1st Commando Regiment (Australia)

Last updated

1st Commando Regiment
Insigne 1st Commando Regiment (Australie).svg
1st Commando Regiment cap badge
Active24 February 1955
(as 1 and 2 Cdo Coy)
1 February 1981–present
(as 1st Cdo Regt)
CountryFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Branch Australian Army Reserve
Type Special forces
Role Special operations
SizeOne regiment
  • Two commando companies
Part of Special Forces Group
Garrison/HQ Sydney and Melbourne
Motto(s)Strike Swiftly
March1 Cdo Coy – "Sari Marais"
2 Cdo Coy – "Cockleshell Heroes"
Engagements Afghanistan
Commanders
Notable
commanders
William "Mac" Grant
Phillip Bennett
Martin Hamilton-Smith
Insignia
Unit colour patch 1st Commando Regiment Unit Colour Patch.svg
Abbreviation1 Cdo Regt

The 1st Commando Regiment (1 Cdo Regt) is an Australian Army Reserve special forces unit, part of Special Operations Command with an integrated structure of regular (full-time) soldiers and reserve (part-time) soldiers, which together with the full-time Australian Army 2nd Commando Regiment, provides the commando capability to Special Operations Command. Raised in 1955 it is the oldest unit within Special Operations Command and in 2008 deployed to Afghanistan to become the first Australian Army Reserve force element on combat operations since World War II. The regiment is the Command's capability lead for special warfare. [1] [2]

Contents

Role

The primary role of 1st Commando Regiment is to provide a scalable and deployable mission command headquarters to Special Operations Command (SOCOMD). In addition, the regiment is manned, trained and equipped to provide commando force elements up to a company size, as well as providing high quality, competent individual commandos to round out, reinforce and rotate with other SOCOMD capabilities. [3] [4]

During the period from the early 2000s to the early 2010s, combat operations and the evolution of the commando role changed the character of the regiment. [3] The regiment revised reserve training following combat operations, to align training standards with the full-time 2nd Commando Regiment (2 Cdo Regt), and to provide a higher level of readiness for the regiment, however, this affected recruitment due to the long full-time commitment and is now optional. [5]

History

Origins

Australian commandos in New Guinea during World War II Commandos Timbered Knoll.jpg
Australian commandos in New Guinea during World War II

Derived from the South African/Dutch word used by the Boers identifying their irregular sized raiding forces employed against the British during the South African Wars, the term "commando" was adopted by newly formed British raiding forces during World War II, and subsequently used by Australian special units raised to fight in the South-west Pacific and Indian Oceans. By the close of World War II, Australian special forces units included the Independent Companies (later Commando Squadrons), Z Special Unit under Special Operations Australia and M Special Unit under Allied Intelligence Bureau. [6]

By the early 1950s, it was deemed necessary by the Army to maintain the techniques and skills that had been developed during the war. [7] Consequently, on 16 September 1954, the Military Board issued the authority to raise two Citizen Military Force (CMF) [Note 1] commando companies: the 1 Commando Company (1 Cdo Coy) in Sydney and the 2 Commando Company (2 Cdo Coy) in Melbourne. [8] Both would be commanded by regular army officers and regular army would form the training and administrative cadre. [9] [10] The companies were to be independent of each other and report to different commands. [11]

The established strength for the companies was to be 265 all ranks, consisting of one major, five captains (three of them platoon commanders), six sergeants and 241 other ranks. [11] This establishment was very similar to the Independent Companies of World War II, which had had an establishment of 17 officers and 256 other ranks. [12]

1 Cdo Coy was raised in New South Wales on 24 February 1955; however, the officer commanding, Major William Harold (Mac) Grant decided that the official birthday would be their first parade on 15 July 1955 at Victoria Barracks. [13] [10] Major Grant was a World War II commando veteran having served in the 2/5 Independent Company and 2/12th Commando Squadron. [14] 2 Cdo Coy was raised in Victoria on 24 February 1955 under the command of Major Peter Seddon and first paraded on 7 July 1955. [10] Seddon was appointed for only 12 months with his successor to be Major Jack Anderson. [10]

In October 1955, Grant and Anderson, along with two Warrant Officers Ernie Tarr and Ron Smith, travelled to the United Kingdom to train with the Royal Marines (RM). [15] At the same time, two RM sergeants Mac McDermott and Len Holmes, both Special Boat Service (SBS) trained, travelled to Australia to provide commando training with Holmes based with 1 Cdo Coy and McDermott with 2 Cdo Coy. [16] [10] [Note 2] Anderson was killed during the last week of the basic commando course and was replaced by Major John Hutcheson. [10] [19] In May 1956, Grant and Hutcheson returned to Australia after six months of training having been awarded the green beret by 42 Commando. [20] [10] Tarr and Smith undertook 12 months of training, including with the Cliff Assault Wing and the SBS, to become training instructors. [10] [21] [22]

Grant has said that the defence planning staff convinced the government to form the commando companies with the role "...of conducting clandestine operations similar to those mounted by special operations also those of the Independent Companies/Commando Squadrons. It was envisaged that by raising units capable of performing such a dual role, a pool of trained manpower would be available to be "farmed off" as necessary to a special operations unit while the remainder would be used in more conventional commando operations." [23] [24] The Australian Secret Intelligence Service had earlier been formed in 1952 within the Department of Defence whose role included ".. plan for and conduct special operations..". [25] [26] [27]

