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4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Gas Mask
Appears to be type used by German Troops later in the warType of gas mask carried by enemy soldiers who would have been fighting against soldiers of the 4th Light Horse Regiment in France in 1918Face mask made of leather, with light khaki fabric head straps. plastic eye windows. Metal part has internal thread to accept filter canister. Canister is roughly cylindrical with and external thread to allow fixing to the mask.Metal part of face mask pressed into the sheet metal: D2 Canister pressed into the sheet metal: G.J.B. 1918 Canister green ink stamped: A.G.P.A. 14.APR.1918 M2 11.C.H. Canister red ink stamped: 3 blurred letters or digits.gas mask german -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Book - Country Women's Association of Victoria, Warworkers Woolcraft - Compiled by the CWA of Victoria, c1940's
Tawonga CWA branch commenced on 7th Feb. 1946. Prior to this the ladies would have been involved in supporting the war effort with knitted and spun items as described in this book. The branch often combined activities with the other branches in the Kiewa Valley. The C.W.A. aimed to improve health, welfare and education for women and children in the country. Getting together for the war effort would have succeeded in this aim perhaps encouraging the women to continue meeting under the banner of C.W.A.The Tawonga ladies would have been involved in assisting the war effort from home. Most of the ladies lived on remote farms so they may have got together, learnt together and felt happier while contributing to the war effort and supporting the men fighting overseas. Wool was available and easily made into useful items that could be shipped overseas. After the war, the ladies may have wanted to continue meeting and hence decided to form a C.W.A. branch.Small brown book with black writing. 32 pages held by 2 rusty staples.The book gives patterns and instructions for making woolcraft (knitting & spinning) eg. socks & scarves, for the Airforce, Navy and Army with specific colours, thickness of wool and notes eg. no frills. Price 3d. posted 4d. Sponsored by the Australian Wool BoardCover: Warworkers Woolcraft / Compiled by the CWA / Knitting Spinning / Sponsored by the Australian Wool Boardww11. warworkers. tawonga. country women's association of victoria. woolcraft. australian wool board. c.w.a. -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Photos - Athletics Club - Boxing x 18
At the beginning of the KHES, a team of facilitators from the YMCA under the supervision of a Mr A. Clarke, were co-opted to organize social and sporting activities for the thousands of workers relocated to the remote work site.The Athletics Club was one of the first clubs to organise activities and Boxing and allied disciplines, weight-lifting, wrestling and gymnastics were very popular. Regular displays and fight contests were held in the Community Centre and before that the Recreation Centre.x 18 Black and white photos of various sizes. Men and boys boxing. One photo includes a group of boxers lined up. Their names are on the back.mt beauty athletics club, ymca, boxing -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Booklet, Royal Australian Armoured Corps Training Vol 2 Firing Techniques Pam No 4. The Application of Fire from Light Armoured Fighting Vehicles, 1972
Soft covered booklet.DSN 7610-66-049-4468firing techniques, afv's -
Doncaster RSL Sub Branch
Diary
Diary covers Ivan's time at Truscott airfield in North-Western Australia June 1944 - 45 and covers the construction of the airfield and the first operationsTruscott airfield was one of the most Northerly and therefore the nearest to the fighting at that timeDiary written by sub-branch member Ronald Ivan Smith RAAF. 19 A4 pages enclosed in standard buff coloured file 320 x 240 mm Ivan Smith served in the RAAF from early 1942 to August/September 1945 service number 418708 and the diary covers the period June 1944 to June 1945 -
Warrnambool RSL Sub Branch
PHONE COMMUNICATIONS, SITUATION REPORT re: TRENCH WARFARE from MAJOR GENERAL ROSENTHAL, 2nd Division, 7.15 P.M., 14TH JULY, 1918, re trench fighting near Villers Bretonneux
snape collection -
Warrnambool RSL Sub Branch
Book, JANE'S FIGHTING SHIPS 1955-56
The standard work of reference on the navies of the WorldHard Cover, with Dust Cover Compiled & edited by Raymond V.B. BLACKMAN, A.M.I.N.A., A. E. Mar. The Standard work of reference on the navies of the World Distributed by SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & Co., Ltd., LONDON, W.1. -
Warrnambool RSL Sub Branch
Book, JANE'S FIGHTING SHIPS 1956-57
The standard work of reference on the navies of the WorldHard Cover, with Dust Cover Compiled & edited by Raymond V.B. BLACKMAN, A.M.I.N.A., A. E. Mar. The Standard work of reference on the navies of the World Distributed by SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & Co., Ltd., LONDON, W.1. military ships. world navies. -
Warrnambool RSL Sub Branch
Book, JANE'S FIGHTING SHIPS 1958-59
