When Lloyd Campbell joined the AIF, he was underage and went to the Middle East with 2/17 Battalion. Later in New Guinea he made a major career change and volunteered for an unknown unit and special operations. What he had joined was the SRD – known as Z-Special Unit. Z Special Unit—also known as Special Operations Executive (SOE), Special Operations Australia (SOA) or the Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD)—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 on Borneo and the islands of the former Netherlands East Indies. The unit carried out a total of 81 covert operations in the South West Pacific theatre, with parties inserted by parachute or submarine to provide intelligence and conduct guerrilla warfare. The best known of these missions were Operation Jaywick and Operation Rimau, both of which involved raids on Japanese shipping in Singapore Harbour; the latter of which resulted in the deaths of 23 commandos either in action or by execution after capture. Although the unit was disbanded after the war, many of the training techniques and operational procedures employed were later used during the formation of other Australian Army special forces units and they remain a model for guerrilla operations to this day. pp. 274, illusts, maps ww2, the australian special operations, special forces, z special unit

WW2 Australian Special OperationsSoftcover 304 pages, Douglas Shire library serviceww2, australian commandos, singapore raid

A detailed history of Australian Special Forces operations during World War Two by the commandos of the Allied Intelligence Bureau and the Independent Companies/Commando Squadrons and through to operations in Vietnam and later conflicts. Compiled by two of Australia’s most famous military historians for the 60th anniversary of Operation JAYWICK in 2003.

Popularly known today as Z Special Unit, or by the wartime cover names of Inter-Allied Services Department (ISD) and Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD), Special Operations Australia (SOA) was the Special Operations component of the US-led Allied Intelligence Bureau in the Pacific Theatre during the Second World War. From the secret files of Z Special Unit, and the second in a set of five volumes, Volume 2 - Operations describes almost two hundred separate "Z" Operations. Through the examination of this volume, the strategic role of the Special Operations - Australia organisation becomes apparent. Students of history will easily identify the ebb and flow of the Allied campaigns in the Pacific Theatre, with many of the operations of SOA being precursors to larger Allied offensives. Several serious blunders by SRD headquarters are also identified, one of which in particular had the capacity to compromise one of the greatest secrets of the Second World War and could have cost thousands of Allied lives...special operations australia, australian commandos, world war ii, special forces

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

Popularly known today as Z Special Unit, or by the wartime cover names of Inter-Allied Services Department (ISD) and Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD), Special Operations Australia (SOA) was the Special Operations component of the US-led Allied Intelligence Bureau in the Pacific Theatre during the Second World War. From the secret files of Z Special Unit, and the third in a set of five volumes, Volume 3 - Communications describes the communications links and equipment which were the lifeline for "Z" Operatives in the field. From "Z's" early days relying on Dutch military communications stations in Melbourne and Darwin to the establishment of dedicated "Z" communications stations in Darwin, Morotai and Labuan, Vol 3 provides the only comprehensive history of these sites ever committed to paper. Radio and Special Forces enthusiasts will be agog at the appendices in this volume, which not only include copies of the actual operating instructions and technical manuals for much of the specialist SOE communications hardware used by "Z" during the war, but also the once-top secret SOE ciphers and codes used by Z parties in the field. The Official History of Special Operations Australia, Volume 3 - Communications is a unique record of one of the most important aspects of Second World War Special Operations.australian special operations, special forces, world war ii

This book tells in close detail the stories of the perilous adventures and dreadful ordeals of 90 attempted escapes, some successful, by desperate Australian prisoners of war in Borneo 1942 - 1945. It also covers in detail a number of operations conducted by Special Operations Australia in the North Borneo region during World War II.signed by authorworld war ii, australian commandos, australian special operations, borneo, special operations australia, allied intelligence bureau, z special unit

