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The Australian Commando Association (Victoria) is the state branch of the Australian Commando Association whose membership comprises World War 2 and post-WW2 former and current serving Commando and special operations personnel and attached sub-unit members. The Association also has affiliate membership of family members of these personnel. The collection covers both WW2 and post-WW2 items.
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 book
australian special forces, australian commando, afghanistan
This book reproduces the SRD Technical Handbook, which was a top secret equipment supply catalogue published for internal use within SRD in February, 1945. While many of the items in the handbook are British SOE “special stores” shipped over from London, a great deal of developmental and experimental work was done by SRD’s Technical Directorate at its technical research station at Mount Martha on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. A flick through these pages will show unusual items such as folding midget motorbikes, silenced pistols and machine guns, knuckle-knives, mini-submarines, booby trap devices and more. In fact, it contains just about everything a WWII-era commando or a spy required to successfully complete a secret mission. Lavishly illustrated with original wartime photographs, plans and diagrams, many never before seen publicly, the S.R.D. Technical Handbook is timely evidence that mankind is never as ingenious as he is during time of war.
australian special operations, special forces, commandos, world war ii
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
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
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 pages
australian commandos, 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 author
world war ii, australian commandos, australian special operations, borneo, special operations australia, allied intelligence bureau, z special unit
Several members who participated in this battle were former commandos and members of 2 commando Company
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Softcover 332 page
Inscribed presentation by Harry Smith dated June 2012
australian commandos, vietnam war, australian special forces
Acquired in Fort Worth, Scotland in August 2019.
Allied Memorial to World War II commandos in locations where commando training was undertaken.
A4 size framed painting
Printed by Mark Leggett
Yearly award for the best commando within a commando company
Limited production of regimental hat badges has been coloured silver for presentation as an annual award to the best commando within a commando company.
Inscribed with number 49
australian commando, special operations, australian special forces
Softcover 306 pages
A training publication used by training staff and cadre during the formation of the Australian post-war commando companies.
AN A4 80 page
Marked as "Confidential' and number 6078
commandos, special operations, special forces, australian military
WW2 Australian Special Operations
Softcover 304 pages,
Douglas Shire library service
ww2, australian commandos, singapore raid
ww2, borneo
Details the work of the Special Operations Executive in the five countries of Mountbatten's South East Asia Command-- India, Burma, Ceylon, Malaya and Sumatra, later expanded to include the Dutch East Indies and French Indochina-- and how the actions of the command could have made Force 136 a more decisive player in the liberation of the South East Asia.There were Australia members of Force 136.
Relevant to WW2 Australian Special operations.
ww2, soe, special operations
SOE Singapore 1941 - 1942... --... Richard Gough... Richard Gough, a veteran of World War II in Singapore follows the story of Singapore's collapse and the resistance before and after from the perspective of Colonel Alan Warren, with Special Operations Executive (SOE). A true story from the 1940s. 245 pages with conclusion...
Includes references to Australian WW2 Special Operations
Soft cover 238 pages
ww2, world war 2, specila operations, soe, singapore
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
On 22 June 2013, Corporal Cameron Baird was a 2nd Commando Regiment Special Forces soldier when he led his platoon into a known Taliban stronghold to back-up another Australian unit under heavy fire. In the prolonged firefight, Cameron was mortally wounded. In 2014, Cameron's bravery and courage under fire saw him posthumously awarded the 100th Victoria Cross, our highest award possible for bravery in the presence of the enemy. Cameron Baird died how he lived - at the front, giving it his all, without any indecision. He will forever be remembered by his mates and the soldiers he served with in the 2nd Commando Regiment. THE COMMANDO reveals Cameron's life, from young boy and aspiring AFL player, who only missed out on being drafted because of injury, to exemplary soldier and leader. Cameron's story and that of 4RAR and 2nd Commando personifies the courage and character of the men and women who go to war and will show us the good man we have lost.
australian special forces, commandos, afghanistan, 2nd commando regiment
Chris Masters is Australia’s foremost investigative journalist. His descriptions of battle are some of the most powerful reporting from that war. No Front Line takes this story even further, to the heart of Special Forces and its war in Afghanistan, a war the Australian public know very little about. Implicitly trusted by Special Forces, Chris gives voice to these soldiers. He takes us right into the centre of some of the fiercest combat, opens up the story of the relationship between the Australians and their US partners and provides the most intimate examination of what it is like to be a member of this country’s elite fighting forces.
australian special forces, afghanistan, commandos
In addition 1- 230 of the post World War II M and Z commando Association quarterly newsletter. World War II operatives were subject to a 30 year security provision this collection includes many personal stories, many of which remain unpublished, which were included in the magazines after the security restrictions were lifted in the mid-1980s.
