7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment

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7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
RAR Hatbadge.png
Badge of the Royal Australian Regiment
Active1965–1973
2007–2024
CountryAustralia
Branch Australian Army
Type Mechanised infantry
Part of 9th Brigade
Garrison/HQ RAAF Base Edinburgh, Adelaide
Nickname(s)The Pigs
Porky Seven [1]
Motto(s)Duty First
ColoursMaroon
MarchQuick – Australaise (band); Cock o' the North (pipes and drums)
Slow – My Home [2]
Mascot(s)Pig (unofficial) [1]
Engagements Vietnam War War in Afghanistan
Decorations Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (South Vietnam)
Commanders
Current
commander		Lieutenant Colonel Levon Lambert [3] [4]
Insignia
Unit colour patch UCP 7RAR.svg
Tartan Gordon (pipes and drums)

The 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (7 RAR) was a regular infantry battalion of the Australian Army. It was originally raised in 1965 as part of Australia's commitment to the Vietnam War and it eventually served two tours in Vietnam in 1967 and 1971. In 1973, following Australia's withdrawal from the conflict, the battalion was amalgamated with the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment to form the 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (5/7 RAR). The battalion was re-merged with the 5th Battalion to reform the 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in 2024. [5]

Contents

These two units remained linked until 2007, during which time they served together in the mechanised infantry role in East Timor and Iraq. In December 2006 – early January 2007, 5/7 RAR was delinked and 7 RAR was re-raised. In January 2009, 7 RAR achieved operational status, a year ahead of schedule. The battalion deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Slipper in 2008–09 and 2012–13. Following its return in 2013 it was converted into a standard infantry battalion. As of late October 2022 it forms part of the 9th "Heavy" Brigade (Australia) and is based at RAAF Base Edinburgh in Adelaide with the 1st Armoured Regiment.

History

Formation

In late 1964, the South Vietnamese government requested increased military assistance from Australia to help stop the Vietcong (VC) insurgency. [6] Following talks with the United States in early 1965, the Australian government decided to increase its commitment to the war in Vietnam, offering to send an infantry battalion to bolster the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam that had been in South Vietnam since 1962. [7] To meet this requirement, the decision was made to expand the Royal Australian Regiment, the Australian Army's regular infantry force, to nine battalions by 1965, using experienced regulars and national servicemen. [8]

As a part of this expansion, the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, was raised on 1 September 1965 at Puckapunyal in Victoria, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Eric Smith. [9] The battalion drew the majority of its experienced personnel from the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR), which had been serving in Malaysia as part of Australia's involvement in the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation. The rest of 7 RAR's personnel were national serviceman from the second intake. [2] Due to the large numbers of national servicemen that the battalion received from the outset, upon formation 7 RAR's average age was estimated at only 22 years. A number of these national servicemen went on to command sections as non-commissioned officers or platoons as newly commissioned subalterns. [10] At this time the battalion adopted a pig as its mascot, following an observation by the commanding officer about the state of the soldiers' mess at Puckapunyal. [10]

In June 1966, after the battalion had completed a series of intensive training exercises, 7 RAR was considered operationally deployable. At this time, 100 men were transferred from the battalion to units serving in South Vietnam, to provide reinforcements. [9] After this, further training was undertaken at the Jungle Training Centre at Canungra, Queensland and later in the year, 7 RAR took part in "Exercise Barra Winga" around Shoalwater Bay. [10]

Vietnam

First tour

Members of 5 Platoon, B Company, 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, 26 August 1967, an iconic photograph by Mike Coleridge featuring 7 RAR soldiers preparing to board US Army helicopters at the conclusion of an operation in August 1967. The photograph is now etched on the Vietnam Forces National Memorial. Members of 5 Platoon 7 RAR waiting for US Army helicopters in August 1967.JPG
Members of 5 Platoon, B Company, 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, 26 August 1967 , an iconic photograph by Mike Coleridge featuring 7 RAR soldiers preparing to board US Army helicopters at the conclusion of an operation in August 1967. The photograph is now etched on the Vietnam Forces National Memorial.