Commando courses included basic parachutist, diving, small scale raids, demolitions, climbing and roping and unarmed combat. [28] 1 Cdo Coy held the first diving course in 1957 using a pure oxygen re-breather the Swimmer Canoeist Breathing Apparatus borrowed from the Navy based on training received from the SBS. [29] [22]

In 1957, as the unit already had the designation "1st" within its title, the Army thought it would be a convenient framework on which to re-form the Australian Imperial Force's 1st Battalion. [10] So on 1 December 1957 the unit was re-designated the 1st Infantry Battalion (Commando), keeping this title until 22 August 1966 when the unit was renamed the 1st Battalion, The Royal New South Wales Regiment (Commando), City of Sydney's Own Regiment. [30] [10] Finally in May 1973 the unit name at last changed back to the former designation of the 1 Commando Company. [31] [10] In 1958, the 1st Commando Company provided the initial training for the recently formed 1st Special Air Service Company, the Royal Australian Regiment. [32]

On the evening of 17 February 1960, 74 commandos from 2 Cdo Coy set off in kayaks, amphibious DUKW (ducks) and zodiacs on a training exercise from Point Lonsdale to Point Nepean in Victoria simulating a raid on the officer cadet school which involved them crossing the infamous Rip at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay. The weather changed without warning and the watercraft were swept out to sea through the Port Phillip Heads encountering massive seas that capsized most watercraft. Nearly all commandos were rescued except three who drowned. [33] [34] [35] 2nd Commando Company developed a Mountain Leader's Course in ski patrolling, as well as rock, ice and snow climbing. [36]

In 1968, 2 Cdo Coy moved to Fort Gellibrand at Williamstown from Ripponlea. The company had originally been based at Sandringham then sometime between 1957-58 moved to HMAS Cerberus before moving to Ripponlea in 1958. [37] [38]

301st and 126th Signal Squadrons

The requirement for long-range communications can be traced back to WWII and units such as Coastwatchers, New Guinea Air Warning Wireless Company, the Independent Companies, and Z Special Unit. [39] On 30 April 1958, a decision was made to raise No 1 Independent Signals Squadron to support clandestine operations and this led to the formation of 301st Signal Squadron (Home Defence) in 1960 at Lidcombe, New South Wales. [40] This new squadron was to meet the requirement for 'special communications' and was charged with the responsibility of providing long-range communications for commando-type operations and was augmented with regular army members in 1963. [39] In December 1964, 301st Signal Squadron was re-designated 126th Signal Squadron, later to 126th Signal Squadron (Special Forces) in January 1966 and subsequently relocated to Albert Park, Victoria and in 1972 to Simpson Barracks in Watsonia, Victoria. [39] Women had been serving in the signals squadron since 1964 as cipher clerks and from 1968 as radio operators. [41] In 1978, the signals squadron was provided with approval to wear the green beret with the Corps of Signals badge. [42] [39] In 1981, signaller Kerry Hiam became the first woman to qualify and be awarded a green beret. [43] [39]

Borneo and Vietnam

Prior to formation as a regiment, the sub units deployed individuals and small teams to the Borneo confrontation and the Vietnam War. [44] During the Borneo confrontation, Sergeant Ted Blacker of 126th Signal Squadron (Special Forces) was awarded the British Empire Medal. [45] From 1965 the Commando Companies contributed numerous instructors, including from their reserve part-time component, to the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV). [46] Two lost their lives with the AATTV, with Warrant Officer Class II John Durrington being killed in action, and Warrant Officer Class II Ron Scott dying of wounds. Whilst serving with the AATTV, Warrant Officer Class II Ray Simpson, formerly from both the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) and the 1st Commando Company, was awarded the Victoria Cross for an action in the Kontum Province on 6 May 1969. [10] [47]

Formation of Regimental Headquarters

All sub-units operated independently, training Army Reserve commandos and Special Forces signalers until 1981 when it was determined a regimental headquarters was required. [48] This headquarters would coordinate the efforts of the previously independent units and provide the east coast command element for the newly established counter-terrorist capability within the SASR. [49] The headquarters was established on 1 February 1981 and from 1 July 1981 was based at Randwick Barracks in Randwick, New South Wales. [49]

In 1991, a 1 Cdo Coy commando who had joined the British Army Special Air Service was in the well-known Bravo Two Zero patrol in Iraq as part of Operation Desert Storm. [50]

In 1992, 126 Signal Squadron (Special Forces) qualified signallers were given approval to wear the commando badge. [51]

Commencing in February 1997, 1 Cdo Regt provided the initial training for the re-role of the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR) from an infantry battalion into commando 4RAR (Cdo) raising the Commando Training Wing (the predecessor to the Special Forces Training Centre) commanded by Major Hans Fleer. [52]

In July 1997, three women officers, Lieutenants Fellows, Warren-Smith and Woods, became the first women to complete the commando officer selection course. [53] [54] [55] The women were barred from serving in combat roles. [53]

In 1998, the Army dropped plans to raise a third reserve company in Queensland for the regiment due to a lack of resources. [56]