Popularly known today as Z Special Unit, or by the wartime cover names of Inter-Allied Services Department (ISD) and Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD), Special Operations Australia (SOA) was the Special Operations component of the US-led Allied Intelligence Bureau in the Pacific Theatre during the Second World War. The first in a set of five, Volume 1 – Organization tells the story of the establishment, organisation and function of SOA from its earliest days as a direct offshoot of the British Special Operations Executive, until the organisation’s disbandment after a long, brutal and bloody conflict. Introduced by clandestine operations and espionage writer C.A. Brown, Volume 1 tells the story of the establishment of SOA and its fight for survival as a British-oriented Special Ops organisation under American command, while giving the Imperial Japanese invaders a bloody nose all the way from New Guinea to Indochina. Covering in detail the major personalities, departments, directorates, training and operational bases of SOA, Volume 1.Soft cover with 200 pagesaustralian commandos, special operations, special forces, world war ii

non-fictionww2, australian commandos, australian special operations, australian special forces, world war ii

Warrior Elite is a unique and compelling account of Australia's special forces and intelligence operations - ranging from the early special forces of World War II to the establishment and development of the SAS and Commando Regiments as the elite fighters of today, and from the Australian Security Intelligence Service to the Australian Signals Directorate and ASIO. It is an authoritative, gripping and thoroughly up-to-date account of both the history and current state of our special forces and intelligence bodies - and gives a unique glimpse into the warfare of the future. Our future. Robert Macklin has conducted dozens of exclusive interviews and uncovered incredible, daring and sometimes heartbreaking stories of the elite troops that guard our nation and engage in secret operations around the world. He has had significant cooperation from numerous sources within the special forces and the various intelligence agencies. Both thoroughly researched and colourfully written, Warrior Elite will attract the reader of action memoirs as well as those interested in broader military history and espionage. australian special forces, australian army, commandos, military history

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

An account of the operations of The Allied Intelligence Bureau (AIB) better known as ‘Z’ Special Unit. Now a scarce and highly sought after title. The author’s personal experiences with Australian Special Forces (Services Reconnaissance Department) which involved guerrilla soldiering with the head-hunters of Japanese held Borneo during World War 2. Z Special Unit an administrative support unit of (also known as Special Operations Australia (SOA) or the Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD)) was a joint Allied special forces unit formed during the Second World War to operate behind Japanese lines in South East Asia. Predominantly Australian, SRD was a specialist reconnaissance and sabotage unit that included British, Dutch, New Zealand, Timorese and Indonesian members, predominantly operating on Borneo and the islands of the former Netherlands East Indies. The unit carried out a total of 81 covert operations in the South West Pacific theatre, with parties inserted by parachute or submarine to provide intelligence and conduct guerrilla warfare. The best known of these missions were Operation Jaywick and Operation RIMAU, both of which involved raids on Japanese shipping in Singapore Harbour; the latter of which resulted in the deaths of twenty-three commandos either in action or by execution after capture. Although the unit was disbanded after the war, many of the training techniques and operational procedures employed were later used during the formation of other Australian Army special forces units and they remain a model for guerrilla operations to this day.Hard Cover with Dust Jacket – 608 pagesInscribed by author-Bob Long AK223 SEMUT 1 Borneo 1945

An annual magazine published for release on RASvy Corps birthday 1st July. All units with RASvy Corps are invited / expected to submit an article depicting their activities over the preceding years 1991 to 1993. 4Fd Svy Sqn Adventure training list pages 7, 8. Army Map Depot - Unit Ski Day, pages 20, 21. The William Patton Expedition - Locating his grave as part of the " Burke and Wills " expedition, list of personnel involved - page 43. 8 Fd Svy Sqn - names mentioned and photo - page 50. 4 Fd Svy Sqn (1992) names mentioned page 69. The G Res manning list on page 70. Names mentioned in "Unit sports pages 73, 74. Exercise Kokoda Cartographer July 1992 list of participants on Page 78. Iraq - The Gulf War, Topographic Support page 52. Adelaide (4 Fd Svy Sqn) 1992 page 65. 8 Fd Svy Sqn manning wind down list pages 89-90. Military Geographic Information Pilot Project page 92. Royal Australian Survey Corps Aerial photography Team personnel list page 95. Operation Belama 92 Team list page 96. Long term Schooling attendees and promotions, page 105. Litho Sqn Postings in and out pages 116-117. Special awards SGT Durrant page 113, SSGT SR Hill page 114. RASvy completes 1:50,000 scale mapping of the Pilbara Region page 121. 1st Topo Svy Sqn personnel mentioned on page 122. A4 sized booklet with soft glossy card covers, paper pages held together with a plastic spiral binder.army survey regiment, army survey regt, fortuna, royal australian survey corps, rasvy, asr