In April 1967, 7 RAR embarked upon HMAS Sydney, bound for South Vietnam. Upon arrival they relieved the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (5 RAR). By this time, the single Australian battalion that had originally been committed had been replaced by the 1st Australian Task Force (1 ATF), consisting of two infantry battalions and various supporting units, based in Phuoc Tuy province. [11] Upon arrival the battalion joined the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR) at 1 ATF's base at Nui Dat, however, the following month 6 RAR was replaced by the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2 RAR) and it was with 2 RAR that the battalion served out its first year-long tour of duty in South Vietnam. [10]

Over the course of those 12 months, 7 RAR took part in 26 battalion-level operations, as well as numerous small unit actions. [12] [Note 1] Initially, 7 RAR undertook security operations around Nui Dat as well as carrying out a few search and destroy taskings at a local level, however, their first major operation saw them take up a blocking position near Xuyen Moc in support of US and South Vietnamese forces who advanced through the May Tao mountains in an effort to locate the VC 275th Regiment and drive them towards 7 RAR's position. Ultimately, however, this operation failed as the VC unit was not located. [13]

In August 1967 the battalion was tasked to undertake an independent search and destroy operation to the north-west of Nui Dat, in the Hat Dich area. This operation, codenamed Operation Ballarat, led to the Battle of Suoi Chau Pha when 'A' Company, under Major Ewart O'Donnell fought an encounter battle with a reinforced VC company from the 3rd Battalion, 274th Regiment. Five Australians were killed during the fighting, while another died of wounds later, and 19 others were wounded. It is believed that the VC suffered over 200 casualties in the battle, largely from supporting artillery and mortars. [14]

7 RAR tracker dogs and their handlers in South Vietnam, 1967 Tracker dogs, 1967.jpg
7 RAR tracker dogs and their handlers in South Vietnam, 1967

Throughout August and September 7 RAR took part in resettlement operations around Xa Bang. Later in September, the battalion lost a large number of its national servicemen who, having completed their two-year obligation, were rotated back to Australia for discharge. The following month they took part in an Australian, US and South Vietnamese Operation Santa Fe which was launched in the May Tao Secret Zone in an attempt to find the VC 5th Division. After this they undertook search and destroy operations around Nui Dat, however contact with the VC during this time was limited. [15] In December 1967, 1 ATF was expanded to a brigade-group with the arrival of a third infantry battalion, 3 RAR, and a quantity of Centurion tanks. [16] Between 24 January and 1 March 1968, 7 RAR deployed to Bien Hoa–Long Khanh border along with 2 RAR and subsequently took part in Operation Coburg during the Tet Offensive. [17]

On 9 April 1968, 7 RAR was relieved by 1 RAR and subsequently rotated back to Australia. Upon arrival in Sydney, the battalion was welcomed home by a large crowd and conducted a march through the streets. Throughout their deployment over 1,180 men had served in the battalion's ranks, of whom 16 had been killed and 124 wounded. [12] Members of the battalion received the following decorations: one Distinguished Service Order (DSO), two Members of Order of the British Empire (MBEs), two Military Crosses (MCs), two Distinguished Conduct Medals (DCMs), three Military Medals (MMs) and 14 Mentions in Despatches (MIDs). [17]

Second tour

Following 7 RAR's return to Australia it was based at Finschhafen Lines, at Holsworthy, New South Wales. It was there, on 6 October 1968, that the battalion finally received its Queen's and Regimental Colours in a ceremony presided over by the Governor of New South Wales, Sir Roden Cutler. [2] Following this the battalion undertook further training in preparation for its second tour of duty in South Vietnam, which came in early 1970. They arrived in country in February under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Grey, replacing 5 RAR. [18] They arrived amidst an effort to pacify Phuoc Tuy. This effort involved 7 RAR in almost continuous operations, in an attempt to keep the VC off balance and separate them from the civilian population. [17] During April and May 1970, 7 RAR took part in the task force level Operation Concrete which took place around Xuyen Moc with the aim of destroying the VC D445 Battalion. [19]

The battalion's role in Concrete was to operate in the Tan Ru region, carrying out a reconnaissance-in-force followed by ambush operations. Only three companies were available for wider operations, however, as 'C' Company was detached to provide training to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam 18th Division, although it undertook local patrols and ambushes. Instead of being inserted by helicopter, the decision was made for the companies to deploy on foot and by Armoured Personnel Carrier. [20] On 20 April, one of 'B' Company's platoons contacted a small VC force and engaged them in a brief firefight that left one VC dead. Two days later, in concert with artillery and Centurion tanks, 'B' Company was involved in capturing a bunker complex. [20]

A memorial plaque for members of 7 RAR killed in Vietnam 1967-68 and 1970-71. Shown at Regimental Square, Sydney. Regimental Square 3.jpg
A memorial plaque for members of 7 RAR killed in Vietnam 1967–68 and 1970–71. Shown at Regimental Square, Sydney.