In September 1999, 126 Signal Squadron became an independent unit providing support to 1 Cdo Regt and 4RAR Cdo reporting directly to Headquarters Special Operations. [57] [58] In 2000, the squadron transitioned to a Regular Army unit based at Holsworthy Barracks under the command of 4RAR Cdo. [59] In June 2002, 301 Signal Squadron was re-raised at Randwick Barracks to provide communications and information systems and electronic warfare to facilitate the command and control of special operations conducted by the regiment. [60] [61]

In 2006, 1 Cdo Coy relocated from Georges Heights in Mosman to HMAS Penguin in Balmoral. [62]

Recent operations

Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan during 2009-10 winter with Bushmaster vehicle Bushmaster Afghanistan snow Jan 2010.jpg
Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan during 2009-10 winter with Bushmaster vehicle

In recent years, the regiment has provided small detachments and individuals to peacekeeping missions. [3] Deployments in the region, include to Bougainville as part of Operation Bel-Isi, [63] to Timor Leste (East Timor) in 2001 as part of Operation Tanager with the regiment providing a substantial reinforcement to A Company 4RAR (Cdo), which had been re-roled from commando to light infantry, of one officer and forty-one Regular Army and Army Reserve commandos, [64] [65] [66] and to the Solomon Islands as part of Operation Anode. [67]

In May 2006, following unrest in Timor Leste, a Special Forces component consisting of a commando company from 4RAR Cdo and a SASR troop deployed to Timor Leste as peacekeepers as part of Operation Astute. [68] [69] The Special Forces component was later reduced and supplemented by 1 Cdo Regt teams often commanded by a member of the 1 Cdo Regt.[ citation needed ] In March 2007, the Special Forces component was bolstered to form an Apprehension Task Group with the purpose of apprehending ex-Timorese Army Major and rebel leader, Alfredo Reinado, at the request of the Timor Leste government. [70] [71] Reinado was located in the village of Same and approval was given to assault his compound. [70] Reinado evaded capture but four of his men were killed in the battle. [70] For the commandos of the 1 Cdo Regt who participated in the mission the battle was the first combat seen by the unit (at greater than individual level).[ citation needed ] Over a hundred Army Reserve commandos from the regiment served in Operation Astute during this period. [72]

In late 2008, the regiment deployed an entire Commando Company Group to the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) in Afghanistan during the Afghan winter as part of Operation Slipper to relieve the SOTG that had up until then consisted of rotating SASR and 2 Cdo Regt elements. [73] [74] [75] This constituted the first deployment of an Australian Army Reserve Force Element on combat operations since World War II. [59] [73] The composition of the SOTG was structured into elements with the regiment's contribution designated Force Element Charlie. [76] Force Element Charlie provided the main SOTG element for the following winter rotations in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 conducting population centric operations. [77] [78] [73] The regiment also contributed commandos to the 2 Cdo Regt to reinforce their element designated Force Element Bravo. [77] [73] The regiment served in six SOTG rotations. [74] A rotation ranged between four and five months. [73]

The first Afghan deployment was composed of 1 Cdo Coy personnel supplemented by 2 Cdo Coy personnel. It was commanded by the Major OC 1 Cdo Coy and arrived in November 2008 for a four-month tour of duty until February 2009. On 27 November 2008, Lieutenant Michael Fussell, a specialist Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) from 4RAR Cdo serving in the Commando Company Group, was killed in action after he stood on an IED during a night infiltration onto a target. [79] Following Fussell's death several senior personnel asked to be relieved of their positions due to concerns over the Major and after an inquiry into the death, the Major was relieved of his command and returned to Australia. [80] The inquiry raised issues into the Commando Company Group outside the scope of its terms that instigated the appointment of Vice Admiral (retired) Chris Ritchie to conduct a further inquiry that found that the Group had been inadequately trained and prepared for its deployment, and that concerns over the Major's leadership should have been acted on before the Group deployed. [80]

On 4 January 2009, the regiment suffered its first combat fatality when Private Gregory Sher (2 Cdo Coy) was killed by a rocket attack into a patrol base. On 12 February 2009, the Group conducted a night compound clearance in the Sorkh Morghab region with elements of the Afghan National Army and with Afghan interpreters. [81] [82] Corporal W saw, through a window, a male holding an AK-47 rifle pointed at a door that his team was preparing to use to enter the room to clear and fired at him through the window with his rifle. [82] [83] The male returned fire and ignored calls made for him to come out. With fire continuing, and the team being unable to retreat, two grenades were thrown by Lance Corporal M to clear the room. [81] [82] [83] The room was entered, whereupon soldiers found women and children present, with five fatalities (three children and two babies) having been inflicted, along with the male, Amrullah Khan, a farmer whose family claimed had no affiliation with the Taliban. [80] [81] [83] The Australian Director of Military Prosecutions, Brigadier Lyn McDade, decided to charge two members of the regiment, Sergeant J, who gave the order to use grenades, and Lance Corporal M, who threw the grenades, with manslaughter as a result of an investigation into the engagement, coming to the view that they ought to have known, and during the attack then certainly have been aware that women and children were in the room. [83] [84] [85] The charges against the two soldiers were dismissed pre-trial by the Judge Advocate in June 2011. [83] [85] [86] Charges against Lieutenant Colonel M, who based in Kandahar ordered the clearance of the compound, were withdrawn in August 2011 for disobeying standard operating procedures to prevent innocent Afghan nationals in their homes being wrongfully targeted. [83] [85] [86]

