HISTORIC SERVICE - Department of Defence · 2020-05-13 · Burnie Airport before they leave Tasmania. Photos: Sgt Mark Doran Mission accomplished Members of the ADF support team depart

The soldiers’ newspaperEdition 1465 May 14, 2020

THIS FARMER WENT TO WARNew book recognises efforts of 7th Division Salvage UnitPage 9

COVID-19 PANDEMICADF medical team wraps up support at Burnie’s North West Regional Hospital

Page 3

4 Regt RAA celebrates a milestone – Centre

60 YEARS

HISTORIC SERVICE

Soldiers from 107 Bty, 4th Regt RAA, fire an M777 155mm Howitzer during Exercise Chimera 2019 at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland. Photo: Cpl Kyle Genner

OUR TEAMDirector David Edlington

Managing Editor Richard Mihaich Editor Jessica Deotto: 02 6266 7067

Deputy Editor Tatiana Gallon

Reporters Sgt Max Bree Sgt Dave MorleySgt Janine FabreSgt Sebastian BeurichCpl Julia WhitwellCpl Veronica O’HaraLS Kylie JagielloPte Jacob Joseph

[email protected] Editor, Army News, R1-GF-C042, PO Box 7909, Department of Defence, ACT 2600

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COVID-19 Pandemic2

Leut Dave Devlin

AN INCREASE in calls to the Police Assistance Line in Victoria has led to ADF personnel providing a helping hand.

With the state under level-three isolation laws to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to pre-vent the state’s health system from becoming overwhelmed, telephone and online reporting to the Ballarat-based call centre dramatically increased.

The ADF was approached by Victoria Police to see if it could pro-

vide call-centre assistance. A group of infantry soldiers from 8/7RVR based in Ballarat and Sunshine responded.

The officer in charge of the Police Assistance Line call cen-tre, Inspector Steve Towers, said approaching the ADF was an easy decision.

“We needed to get some person-nel who were reliable, self-disci-plined, could learn quickly and were able to communicate effectively with respect to dealing with the public,” Inspector Towers said.

“The ADF met that criteria and

we knew that working relationship was already in place, following on from the recent bushfires experi-enced across the state.

“The ADF have become a fully integrated part of our team and have assisted in over 48,000 COVID-19 related calls.”

Calls can include the report of mass gatherings, businesses breach-ing operating restrictions or people suspected of breaching social-isola-tion protocols.

In a normal operating environ-ment, the call centre receives an average of 2000 calls a month.

Since the enforcement of COVID-19 restrictions, calls have escalated to more than 1000 per day.

LCpl Will iam Paffrath, of 8/7RVR, said he found the work challenging and rewarding.

“The Victorian Police and the ADF share a very similar work ethic and this was the bond that enabled us to adjust to this task quickly and efficiently,” LCpl Paffrath said.

“To know that we are contrib-uting to the health and safety of the community is a rewarding experience.”

A call to action

LCpl William Paffrath, of 8/7RVR, working with Victorian Police on the Police Assistance Line taking phone calls regarding COVID-19. Photo: PO Nina Fogliani

DUE to COVID-19 social distanc-ing regulations, the Australian Industry Capability Roadshow has moved to a virtual format.

The change will allow Defence to accept online tenders for Defence and Land 400 Phase 3 capability offerings.

Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price said numerous Australian companies will take part.

“The virtual roadshow will provide companies with a similar experience using digital methods to what was provided face-to-face,” Minister Price said.

“It is critical we continue to move forward with major acquisi-tion projects such as Land 400 Phase 3, as these projects will help fuel our post-COVID-19 economic recovery.”

Each company will deliver a pitch on their capabilities, followed by questions from the shortlisted tenderers.

They will also have the oppor-tunity to meet shortlisted tenderers Hanwha and Rheinmetall in a vir-tual meeting room.

Minister Price said the virtual roadshow will help local companies contribute to Army’s replacement of infantry fighting vehicles.

“It is important that we continue the momentum of the roadshow, especially in the COVID-19 environment,” she said.

Registered companies are advised to monitor the Land 400 webpage for further updates at: defence.gov.au/CASG/EquippingDefence/Land%20400.asp

Roadshow to move online

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds addresses the crowd at the acceptance ceremony for the Army’s first Boxer vehicle at Enoggera Barracks, Brisbane, in 2019 – part of Land 400 Phase 2. Photo: Sgt Max Bree

The Making of WarriorsAuthor:

Graham J Smith(ex-member of

the ADF - Aust Int Corps)

Published by: Rosenberg Publishing Pty Ltdwww.rosenbergpub.com.au

Size: 272 pages RRP $34.95Available online through leading book stores

The story of an Australian infantry battalion, told by the men who fought with it, including excerpts from war diaries, personal diaries and letters, supported by over 100 illustrations, including colour maps and wartime photos.

They fought the Italians in North Africa, the Germans in Greece and Crete, and

finally the Japanese in the most treacherous campaign of WW2, along the Kokoda Track. Veterans describe the action of close-in jungle fighting in gut wrenching detail. In New Guinea, their prowess as deadly jungle fighters and reputation as warrior soldiers is sealed, as they drive the Japanese Imperial Army back into the sea.

May 14, 2020 COVID-19 Pandemicdefence.gov.au/news/armynews 3

Flg-Off Claire Burnett

THE ADF and AUSMAT have concluded their support at Burnie’s North West Regional Hospital following an outbreak of COVID-19 among its staff.

Fifty ADF personnel and seven AUSMAT health workers ensured the emergency depart-ment remained open and provided essential health services to residents of north-west Tasmania while hospital staff undertook 14 days of quarantine.

T h e t e a m i n c l u d e d A D F d o c -tors, emergency nurses, a pharmacist, radiographer, environmental health officer and general support personnel.

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said the ADF had shown its ability to support state and territory governments.

“This was the first time the ADF had been called on to help operate a domestic hospital. Within just a matter of hours of being tasked, the team was heading to Tasmania to assist,” Senator Reynolds said.

“For more than two weeks, they provided support to the people of north-west Tasmania including enhanced infection control, primary care, acute resuscitation, minor procedures and consulting care.”

Commander JTG 629.5 Col David Hughes said the ADF medical team supported AUSMAT to reopen and operate the emergency department.

“The team worked tirelessly with AUSMAT in the emergency department and over 14 days saw more than 400 patients,” Col Hughes said.