Four volumes of bound magazines. In Edition 1-230.
Deadly Secrets tells the engrossing true story of the Allied raids launched on Singapore in World War II. Laying many myths to rest, military historian Lynette Ramsay Silver, the author of The Bridge At Parit Sulong, outlines Operation Jaywick, which used a stolen Japanese fishing boat, renamed Krait, to attack Singapore Harbour. It also discusses the more ambitious raid; Operation Rimau.
Soft Cover without Dust Jacket – 464 pages
world war ii, ww2, australian commandos, australian special operations, operation jaywick, operation rimau
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
This 305 page, full colour hard copy reference work, catalogues the series of metal uniform embellishments used by Units and Regiments of the Australian Army, from 1953 through to the date of publication. The book provides images of the front and the back of a given (metal) insignia set for each Unit or Regiment operating within the Australian Army since 1953 (including abolished formations). Each image set, depicts the relevant hat badge, collar badges and epaulette title and/or cloth shoulder title applicable. The book’s images document at least three distinctly different ‘generations’ of insignia manufacturing methods/types, including the: gilt brass and white metal items used in the 1953 to 1964 period; and anodised aluminium ‘StayBright’ insignia introduced as from 1964 and ‘BriteShine’ insignia introduced with effect from 1997 (running through to today). The full colour photographic images in the book are complimented by written descriptions which cite each item’s distinguishing characteristics… including measures of: typical weight, height, width and thickness (at a given point). A discussion of copies and faked items is also provided, including microscope resolution images of ‘tell tale’ signs to look for. The entries in this book are organised alphabetically and are consistent with those used in the Authors’ earlier publications (ie. the 614 page eBook version of Volume 1, as well as with the 236 page ‘Concise’ hard copy Editions of Volume 1).
australian army insignia, post ww2 insignia and badges
This 236 page, full-colour hard copy reference work, catalogues the metal insignia embellishments used by all Corps and Schools of the Australian Army (including philanthropic organisations), from 1953 through to the present. The book provides images of the front and the back of a given (metal) insignia set for each Corps etc. Each image set depicts the relevant hat badge, collar badges and epaulette title and/or cloth shoulder title applicable. The book's images record three distinctly different 'generations' of insignia manufacturing methods/types, including the: gilt brass and white metal items used in the 1953 to 1964 period; and anodised aluminium 'StayBright' insignia introduced as from 1964[ and 'BriteShine' insignia introduced with effect from 1997 (running through to the present). The full colour photographic images in the book are complimented by written descriptions which cite each item's distinguishing characteristics... including measures of: typical weight, height, width and thickness (at a given point). A discussion of copies and faked items is also provided, including microscope resolution images of 'tell tale' signs to look for. The entries in the book are organised alphabetically and match those used in the Authors' 614 page eBook version of this work (the eBook is a separate edition which provides scalable images of all relevant insignia and many manufacturing variants).The hard copy and electronic editions of this work are able to be used either separately or concurrently, as and when users require. Regards Mark Corcoran & Arthur Butler The Authors charlibravobooks.com Re: Copyright As the original authors we hold the sole copyright authority to sell this work. This item does not infringe on any copyright, trademark and/or intellectual property rights and we hold specific written publication approval from the Australian Defence Force.
Soft cover, spiral bound 235 pages
australian army, post ww2 insignia
The story of Australian men and women, wireless interceptors, whose skill in intercepting coded Japanese transmissions in WWII provided MacArthur’s intelligence organisation with vital information about enemy operations in the South West Pacific Area.
i
Soft cover 261 pages
ww2, signals, australian signals intelligence, special operations
The incredible tale of ‘Z’ Special Unit – a group of mainly New Zealand and Australian commandos and saboteurs who parachuted into enemy-occupied territory to fight the war, sometimes single-handedly.The story begins in Greece, with the extraordinary sabotage feats of Don Stott and his friend Bob Morton. Stott’s success in blowing up the strategically crucial Asopos Viaduct was one of the greatest such exploits of World War II and changed the course of the war in Greece”.
Soft cover 168 pages
ww2, australian special operations, australian special forces, australian commandos, new zealand commandos
Twenty-two young New Zealand soldiers were posted to a clandestine intelligence unit in Melbourne called the Allied Intelligence Bureau. Their task was to undertake espionage and sabotage lines of communication, train natives as soldiers for local resistance and set up a radio link back to Australia. This is the account of the experiences of one soldier’s operation in Borneo – and is an account of their divine protection.
Soft cover 174 page
Signed by author.
ww2, australian special operations, nz special forces in ww2
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