Customs and traditions

The Sherwood Green Commando beret is worn as the primary form of head dress, formally recognising Commando qualification. The Army sought permission from the Royal Marines to wear the green beret which was provided on 27 July 1955 by the Commandant Royal Marines. [87] The first green beret awarded in Australia was presented to Captain George Cardy of 1st Commando Company on 14 July 1956. [88]

The Director of Infantry advised that the Infantry Corps badge should not be worn and that the commandos should have their own badge. [89] A regimental badge was created featuring a silver World War II-era fighting knife surmounted by a gold boomerang engraved with the regimental motto "Strike Swiftly". [90] The motto was conceived by Major Mac Grant, the first commander of 1st Commando Company, from reading the book "Swiftly They Struck" and agreed to by Major Peter Seddon, his opposite number in the 2nd Commando Company. [90] [10] The badge was a combination of two proposals from a competition, one from Melbourne and one from Sydney, conceived by Grant with agreement from Seddon. [90] [10] Members wear a Garter Blue lanyard on the left shoulder of dress uniforms in common with the other combat units of SOCOMD. [91] In 1991, distinctive black and green commando parachute wings were adopted and are now worn by all parachute qualified commandos. [92] [51]

While there is no direct lineage to the 1st Battalion, AIF, other than in the 1st Commando Company's renaming to the 1st Battalion (Commando), the regiment retains the colours of the battalion's World War I colour patch – black over green – which are highlighted on the current 1 Cdo Regt flag. [93]

Organisation

The Regiment consists of a headquarters, two commando companies and a signals squadron with a strength about 450. [27] It is organised as follows:

Each commando company consists of a headquarters, two commando platoons, a reconnaissance platoon, a training platoon and integral combat service support elements. [95] Combat elements of the regiment typically operate in platoon to company sized force elements. These will be force tailored by requirement and may not fit any doctrinal size or command and control. The signal squadron has the largest full-time contingent in the regiment. [94]

Reserve support roles include clerical, logistics, transport, medical, intelligence, linguistics and information systems. [5]

Equipment

1 Cdo Regt is equipped similar to 2 Cdo Regt with a range of weapon systems that allows it to tailor requirements based on mission needs. [95] These include the M4A1 5.56mm carbine, [96] which can fitted with a M203 40mm grenade launcher, [97] and the Heckler & Koch USP 9mm pistol as primary weapons. Specialist weapons include the Heckler & Koch HK417 7.62mm rifle, Heckler & Koch MP5SD silenced submachine gun, Accuracy International SR98 7.62mm sniper rifle, SR-25 7.62mm sniper rifle [98] and Barrett M82 12.7mm anti-materiel rifle. Support weapons include the Minimi 5.56mm light machine gun, [99] Maximi 7.62mm machine gun, MAG 58 7.62mm medium machine gun, [100] M2HB QCB 12.7mm heavy machine gun, [101] M3 Carl Gustav 84mm anti-tank weapon, [100] Mk 47 Striker automatic grenade launcher, Javelin anti-tank weapon, and the M72 LAW 66mm rocket launcher [101] The primary commando watercraft is the Zodiac F470 inflatable boat. [102]

Recruitment

Commandos from 1st Commando Company parachute with inflatable boats from an RAAF C-130H into Shoalwater Bay during an exercise in 2001 1st Commando Company.jpg
Commandos from 1st Commando Company parachute with inflatable boats from an RAAF C-130H into Shoalwater Bay during an exercise in 2001

The regiment is the only reserve SOCOMD combat unit providing Reservists based in the eastern states of Australia the opportunity to serve in a commando unit. Additionally, the regiment provides discharging Regular Army SOCOMD soldiers the opportunity to continue to serve in SOCOMD in a reserve capacity on their return to civilian life. [5] Before the raising of 2 Cdo Regt, the regiment's Regular Army cadre consisted of soldiers transferred from the SASR. [103]

Changes introduced to reserve training after combat operations in Afghanistan, required candidates to complete the 332-day continuous full-time Commando Initial Employment Training course the same as their 2 Cdo Regt Regular Army counterparts. However, this provided reserve candidates with the opportunity to consider service in the Regular Army with 2 Cdo Regt with many candidates destined for the regiment instead choosing 2 Cdo Regt. Also, the long full-time commitment discouraged Reservists from considering joining the regiment. [5]

In 2015, Army: the soldiers' newspaper reported the regiment had begun its biggest reserve recruitment drive in over 10 years. A training regime similar to the one prior to Afghanistan operations, was introduced with candidates after completing the selection course posted to the regiment and given a three-year term to complete training. [5] The regiment was also re-raising training platoons in each of the commando companies to host Army Reserve aspirants training for selection. [5]

In addition, in 2016 Australian Infantry Magazine reported that direct civilian recruiting would recommence with prospective commandos undergoing Reserve Recruit Training Course at Kapooka before parading at the regiment in the training platoon to prepare to complete the Infantry Initial Employment Training (IET) to became a qualified Infantry rifleman the same as serving Reservists in the training platoons. [104] [105] [106]