AUSMAT mission lead Bronte Martin said the joint ADF-AUSMAT team was grateful for the generous support and warm welcome shown by the community.

“We would like to acknowledge and sin-cerely thank the emergency department staff for their ongoing support and that of Tasmanian health colleagues across the region for their commitment to the health and safety of the community,” Ms Martin said.

“On behalf of the nurses, doctors, medics, allied health and support team members, it

has been our collective privilege to serve the north-west Tasmanian community and step in to restore and provide essential emergency care services while the healthcare system recovered.”

Col Hughes said the deployment was an example of the ADF supporting the national interest.

“It has been a great privilege to be involved with this mission that has provided a degree of normalcy and confidence to the community of the north-west in this difficult time,” he said.

“I am extremely proud of the efforts of AUSMAT and the ADF medical team.”

With hospital staff completing their quaran-tine, a handover took place on April 29.

ADF and AUSMAT personnel flew out of Tasmania on two RAAF C-130J Hercules air-craft on April 30.

Before they departed, Col Hughes pre-sented each team member with a small gift from Tasmanian Governor Kate Warner as an expression of gratitude on behalf of the Tasmanian people.

Nursing officer Maj Gregory O’Connor, of 2GHB, prepares to leave Tasmania with a gift of homemade shortbread from the Tasmanian Governor.

Commander JTG 629.5 Col David Hughes addresses personnel and members of the Australian Medical Assistance Team at Burnie Airport before they leave Tasmania. Photos: Sgt Mark Doran

Mission accomplished

Members of the ADF support team depart Burnie, Tasmania.

‘On behalf of the nurses, doctors, medics, allied

health and support team members, it has been our

collective privilege to serve the north-west Tasmanian

community.– Bronte Martin,

AUSMAT mission lead

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SINCE his time as an artillery forward observer, Lt-Gen Greg Bilton has been routinely tied into Navy and Air Force.

Whether that was naval gunfire or calling in air strikes, joint warfighting was always on Lt-Gen Bilton’s mind.

After 38 years of service, he became Chief of Joint Operations just before one of Australia’s worst bushfire seasons and a global pandemic, and at a time of increasing competition between global powers.

Lt-Gen Bilton said the crises are “bringing out the best in us”.

“During Operation Bushfire Assist, I was impressed by how we integrated so well into the state emergency services to support Australians in need,” he said.

Lt-Gen Bilton paid tribute to the many countries who sent help.

“Their assistance underscores the extent of our friendships and we are very grateful to all of them,” he said.

When Bushfire Assist ended in March, COVID-19 was already gripping the world and Defence launched Operation COVID-19 Assist, which involves about 2000 ADF personnel.

ADF members now augment state planning and contact tracing teams, assist police in monitoring health orders and temporarily ran an emergency ward in Tasmania.

Lt-Gen Bilton said protecting Defence personnel and their families was at the forefront of operational planning.

“The wellbeing of our people is our biggest consideration and we will need everyone to be ready to help over the coming months,” he said.

He also emphasised ADF support was crucial to ensuring the safety of Australians.

“The Australian public can count on us to work with civil agencies to protect the Australian way of life,” Lt-Gen Bilton said.

While there was a reduction of personnel deployed overseas due to the virus, Lt-Gen Bilton said Defence still had a presence abroad and would continue to pursue Australia’s interests.

“We’ve still got more than a thousand people deployed in the Middle East and more in our region,” he said.

“HMAS Toowoomba is in the Gulf interdicting illegal narcotics and keeping

shipping lanes safe and we have Army elements deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

“The school we were mentoring in Taji became the first in the country to be declared independent. Our special forces also continue to enable Iraq’s Counter Terrorism Service to keep Daesh at bay, which is so important at this point in the campaign.

“Closer to home, HMAS Parramatta has recently undertaken some very pleasing exercises with the United States Navy in the South China Sea and a RAAF P-8A returned last month from monitoring ship-to-ship transfers off the Korean peninsula.”

Lt-Gen Bilton’s headquarters near Bungendore has instituted arrangements to keep the workforce safe and engaged.

“We are planning exercises and activities remotely where we can so the ADF is still able to work with its allies, partners and other agencies to maintain interoperability,” he said.

“We may have cancelled some face-to-face engagements but we still command and control three standing joint task forces plus a fourth we stood up for Operation COVID-19 Assist.

“I think we have also learnt some important lessons about what is possible from a flexible workplace perspective and I will be looking into this with some interest in the future.”

Advancing HQJOC abilities over the coming decade is a focus for Lt-Gen Bilton.

“HQJOC is a critical node in Australia’s intelligence architecture, focused on supporting the joint force and detecting threats to Australia’s national security,” he said.

“It is one of the world’s best purpose-built joint headquarters facilities. However, we continue to pursue initiatives to ensure we stay fit for purpose in the future.

“I’m in this position until July 2022 and it’s my job to try to make the organisation better than how I found it.”

Lt-Gen Bilton said HQJOC was at the cutting edge of Defence.

“Our people are experts in their field, dedicated to supporting the joint force, Australia and our allies,” he said.

“All personnel at HQJOC are involved in the employment of the ADF on operations.

“It gives people a sense of satisfaction in planning, executing and seeing it all unfold.”

Disasters such as bushfires and a pandemic are ‘bringing out the best in us’, CJOPS says as he steers a steady course through the tumult.

A presence to count on in times of crises

Lt-Gen Greg Bilton was made an Officer in the Military Division of the Order of Australia during this year’s Australia Day Honours.

He was recognised for distinguished service as Deputy Commanding General of the United States Army in the Pacific, Deputy Chief of Joint Operations and Commander Forcomd.

The citation said his strategic leadership and diplomacy strengthened Defence’s relationships with major allies and Indo-Pacific partners.

He was credited with preparing Army for the introduction of new capabilities and leading the modernisation of Army’s training.

LEADERSHIP AND DIPLOMACY

Lt-Gen Greg Bilton lays a poppy on the cenotaph in Camp Baird as part of a sunset ceremony during his first tour of the Middle East as CJOPS last August. Photo: Cpl Dan Pinhorn

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CJOPS Lt-Gen Greg Bilton at HQJOC near Bungendore. Photo: LS Kylie Jagiello

Lt-Gen (then Maj-Gen) Greg Bilton in his previous role as Commander Forcomd, with State Emergency Service personnel in Townsville during the North Queensland floods last year. Less than a year later, he was responding to bushfires as CJOPS. Photo: Pte Brodie Cross

May 14, 2020 Newsdefence.gov.au/news/armynews 5

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May 14, 2020 Critical Jobsdefence.gov.au/news/armynews 7

Cpl Julia Whitwell

UNSEEN on a feature, watching enemy movements, an artillery observer radios a report and awaits for the next command – to call for fire, move or stay in place.