Throughout June 1970 and February 1971, 1 ATF undertook a four-phased pacification operation known as Cung Chung in concert with South Vietnamese forces. This involved extensive patrolling, ambush and cordon and search operations. [2] During one such operation on the night of 30 December 1970 Headquarters 'B' Company, 7 RAR and four APCs from 3rd Cavalry Regiment were engaged by a large group of VC. The VC assaulted the Australians four times before being repelled by heavy fire from the M113s. The following morning a clearing patrol found 21 bodies and a large quantity of weapons and ammunition. Intelligence later assessed that a company from D445 Battalion had been destroyed. [21]

On 25 February 1971, 3 RAR relieved 7 RAR, and the battalion returned to Sydney, arriving there on 10 March 1971. [2] For its second tour, members of 7 RAR received the following decorations: one DSO, two MBEs, two MCs, two MMs, five MIDs and one British Empire Medal. [17] Casualties included 17 killed and 89 wounded, many of them caused by mines lifted by the VC from the controversial barrier minefield laid previously by the Australians at Dat Do. [22] Over the course of its two deployments, over 2,400 men served with 7 RAR of which 33 were killed and 220 wounded. [1]

Linking with the 5th Battalion

Upon return to Australia the battalion commenced the process of reforming under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Ian Mackay, in preparation for an expected third tour of South Vietnam in mid-1972. [23] However, in December 1971, 1 ATF was withdrawn from South Vietnam as part of a phased withdrawal of Australian personnel from the country. [24] This decision, coupled with the subsequent abolition of conscription following the election of the Whitlam government and a shift in Australian defence policy towards an emphasis on the defence of mainland Australia, resulted in the need to reduce the size of the Australian Army. [2]

To implement this it was decided to amalgamate a number of infantry battalions. 7 RAR was one of these, and on 3 December 1973 the battalion was linked with 5 RAR to form the 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment at a ceremony conducted at Tobruk Lines, Holsworthy. [2] The battalion's last commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Greenhalgh, who had assumed command of 7 RAR on 19 March 1973, became the first commanding officer of the new battalion. [25]

Mechanisation

The M113 armoured personnel carrier was first introduced in 1976, and 5/7 RAR officially adopted the "mechanised" suffix in June 1984 and has been a significant part of the battalion's heritage ever since. [26] The unit deployed on operational service with the vehicles during INTERFET in East Timor in 1999 and maintained a QRF presence with M113s in Timor-Leste from 2006 to 2009. The most recent M113AS4 Armoured Personnel Carriers were introduced on 15 November 2007. The ceremonial handover took place at Robertson Barracks, where one of the vehicles on display was fitted with extra armour, spall curtains and track shrouds. [27]

Re-raised

A 7RAR soldier on exercise at Shoalwater Bay 2011 Flickr - DVIDSHUB - Exercise Predator's Strike 2011 (Image 21 of 59).jpg
A 7RAR soldier on exercise at Shoalwater Bay 2011

On 24 August 2006, Prime Minister John Howard announced that there would be an expansion of the Australian regular infantry by two battalions, as part of the Enhanced Land Force plan. [28] As part of this, a second mechanised infantry battalion was raised by de-linking 5/7 RAR to become the 5th Battalion and 7th Battalion. On 5 December 2006, the 5th/7th Battalion was formally de-linked, restoring the 7th Battalion to the order of battle. [29] The battalion was raised in January 2007 with the nucleus of a battalion headquarters and with B Company from the split. [30]

The battalion contributed a mechanised platoon to two rotations of the ANZAC Battle Group deployment to Timor in 2007 and 2008 as part of Operation Astute. [31] In 2008–09, elements of the battalion deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Slipper, forming the basis for the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF-1). [32] One member of the battalion was killed in action during an engagement near Kakarak on 16 March 2009. [33] [34] [35]

At the same time, in Australia, the battalion began receiving new intakes of soldiers and undertook an intensive training program which saw the battalion certified as "operationally deployable" in January 2009, well before the planned date of 2010. [36] 7 RAR subsequently relocated to Horseshoe Lines at RAAF Base Edinburgh near Adelaide in South Australia in 2010–11. [37] [38]

Afghanistan

Reconstruction Task Force – 1

In late 2006, the Darwin-based 5/7 RAR deployed to Afghanistan as part of Reconstruction Task Force 1, with the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment with protective elements from the 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and 2nd Cavalry Regiment. [39] The addition this infantry based combat team provided by the newly re-raised 7 RAR allowed the influence of RTF 1 to expand into key areas significant distances away from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Davis. [40]

With Bushmaster PMVs and Light Armoured Vehicles, 1 RTF was able to secure the job sites incorporated into its expanded role. [40] The Reconstruction Task Force was tasked with reconstruction and the improvement of provincial infrastructure (schools, hospitals, bridges etc.) and community-based projects to assist the Afghan Government in securing a future for its people. [40] The task force also provided trade training to the local population and military engineering training to the Afghan National Army. [41]

Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force – 1

Prior to October 2008, the Australian Defence Force's commitment to Operation Slipper in Afghanistan was purely focused on the rebuilding efforts of the reconstruction force and the combat role of the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG). However, with the deployment of MRTF-1 in 2008–09 it saw a change in mission focus to the infantry's previous role during the RTF. MRTF-1 saw the role of the infantry in Afghanistan expand with the inclusion of a mentoring component provided by the first Operational and Mentor Liaison Team (OMLT). [42]

The focus of the OMLT during 7 RAR's deployment for MRTF-1 was similar to that of the Australian Army Training Team (AATT-V) in Vietnam, with a focus on mentoring the ANA 2nd Kandak, and also enhancing the tactical employment of the battalion against the Taliban. The MRTF-1 battle group (BG) was composed of a variety of different elements, however the core of the BG and its hierarchy were members from 7 RAR. The 7 RAR BG consisted of Combat Team Tusk (B Company from 7 RAR), 1st Field Squadron and a Combat Service Support Team (CSST). [42]

Combat Team Tusk consisted of 7 RAR infantrymen, Combat Engineers, ASLAVs, Mortars (5 RAR) and Snipers (1 RAR). [43] During the course of its deployment to Afghanistan, members of 7 RAR received the following decorations: one Distinguished Service Cross, three Medals for Gallantry, four Distinguished Service Medals, one Conspicuous Service Medal, three Commendations for Gallantry, one Medal of the Order of Australia, two Commendations for Distinguished Service, and one United States Army Commendation Medal. [44]

Advisor Task Force – 1

The 7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment Task Group (7 RAR Task Group) handed over the role of advising the Afghan National Army's (ANA) 4th Brigade to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment Task Group (2 CAV Task Group) on 15 June 2013. 7 RAR had been deployed from November 2012 to June 2013. [45]

Through the Afghan winter and into the traditional summer fighting season, 7 RAR Task Group supported the 4th ANA Brigade in its conduct of more than 13 independent brigade-level operations, maintaining pressure on the insurgency. Throughout the deployment ATF 1 continued to provide force protection support to Australian and International Security Assistance Force elements in Uruzgan. ATF 1 also supported the transition of responsibility for security to Afghan forces in the province. [46]

Advisor Task Force – 2

A further 7 RAR contingent provided the infantry element to Advisor Task Group – 2. ATF-2 was commanded by Commanding Officer 2 CAV Task Group Lieutenant Colonel Michael Bye. Taking over in June 2013, ATF-2 continued to provide force protection support to Australian and International Security Assistance Force elements in Uruzgan and supported the process of security transition in the province, which saw governance and security transition to the Afghan people. 7 RAR personnel were primarily responsible for force protection, including quick reaction forces. ATF-2 shifted its mission focus, gradually reducing advisory support as the Afghan National Army transitioned to independence in their Brigade Headquarters, the Combat Service Support Kandak (Battalion) and the Garrison Support Unit. ATF-2 served with the last formed body of Australian Defence Force personnel to serve in Uruzgan province, returning to Australia in February 2014. [47]

Transition to Standard Infantry Battalion and current composition

The battalion was de-mechanised in 2013 to become a dismounted infantry battalion under Plan Beersheba. [48] This involved the loss of all M113 AS4 APCs and the battalion became reliant on 1 Brigade assets for transport. The battalion's composition was referred to as the Standard Infantry Battalion (SIB) format and consisted of: [49]

The battalion has since reverted to a mechanised infantry battalion. [50] Under Land 400 phase 3, 7 RAR will become the sole Mechanised Infantry Battalion for the Australian Army equipped with AS IFV Redback. All other Mechanised Battalions are set to loose their M113A4s and revert to standard light infantry units

Iraq

Task Group Taji – Rotation 3

During May 2016, elements of 7 RAR deployed to Iraq as part of Task Group Taji – Rotation 3 (TGT-3), taking over from 8/9 RAR. [51] TGT-3 was a combined Australian-New Zealand force located at the Taji Military Complex northwest of Baghdad. TG Taji supports an international effort to train and build the capacity of regular Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) to defeat Islamic State and secure Iraq. The Task Group consisted of around 300 ADF personnel, alongside around 110 New Zealand Defence Force personnel, comprising trainers, force protection, support and command elements. [52] The bulk of Australian personnel were from 7 RAR. [51]

TGT-3 delivered combat training, focusing on basic warfighting skills like training on US weapons and equipment, marksmanship, urban TTPs, explosive hazards awareness, care of the battle casualty and fire and movement. Specialist training included mortars, signals, snipers and reconnaissance. As of October 2016, TGT-3 had trained approximately 6,000 Iraqi Army soldiers, many of whom took part in the Battle of Mosul. During TGT-3's rotation, the Australian Government changed its policy regarding where and whom Australian forces are authorised to train in Iraq. Not only are Australian forces permitted to train Iraqi Army, but Iraqi Security Forces in general, including Federal Police at various sites including the Taji Military Complex and other secure Coalition bases in Iraq. [53]

Customs and traditions

7 RAR has developed many unique customs and traditions throughout its history. Some aspects of this identity are presented below.