Selection and training

A Commando helocasting from a Black Hawk helicopter into Shoalwater Bay during Exercise Talisman Saber 2013 1st Commando Regiment soldier jumping out of an Australian Army blackhawk helicopter in 2013.jpg
A Commando helocasting from a Black Hawk helicopter into Shoalwater Bay during Exercise Talisman Saber 2013

To prepare for selection, training platoon candidates have 12 months to complete the Special Forces Reserve Training Program, based on the 2 Cdo Regt Special Forces Direct Recruitment 12-week Special Forces Accelerated Infantry Training Program, including the 17-week Commando Physical Training Package. [105] [107]

The first stage of selection is to successfully pass the one-day Special Forces Entry Test. [105] [108] [107] The second stage of selection is successfully completing the Commando Selection Course conducted over two weeks. [105] [107]

Commando Initial Employment training (also called the "reinforcement cycle") commences after successful completion of the Commando Selection Course. Candidates have three years to successfully complete the course. [5] [105] [107] This cycle consists of numerous courses including: the "Special Forces Weapons Course, Advanced Close Quarter Battle Course, Commando Team Tactics Course, Commando Urban Operations Course, Close Quarter Fighting Course, Commando Demolitions and Breaching Course, Special Forces Basic Parachute Course (including water insertion training), Commando Amphibious Operators Course, Special Forces Military Roping Course, and Combat First Aid or Special Forces Signal Course". [105] [107] Candidates have the option of completing the reinforcement cycle over 12 months full-time training with their 2 Cdo Regt counterparts. [105] [109] [107]

After the successful completion of Commando Initial Employment Training, the Green beret is awarded and reservists will report to the regiment on a frequent basis to maintain their skills. As a qualified Commando there are specialist courses available to complete, including but not limited to: advanced driving, mortars, cold weather / mountaineering, language training and free fall parachuting. [105] [110] [107]

In 2013, a four-hour documentary Commando, focusing mainly on the 2 Cdo Regt, was produced detailing the Commando selection and reinforcement training processes. [111]

New signallers to 301st Signal Squadron have to complete the Special Forces Signaller Course (SFSC). [94]

Notes

Footnotes

  1. The name of the CMF was changed to Australian Army Reserve in 1980.
  2. In 1955, McDermott and Holmes also provided commando and beach reconnaissance training on the Clearance Diving Course for the Navy's Clearance Diving Branch. [17] [18]