Bdr Jack Jennings, of 1 Regt RAA, said the responsibility on a team of sometimes just two people was intense.

“It takes experience and mental preparation to understand what you’re looking for and your report can affect the manoeuvre commander’s next decision,” Bdr Jennings said.

Working with manoeuvre forces to provide overwatch and fire support, artillery observers can have a plethora of joint-fire assets at their fingertips including artillery, mortars, rockets, naval gunfire, attack helicopters and fast jets.

They work in Joint Fires Teams of

up to six, either as an attachment to manoeuvre forces or at an observa-tion post.

If they’re from 1 Regt RAA, the team may include Gnr Nicholas Schaller.

“If we’re attached to an infantry platoon or a cavalry squadron, we provide them with fire support, either in the battle with them or placed on a feature to provide overwatch,” Gnr Schaller said.

“We call artillery fire on targets pre-designated or on opportunistic targets as they pop up.”

But it isn’t all sitting on a feature, leisurely calling in fire at distant targets.

“Working directly with infantry, we do a lot of pack marching with heavy equipment to be able to do our job – like batteries and radios – and we have to be fit enough to keep up with them,” Gnr Schaller said.

“Intellectually it’s challenging because of the maths we apply to plot targets for artillery fire.

“You’ve got to keep your skills sharp. If you don’t – and it’s your mission – it’s easy to see you don’t know what you’re doing.”

Commander Joint Fires Team Capt William Ryan and his team offered a variety of information to manoeuvre commanders.

“We provide constant surveil-lance in the target area for as long as required – by day or night. We could be on a feature for 96 hours. It’s all mission dependent,” Capt Ryan said.

“We do everything from high-value target identifications to route surveillance, or pattern-of-life observation.”

But avoiding detection was key.“Our greatest asset is to blend into

our environment because compromise is not an option,” Capt Ryan said.

Observe and report

A joint terminal attack controller guides a 500-pound general-purpose bomb onto a simulated enemy position in the Townsville Field Training Area during Exercise Nigrum Pugio 2019. Photo: LS Kieren Whiteley

Sgt Sebastian Beurich

AS THE saying goes, an army march-es on its stomach, but without equip-ment, they’re going to be of little use when they get to their destination.

The child of two merged trades – supply chain operator and unit quar-termaster – the ECN 104 Distribution Operator will make sure essential equipment is available where it is needed.

That could be anything from rations through to complex vehicle or weapon repair parts, according to 3CSSB’s Cpl Kody Rickit.

“Essentially, it’s both jobs com-bined – we’re responsible for issuing weapons, SCE and the warehousing component,” Cpl Rickit said.

“It’s a lot smaller than other logis-tics trades, such as transport. We work in smaller teams and engage with external agencies like JLU to move things interstate or to backfill our stores.

“The smaller teams are good because when you’re doing your training you generally meet up with the same people, so you build a wide network around Australia.”

Af t e r comple t ing IETs a t Bandiana’s Army School of Ordnance Distribution Operators you could be posted almost anywhere, handling direct distribution at a combat unit, or brigade logistics at a CSSB.

You’ll also get more responsi-bility inside the Defence Logistics Information System and learn

about other parts of the job, such as procurement.

Although Cpl Rickit enjoys the technical aspects, he said the best part of his job was working with other logisticians.

“Networking and socialising are probably the key aspects of my trade,” he said.

“It lets you get things done eas-ier but it’s also good for the social aspects as well.

“Whenever I drive home to Sydney, I’ll stop off in Brisbane and visit all my mates.”

ECN 104 Distribution Operator is currently recruiting for in-service and ab-initio transfers. Talk to your chain of command, or complete a PE166-1 to start the process.

Sgt Sebastian Beurich

IF YOU count four-wheel driving among your pastimes, a career in transport might be for you.

As an ECN 274 Driver Specialist you’ll be transporting all manner of stores or people across various ter-rain, in vehicles from 2.5 tonnes to more than 65 tonnes.

Although the opportunity to 4WD for work originally got her into the trade, 3CSSB’s LCpl Mikayla Reid said it was the variety of options that kept her in it.

“One of the best things is how diverse it is,” LCpl Reid said.

“You could be working in a pax, cargo or fuel and water section and can go to pretty much any unit you want.

“I work in a cargo section at the moment, which is probably the busiest of all of them and is more challenging.

“You’re given loads and it’s your responsibility to get them onto the vehicle safely, which requires a bit more thinking and experience.

“It’s a bit like Tetris getting eve-rything onto the trucks, especially when you’re transporting bigger things like M113 APCs.”

After IETs at Puckapunyal’s School of Transport and marching

into your first unit, you’ll be trained and upskilled on several vehicle vari-ants, gaining experience as you go.

You’ll also likely deploy on a number of field exercises where you’ll be exposed to soldiers from every trade.

“As you work your way up through the ranks, you focus more on command, planning and get more responsibilities when it comes to guiding and mentoring junior soldiers,” LCpl Reid said.

“You’ll likely also be in charge of big moves, such as Operation Bushfire Assist – a transport NCO would have been in charge of the vehicle movements from Townsville to Victoria.

“They would have done all the planning, route reconnaissance and orders, and managed the convoy down there.”

One of the best things about the trade, according to LCpl Reid, is the camaraderie you develop with your workmates.

“It’s just like any other job, except you get to work with your mates every day,” she said.

ECN 274 Driver Specialist is currently recruiting for in-service and ab-initio transfers. Talk to your chain of command, or complete a PE166-1 to start the process.

Transporting the goods

A convoy of 40M medium trucks from 3CER depart for Omeo. Photo: Pte Madhur Chitnis

Supplying essential equipmentPte Suzy Tavares, of 1CHB, provides logistical support.Photo: Cpl Nunu Campos

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May 14, 2020 Featuresdefence.gov.au/news/armynews 9

ROD Morse set out to write a book about his father, a WWII veteran, but the contents of his father’s diary prompted him to

widen the brief.Instead of focusing purely on the life

of Pte Clifton Morse, This Farmer Went to War also became a story about the little-known deeds of the 7th Division Salvage Unit.