The Pig

The 7 RAR mascot and nickname, "the Pigs", has a long and celebrated history within the battalion. According to Corporal Roy Savage:

The single men of 3 RAR were sent to Puckapunyal to form a new battalion, 7 RAR. I arrived there on 11th November 1965. At first there were only regular soldiers. We used to keep the boozer open all weekend having the cooks bring our meals there. Anyway, on my second week there the new CO (Colonel Eric Smith) decided to inspect his new battalion area on a Sunday. He immediately closed the boozer. The next day he called a muster parade of the whole battalion and commenced to tell us what he thought of us. Half way through his speech he said and I quote, 'You are nothing but a mob of pigs'. Then from the back rank someone called out 'oink oink'. From that time onwards we became the Pig Battalion. [54]

Pipes and Drums

In 1969, following the formation of the Australian Army Band Corps, infantry units serving in Vietnam found themselves without stretcher bearers, who tended to come from unit bands. To solve this problem, the Army directed the regular battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment to form new bands; to avoid competing directly with the new band corps, it was decided that these new bands would be either pipes and drums, bugle and drums or fife and drums. The 7th Battalion decided to form a pipe band. This was then passed to the 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment on its formation in 1973. [55] The marches of each sub-unit are as follows: [2]

The CO's Table

During Operation Santa Fe in October and November 1967, 7th Battalion conducted a search and destroy task in the north east of Phouc Tuy Province. During the reorganisation of one part of the battle, a VC bed was discovered by members of the Battalion. Subsequently, the CO, Lieutenant Colonel Eric Smith, decided that the bed would be best put to use as a map table on which to plot his callsigns from his command post. [56] [ page needed ] The table currently resides on the ground floor of 7RAR battalion headquarters, in Adelaide.[ citation needed ]

Graham Cornes Football Match

Graham Cornes OAM (born 31 March 1948 in Melbourne, Victoria) is a former Australian rules footballer and coach, as well as a media personality. Graham Cornes is also a Vietnam veteran, having served in Vietnam as a soldier with 7 RAR in 1968. An annual football match is played between 7 RAR and 16th Air Land Regiment for the Graham Cornes trophy, in recognition of his service to the battalion, AFL, and the nation. [57]

Battle honours

7 RAR currently holds the following battle honours:

Alliances

Commanding officers

The following officers commanded 7 RAR: [58]

Regimental Sergeants Major

The following soldiers served as RSM of 7 RAR: [59]