Citations

  1. Irvine 2020, pp. 10, 26, 34.
  2. Miranda, Charles (17 June 2023). "Army to recreate legendary special force from WWII Z Squad" . The Daily Telegraph . p. 5. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 "1st Commando Regiment". Australian Army. 29 July 2013. Archived from the original on 16 July 2015.
  4. "Role – 1st Commando Regiment". Australian Army. 6 January 2006. Archived from the original on 6 January 2006.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "An exciting future" (PDF). Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper (1363 ed.). Canberra: Department of Defence. 5 November 2015. p. 20. ISSN   0729-5685. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 August 2016.
  6. Horner 1989, pp. 20–27.
  7. Collins 2005, pp. 33, 41.
  8. Collins 2005, pp. 32–34.
  9. Collins 2005, pp. 33–34.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Grant, Barry (11 June 2003). "A history of the formation of 1 Commando Company" (PDF). Australian Commando Association New South Wales. 1 Commando Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 June 2014.
  11. 1 2 Collins 2005, p. 35.
  12. Horner 1989, p. 22.
  13. Collins 2005, p. 82.
  14. Billett, Jan Robert; Denton, MAJ Noel J (Rtd) (23 August 2013). "Dedicated to his country's security". The Age. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  15. Collins 2005, pp. 54, 66, 123.
  16. Collins 2005, pp. 51–54, 91.
  17. Linton, Commander E.W. (Jake); Donohue, Commodore H.J (Hec) (2015). United and undaunted : the first 100 years : a history of diving in the Royal Australian Navy 1911–2011. Queanbeyan, New South Wales: Grinkle Press Pty Ltd. pp. 46–47. ISBN   9780980282153.
  18. "Pre 1960". RAN Clearance Divers Association. Archived from the original on 1 March 2015.
  19. Collins 2005, p. 92.
  20. Collins 2005, pp. 88, 92.
  21. Collins 2005, p. 123.
  22. 1 2 Murphy, Brian (April 2016). "Warrant Officer Class 2 Ernest Charles Tarr" (PDF). Commando News / Australian Commando Association Inc. Surfers Paradise: Statewide Publishing (Edition 7): 10–11. Libraries Australia ID 56517091. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  23. Collins 2005, pp. 41, 84.
  24. Grant (Ret.), Brigadier William 'Mac'. "Reserve Commandos inherit a remarkable legacy (part 1)" (PDF). Defence Reserves Yearbook 2004-2005. Executive Media Pty Ltd. Australian Defence Force. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 June 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  25. Toohey & Pinwill, Brian & William (1989). Oyster : the story of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service. Port Melbourne: William Heinemann Australia. ISBN   978-0855612504.
  26. Macklin, Robert (2015). Warrior Elite: Australia's Special Forces Z Force to the SAS Intelligence Operations to Cyber Warfare. Sydney, NSW: Hachette Australia. ISBN   9780733632914.
  27. 1 2 Grant (Ret.), Brigadier William 'Mac'. "Reserve Commandos inherit a remarkable legacy (part 2)" (PDF). Defence Reserves Yearbook 2004-2005. Executive Media Pty Ltd. Australian Defence Force. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 June 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  28. Collins 2005, p. 64.
  29. Collins 2005, pp. 123–124.
  30. Collins 2005, pp. 62, 75.
  31. Collins 2005, p. 174.
  32. Collins 2005, p. 65.
  33. Collins 2005, pp. 99–102.
  34. "Rip inquest is told of 'turn-back' order". The Age. 1 June 1960.
  35. Higgins, Barry. "The Rip". Australian Commando Association. Archived from the original on 3 September 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  36. Collins 2005, p. 104.
  37. Collins 2005, pp. 84, 93–94, 106–107.
  38. "A brief history of the 2 Commando Company depots" (PDF). Commando News / Australian Commando Association Inc. Surfers Paradise: Statewide Publishing (Edition 3): 16. 2020. Libraries Australia ID 56517091. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  39. 1 2 3 4 5 Larner & Lorrain 2000.
  40. Collins 2005, p. 131.
  41. Collins 2005, pp. 133, 140.
  42. Collins 2005, pp. 132, 148.
  43. Collins 2005, pp. 134, 191.
  44. Collins 2005, pp. 134, 137–140, 155–168.
  45. Collins 2005, p. 140.
  46. "Lt Colonel Harry Smith SG MC (Retired) – Officer Commanding D Coy, 6RAR" (PDF). Battle of Long Tan Blog. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  47. Collins 2005, p. 164.
  48. Collins 2005, p. 185.
  49. 1 2 Collins 2005, pp. 185, 187.
  50. Collins 2005, p. 195.
  51. 1 2 Collins 2005, p. 223.
  52. Collins 2005, pp. 230, 243–247, 271.
  53. 1 2 Cross, Cpl Paul (10 July 1997). "Elite women make history". Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper (933 ed.). Canberra: Department of Defence. p. 3. ISSN   0729-5685 . Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  54. Collins 2005, p. 235.
  55. Female Green Berets. A Current Affair (Television production). Nine Network. 9 August 1997.
  56. Collins 2005, p. 248.
  57. "Cdos gain sigs unit". Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper (985 ed.). Canberra: Department of Defence. 16 September 1999. p. 5. ISSN   0729-5685 . Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  58. Mulholland, Capt. Lorraine (30 September 1999). "Commando sig unit raised". Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper (986 ed.). Canberra: Department of Defence. p. 16. ISSN   0729-5685 . Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  59. 1 2 "1st Commando Regiment". Australian Army. Archived from the original on 27 February 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  60. Collins 2005, p. 265.
  61. "History of 1 Commando Regiment". Australian Army. Archived from the original on 27 March 2004.
  62. Brooke, Michael (9 February 2006). "Commando collocation". Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper (1136 ed.). Canberra: Department of Defence. ISSN   0729-5685. Archived from the original on 4 April 2011.
  63. Collins 2005, pp. 261–262.
  64. Collins 2005, pp. 252–255.
  65. Martinelli, Lt. Peter (2009). "Special Operations Command: Mission rehearsal provides explosive reality" (PDF). Defence Magazine. Department of Defence (9): 41. ISSN   1446-229X. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 April 2012.
  66. Horner & Bou 2008, pp. 316–317.
  67. Collins 2005, p. 261.
  68. Blaxland 2014, pp. 198, 201.
  69. Farrell, John Hunter (Spring 2006). "Dili Madness: The ANZAC Intervention in Timor Leste". Australian & NZ Defender. No. 55. Fullbore Magazines. p. 34. ISSN   1322-039X.
  70. 1 2 3 "Timor ANZAC Battle Group". Australian & NZ Defender. No. 58. Fullbore Magazines. Winter 2007. pp. 25–26. ISSN   1322-039X.
  71. Blaxland 2014, p. 203.
  72. Blaxland 2014, p. 204.
  73. 1 2 3 4 5 "1st Commando Regiment" (PDF). Contact Air Land & Sea. Minnamurra, New South Wales: Contact Publishing (44): 46. December 2014. ISSN   1449-2385 . Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  74. 1 2 "Operation Slipper – Where did people deploy from?". Australian Army. Archived from the original on 10 October 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  75. IGADF 2020, pp. 26, 252–253.
  76. "Afghanistan Inquiry Report" (PDF). Inspector‐General of the Australian Defence Force. Commonwealth of Australia: 26, 253. 2020. ISSN   2207-6069 . Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  77. 1 2 IGADF 2020, p. 26.
  78. "One Commando Regiment Army Reservists reach out to Oruzgan". Department of Defence (Press release). 16 March 2010. MECC 67/10. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011.
  79. Nicholson, Brendan (2 November 2009). "Major sacked after soldier's death". The Sydney Morning Herald. 3 November 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  80. 1 2 3 Hyland, Tom (21 March 2010). "Deadly Afghan raids expose leadership Failings". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  81. 1 2 3 Grasswill and Davis, Helen and Sharon (25 May 2016). "Australian Story: Former commando 'can't atone' for special forces raid that killed Afghan children". ABC News. Australian Story. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  82. 1 2 3 "Into The Fog Of War Part One - Transcript". Australian Story. ABC. 23 May 2016. Archived from the original on 24 October 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  83. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hyland, Tom (12 February 2012). "Lost in the fog of war". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  84. "Statement by the Director of Military Prosecutions - Media Release". Department of Defence. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  85. 1 2 3 Davis and Grasswill, Sharon and Helen (22 May 2016). "Australian commandos' role in deaths of five Afghan children questioned". ABC News. Australian Story. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  86. 1 2 Oakes, Dan (17 August 2011). "Afghan deaths case closed". The Sydney Morning Herald. 18 August 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  87. Collins 2005, p. 36.
  88. Collins 2005, pp. 60–61.
  89. Collins 2005, p. 37.
  90. 1 2 3 Collins 2005, p. 88.
  91. Terrett, Leslie; Taubert, Stephen (2015). Preserving our Proud Heritage: The Customs and Traditions of the Australian Army. Newport, New South Wales: Big Sky Publishing. p. 117. ISBN   9781925275544.
  92. O'Connor 2005, p. 118.
  93. "1st Commando Regiment". Australian Army. 18 November 2019. Archived from the original on 13 March 2020.
  94. 1 2 3 "301st Signal Squadron". Signaller: The Magazine of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals. July 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  95. 1 2 "Introduction – 1st Commando Regiment". Australian Army. 2004. Archived from the original on 7 March 2005.
  96. Mullins 2011, p. 149.
  97. Mullins 2011, p. 148.
  98. Mullins 2011, p. 226.
  99. "Historic base opens doors to employers". Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper (901 ed.). Canberra, Australia: Department of Defence. 4 April 1996. p. 19. ISSN   0729-5685.
  100. 1 2 Mullins 2011, p. 141.
  101. 1 2 Mullins 2011, p. 84.
  102. McBean, WO2 Graham (December 1996). "Water Ops". Army magazine. No. 29. Australian Army Newspaper Unit. p. 14. ISSN   1034-3695.
  103. Rottman 1989, p. 32.
  104. "1 Commando Regiment in Focus". Australian Infantry Magazine (April 2016-October 2016). ISSN   1447-5545.
  105. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Commando Employment Training". Defence Jobs. Department of Defence. Archived from the original on 21 December 2015.
  106. "Training options – 1st Commando Regiment". Australian Army. 6 January 2006. Archived from the original on 6 January 2006.
  107. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Commando - Reserve (Part Time)". Defence Jobs. Department of Defence. Archived from the original on 9 May 2019. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  108. "Special Forces Screen Test". 2nd Commando Regiment – Defence Jobs. Archived from the original on 1 May 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  109. "Reinforcement Training". 2nd Commando Regiment – Defence Jobs. Archived from the original on 16 May 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  110. "Specialist Training". 2nd Commando Regiment – Defence Jobs. Archived from the original on 16 May 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  111. "Commando". Screen Australia. Retrieved 2 July 2016.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special Air Service</span> Special forces of the British Army