“I found my father’s diary of the 7th Division Salvage Unit and ended up writing a lot about the wartime events,” Mr Morse said.

Like many Australians at the time, Pte Morse enlisted in the 2nd Australian Imperial Force and found himself far from his Tasmanian farm.

Mr Morse said his father’s involvement in campaigns in the Middle East and South Pacific make up a large portion of his story.

The 7th Division Salvage Unit contributed to arming the “bush artillery”, the name given to Rats of Tobruk who turned Italian 75mm guns on the enemy.

Australians salvaged and reused tons of ammunition, vehicles, weapons and supplies abandoned by Italian forces.

“They hunted around where the weapons were and found the firing pins,” Mr Morse said.

“They were able to clean them up and return the weapons to service.

“It was said by one ranking officer if it hadn’t been for the work of the salvage units reclaiming weapons it would be extremely doubtful the Allies could have resisted Rommel’s initial attack.”

The story of Pte Morse continues

with the Kokoda Track campaign. The 7th Division Salvage Unit was deployed to Papua New Guinea after Australia declared war on Japan.

Pte Morse and the unit was responsible for gathering small-arms and stores abandoned or cached along the mountainous 96km trail.

Karl James, head of military history at the Australian War Memorial, said the Australian troops “jettisoned personal kit they thought was unnecessary and didn’t want to carry up the track, and equipment was lost during the desperate campaign”.

“The salvage units were the army’s recyclers. They recovered equipment and built up and replaced Australian stores and ordnance,” Dr James said.

“They were also recovering, cleaning and reissuing Japanese equipment, including the Arisaka rifles and Type 92 ‘Woodpecker’ machine guns.”

Mr Morse wrote the book because his father never talked about the war and it was a way of learning more about his family.

“Most of what I’ve got is from his diary and from speaking to other people, such as his brother,” Mr Morse said.

“I wanted to find out who he was, his experiences growing up and how that shaped him.”

This Farmer Went to War should be released online via Facebook and in print in the coming months. Rod Morse and the RSL are planning to launch the book at the Wynyard War Memorial in Tasmania when social distancing restrictions are eased.

One farmer’s war story tells a wider tale of the unsung deeds of a resourceful salvage squad, Pte Jacob Joseph writes.

Enemies under fire from their own guns

Pte Clifton Morse on enlisting in 1940; and, left, the 7th Division Salvage Unit helped to arm the Rats of Tobruk ‘bush artillery’ with captured 75mm Italian field guns.Photos: supplied by the Morse family collection and the Australian War Memorial

The 7th Division Salvage Unit at Brighton Army camp before departing for the Middle East in October 1940. Photo: supplied by the Morse family collection

May 14, 2020 60th Anniversarydefence.gov.au/news/armynews10 11

ALTHOUGH celebrations were postponed, 4 Regt RAA recognised a significant milestone on May 4 – 60 years of service.

A weekend of festivities, including a regimental parade was going to mark the occa-sion, but like Anzac Day this year, individuals commemorated the history of the artillery unit in their own way.

On a drive through Lavarack Barracks to Chau Pha Lines, home of 4 Regt RAA, you’ll see its guns holding ground.

A WWII Ordnance QF 25-pounder cannon sits on a corner of the parade ground pointing east – it was widely used by Commonwealth artillery regiments until the Vietnam War.

On the other side, an M2A2 105mm Howitzer faces west.

Vietnam veteran and 4 Regt RAA historical collection curator Patrick Durnford said although the L5 Howitzer remained on the order of battle until 1989, it changed to the American 105mm M2A2, shortly after the Battle of Long Tan, as the field artillery support weapon for 1 Australian Task Force.

“The M2A2 was a more reliable weapon. It had a longer barrel, it was more accurate, more sustainable and robust,” Mr Durnford said.

The weapon’s lethality would be displayed with devastating effect around midday on Au-gust 6, 1968, as recorded by Lt Neville Clark following the battle of Suoi Chau Pha.

“Then with the whistle and hollow roar of an express train they were on us,” Lt Clark wrote.

This was 4 Regt RAA’s first tour of South

Vietnam as a complete unit. A headquarters element, 106 and 108 Btys, were deployed to Nui Dat in 1968.

Lt Clark was attached to A Coy, 7RAR, as a forward observer. He called in fire from 106 Bty, located 10km from the action, just inside the M2A2’s maximum range.

“The first one, flicking down out of the monsoon, crashed fair and deadly right on the spot I had identified as the most troublesome,” Lt Clark wrote.

“Before I could draw breath, the second one fell in exactly the same hole.”

Like many contacts in Vietnam, artillery was decisive in the Battle of Suoi Chau Pha.

106 Bty fired more than 800 rounds in an hour. It was estimated that Lt Clark’s artillery coordination resulted in 200 Viet Cong casual-

ties. He was awarded the Military Cross. Lt Clark and 106 Bty received further recognition when the newly constructed 4 Regt RAA lines at Lavarack Barracks were named in honour of the battle.

4 Regt RAA deployed again in 1970, with 106 and 107 Field Btys firing more than 140,000 rounds during the tour. Australia withdrew from Vietnam soon after.

During Operation Interfet in 1999, the regi-ment re-roled 107 and 108 Btys as an infantry company. More recently, 4 Regt RAA soldiers fulfilled training and advisory roles in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The 105mm L119 Hamel Gun replaced the M2A2 in 1989, until 4 Regt RAA received their current 155mm M777A2 Howitzers in 2011.

Assistant Adjutant 4 Regt RAA Lt Tom Adams said one of the main changes over 60 years to the equipment was: “The transition from analogue systems to digital, decreasing margins for human error.”

The M777A2 allowed digital integration from observer through to delivery system for timely fire support in the form of GPS-guided munitions travelling beyond 20km.

Detachment Commander 106 Bty Bdr Sean Bellert was impressed with the M777.

“It’s quite effective within the battle group. It can be employed quickly and accurately,” Bdr Bellert said.

“We’re trying to solve the gunnery problem as quickly as we can to get that first-round accuracy.”

With new technologies, munitions should

travel further, inflict greater damage and be on target faster. These include a long-range fires capability and protected mobility fires.

This should allow the RAA to provide increased precision and lethality that Army has not seen before.

