graphics and cartoons.Personal recounts from RAAF service personnel by way of stories, poems, cartoons, illustrations and portraitsSoldiering On - The Australian Army at Home and Overseas. Red hardback front and back with light coloured text of title. The rising sun badge, with text under it - The Australian Army at home and overseas. Inside front and back cover show illustrations of RAAF personnel dressed in the uniform which depicts their job i.e. females in nurse uniforms. raaf,, wwii, new guinea, malaya, middle east, bethlehem, south west pacific, bab-el-mandeb, doughboy, royal womens army service, syria, cairo, singapore battle, jungle ambush -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Book, Soldiering On - The Australian Army at Home and Overseas, 1952
This volume is like a veteran 'gong' - winner with years of tough going and breathless incidents to draw from. The service and the blokes in it have been able to dig into this pile of gen. and present some amazing stories, pictures, poems, graphics and cartoons.Personal recounts from RAAF service personnel by way of stories, poems, cartoons, illustrations and portraitsSoldiering On - The Australian Army at Home and Overseas. Green hardback front and back with light coloured text of title. The rising sun badge, with text under it - The Australian Army at home and overseas. Inside front and back cover show illustrations of RAAF personnel dressed in the uniform which depicts their job i.e. females in nurse uniforms. raaf,, wwii, new guinea, malaya, middle east, bethlehem, south west pacific, bab-el-mandeb, doughboy, royal womens army service, syria, cairo, singapore battle, jungle ambush -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Book, Soldiering On - The Australian Army at Home and Overseas, 1942
This volume is like a veteran 'gong' - winner with years of tough going and breathless incidents to draw from. The service and the blokes in it have been able to dig into this pile of gen. and present some amazing stories, pictures, poems, graphics and cartoons.Personal recounts from RAAF service personnel by way of stories, poems, cartoons, illustrations and portraitsSoldiering On - The Australian Army at Home and Overseas. Red hardback front and back with light coloured text of title. The rising sun badge, with text under it - The Australian Army at home and overseas. Inside front and back cover show illustrations of RAAF personnel dressed in the uniform which depicts their job i.e. females in nurse uniforms. raaf,, wwii, new guinea, malaya, middle east, bethlehem, south west pacific, bab-el-mandeb, doughboy, royal womens army service, syria, cairo, singapore battle, jungle ambush -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book, Commando White Diamond: Unt History of the 2/8th Australian Commando Squadron
The detailed history of the No.8 Independent Commando Company during World War II. Plastic protective cover over the book. The 2/8th Independent Company was formed at Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria, in July 1942 and travelled to Yandina, in Queensland, in September. While the other seven independent companies saw action in the islands off Australian and in New Guinea, the 2/8th spent most of the next two years based at Adelaide River, in the Northern Territory. While it was in the Territory, the independent companies underwent a series of reorganisations and the name of the 2/8th was changed from the 2/8th Independent Company to the 2/8th Cavalry (Commando) Squadron. This name was later simplified to just commando squadron. In July 1944, after years of waiting, the squadron left the Territory and sailed from Townsville to Lae, via Milne Bay. While at Lae, the squadron received an intake of 70 men from the 2/8th from the 2/3rd, 2/5th and 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Squadrons, many of whom were veterans of the earlier New Guinea campaigns. Their experience was no doubt a useful reserve that would have been called upon during the 2/8th’s subsequent campaign in Bougainville. Others though, were able to implement some of their commando training when a small group from the 2/8th they made a secret landing on New Britain. Towards the end of the 1944 the 5th Division was preparing to make a landing at Jacquinot Bay in New Britain. Part of these preparations included landing a small group of officers from the division at Jacquinot Bay to make a secret reconnaissance of the potential landing site. As Jacquinot Bay was still in Japanese controlled territory, ‘C’ Troop from the 2/8th provided the protection for the reconnaissance party by establishing a position on the beach and by patrolling the surrounding country. Everything went well and the 5th Division later landed at Jacquinot Bay in November. The squadron too was on the move, and in October it sailed to Torokina, the main Australian base on Bougainville, where it joined the II Australian Corps. The campaign on Bougainville was dived into three areas, the Central, Northern and Southern Sectors. The 2/8th served in the latter two areas. The 2/8th made the first move of the Australian campaign in the Northern Sector, by patrolling from Torokina to Kuraio Mission and Amun once a week. The squadron did this from the second week of November unit the second week of December. The 2/8th was then transferred to the Southern Sector. The main battle for Bougainville was fought in the Southern Sector, as the 3rd Division advanced towards Buin – the main Japanese base on the island. As the division’s infantry brigades advanced along the coast, the 2/8th’s task was to protect their flank by conducting forward reconnaissance patrols, harassing the Japanese