The standard work of reference on the navies of the WorldHard Cover, No Dust Cover Compiled & edited by Raymond V.B. BLACKMAN, A.M.I.N.A., A. E. Mar. The Standard work of reference on the navies of the World Distributed by SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & Co., Ltd., LONDON, W.1. military ships. world navies. -
Warrnambool RSL Sub Branch
Book, JANE'S FIGHTING SHIPS 1959-60
The standard work of reference on the navies of the WorldHard Cover, with Dust Cover Compiled & edited by Raymond V.B. BLACKMAN, A.M.I.N.A., A. E. Mar. The Standard work of reference on the navies of the World Distributed by SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & Co., Ltd., LONDON, W.1. military ships. world navies. -
Warrnambool RSL Sub Branch
Book, JANE'S FIGHTING SHIPS 1960-61
The standard work of reference on the navies of the WorldHard Cover, with Dust Cover Compiled & edited by Raymond V.B. BLACKMAN, A.M.I.N.A., A. E. Mar. The Standard work of reference on the navies of the World Distributed by SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & Co., Ltd., LONDON, W.1. military ships. world navies. -
Warrnambool RSL Sub Branch
Book, JANE'S FIGHTING SHIPS 1961-62
The standard work of reference on the navies of the WorldHard Cover, with torn Dust Cover Compiled & edited by Raymond V.B. BLACKMAN, A.M.I.N.A., A. E. Mar. The Standard work of reference on the navies of the World Distributed by SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & Co., Ltd., LONDON, W.1. military ships. world navies. -
Warrnambool RSL Sub Branch
Book, JANE'S FIGHTING SHIPS 1962-63
The standard work of reference on the navies of the WorldHard Cover, with Dust Cover plastic covered Compiled & edited by Raymond V.B. BLACKMAN, A.M.I.N.A., A. E. Mar. The Standard work of reference on the navies of the World Distributed by SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & Co., Ltd., LONDON, W.1. military ships. world navies. -
Warrnambool RSL Sub Branch
Book, JANE'S FIGHTING SHIPS 1965-66
The standard work of reference on the navies of the WorldHard Cover, with Dust Cover Compiled & edited by Raymond V.B. BLACKMAN, A.M.I.N.A., A. E. Mar. The Standard work of reference on the navies of the World Distributed by SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & Co., Ltd., LONDON, W.1. military ships. world navies. -
Warrnambool RSL Sub Branch
Book, JANE'S FIGHTING SHIPS 1966-67
The standard work of reference on the navies of the WorldHard Cover, with Dust Cover Compiled & edited by Raymond V.B. BLACKMAN, A.M.I.N.A., A. E. Mar. The Standard work of reference on the navies of the World Distributed by SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & Co., Ltd., LONDON, W.1. military ships. world navies. -
Warrnambool RSL Sub Branch
Work on paper - Postcard propaganda WW1 (see Notes), ANZACS IN FRANCE, WW1 in England by Daily Mail
part of set of propaganda pics to be sent 'home'Attempts to present an idealised view of the fighting although the surroundings counteract this.Black and White PostcardOn Reverse: Hot weather and hot work at their big gun have induced these splendidly built Anzacs to strip to the waist. Also Series XIX No 148soldires in ww1 -
Learmonth and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Gordon Dean, "One Day The Sun Will Shine" by Gordon Dean, circa 1993
This book was written by Gordon,V.Dean to document the history of his world war 11 experiences, from 1939 till the end of the war and his return to his hometown of Learmonth and finally back into the workforce.Detailing the experiences of our fighting men and the traumas they suffered.Paperback book,light beige in colour.Has photo of Lake Learmonth with Mount Saddleback in left background, in purple with imediately above a photo of Gordon Dean.The title is inscribed in an arch above photoand authors name is at the bottom.(the price of $12.00 is in the top right corner.)"One Day The Sun Will Shine". by Gordon Dean.gordon dean, world war 11 1939 45, wartime experiences -
Federation University Historical Collection
Newspaper - Newspaper - Broadsheet, Ballarat Courier, 01 December 1902, 01/012/1902
The Ballarat Courier has been published in Ballarat for over 100 yearsTwelve page broadsheet with information including Melba's performance at her Majesty's Theatre, Opening of Loreto Chapel, Hospital presidential protraits of Alexander Milelr and J.G. McDonald, Lal Lal Races, Henry McEwan obituary, James Long funeral, bullfight, Buninyong Lodge Masonic Installation, the bill giving female suffrage, and much morenewspaper, ballarat, women's vote, loreto convent, h. marshall, mrs becker, george brehaut, caroline tarrant, melba at her majesty's, nellie melba, alex miller, bull fight, masonic installation, buninyong masonic lodge, lal lal races, henry mcewan, ballarat courier -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Plaque - Bronze Casting of Fairburn Fighting knife
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Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book - 6th Div, Shawn OLeary, To The Green Fields Beyond:The story of the 6th Division Cavalry Commandos