4 Regt RAA is now looking to the future in order to support the introduction of these new systems and the exponential increase in Army’s fires capability.

Although the anniversary celebrations were postponed, the 25-pounders and M2A2 Howitzers at Chau Pha Lines will keep hold-ing the parade ground until festivities can be rescheduled.

“The regiment has survived with its head held high and should be proud of where it is today,” Mr Durnford said.

ON TARGET FOR 60 YEARS

Pte Jacob Joseph looks back through the history of 4 Regt RAA, as the unit marks 60 years of service.

Gnrs Ciuk, Nunes and McPherson and Sgt Peter Kenedy with the Charlie Gun sporting the Australian outback paint scheme,107 Fd Bty, High Range, 1987.

Personnel from 106 Fd Bty in Puoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, 1971. Photo: Peter Stainthorpe

Gnr Grant Haig in Dili, East Timor, 1999.A SMArt 155 munition is fired from an M777 Howitzer, of 107 Bty, 4 Regt RAA, during Exercise Chimera 2019 at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland. Photo: Cpl Kyle Genner

Photos: As featured in the 4 Regt RAA 60th anniversary book, On Time – On Target.

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Unit Affiliation within SERCAT 3 allows you to continue to play an important role in yourARA unit while pursuing your new civilian career and life outside full-time Army. Membersaffiliated with an ARA unit will continue to have access to the latest equipment and trainingwhile working on agreed projects or tasks under the direction of their commanding officer.You can keep doing what you know best, on flexible terms and with an ARA unit.

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Features12

STRUCK with a virus that attacked his brain and spinal cord, Lt-Col Julian Hohnen was relearning how to walk a year ago.

Concerns about a medical discharge end-ing his career before he was ready made him reflect on his 16 years of service.

Lt-Col Hohnen has served in Timor-Leste, Afghanistan, Syria, Israel and Lebanon.

He said one of the biggest revelations came from his toughest day on deployment.

“One of my greatest regrets in my career was not taking two minutes out of a busy day,” Lt-Col Hohnen said.

The day before commanding a major clearance patrol in Afghanistan, Lt-Col Hohnen gave a brief then scanned to see if the troops had any questions.

“A familiar face caught my eye,” he said. “Pte Grant Kirby had been one of my

soldiers in Timor-Leste in 2006-07 and was a mature, lovely bloke.

“We didn’t have much interaction on this trip so I wanted to say hello but had to rush to brief some media who were there. The next day Pte Kirby was killed.”

This was just one of many experiences in

Lt-Col Hohnen’s career that have shaped his leadership philosophy.

“Soldiering is a human endeavour. You have to treat everyone as best as you can while getting the job done,” he said.

“You have to be calm, consistent and kind and be across what you need to but never ask someone to do something you wouldn’t do.”

Lt-Col Hohnen said the measure of success for leaders was how they treated their subordinates.

“If my soldiers are doing a good job it’s a sign I’m enabling my subordinate command-ers to do a good job,” he said.

“They’re not just there to give support, you’ve got to give them mentoring and guid-ance as well.

“I’m conscious to do my best to inspire my subordinates because they should aspire to one day fill my position – just as I would always look to my bosses to see what I could emulate.”

Since recovering and resuming his career, working in the Australian Army Research Centre, Lt-Col Hohnen has written a short leadership memoir, Conditions of Service, which can be found at cove.army.gov.au/article/conditions-service-reflections-16-years-service-the-army

Facing a premature end to his career, an officer took stock of what it takes to be a successful leader, Cpl Julia Whitwell reports.

To inspire and aspire

Lt-Col (then Capt) Julian Hohnen on patrol in Afghanistan in 2010.Photo: Sgt Mick Davis

COVID-19 restrictions didn’t get in the way of 7 Bde personnel connecting to the Brisbane veteran community around Anzac Day, with serving members mak-

ing phone calls to the soldiers of yesterday as part of the new Virtual Veteran Visit initiative.

Soldiers on Gallipoli Barracks chatted about service life with veterans who have been isolated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

RSL Queensland spokesperson Rob Skoda stressed the importance of the Virtual Veteran

Visit initiative, pioneered this year from Gallipoli Barracks.

“Many of our older veterans look forward to Anzac Day. I know many of them are feel-ing the loss of this social interaction, especially those who have been isolated by the COVID-19 restrictions,” Mr Skoda said.

“The Virtual Veteran Visit will ensure they know that, despite the current unusual circum-stances, they have not been forgotten.”

Commander 7 Bde Brig Jason Blain high-

lighted what it meant to the soldiers to stay connected with the local veteran community.

“Our veteran family serve as inspiration to those currently in uniform. We can learn a great deal by staying connected with soldiers from the past,” Brig Blain said.

“I was really impressed by the large number of soldiers volunteering to make phone calls. It showed they genuinely care and that the experi-ence was mutually beneficial.”

Brig Blain said the feedback from veterans

and RSL Queensland was positive and the bri-gade would continue the initiative on a larger scale, now the concept was proved successful.

“This first trial has been well received and was a great way to connect with our veteran community here in Queensland,” he said.

“Now that we have the foundations in place, we will look to expand and make similar veteran phone calls for other significant events such as Remembrance Day or the anniversaries of nota-ble battles like Long Tan.”

Veteran Mariann Mathias, of the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps, enjoys a phone call from a serving member as part of the Virtual Veteran Visit initiative.Photo: Tpr Jonathan Goedhart

Staying connected

A virtual initiative took place to support veterans during COVID-19 restrictions, Capt Taylor Lynch reports.

May 14, 2020 Featuresdefence.gov.au/news/armynews 13

All in the nameFlt-Lt Chloe Stevenson

FREDERICK Charles Devery Holten, currently deployed to the Middle East region, is the legacy of two world wars and his name a tribute to both.

Pte Holten’s great-great-uncle, Pte Richard Frederick Holten, served in WWI, and his grandfather, Pte Michael Devery, served in WWII.

Together the three soldiers have now deployed to Gallipoli, Egypt, the Western Front, New Guinea, Borneo and the Middle East.

“Both men are a huge source of pride for me and my family,” Pte Holten said.

“To be over here as a member of the Defence Force on Anzac Day was about the greatest honour I could receive.”

His maternal grandfather, Pte Devery, joined the Army at 19, the same age as Pte Holten, and served in 2/3 Independent Coy during WWII.