The Special Air Service (SAS) is a special forces unit of the British Army. It was founded as a regiment in 1941 by David Stirling and in 1950, it was reconstituted as a corps. The unit specialises in a number of roles including counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, direct action and covert reconnaissance. Much of the information about the SAS is highly classified, and the unit is not commented on by either the British government or the Ministry of Defence due to the secrecy and sensitivity of its operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Zealand Special Air Service</span> Military unit

The 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment, abbreviated as 1 NZSAS Regt, was formed on 7 July 1955 and is the special forces unit of the New Zealand Army, closely modelled on the British Special Air Service (SAS). It traces its origins to the Second World War and the famous Long Range Desert Group that New Zealanders served with.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</span> Military unit

The 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, forming part of the Royal Australian Regiment and eventually Special Operations Command. The battalion was formed on 1 February 1964, converted to a special forces unit on 01 February 1997, and was renamed the 2nd Commando Regiment on 19 June 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parachute Regiment (India)</span> Airborne and special forces regiment of the Indian Army

The Parachute Regiment is an airborne and special forces regiment of the Indian Army. It was raised in 1945 as part of the British Indian Army but was disbanded after World War II and was re-raised in 1952 as part of the Indian Army. Currently it consists of fifteen Special Forces, two Territorial Army and one Rashtriya Rifles battalions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special Operations Command (Australia)</span> Australian Army formation

The Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) is an Australian Defence Force command that was established on 5 May 2003 to unite all of the Australian Army's special forces units and by 2008 was fully operational. Australia's Special Operations Command is of equivalent status to Australia's Fleet, Forces and Air Commands. It is modelled on the equivalent commands in the United States and British military forces, and is led by a major general as Special Operations Commander Australia (SOCAUST).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Australian Corps of Signals</span> Military unit

The Royal Australian Corps of Signals (RASigs) is one of the 'arms' of the Australian Army. It is responsible for installing, maintaining, and operating all types of telecommunications equipment and information systems. The motto of the Signals Corps is Certa Cito and is translated as 'Swift and Sure', signifying the aim of the signal service – that communication be carried out with maximum speed and certainty. Like their British counterparts, the Royal Australian Corps of Signals' flag and hat badge feature Mercury, the winged messenger of the gods, affectionately referred to by members of the corps as "Jimmy".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Structure of the Australian Army</span> This article describes the current structure of the Australian Army

This article describes the current structure of the Australian Army. It includes the army's order of battle and the headquarters locations of major units. Members of the Australian Army also serve within joint units of the Australian Defence Force which fall outside the direct command of the Australian Army.