The comprehensive history of the 6th Australian Division Cavalry Commandos – a (now out of print) reprint of one of the rarer Armoured unit history books. This is the story of one of Australia’s most famous fighting regiments during World War II. As an armoured cavalry unit it fought the Italians and Germans in the sands of the African desert and the Vichy French in the mountains of Syria. Later as a dismounted commando unit it fought the Japanese in the terrifying jungles of New Guinea. The heroism of the men in its ranks and the actions in which they engaged are portrayed in a way which makes battle deeds leap realistically from the pages. “To The Green Fields Beyond” is a documented and detailed book which is of value to everyone who is interested in Australia’s story. Seldom before has such a contribution been made to record of our national history. The book has been approved and sponsored by the Australian War Memorial. The 6th Division Cavalry Regiment was formed in November 1939 and, just two months later, was sent overseas to the Middle East in January 1940. Arriving in Egypt, the regiment immediately went to Palestine, where it joined the rest of the 6th Division and trained using machine-gun carriers and, from October, six old Vickers light tanks. At the end of the year the regiment moved into the Western Desert, where it joined British forces ready for the major offensive to commence on 9 December. Two days later the regiment became the first unit of the 2nd Australian Imperial Force (AIF) to go into action when one of its squadron fought a sharp action against the Italians holding Garn el Grein and Fort Maddalina on 11 and 12 December. By 21 December British forces had captured Sidi Barrrani and the desert was now open for the 6th Division’s advance along the Libyan coast. On 3 January 1941 the division attacked and captured the Italian fort of Bardia. The regiment’s A Squadron, under the command of Major Denzil Macarthur-Onslow, who went on to command the 4th Armoured Brigade, supported the attack. Tobruk was the next Italian fort to be captured, with the regiment again in support and covering the 19th Brigade’s advance. The regiment, though, was under-equipped and without its full compliment of vehicles, using only machine gun carriers. To compensate for this, A Squadron was parity re-equipped with captured Italian light tanks, which had large kangaroos painted on the hulls and turrets to distinguish them from enemy vehicles. After Tobruk, the regiment was used as part of the advance guard in the capture of Derna and then Benghazi. In April the unit moved to Helwan, where it was equipped with Vickers light tanks and machine-gun carriers, and operated with British troops in capturing Sollum. Towards the end of May the regiment moved to Palestine, where it came under the command of the 7th Division for the imminent invasion of Syria. The regiment experienced its heaviest fighting during the Syrian campaign, which began on 7 June. A Squadron was attached to the 21st Brigade and advanced along the coast, where the rugged hills made it difficult to manoeuvre the tanks and carriers. The squadron was relieved by one of the 9th Division Cavalry Regiment’s squadrons on 13 and 14 June. C Squadron, meanwhile, was with the 25th Brigade, and advanced along the Rosh Pinna road, engaging strong enemy defences at Fort Khirbe. C Squadron was relieved by B Squadron, which was later attacked by Vichy French tanks that were supported by heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, which forced the Australians to withdrawal. Always willing or needing to improvise during the campaign, A and B Squadrons both operated three captured French R35 Renault light tanks, while C Squadron provided personnel for a horse troop, quickly nicknamed the “Kelly Gang”, to patrol the high, rugged hills near the Mardjayoun–Banis Road. The regiment remained in Syria as part of the occupation force and returned to Australia in March 1942. It was sent to the Adelaide River, in the Northern Territory, and then later to Murgon, in Queensland. In 1943 and 1944 divisional cavalry regiments were reorganised into cavalry (commando) regiments. In January 1944 the 6th Division Cavalry Regiment became the 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment. The regiment lost its vehicles and became the administrative headquarters for the 2/7th, 2/9th, and 2/10th Commando Squadrons. The regiment remained with the 6th Division and participated in the Aitpae–Wewak campaign, in New Guinea, during 1945. Includes Nominal Rollnon-fictionThe comprehensive history of the 6th Australian Division Cavalry Commandos – a (now out of print) reprint of one of the rarer Armoured unit history books. This is the story of one of Australia’s most famous fighting regiments during World War II. As an armoured cavalry unit it fought the Italians and Germans in the sands of the African desert and the Vichy French in the mountains of Syria. Later as a dismounted commando unit it fought the Japanese in the terrifying jungles of New Guinea. The heroism of the men in its ranks