“He died before I was born, but there was always a photo of him in his greens and his slouch hat on a table in the hall. My grandma always used to remark that I was a dead ringer for him,” Pte Holten said.

“I think seeing that photo growing up and having taken on their names was a strong reason I ended up joining the Army.

“His unit was operating ahead of the main Australian advance in New Guinea so they could cut off the Japanese with-

drawal. Of the 350 commandos who went into that operation, only 34 came back alive or uninjured.

“He was one of those 34 and contin-ued fighting through the New Guinea campaign. Due to the losses, they were amalgamated into the 7 Cav comman-dos and were shipped off to fight in the Borneo campaign where they finished off the war.

“Grandad then came home to Wangaratta and Beechworth where he worked as a prison warden and owned a pub called ‘The Nicholas’.”

Decades earlier, during WWI, Pte Holten’s great-great-uncle wasn’t as for-tunate as his grandfather, his body never returning to Australia.

“My great-great-uncle’s full name was Richard Frederick Holten, everyone just called him Fred, though,” Pte Holten said.

“At 20 he deployed to Gallipoli as an infantryman, prior to the evacuation. Due to injury he was sent to Egypt and then onto the Western Front in France. He died at the Battle of Fromelles, where 5500 other Australians became casualties in 24 hours.

“I went to France in August of last year, 103 years later, to find his grave. It hits you pretty hard when you go there in person, seeing all the headstones and knowing how many Australians were buried there, so far from home.”

Pte Fred Holten of Force Support Element – 12. Photo: PO Yuri Ramsey

Lt-Col Julian West

COVD-19 restrictions in Florida did not impede ADF and NZDF officers assigned to US Central Command and US Special Operations Command from conducting a live-streamed Anzac Day service.

Four-star American generals from both commands also streamed in along with 20 other generals and senior enlisted.

The service used the traditional format of speeches, the Ode, the Last Post and Reveille then the Australian and New Zealand National Anthems.

Several children of Australian and New Zealand officers told the story of a soldier, sailor, airman or unit.

The son of Lt-Col James Field, a legal officer posted to US Central Command, was one of them.

“It was an excellent opportunity for the children to research their own family war history,” Lt-Col Field said.

“My son spoke of the close relation-ship between Australia and the United States, and the wars both countries have fought side-by-side since 1918.

“He also spoke of Cpl Leslie ‘Bull’ Allen, an AIF medic who was awarded the US Silver Star for bravery when saving US soldiers in WWII.

“He learnt more from his own research than I ever imagined.”

Maintaining the tradition

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Anzac Day14

Sgt Max Bree

I’D READ about men cut to pieces to liberate small stretches of French soil in WWI.

Seven thousand killed in this battle. Fifteen hundred lost during that advance and

20,000 casualties in another, all on the first day.Details of individuals were lost in a sea of

numbers, morphing into gruesome statistics. This was until I travelled to France for Anzac

Day in 2017.I saw for myself countless rows of white-mar-

ble headstones appearing like parading soldiers among manicured green grass.

A closer look revealed names of the dead, but with so many, only their unique stories stayed with me.

A British battalion commander buried next to his staff.

An Australian mother’s final message on her son’s headstone: “My boy, one of the brave defenders of Amiens.”

The lucky had names, but many were simply

marked “a soldier of the Great War; known unto God”.

Sometimes their unit or country was identi-fied. Other times there was nothing.

Bodies had graves, while names of the miss-ing were carved on marble walls.

At one cemetery, a worker removed a name from a wall, telling us the man’s body was identi-fied.

Does either side really “win” with about 5.5 million military dead to the enemy’s 4.9 million?

Among those statistics was my great-great-uncle, Sgt James Bree, of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force’s Otago Regiment, killed in an ill-fated trench raid in July 1916. I visited his grave at Armentieres.

Leading up to Anzac Day, Federation Guard personnel marched through the town of Bapaume to commemorate its capture by Australians in 1917.

M u s i c i a n s f r o m t h e R M C B a n d h e l p e d r e c r e a t e a p h o t o f r o m t h e liberation.

The contemporary shot showed a rebuilt town hall and lingerie shop in the background.

A reporter from the Sydney Morning Herald was quick to grab my photos of a headstone rededication the next day.

We were locked-in to the Australian National Memorial not long after 1am on Anzac Day, ahead of a security sweep.

Damp cold couldn’t get through my Army trench coat – the first and only time I wore one – but frigid air burned against my face and hands as I moved.

I had free rein of the dawn service as Defence’s official photographer, much to the chagrin of French media confined to a small area.

Guardsmen with speaking parts were keen for copies of photos. So was the padre.

I furiously processed photos on the bus into Villers-Bretonneux before a small ceremony, then sent photos back to Australia from our hotel in Amiens.

French school children gave a convincing performance of Waltzing Matilda that afternoon

in Bullecourt, ahead of a service to remember the 100th anniversary of Australians cracking the Hindenburg Line.

Here I chased marching contingents down a rural road to get a perfect shot, then nearly had my tunic ripped by thorns at the edge of an over-crowded memorial.

It was finally time for beers in the town’s tiny pub. Crowds spilled out on to the street and town hall.

Some guardsmen stripped their uniforms of badges to swap with French soldiers. One some-how scored a French kepi hat.

A French officer offered to swap his ragged Troupes de marine (Navy Troops) beret for my crisp new one – the one I’d painstakingly bashed, shaved and on which I’d meticulously sewn the bow. I declined to trade.

It was my only break all day. Everyone slept on the bus out of Bullecourt as

I processed that afternoon’s photos.Anzac Day was over, my busiest and my best.

Commonwealth war graves in France.

The busiest and the best

The Last Post is played during a service at the Bullecourt Digger, near the French village of Bullecourt in 2017. Photo: Sgt Max Bree

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May 14, 2020 Anzac Daydefence.gov.au/news/armynews 15

Sgt Sebastian Beurich

IN THE quiet pre-dawn gloom, around NATO flags at Kabul Airport, a group of soldiers stood silently, remembering.

They were not only thinking of the Australians and New Zealanders lost in Afghanistan, but the countless thou-sands who left their homes, travelling to far away countries and never returning.

In that moment, when I turned and

saw the group silhouetted against the rising sun, I took a photo that not only marked my most memorable Anzac Day but was used to commemorate one of Australia’s most memorable.

The sharp, silhouetted figures with their iconic slouch hats became part of Defence’s call-to-action for this year’s Anzac Day – to stand at dawn at the end of your driveway and remember.