The Survey Operation Report deals with the cartographic completion of four 1:50,000 topographical line maps and one Special 1:50,000 map covering the Puckapunyal Military Training Area. The report covers in detail the digital stereo plotting, field completion (checking) and the cartographic completion including printing. The four 1:50.000 maps are 7823-1 PYALONG, 7824-2 COSTERFIELD, 7923-4 TALLAROOK and 7924-3 NAGAMBIE. Annex A lists personnel and dates involved and is attached as 6385.2. Annex B lists the members of the field completion parties.A4 sized buff coloured light cardboard covered report, plastic spiral binding. Front cover includes text, Survey Corps badge and light brown image of a Centurian tank. "To Tech Library", Page 2 has two small handwritten notes indicating that Phase 2 was the Field Completion Phaseroyal australian survey corps, rasvy, fortuna, army survey regiment, army svy regt, asr

Australian area of Operations.Map of Phuoc Tuy Province showing civilian access areas in colour. Laminated surface on board backing with black border &mall hanging strap on back.Top centre: “UNCLASSIFIED. LATE SPECIAL OVERPRINT (SHEET 1)map, vietnam

Kenneth William Tweeddale BRIDGE DSC. Pre WW2 Kenneth worked in New Guinea from 1929 to 1941 as a Patrol Officer and then Assistant District Officer. He enlisted in the 2nd AIF No VX7794 on 10.3.1942 age 34 years 5 months. Initially posted too 3rd F.A Regt he was appointed A/Lieut on 26.5.1942 in “Z Special Unit”. Embarked for service in Aust mandated territory (NG) 31.8.1942, alloted to “M” Special Unit SWPA 7.5.1943, returned from special duties 11.9.1943, transferred to the retired list 8.10.1943. He was awarded by the U.S the “Legion of Merit” (Degree of Legionairre) for his work between Nov 1942 - July 1943 in the Sambare River and Salamaua area. He then joined the RANVR on 9.10.1943 in Intelligence and allotted to “Ferdinand Party” as a Sub Lieut. Embarcation dates are not listed but it appears he was in New Guinea in 1944 - 45. He was awarded the DSC for “Bravery and Enterprise in Recconnaisance Operations” on 16.2.1945. Appointment terminated in the RANVR on 8.1.1946. (SWPA) South West Pacific Area. (RANVR) Royal Australian Navy Volunteer Reserve. (DSC) Distinguished Service Cross. Refer Book 46.Brown plastic frame, gold trim, glass front, brown paper backing. Sepia photo, head & shoulders, peaked cap with white top, mounted with maroon border.On back: Sub Lieutenant KENNETH W T BRIDGE DSC, Legion of Merit (US) RANVR - Coastwatcher, photography - photographs, frame accessories, military history - navy, united states

Planes similar to this came with several additional parts. They were designed for use in dadoing, rabbeting, tonguing and grooving, beading,slitting and sash cutting. It could also be used as a filleister and with special cutters, as a Reeding Plane. Sargent & Co. were in operation from 1887 to 1964.Plane with wooden handle (mahogany) and fence plate. Adjustment points for various uses."SMB" on handle. "SARGENT" on metal near handle.plane, dadoing, rabbeting, tongue and groove, beading, slitting, sash cutting, sargent, united states of america

Index, bibliography, ill, p.168.non-fictionThe operations of Australian clandestine units during the second world warmilitary art and science - australia, secret service - australia