Notes

Footnotes
  1. ↑ There is some discrepancy about this figure among the sources. The Annex G to Chapter 6 of the Royal Australian Regiment Standing Orders provides the figure of 30 battalion-level operations.
Citations
  1. 1 2 3 "7 RAR". Digger History. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Annex G to Chapter 6: 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment: A Brief History" (PDF). Royal Australian Regiment Standing Orders. Royal Australian Regiment. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 February 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  3. ↑ "LtCol Levon 'Von' Lambert". 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Association. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  4. ↑ "Club Luncheon: Celebrating 30-Year Members". Naval, Military and Air Force Club of South Australia. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  5. ↑ "Today the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment formally relinked in a parade at Robertson Barracks". Facebook. 1st Brigade - Australian Army. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  6. ↑ Grey 2008 , p. 237
  7. ↑ Grey 2008 , pp. 236–237
  8. ↑ Grey 2008 , p. 238
  9. 1 2 Horner & Bou 2008 , p. 152
  10. 1 2 3 4 Horner & Bou 2008 , p. 153
  11. ↑ Grey 2008 , pp. 242–243
  12. 1 2 Horner & Bou 2008 , p. 199
  13. ↑ Horner & Bou 2008 , p. 191
  14. ↑ Horner & Bou 2008 , p. 193
  15. ↑ Horner & Bou 2008 , p. 194
  16. ↑ Horner & Bou 2008 , p. 195
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 "7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment". Vietnam, 1962–1972 units. Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 12 March 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  18. ↑ Horner & Bou 2008 , p. 229
  19. ↑ Horner & Bou 2008 , pp. 229–230
  20. 1 2 Horner & Bou 2008 , p. 230
  21. ↑ O'Brien 1995 , pp. 233–234
  22. ↑ O'Brien 1995 , p. 242
  23. ↑ O'Brien 1995 , p. 253
  24. ↑ Grey 2008 , p. 244
  25. ↑ O'Brien 1995 , pp. 255–256
  26. ↑ "5th/7th Battalion (Mechanized), The Royal Australian Regiment: A Brief History". 5/7 RAR Association. Archived from the original on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  27. ↑ "Army's latest fighting vehicle arrives at 1 Brigade" (Press release). Department of Defence. 15 November 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  28. ↑ Griffin 2006.
  29. ↑ Horner & Bou 2008 , p. 346
  30. ↑ "7RAR the first step". Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper. No. 1171. Canberra: Department of Defence. 26 July 2007. ISSN   0729-5685. Archived from the original on 11 September 2007.
  31. ↑ "ANZAC Battle Group". Nautilus Institute. 24 August 2009. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  32. ↑ Ashby-Cliffe, Jane (4 September 2008). "Afghan Mentors Fired Up" (PDF). Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper (1197 ed.). p. 5. ISSN   0729-5685.
  33. ↑ "Australian soldier dies in firefight with Taliban in Afghanistan". The Sydney Morning Herald . 17 March 2009. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2009.
  34. ↑ Pearlman, Jonathan (18 March 2009). "Just four days with new son: soldier, 21, killed". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2009.
  35. ↑ Coulthard-Clark 2010 , p. 299.
  36. ↑ "7 RAR Operationally Deployable Ahead of Schedule" (Press release). Department of Defence. 2 January 2009. Archived from the original on 10 May 2009. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
  37. ↑ Clarke, D. (2010). "Battalion on the Move". SA Defence Business. Defence Teaming Centre. pp. 10–12.
  38. ↑ Reid, Khama (21 January 2011). "Soldiers move from Darwin into Adelaide's Base Edinburgh". ABC Adelaide. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  39. ↑ Horner & Bou 2008, pp. 338–339.
  40. 1 2 3 "1st Reconstruction Task Force returns home". Image Gallery: April 2007. Department of Defence. 24 April 2007. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  41. ↑ Blaxland 2013, p. 261.
  42. 1 2 Australian Army 2012 , p. xi
  43. ↑ Australian Army 2012 , p. 41
  44. ↑ "Afghanistan Awards". 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Association. Archived from the original on 16 February 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  45. ↑ "Defence completes multi-million dollar Uruzgan road project". Department of Defence. 18 June 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  46. ↑ "New Australian Task Group takes the lead in Afghanistan" (Press release). Department of Defence. 17 June 2013. Archived from the original on 1 July 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  47. ↑ "Darwin welcomes home last formed contingent of Defence personnel to serve in Uruzgan". Department of Defence. Commonwealth of Australia. 1 March 2014. Archived from the original on 14 November 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  48. ↑ Informa Australia. "Lieutenant Colonel Darryl Bridgeman, Australian Army". slideshare.net. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  49. ↑ Bulletin of the Royal Australian Regiment Foundation, Issue 31 October 2013
  50. ↑ "7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment". Australian Army. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  51. 1 2 "Operations Okra and Highroad Farewell Parade". Video. Department of Defence. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  52. ↑ "Task Group TAJI". Department of Defence. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  53. ↑ Faulkner, Andrew (6 September 2016). "Australian troops let off the leash in Iraq". The Australian. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  54. ↑ O'Brien 1995 , p. 7
  55. ↑ Horner & Bou 2008 , p. 244
  56. ↑ O'Brien 1995
  57. ↑ "Porky Seven – Graham Cornes Football Match". 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Association. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  58. ↑ Horner & Bou 2008 , pp. 442–443
  59. ↑ "7 RAR Association Website" . Retrieved 17 March 2016.

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6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a mechanised infantry battalion of the Australian Army. It was originally raised in Brisbane, Queensland, on 6 June 1965 and has since then served in a number of overseas deployments and conflicts including South Vietnam, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. During the Vietnam War, the battalion earned a US Presidential Unit Citation from the United States when members from 'D' Company participated in the Battle of Long Tan on 18–19 August 1966. The battalion is currently based at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane and forms part of the 7th Brigade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Brigade (Australia)</span> Formation of the Australian Army

1st Brigade is a combined arms formation of the Australian Army. Formed in 1903 as a militia formation based in New South Wales, it was reconstituted as part of the Australian Imperial Force in 1914 for service during World War I, the brigade fought at Gallipoli and on the Western Front before being disbanded in mid-1919. In 1921, the 1st Brigade was re-raised as a unit of Australia's part-time military forces, based in New South Wales. During World War II the brigade undertook defensive duties before being disbanded. In 1948, it was re-raised as an integral part of the Australian Regular Army. Currently the brigade is based at Robertson Barracks in Darwin and at RAAF Base Edinburgh near Adelaide, South Australia. It is the first of the Australian Army brigades to be re-organised as a combat brigade under Plan Beersheba.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Australian Task Force</span> Joint military task force