The name commando has been applied to a variety of Australian special forces and light infantry units that have been formed since 1941–42. The first Australian "commando" units were formed during the Second World War, where they mainly performed reconnaissance and long-range patrol roles during Australia's campaigns in New Guinea and Borneo, although other units such as M and Z Special Units performed more clandestine roles. These units were disbanded following the end of the war; however, in the 1950s it was realised that there was a need for such units again in the Australian forces. Today, the Australian Army possesses a number of units that perform more conventional direct-action type commando roles, as well as counter-terrorism response, long-range patrolling, and clandestine deep-penetration operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special forces of Australia</span>

The special forces of the Australian Defence Force are units of Special Operations Command and associated units of the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force that conduct and or support special operations to advance and protect the national security of the Commonwealth of Australia. The special forces of Australia have a lineage to a variety of units raised in the Second World War such as the Independent and Commando Companies, Z Special Unit, Navy Beach Commandos, and the Coastwatchers. Australian special forces have most recently been deployed to Iraq in Operation Okra as the Special Operations Task Group, as the Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan, in Afghanistan in support of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service and regularly for counter-terrorism pre-deploy to locations of major domestic events throughout Australia in readiness to support law enforcement such as the 2014 G20 Brisbane summit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment</span> Military unit

The Commando Regiment is the commando formation of the Sri Lanka Army. The unit specializes in various roles including hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, counter-insurgency, and personnel recovery. It was formed in 1980 and is based in Ganemulla, a suburb of Colombo.

This is the Operation Herrick ground order of battle, which lists any British ground forces that have taken part in the duration of Operation Herrick between 2002 and 2014.

The Unit Citation for Gallantry is a collective group decoration awarded to members of Australian military units. It recognises extraordinary gallantry in action. The Unit Citation for Gallantry was created in 1991, along with the Meritorious Unit Citation. The actual citation is a warrant presented to the unit. Insignia are worn by individuals to denote their membership of a unit that has been awarded a citation. Personnel cannot be issued with the insignia until the authorised unit representative, normally the Commanding Officer, has been formally invested with the citation.

18 (UKSF) Signal Regiment is a regiment of the Royal Corps of Signals in the British Army that provides Communications and Information Systems (CIS) support to the United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF). The regiment is under the operational command of the Director Special Forces and includes signal squadrons from both the Royal Corps of Signals and the Royal Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">131 Commando Squadron Royal Engineers</span> Military unit

131 Commando Squadron Royal Engineers is an Army Reserve unit and part of 24 Commando Regiment Royal Engineers. It provides engineering support to 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines and is the largest Army Reserve Commando unit. The squadron has deployed worldwide to provide combat engineer support to 3 Cdo Bde RM, often deploying in small sub-units. 131 was first raised in 1947 as an airborne engineer regiment, and reached a strength of over 1,000 trained parachute engineers by the early 1960s. Between 1 April 1978 and 1 October 2015, the unit was an independent Commando squadron under operational command of HQ 3 Cdo Bde RM. On 2 October 2015, it formally became the third squadron of 24 Commando Engineer Regiment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2nd Commando Regiment (Australia)</span> Unit of the Australian Army

The 2nd Commando Regiment is a special forces unit of the Australian Army and is part of Special Operations Command. The regiment was established on 19 June 2009 when the 4th Battalion RAR (Commando) was renamed. It is based at Holsworthy, New South Wales. The 2nd Commando Regiment trains and has served with coalition special forces units, and is highly regarded by these units. The regiment has been involved in operations in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan, where it was used in a direct action warfighting role. It has also been involved in domestic security operations including the 2006 Commonwealth Games and the 2014 G20 Leaders Summit. In 2019, the regiment was made the Command's capability lead for strategic strike.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Structure of the New Zealand Army</span>

This article describes the current structure of the New Zealand Army. It includes the army's order of battle and the headquarters locations of major units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randwick Barracks</span>

Randwick Army Barracks is a military base in Sydney, Australia. It is the base for a number of support and Australian Army Reserve units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Airborne forces of Australia</span>

Airborne forces raised by Australia have included a number of conventional and special forces units. During the Second World War the Australian Army formed the 1st Parachute Battalion; however, it did not see action. In the post-war period Australia's parachute capability was primarily maintained by special forces units. In the early 1980s a parachute infantry capability was revived which led to the Parachute Battalion Group forming in 1983 based on the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. In 1997, a full time commando regiment was raised that was able to conduct large-scale operations which matured during the 2000s. In 2011, 3 RAR relinquished the parachute role with the Army deciding to opt out of a conventional parachute capability in preference to a special forces large-scale parachute capability.

Major General Jeffery John Sengelman, is a retired senior officer of the Australian Army. He joined the army via the Officer Cadet School, Portsea in 1980, was commissioned into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps and spent much of his military career in special forces. He commanded the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (Commando) (2000–01) and the 6th Brigade (2010–11), deployed on operations to East Timor and Iraq, and served as Commander Forces Command in 2011, Deputy Chief of Army from 2011 to 2012, Head of Modernisation and Strategic Planning – Army from 2012 to 2014, and Special Operations Commander Australia from 2014 until his retirement in 2017.

References

Further reading