and the actions in which they engaged are portrayed in a way which makes battle deeds leap realistically from the pages. “To The Green Fields Beyond” is a documented and detailed book which is of value to everyone who is interested in Australia’s story. Seldom before has such a contribution been made to record of our national history. The book has been approved and sponsored by the Australian War Memorial. The 6th Division Cavalry Regiment was formed in November 1939 and, just two months later, was sent overseas to the Middle East in January 1940. Arriving in Egypt, the regiment immediately went to Palestine, where it joined the rest of the 6th Division and trained using machine-gun carriers and, from October, six old Vickers light tanks. At the end of the year the regiment moved into the Western Desert, where it joined British forces ready for the major offensive to commence on 9 December. Two days later the regiment became the first unit of the 2nd Australian Imperial Force (AIF) to go into action when one of its squadron fought a sharp action against the Italians holding Garn el Grein and Fort Maddalina on 11 and 12 December. By 21 December British forces had captured Sidi Barrrani and the desert was now open for the 6th Division’s advance along the Libyan coast. On 3 January 1941 the division attacked and captured the Italian fort of Bardia. The regiment’s A Squadron, under the command of Major Denzil Macarthur-Onslow, who went on to command the 4th Armoured Brigade, supported the attack. Tobruk was the next Italian fort to be captured, with the regiment again in support and covering the 19th Brigade’s advance. The regiment, though, was under-equipped and without its full compliment of vehicles, using only machine gun carriers. To compensate for this, A Squadron was parity re-equipped with captured Italian light tanks, which had large kangaroos painted on the hulls and turrets to distinguish them from enemy vehicles. After Tobruk, the regiment was used as part of the advance guard in the capture of Derna and then Benghazi. In April the unit moved to Helwan, where it was equipped with Vickers light tanks and machine-gun carriers, and operated with British troops in capturing Sollum. Towards the end of May the regiment moved to Palestine, where it came under the command of the 7th Division for the imminent invasion of Syria. The regiment experienced its heaviest fighting during the Syrian campaign, which began on 7 June. A Squadron was attached to the 21st Brigade and advanced along the coast, where the rugged hills made it difficult to manoeuvre the tanks and carriers. The squadron was relieved by one of the 9th Division Cavalry Regiment’s squadrons on 13 and 14 June. C Squadron, meanwhile, was with the 25th Brigade, and advanced along the Rosh Pinna road, engaging strong enemy defences at Fort Khirbe. C Squadron was relieved by B Squadron, which was later attacked by Vichy French tanks that were supported by heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, which forced the Australians to withdrawal. Always willing or needing to improvise during the campaign, A and B Squadrons both operated three captured French R35 Renault light tanks, while C Squadron provided personnel for a horse troop, quickly nicknamed the “Kelly Gang”, to patrol the high, rugged hills near the Mardjayoun–Banis Road. The regiment remained in Syria as part of the occupation force and returned to Australia in March 1942. It was sent to the Adelaide River, in the Northern Territory, and then later to Murgon, in Queensland. In 1943 and 1944 divisional cavalry regiments were reorganised into cavalry (commando) regiments. In January 1944 the 6th Division Cavalry Regiment became the 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment. The regiment lost its vehicles and became the administrative headquarters for the 2/7th, 2/9th, and 2/10th Commando Squadrons. The regiment remained with the 6th Division and participated in the Aitpae–Wewak campaign, in New Guinea, during 1945. Includes Nominal Rollww2, australian commandos, australian special forces, world war 2 -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Manufactured Objects, safety matches 'Redheads' 2015, c2015
This is a current example of the 'Redhead' logo used by Bryant & May Ltd Richmond,Victoria, Australia c 1946 - 1980 On 15th December 1909, Bryant & May, Australia’s first match factory at Church Street, Richmond, Victoria. was opened by The Honourable Alfred Deakin, Prime Minister of Australia, and Mrs. Deakin. It was heralded by the first Commonwealth Government of newly-federated Australia because the government of the day was anxious to encourage secondary industry and pledged tariff protection of local manufacturers. The building was constructed in 1909 as the Empire Works to a design by prolific Melbourne architect William Pitt and was purchased soon after by British safety match manufacturer Bryant and May, who significantly expanded the building, adding another level and the landmark clock tower. Bryant and May were unique in that they operated as a model factory, providing