with raids and ambushes and conducting a form of guerrilla warfare. The squadron had a long campaign. For nine months, from the end of December until August 1945, the troopers were in action the whole time. After securing the Jaba River, they moved inland, first to Sovele Mission, then the villages of Opai, Nihero and Morokaimoro. They had reached Kilipaijino by the end of the war. Each village taken became a patrol base. Patrols were usually limited to two sections, although up to six sections could be operating at a time. Patrols generally lasted four to six days, but nine-day patrols were not unknown. The squadron collected and collated track information, terrain reports and located the enemy. Once patrols had gathered information, they were free to make a ‘strike’ against the Japanese by setting an ambush or taking a prisoner. These raids were very effective, as they forced the Japanese to deploy troops to their rear areas, removing men from the front created by the infantry. Following Japan’s surrender and the end of the war, the ranks of the squadron thinned quickly as men were discharged or were transferred to other units. For those who were left, the squadron returned to Australia at the end of December. In mid January 1946, at Liverpool, the 2/8th Commando Squadron was disbanded.non-fictionThe detailed history of the No.8 Independent Commando Company during World War II. Plastic protective cover over the book. The 2/8th Independent Company was formed at Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria, in July 1942 and travelled to Yandina, in Queensland, in September. While the other seven independent companies saw action in the islands off Australian and in New Guinea, the 2/8th spent most of the next two years based at Adelaide River, in the Northern Territory. While it was in the Territory, the independent companies underwent a series of reorganisations and the name of the 2/8th was changed from the 2/8th Independent Company to the 2/8th Cavalry (Commando) Squadron. This name was later simplified to just commando squadron. In July 1944, after years of waiting, the squadron left the Territory and sailed from Townsville to Lae, via Milne Bay. While at Lae, the squadron received an intake of 70 men from the 2/8th from the 2/3rd, 2/5th and 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Squadrons, many of whom were veterans of the earlier New Guinea campaigns. Their experience was no doubt a useful reserve that would have been called upon during the 2/8th’s subsequent campaign in Bougainville. Others though, were able to implement some of their commando training when a small group from the 2/8th they made a secret landing on New Britain. Towards the end of the 1944 the 5th Division was preparing to make a landing at Jacquinot Bay in New Britain. Part of these preparations included landing a small group of officers from the division at Jacquinot Bay to make a secret reconnaissance of the potential landing site. As Jacquinot Bay was still in Japanese controlled territory, ‘C’ Troop from the 2/8th provided the protection for the reconnaissance party by establishing a position on the beach and by patrolling the surrounding country. Everything went well and the 5th Division later landed at Jacquinot Bay in November. The squadron too was on the move, and in October it sailed to Torokina, the main Australian base on Bougainville, where it joined the II Australian Corps. The campaign on Bougainville was dived into three areas, the Central, Northern and Southern Sectors. The 2/8th served in the latter two areas. The 2/8th made the first move of the Australian campaign in the Northern Sector, by patrolling from Torokina to Kuraio Mission and Amun once a week. The squadron did this from the second week of November unit the second week of December. The 2/8th was then transferred to the Southern Sector. The main battle for Bougainville was fought in the Southern Sector, as the 3rd Division advanced towards Buin – the main Japanese base on the island. As the division’s infantry brigades advanced along the coast, the 2/8th’s task was to protect their flank by conducting forward reconnaissance patrols, harassing the Japanese with raids and ambushes and conducting a form of guerrilla warfare. The squadron had a long campaign. For nine months, from the end of December until August 1945, the troopers were in action the whole time. After securing the Jaba River, they moved inland, first to Sovele Mission, then the villages of Opai, Nihero and Morokaimoro. They had reached Kilipaijino by the end of the war. Each village taken became a patrol base. Patrols were usually limited to two sections, although up to six sections could be operating at a time. Patrols generally lasted four to six days, but nine-day patrols were not unknown. The squadron collected and collated track information, terrain reports and located the enemy. Once patrols had gathered information, they were free to make a ‘strike’ against the Japanese by setting an ambush or taking a prisoner. These raids were very effective, as they forced the Japanese to deploy troops to their rear areas, removing men from the front created by the infantry. Following Japan’s surrender and the end of the war, the ranks of the squadron thinned quickly as men were discharged or were transferred to other units. For those who were left, the squadron returned to Australia at the end of December. In mid January 1946, at Liverpool, the 2/8th Commando Squadron was disbanded. -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book, Keith White, Criado:
This book brings to life for many Australians, the close connection between Australia and East Timor. In 1941-42, Archie Campbell was a lieutenant in the 'Sparrow Force' the 300 men of the 2/2nd Independent Company in a 14-month campaign of ambushes and hit-and-run tactics which effectively pinned down more than 15,000 Japanese troops in East Timor. This book recounts the bloodless Australian landing in Portuguese East Timor, military actions against the Japanese, and eventual evacuation to Darwin. Central to Campbell's experience is the ambush and execution of a section from his platoon, shortly after the Japanese landing in Dili. In 1973, Archie returned to East Timor to meet Barana, the East Timorese man who, as a 12-year-old boy, helped and protected him during the campaign. Each Timorese boy who helped a commando and guarded him while he slept, was called that commando's Criado. Ken White accompanied Archie in the 1973 journey to East Timor to find Barana. He has used excerpts from Archie's own diary to tell the heart-warming story of their first meeting after 30 years. Historical background on the centuries of Portuguese rule, the Japanese occupation and the more recent Indonnon-fictionThis book brings to life for many Australians, the close connection between Australia and East Timor. In 1941-42, Archie Campbell was a lieutenant in the 'Sparrow Force' the 300 men of the 2/2nd Independent Company in a 14-month campaign of ambushes and hit-and-run tactics which effectively pinned down more than 15,000 Japanese troops in East Timor. This book recounts the bloodless Australian landing in Portuguese East Timor, military actions against the Japanese, and eventual evacuation to Darwin. Central to Campbell's experience is the ambush and execution of a section from his platoon, shortly after the Japanese landing in Dili. In 1973, Archie returned to East Timor to meet Barana, the East Timorese man who, as a 12-year-old boy, helped and protected him during the campaign. Each Timorese boy who helped a commando and guarded him while he slept, was called that commando's Criado. Ken White accompanied Archie in the 1973 journey to East Timor to find Barana. He has used excerpts from Archie's own diary to tell the heart-warming story of their first meeting after 30 years. Historical background on the centuries of Portuguese rule, the Japanese occupation and the more recent Indonworld war ii, independent companies, australian commando, timor -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Haworth, Larry (Chaplain (Ret.) USA), Tales Of Thunder Run
The convoys, the noise, the ambushes ... stories of QL 13, the Route 66 of Viet NamThe convoys, the noise, the ambushes ... stories of QL 13, the Route 66 of Viet Nam 1961-1975 - personal narratives, vietnamese conflict, 1961-1975 - chaplains - biography -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Estes, Jack, A Field of innocence: A ,Memoir of the Vietnam War (Copy 2)
The tales of battle are chilling and the reader is given a sense of what it is like to fight an unseen enemy who might appear any time, anywhere and start shooting from ambush.The tales of battle are chilling and the reader is given a sense of what it is like to fight an unseen enemy who might appear any time, anywhere and start shooting from ambush.united states. marine corps - biography, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - personal narratives, american -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Estes, Jack, A Field of innocence: A Memoir of the Vietnam War (Copy 1)
The tales of battle are chilling, and the reader is given a sense of what it is like to fight an unseen enemy who might appear any time, anywhere and start shooting from ambush.The tales of battle are chilling, and the reader is given a sense of what it is like to fight an unseen enemy who might appear any time, anywhere and start shooting from ambush.united states. marine corps - biography, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - personal narratives, american -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Palmos, Frank, Ridding the Devils (Copy 2), 1990
During the Tet Offensive in Vietnam in 1968, the war correspondent Frank Palmos and four other colleges were ambushed in Saigon by a squad of Viet Cong. His four colleges were killed; but by playing dead Palmos alone survived. These killings of unarmed civilians attracted worldwide publicity.During the Tet Offensive in Vietnam in 1968, the war correspondent Frank Palmos and four other colleges were ambushed in Saigon by a squad of Viet Cong. His four colleges were killed; but by playing dead Palmos alone survived. These killings of unarmed civilians attracted worldwide publicity. vietnam war, 1961-1975 -- journalists -- biography, war correspondents -- australia -- biography, tet offensive, saigon, viet c, viet cong -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Del Vecchio, John M, The 13th Valley. (Copy 1)
As complex as a tropical jungle, as frightening as an ambush at night.As complex as a tropical jungle, as frightening as an ambush at night.vietnam conflict, 1961-1975 - fiction -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Rotundo, John L. and Ericson, Don, Charlie Rangers
They were the biggest Ranger company in Vietnam and the best. Charlie Company, 75th Infantry, provided the six-man hunter-killer teams that specialized in ambushing the enemy, outfighting jungle guerrillas using their own tactics.They were the biggest Ranger company in Vietnam and the best. Charlie Company, 75th Infantry, provided the six-man hunter-killer teams that specialized in ambushing the enemy, outfighting jungle guerrillas using their own tactics.united states - army - history, vietnam war, personal narratives - american, charlei company, 75th infantry, nva