The 1st Australian Task Force was a brigade-sized formation which commanded Australian and New Zealand Army units deployed to South Vietnam between 1966 and 1972. 1 ATF was based in a rubber plantation at Nui Dat, 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) north of Bà Rịa in Phuoc Tuy Province and consisted of two and later three infantry battalions, with armour, aviation, engineers and artillery support. While the task force was primarily responsible for securing Phuoc Tuy Province, its units, and the Task Force Headquarters itself, occasionally deployed outside its Tactical Area of Responsibility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3rd Brigade (Australia)</span> Formation of the Australian Army

The 3rd Brigade is a combined arms brigade of the Australian Army, principally made up of the 1st and 3rd Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment. Initially raised in 1903 as part of the post-Federation Australian Army, it was removed from the order of battle in 1906 following the restructure of the field force. It was re-formed in 1914 for service during World War I, taking part in the fighting at Gallipoli and on the Western Front in Europe. During World War II the brigade was used in a defensive role before it was disbanded in 1944. It was re-raised in 1967 for service during the Vietnam War and later went on to provide the nucleus of the deployment to East Timor during the Australian-led intervention in 1999. The brigade is currently based at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville, Queensland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</span> Military unit

The 5th/7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment is a regular motorised infantry battalion of the Australian Army. The battalion was based at Robertson Barracks in Holtze, Northern Territory and formed part of the 1st Brigade. It was formed in 1973 by linking both the 5th and 7th Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment together and was disbanded 3 December 2006, as part of the expansion of the Australian Army, when the 5th and 7th Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment were delinked into two separate battalions once again. The battalion was reformed in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</span> Australian Army infantry battalion

The 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a mechanised infantry battalion of the Australian Army, based in Kapyong Lines, Townsville as part of the 3rd Brigade. 3 RAR traces its lineage to 1945 and has seen operational service in Japan, Korea, Malaya, Borneo, South Vietnam, Rifle Company Butterworth, East Timor, the Solomon Islands, Afghanistan and Iraq.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</span> Infantry battalion of the Australian Army

1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a regular motorised infantry battalion of the Australian Army. 1 RAR was first formed as the 65th Australian Infantry Battalion of the 34th Brigade (Australia) on Balikpapan in 1945 and since then has been deployed on active service during the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency, the Vietnam War, Unified Task Force in Somalia, East Timor, Iraq War and Afghanistan. Additionally, the battalion has deployed on peacekeeping and other operations to a number of countries including Japan, Rifle Company Butterworth, Timor Leste, Solomon Islands, Tonga and the Philippines. 1 RAR remains one of the Australian Army's most readily deployed units sending individuals and detachments to domestic, regional and other enduring operations. The battalion is currently based in Coral Lines at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, Queensland, where it forms part of the 3rd Brigade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Coral–Balmoral</span> Part of the Vietnam War (1968)

The Battle of Coral–Balmoral was a series of actions fought during the Vietnam War between the 1st Australian Task Force and the North Vietnamese People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) 7th Division and Viet Cong (VC) Main Force units, 40 kilometres (25 mi) north-east of Saigon. Following the defeat of the PAVN/VC Tet offensive in January and February, in late April two Australian infantry battalions—the 1st and 3rd Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment (RAR)—with supporting arms, were again deployed from their base at Nui Dat in Phước Tuy Province to positions astride infiltration routes leading to Saigon to interdict renewed movement against the capital. Part of the wider allied Operation Toan Thang I, it was launched in response to intelligence reports of another impending PAVN/VC offensive, yet the Australians experienced little fighting during this period. Meanwhile, the PAVN/VC successfully penetrated the capital on 5 May, plunging Saigon into chaos during the May Offensive in an attempt to influence the upcoming Paris peace talks scheduled to begin on the 13th. During three days of intense fighting the attacks were repelled by US and South Vietnamese forces, and although another attack was launched by the PAVN/VC several days later, the offensive was again defeated with significant losses on both sides, causing extensive damage to Saigon and many civilian casualties. By 12 May the fighting was over, and the PAVN/VC were forced to withdraw having suffered heavy casualties. US casualties were also heavy and it proved to be their most costly week of the war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</span> Australian Army infantry battalion

The 2nd Battalion (Amphibious), Royal Australian Regiment is an Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion of the Australian Army part of the 1st Division Amphibious Task Group based at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</span> Australian Army unit