The photo shows a view of the WW2 Z Special Unit's headquarters in Cairns.Z Special Unit and its operations were kept secret during WW2 and such photos may be rare.Sepia photograph On back: "House on the Hill" Cairns 1944 ZESz special unit - house on the hill - headquarters - cairns - world war 2

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non-fiction Dick Horton, as a Lieutenant RNVR. was a member of the Special Forces with which this book is concerned and was awarded the DSC and the American Silver Star for his services. He writes from first-hand knowledge and pays fitting tribute to his brothers-in-arms. He describes the magnificent series of operations of the Independent Companies against the crack 5th and 48th Divisions of the Japanese Army on Timor and the achievements of HMAS KRAIT a converted Japanese fishing boat. He goes on to describe the revolt of the population in Borneo which was engineered by a handful of men. mostly Australians from Z Special Unit, and which materially assisted the Allied Forces when they invaded and re-took it. Apart from its unquestionable value to students of military history, "Ring of Fire" is an exciting account of a variety of imaginative

gray plasticnon-fictionThe history of the New Guinea Air Warning Wireless Company. This reprinted version contains a map of the dispositions of Spotting Stations August 1943, additional MID awards listed and some additions to the nominal roll. The New Guinea Air Warning Wireless Company was formed in Port Moresby in late January 1942 and was granted “Separate Independent Establishment” status in October 1943. The company’s “founding father” was Major Don Small, who had witnessed Japanese air raids on Rabaul and realised that having lacked an effective early-warning system around New Britain meant that the defenders were taken by surprise. At the time, gaps had also appeared in the coast-watching communications network because the territory administration ordered the withdrawal of civilian wireless operators when Japan entered the war. The first influx of men into the company consisted largely of volunteers from the 39th Infantry Battalion, which was stationed at Port Moresby. Initial training was rudimentary, hasty, and was sometimes even carried out on en route to a new station. The first party of company personnel, or “spotters”, left Port Moresby as early as 1 February 1942, bound for the strategically important Samarai area, at the tip of Papua. In the first month of the company’s existence 16 spotter stations were established on the coast of Papua and in the mountains around Port Moresby. At the end of 1942 there were 61 operational stations being run by 180 men. The company’s high-water mark was in late 1944, by which time over 150 stations had been set up in Papua and New Guinea behind enemy lines. On 3 February 1942 the company issued its first air warning in Papua, when spotters at Tufi saw Japanese aircraft about to attack Port Moresby for the first time. The following month the company was responsible for the first Japanese killed in action in Papua by Australian ground forces, when spotters from Gona engaged the crew of a downed Japanese bomber. And in July 1942 the station at Buna signalled Port Moresby with news of the Japanese landings in Papua, marking the beginning of the Kokoda campaign. The dangers involved in the company’s work had also been made clear by this time. In July 1942 a party of spotters attempting to set up a station at Misima Island, off Milne Bay, was intercepted by a Japanese destroyer, resulting in the company’s first operational losses. Anticipating the direction of the campaign as a whole, the company’s focus moved north and north-west over the three years of its existence. In May 1942 a network was set up in the Wau area in association with the activities of Kanga Force. As part of the Wau network, spotter Ross Kirkwood audaciously constructed an observation post overlooking the Japanese airstrip at Salamaua. Kirkwood’s position was photographed by Damian Parer on the understanding that the pictures would not be published. They nevertheless appeared in a Sydney newspaper. The day after the publication of the photographs the observation post was attacked by the Japanese and Kirkwood was lucky to escape. In June 1944 the company’s headquarters were moved to Nadzab. By that time, spotter stations existed behind Japanese lines, as far north as Hollandia, and the company began to train Americans to perform similar work in the Philippines. In early 1945 the company moved to Balcombe, Victoria, where its members were posted to other units of the Australian Corps of Signals.world war ii, special operations, new guinea, new guinea air warning wireless company

non-fictionhe detailed history of the No.2 and No. 4 Independent Commando Companies and their operations during World War 2 against the Japanese. No dust jacket.you ww2, independent companies, commandos, australian special operations

Soft Cover without Dust Jacket – 41 pages