workers with conditions and amenities that even today seem generous. These included a dining hall and sports facilities such as a tennis court and bowling green which were constructed in the 1920s. Bryant and May ceased Australian match manufacture in the early 1980s as a result of import competition. Their iconic Redheads matches are now imported from Sweden. The complex has since been converted for use as offices and showrooms but is extremely well preserved. It is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. Bryant and May was a United Kingdom (UK) company created in the mid-nineteenth century specifically to make matches. Their original Bryant and May Factory was located in Bow, London. They later opened other match factories in the United Kingdom and Australia, such as the Bryant and May Factory, Melbourne; and owned match factories in other parts of the world. Bryant and May survived as an independent company for over seventy years, but went through a series of mergers with other match companies and later with consumer products companies. To protect its position Bryant and May merged with or took over its rivals. In 1971 the Northern Ireland factory, Maguire & Patterson closed down following a terrorist attack.. In the 1980s, factories in Gloucester and Glasgow closed too leaving Liverpool as the last match factory in the UK, until December 1994. . The registered trade name Bryant and May still exists and it is owned by Swedish Match Industries as are many of the other registered trade names of the other, formerly independent, companies within the Bryant and May group. Two French chemists, Henri Savene and Emile David Cahen, proved in 1898 that the addition of phosphorus sesquisulfide meant that the substance was not poisonous, that it could be used in a "strike-anywhere" match, and that the match heads were not explosive. British company Albright and Wilson, was the first company to produce phosphorus sesquisulfide ( Red Phosphorous) matches commercially. The company developed a safe means of making commercial quantities of phosphorus sesquisulfide in 1899 and started selling it to match manufacturers. Matches were first produced by Bryant & May in Australia in 1909. The Redhead name applies to the red striking heads of the matches which were introduced to Australia in 1946. The logo on the matchbox depicted the head and shoulder of a redheaded woman and has had four major updates since that time with a number of special issues depicting animals, birds and notable persons also producedThe Bryant & May Ltd factory in Church St Richmond is a listed building and has been converted to apartments following the closure of the Company 1980. Bryant & May's Ltd were influential in fighting against the dreadful disease known as Phossy jaw which was caused by white phosphorus used in the manufacture of the early matches. They were also the object of the 'Match Girls Strike' in London 1888, which won important improvements in working conditions and pay for the mostly female workforce working with the dangerous white phosphorus. The public were slow to purchase these safety matches because of the higher price An empty box of 'Redheads' safety matches made in Sweden for ST-Group, Springvale, Victoria, Australia c2015. The tray for the matches slides inside the open ended cover. The striking patch is on both sides of the cover. The matches have been removed. Matches were first produced by Bryant & May in Australia in 1909. The Redhead name applies to the red striking heads of the matches which were introduced to Australia in 1946. The logo on the matchbox depicted the head and shoulder of a redheaded woman and has had four major updates since that time with a number of special issues depicting animals, birds and notable persons also produced. Bryant and May ceased Australian match manufacture in the early 1980s.Top of cover ; Redheads / 45 safety / matches . Logo ; head & shoulders of a female with red hair Base of coverMade in Sweden / Redheads (R) is proudly marketed / by ST- Group Australia. / 718 Princes Highway Springvale Vic. 3171 / .............../ Readheads is a registered trademark / of Swedish Match Industries AB. / Complies ith European / Match Standard EN 1783-1997-SAF/ WARNING; / KEEP OUT OF REACH / OF CHILDREN. STRIKE / GENTLY AWAY FROM BODY . / barcode.redheads safety matches, safety matches, bryant & may pty ltd, phossy jaw disease, early settlers, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, lights, lamps, tobacco, white phosphorous, phosphorus sesquisulfide, swedish match pty ltd, pitt william, savens henri, cahen emile david , richmond victoria, match girls strike 1888, -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - BENDIGO FIRE BRIGADE, 16.6.1984
