Historical information
On the evening of February 17, 1960, 74 peacetime commandos in army boats set off on a training exercise from Point Lonsdale to Point Nepean, simulating a raid. The weather was calm at Point Lonsdale on a midweek evening 50 years ago, but 50 years ago weather forecasts were not yet reliable. By nightfall a massive storm came through and all hell broke loose. Soon, three young Victorians were dead and more than 70 others were rescued from huge seas in Bass Strait.
Significance
Green commando beret similar to ones worn by commandos involved in Rip Disaster of 1960
Physical description
Commando beret (green) with unit insignia
Inscriptions & markings
Unit insignia: "Strike Swiftly"
References
- "A thunderstorm came in suddenly from the south-east. Huge white water swells loomed outside the heads. Inside, the tide bolted out at eight knots. The Rip is considered one of the most dangerous harbour entrances in the world because it is narrow, shallow and tidal. And on this occasion, it quickly turned deadly".