The 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a motorised infantry battalion of the Australian Army. It was originally formed in 1973 by linking together both the 8th and 9th Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment. Over the next twenty-four years the battalion would remain on the Australian Order of Battle based at Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane, Queensland, until it was disbanded in 1997 amid a number of Defence-wide cutbacks introduced by the Howard government. In 2006 it was announced that the battalion would be re-raised as part of a plan to expand the size of the Army and since then it established itself as a fully deployable motorised infantry battalion as part of 7th Brigade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</span> Australian Army infantry unit

The 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment was a regular motorised infantry battalion of the Australian Army. Originally established in 1965 it would serve two tours of South Vietnam before it was linked with the 7th Battalion to form the 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in 1973. In late 2006 the two units were de-linked, and 5 RAR again joined the Australian Army's order of battle in its own right. It has since served in Iraq, East Timor and Afghanistan. The battalion was re-merged with the 7th Battalion to reform the 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Binh Ba</span> Part of the Vietnam War (1969)

The Battle of Binh Ba, also known as Operation Hammer, took place during the Vietnam War. The action occurred when Australian Army troops from the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment fought a combined force of People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) and Viet Cong (VC), including a company from the PAVN 33rd Regiment and elements of the VC D440 Battalion, in the village of Bình Ba, 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) north of Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy Province. The battle was unusual in Australian combat experience in South Vietnam as it involved fierce close-quarter house-to-house fighting, although the majority of enemy killed was through heavy artillery and air-bombardment. In response to PAVN/VC attempts to capture Binh Ba the Australians assaulted the village with infantry, armour and helicopter gunships, routing the VC and largely destroying the village itself. Such battles were not the norm in Phuoc Tuy, however, and the heavy losses suffered by the PAVN/VC forced them to temporarily leave the province. Although the Australians did encounter PAVN/VC Main Force units in the years to come, the battle marked the end of such large-scale clashes, and ranks as one of the major Australian victories of the war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">8th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</span> Former Australian Army unit

The 8th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment was an Australian Army Regular infantry battalion. The battalion was formed in July 1966 as part of an expansion of the Australian Army in the mid-1960s due to the perceived threat of Communism in southeast Asia. Initially the battalion was sent to Malaysia in 1967, before later being sent to South Vietnam as part of Australia's commitment to the Vietnam War. Between November 1969 and October 1970 the battalion undertook operations as part of the 1st Australian Task Force, before being brought back to Australia. In October 1973, after Australia's involvement in Vietnam officially ended, the battalion was amalgamated with 9 RAR to form 8/9 RAR.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</span> Australian Army infantry battalion

The 9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment was a Regular light infantry battalion of the Australian Army. The battalion was raised in November 1967 and deployed to South Vietnam as part of Australia's commitment to the Vietnam War in November 1968. 9 RAR served a year-long tour of duty based out of Nui Dat conducting operations mainly in Phuoc Tuy Province as part of the 1st Australian Task Force. The battalion returned to Australia in November 1969 and was re-formed at Enoggera, Queensland in January 1970 as part of the 6th Task Force, attached to the 1st Division. On 31 November 1973, following the withdrawal of Australian forces from South Vietnam and subsequent reduction of the Australian Army, the battalion was linked with the 8th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment to form the 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Coburg</span> Part of the Vietnam War (1968)

Operation Coburg was an Australian and New Zealand military action during the Vietnam War. The operation saw heavy fighting between the 1st Australian Task Force and North Vietnamese People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) and Viet Cong (VC) forces during the wider fighting around Long Binh and Bien Hoa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Long Khánh</span> Part of the Vietnam War (1971)

The Battle of Long Khanh was fought during the Vietnam War between elements of 1st Australian Task Force and the Viet Cong (VC) and People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) during Operation Overlord. The fighting saw Australian infantry from 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment attack a heavily fortified communist base camp in Long Khanh Province, while Centurion tanks providing close support crushed many bunkers and their occupants. Regardless, the VC fought hard to delay the Australian advance and although the bunker system was subsequently captured, along with a second system further south, the Australians suffered a number of casualties and the loss of a UH-1 Iroquois helicopter. With the Australians unable to concentrate sufficient combat power to achieve a decisive result, the bulk of the VC/PAVN force successfully withdrew intact, although they probably sustained heavy casualties in the process.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Hardihood</span> Part of the Vietnam War (1966)

Operation Hardihood was a security operation conducted from 16 May to 8 June 1966 during the Vietnam War by the U.S. 503rd Infantry Regiment, the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) and the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in Phước Tuy Province, South Vietnam to secure the area around Nui Dat for the establishment of a base area for the 1st Australian Task Force.

References

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