And in that, there’s no greater pride for a photographer. To help a nation

remember, together, during a time when it’s so easy to drift apart and forget.

I’ve had many trips over the years, but the country in which Australia suf-fered its most recent casualties stands out most, closely followed by the spir-itual home of the Anzacs – Anzac Cove.

In 2018, the year after my deploy-ment, I covered the ceremony and amid the bustle of rehearsals we toured the cove and hillsides, the sites of many battles.

Among them, cemeteries. The white headstones, some not even bearing names, stretching off into the distance. To read the history of how the Anzac legend was forged is one thing, to see the hills – which are much larger than I realised – they fought up, across and down is another.

Each of these years was special in their own way, but they share a common thread – remembering the sacrifice of others.

My most memorable Anzac Day

Personnel watch the Anzac Day dawn service held at Kabul Airport, 2017.Photo: Sgt Sebastian Beurich

Sgt Janine Fabre

ANZAC Day 2013 was to be the last commemorated in Tarin Kot, Afghanistan.

In pre-dawn light, soldiers of allied nations quietly gathered with senior military and parliamentary officials.

In honour of all who’d gone before, it was the tribute to Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan that was especially poignant.

Rows of soldiers in cams faced the memorial where the catafalque

party stood heads bowed, rest-ing on arms. The Tarin Kot wall showed a painted silhouette of a lone soldier climbing a hill.

The words alongside read: “To our brothers and sisters in arms, thanks for all of the memories, laughs, tears, blood and sweat. You will always be in our thoughts and remain in our hearts … All gave some, some gave all. Only the dead have seen the end of war.”

Prayers were said. The bugle sounded.

A fly past of two US Apache helicopters. Lest we forget.

After the ceremony, troops let their hair down and US soldiers were educated on the intricacies of two-up – and lost their money.

Then everyone crammed into Poppy’s café for that other great Aussie tradit ion – watching Essendon play Collingwood in the Anzac Day clash.

Every military photographer wants to experience an Anzac Day somewhere overseas.

To experience Anzac Day while on operation is just that little bit more special.

The last Anzac Day in Tarin Kot

Cpl Brad Pitcher, of 7RAR, tosses the pennies during a game of two-up at Multi National Base, Tarin Kot, Afghanistan. Photo: Sgt Janine Fabre

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The annual Rent Allowance review is coming

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Features16

DURING 50 years with Defence, Edna Poles has seen careers, including that of a service leader, blossom and

installations come and go.Commander Forcomd Maj-Gen

Matt Pearse presented the Forcomd APS member with the Secretary’s Long Service Award on behalf of Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty at Victoria Barracks in early March.

During the presentation, Col Matt Stevens, of HQ Forcomd, outlined the career of a woman who started as a clerk with Navy in 1969 and moved into the Army in the late 1990s.

“Over her career, she worked at many of the Army installations around Sydney – many are now closed,” Col Stevens said.

Ms Poles said she had witnessed many changes in her half-century career.

“From afar, I have watched the careers of my Navy friends bloom and

have seen many a young sailor and officer move up the ranks,” Ms Poles said.

“I saw a young flag lieutenant move up the ranks to the current Chief of Navy – VAdm Mike Noonan.

“My Army friends have risen up the ranks also and it is always a pleasure when they come back to say hello.

“It’s hard to believe how the time has passed and what I have been witness to over my working life.

“I started with a pencil and eraser – now I use a computer.”

Ms Poles said there were few women in the services when she commenced.

“Look where we are now. There is opportunity for women wanting careers in the services,” she said.

“The culture in Defence is unique. I tried to go for other positions with other departments but realised I could only work for Defence.”

Ms Poles said she experienced ups and downs and “met some fantastic people along the way who are still my good friends”.

Ms Poles transferred to Victoria Barracks in 2002 and continues to serve as the administration

coordinator with the Personnel Branch.

Mr Moriarty praised Ms Poles for her enduring service.

“Edna’s career across Defence has been remarkable. She has made a significant contribution over five

decades and I commend and thank her for her dedicated service,” Mr Moriarty said.

Edna was joined at the presentation by her sister, Marzia, and other family and friends at the Victoria Barracks Officers’ Mess.

Forcomd celebrated with one of its members as she marked half a century with Defence, Lt-Col Phil Pyke writes.

Edna Poles displays her Secretary’s Long Service Award while her sister, Marzia, Col Matt Stevens, left, and Maj-Gen Matt Pearse help her celebrate 50 years with Defence. Note: this photo was taken before social distancing requirements.

Time to see it all

DST releases new strategy

Sgt Sebastian Beurich

DST Group is aiming for the “STaRs” as part of its newly released 10-year guiding strategy.

The strategy pushes for more work with industry and research partners, while focusing on science, technol-ogy and research (STaR) shots – tack-ling problems on the scale and impact of the Jindalee Operational Radar Network.

Among them are “information warfare”, “agile command and con-trol”, “quantum assured position, navigation and timing”, “disrup-tive weapon effects” and “remote undersea surveillance”.

The STaR shots are “deliberately ambitious”, according to the More, Together strategy document, and new advancements or requirements could lead to additional research avenues opening in the future.

Chief Defence Scientist Tanya Munro said the response from the national science and technology enter-prise to the 2016 Defence White Paper has been strong, but that it was just the beginning of the journey.

“To meet Defence’s emerging chal-lenges, we must expand these collabo-rations,” Dr Munro said.

“We must ensure that Australia’s strength in bringing together inter-disciplinary teams is harnessed to deliver impact, create solutions that confer strategic advantage and gener-ate opportunities for developing sov-ereign industry capabilities.

“DST will also play a stronger role in enabling and coordinating support to Defence from a national science and technology enterprise.

“We need to be clear about the goals that Defence aims for and make hard choices about what we do and what we do not.

“A robust approach will be cru-cial if we are to prioritise and appro-priately resource activities, ensuring that good ideas are translated into capability.”

More information about the strategy can be found on DST’s website: dst.defence.gov.au/strategy/defence-science-and-technology-strategy-2030

Trial manager for the Contested Urban Environment Strategic Challenge, Trent Burnard, right, talks with project participants during scenario training in 2017. Photo: Cpl David Cotton

Entries Now Open

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Two-week research residency in the Art Section of the Australian War Memorial

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Entries open Monday 20 April 2020

Entries close Monday 7 June 2020

May 14, 2020 Personneldefence.gov.au/news/armynews 17

Alex DeValentin

PERSONNEL not wanting to stop, slow down or pause their transition out of full-time service can remotely access support staff and materials online.