Coloured photos of transfer from Bendigo Fire Station in View Street Bendigo to the new fire station in Hargreaves St. (a) FireBrigade band members participating in formal ceremony in front of the old fire brigade station in View St. ( b ) A line of fire trucks participating in the transfer process. ( c ) Officers participating in formal ceremony in front of the old fire station in View St. Dudley House is partially obscured beside it. In the foreground are some onlookers on what appears to be a wet day in Bendigo. (d) Officers and band members taking part in the ceremony in front of the old fire station. (e) Officers marching past new fire station. ( f ) Officers on parade at new fire station with some onlookers present. ( g ) Officers on parade at new fire station. There are three fire trucks in the background.organization, government, bendigo fire brigade, bendigo, photographs, service, fire brigade, fire fighting, community services -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Film - Film, DVD, RAN helicopter flight Vietnam documentary, 2011
A copy of a documentary from the Fleet Air Arm Museum (FAAM)royal australian navy helicopter fight vietnam (ranhfv), fleet air arm museum (faam), united states 135th assault helicopter company -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Uniform - Uniform, RAN, Huey Pilot
A model of a huey pilot who is in green uniform and sitting in a cabin that reproduce the controlling area of a helicopterHuey Pilot RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam Lieutenant James C 'Jim' Buchanan, DFCroyal australian navy, royal australian navy helicopters, royal australian navy helicopter fight vietnam (ranhfv), model, huey helicopter -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Audio - Audio, CD, Men at work: fighting and recreation in Vietnam during the War (2 copies)
Photos from the Vietnam War by unknownvietnam war, 1961 - 1975, personal narratives - australian -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Manual, Australian Army: armoured fighting vehicles protection: gunnery wing - armoured centre, 1969
photocopyaustralia - armed forces - service manuals, tank warfare -
Polish Museum & Archives in Australia
soldiers identity card
identity cardsissued to members of the Polish military forces in the West.unique documents of the Polish military fighting under the command of the British Allied forces belonging to a significant individual in the Polish communitysoldiers identity card from world War two belonging to Stanislaw Blumnerves in the vehicle'smilitary identity card, blum -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Craig Deayton, The battle of Messines : 1917, 2017
On 7 June 1917, the British Second Army launched its attack on Messines Ridge, detonating 19 giant mines beneath the German front-line positions. By the end of the day, one of the strongest positions on the Western Front had fallen, a place of such importance that the Germans had pledged to hold it at any cost. It was the greatest British victory in three years of war. The first two years of the First World War had represented an almost unending catalogue of disaster for the Australians. Messines was not only their first real victory, it was also the first test in senior command for Major General John Monash who commanded the newly formed 3rd Division and would later be hailed as Australia's greatest soldier. Messines was a baptism of fire for the 3rd Division which came into the line alongside the battle-scarred 4th Australian Division, badly mauled at Bullecourt just six weeks earlier in one of the worst defeats of the war. The fighting at Messines would descend into unimaginable savagery, a lethal and sometimes hand-to-hand affair of bayonets, clubs, bombs and incessant machine-gun fire, described by one Australian as '72 hours of Hell'. After their string of bloody defeats over 1915 and 1916, Messines would be the ultimate test for the Australians. Collapse summaryIndex, bibliography, ill (col), p.172.non-fictionOn 7 June 1917, the British Second Army launched its attack on Messines Ridge, detonating 19 giant mines beneath the German front-line positions. By the end of the day, one of the strongest positions on the Western Front had fallen, a place of such importance that the Germans had pledged to hold it at any cost. It was the greatest British victory in three years of war. The first two years of the First World War had represented an almost unending catalogue of disaster for the Australians. Messines was not only their first real victory, it was also the first test in senior command for Major General John Monash who commanded the newly formed 3rd Division and would later be hailed as Australia's greatest soldier. Messines was a baptism of fire for the 3rd Division which came into the line alongside the battle-scarred 4th Australian Division, badly mauled at Bullecourt just six weeks earlier in one of the worst defeats of the war. The fighting at Messines would descend into unimaginable savagery, a lethal and sometimes hand-to-hand affair of bayonets, clubs, bombs and incessant machine-gun fire, described by one Australian as '72 hours of Hell'. After their string of bloody defeats over 1915 and 1916, Messines would be the ultimate test for the Australians. Collapse summary world war 1914-1918- campaigns - western front, battles of messines - australian participation - 1917 -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Peter Fitzsimons, Fromelles and Pozières : in the trenches of hell, 2015
In the Trenches of Hell On 19 July 1916, 7000 Australian soldiers - in the first major action of the AIF on the Western Front - attacked entrenched German positions at Fromelles in northern France. By the next day, there were over 5500 casualties, including nearly 2000 dead - a bloodbath that the Australian War Memorial describes as 'the worst 24 hours in Australia's entire history. Just days later, three Australian Divisions attacked German positions at nearby Pozi�res, and over the next six weeks they suffered another 23,000 casualties. Of that bitter battle, the great Australian war correspondent Charles Bean would write, 'The field of Pozi�res is more consecrated by Australian fighting and more hallowed by Australian blood than any field which has ever existed . . .' Yet the sad truth is that, nearly a century on from those battles, Australians know only a fraction of what occurred. This book brings the battles back to life and puts the reader in the moment, illustrating both the heroism displayed and the insanity of the British plan. With his extraordinary vigour and commitment to research, Peter FitzSimons shows why this is a story about which all Australians can be proud. And angry.Index, bibliography, notes, ill (maps), p.816.In the Trenches of Hell On 19 July 1916, 7000 Australian soldiers - in the first major action of the AIF on the Western Front - attacked entrenched German positions at Fromelles in northern France. By the next day, there were over 5500 casualties, including nearly 2000 dead - a bloodbath that the Australian War Memorial describes as 'the worst 24 hours in Australia's entire history. Just days later, three Australian Divisions attacked German positions at nearby Pozi�res, and over the next six weeks they suffered another 23,000 casualties. Of that bitter battle, the great Australian war correspondent Charles Bean would write, 'The field of Pozi�res is more consecrated by Australian fighting and more hallowed by Australian blood than any field which has ever existed . . .' Yet the sad truth is that, nearly a century on from those battles, Australians know only a fraction of what occurred. This book brings the battles back to life and puts the reader in the moment, illustrating both the heroism displayed and the insanity of the British plan. With his extraordinary vigour and commitment to research, Peter FitzSimons shows why this is a story about which all Australians can be proud. And angry.world war 1914-1918 - campaigns - western front, world war 1914-1918 - australian participation - fromelles and pozieres -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Peter Harclerode, Fighting dirty the inside story of covert operations from Ho Chi Minh to Osama Bin Laden, 2001
In the wake of the September 11th horror, nothing could be timelier than this exploration of world terrorism and the forces that fight it--armies and missions often shrouded in mystery. A foremost expert on guerrilla warfare presents, for the first time, a comprehensive investigation of covert military operations from Vietnam to Afghanistan. Among the revelations: that the CIA handed out shoulder-fired antiaircraft missiles "like lollipops" to Osama bin Laden and other mujahadeen leaders, weapons they may now turn against us how British SAS operated inside Afghanistan against the Russians and used "former special forces" personnel for clandestine missions why secret militia and locally recruited fighters successfully defeated guerrillas and terrorists in Oman, Malaya, and Borneo, but could not in Indochina and Algeria and how "fighting dirty" sometimes meant helping drug dealers in exchange for their support. Most relevant is the detailed analysis of why Russia failed to conquer Afghanistan, what we can learn from their experience, and the perils awaiting any invader.Index, bibliography, ill, maps, p.625.non-fictionIn the wake of the September 11th horror, nothing could be timelier than this exploration of world terrorism and the forces that fight it--armies and missions often shrouded in mystery. A foremost expert on guerrilla warfare presents, for the first time, a comprehensive investigation of covert military operations from Vietnam to Afghanistan. Among the revelations: that the CIA handed out shoulder-fired antiaircraft missiles "like lollipops" to Osama bin Laden and other mujahadeen leaders, weapons they may now turn against us how British SAS operated inside Afghanistan against the Russians and used "former special forces" personnel for clandestine missions why secret militia and locally recruited fighters successfully defeated guerrillas and terrorists in Oman, Malaya, and Borneo, but could not in Indochina and Algeria and how "fighting dirty" sometimes meant helping drug dealers in exchange for their support. Most relevant is the detailed analysis of why Russia failed to conquer Afghanistan, what we can learn from their experience, and the perils awaiting any invader. special forces - operations - 20th century, special forces - operations - 20th century