Transition coach Viv Lawrence said there was a range of support options for members and their fami-lies.

“Everyone’s circumstances are different and some transitions may need to proceed,” Ms Lawrence said.

“We’ve been working on ways to support members during this time, including making changes in how to access transition information.

“ADF transition coaches are available in all areas to support members through video calls, phone calls or email.

“They can help progress tran-sition plans or adjust timelines, depending on what the member prefers.”

Programs such as the job search preparation workshop are now avail-able online.

These are open to all ADF mem-bers and their partners, any time dur-ing their military career and up to 24 months after transition.

The two-hour webinars are designed to help manage careers, sell skills and experience, and build resumes.

The Defence Force Transition Program launched in January also

remains accessible to transitioning members.

Specialist advice through career transition coaching, per-sonalised career and employ-ment program, and transition for employment program are all being delivered virtually.

“Transition coaches will work with ADF members and their families on options for career tran-sition training and financial advice depending on choice of providers and their ability to support a vir-tual service,” Ms Lawrence said.

“The Defence ADF Member and Family Transition Guide has also been updated to reflect the needs-based Defence Force

Transition Program, and there are refreshed checklists and tips to help plan and manage transition.”

In future, Defence will offer virtual seminars as part of online transition support services.

In the meantime, members and families can access online versions of seminar presentations.

These include information on Defence’s transition programs, transitioning to Reserves, navigat-ing the public health system, man-aging money, accessing DVA sup-port and ex-service organisations.

For more information go to: defence.gov.au/dco or contact your local ADF Transition Centre or email [email protected]

ADF transition goes onlineTransition coach Viv Lawrence is on-hand and online to assist personnel with their transition out of full-time service.

Cpl Veronica O’Hara

A THRIVING base family centre took the initia-tive in March to help Defence members and fam-ilies navigate school holidays during government restrictions on travel and social gatherings.

Centre coordinators Rachel Brito and Melissa Bramich looked for ways to assist.

Leading up to Easter, the Randwick Family Centre committee made craft and activity packs for 65 children and almost 40 families, including some “extra goodies” from Defence Community Organisation (DCO).

Using the centre’s closed Facebook page to show step-by-step instructions, families were able to connect with chats and share photos and videos of their creations.

As a Navy family with three young children who moved to the area 18 months ago, Mrs Bramich had no idea the centre existed.

“A neighbour invited me to come down to

the Randwick Army Barracks and I said: ‘Am I allowed to? My husband’s in the Navy’,” Mrs Bramich said.

“There’s a high Navy presence in our suburb and I think it’s roughly a 50-50 split of Navy and Army people involved at the centre.”

Not limited to playgroup sessions, the centre also hosts a book club, adult learning sessions, social club, subsidised pizza night and after-school club, now using Facebook pages for sharing and interacting.

The centre wanted to give people a change to their routine, yet still feel part of the Defence community.

“If you do have kids, it can be a nice change to meet others that maybe don’t have kids or young kids anymore and have a different conver-sation,” Mrs Bramich said.

“We’re also trying to provide a connection for people who don’t have children, such as book club.”

When the pair took over from an outgoing committee, the centre had run mostly as a play-group; however, they were inspired to do more.

They received Family Support Funding from DCO after getting base commander approval.

“When he queried why the centre opened only one day a week, we realised it didn’t have to be like it had always been,” Mrs Bramich said.

“So we started trading another day for playgroup and adding activities we saw people wanting to do – it’s grown to three or four days a week.”

The centre is available to all Defence families in the region.

“People are coming to our playgroup from as far as Holsworthy, Watson, Garden Island and Kuttabul, because they like connecting with those that gather here,” Mrs Bramich said.

“Even with our annual open day being post-poned, we’ve had more members join since March than after last year’s open day. At least 10

new families have signed up. About 25 families use the playgroup sessions each week and at least 40 families are using our other activities and services each month.”

The centre’s volunteer committee also receive grant funding through Defence’s Family Support Funding Program managed by source funding from DCO, Army Amenities Fund and sponsor-ships. With the social distancing restrictions, most of their activities have been replicated online.

“Ideally, it’s a place where people come to connect, feel welcome and thrive within the community,” Mrs Bramich said.

“We’re in a big city and everyone’s busy, but we’ve got a real sense of community in this little group.”

For more information search Randwick Family Centre on Facebook or email [email protected]

Strong community spirit

Arielle sanitises her hands before collecting a craft kit from the Randwick Family Centre; and below, a sample of the craft pack. Photo: Melissa McLean, Wild Clover Photography

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People18

1. Which black mineral, especially popular in the Victorian age, was used to make jewellery? 2. How many squares are there on a chess board? 3. What year was the first model of the iPhone released? 4. What is the national dish of Spain? 5. What are espadrilles?

6. What is the shortest complete English sentence? 7. How many points does a compass have?8. How many symphonies did Beethoven compose? 9. Which species of mollusc and a planet share a name? 10. Which bone are babies born without?

1. Jet. 2. 64. 3. 2007. 4. paella. 5. Sandels. 6. Go. 7. 32. 8. 9. 9. Venus. 10. Knee cap.

THE Australian Army History Unit (AAHU) has announced a number of titles soon to be released that will add to the existing collection of Australian Army Campaign Series titles. The Campaign Series is designed to promote the study and understanding of mili-tary history within the Army and these three new titles will add to a collection of 31 books already published.

Counter Attack Villers-Bretonneux, by Peter Edgar, details the pivotal role Australians played in denying German victory. Despite the 9th Australian Infantry Brigade fending off a German attack, the town was taken by the German on April 24 1918. However, standing in wait was the 13 and 15 Brigades of the Australian Corps ready to counter attack – a plan that was ultimately successfully executed. The morale, aggressive and well-practiced moves and eagerness of the Australians to retake the town of Villers-Bretonneux proved crucial in ensuring the town was never again threatened by the enemy.

Battle for Passchendaele, by AAHU’s Ian Finlayson, will also be released this year, depicting and analysing one of the epic struggles of WWI. This book casts this iconic battle in a new light by examining the 3rd Australian

Division’s plans. Finlayson compares the differences between the Australian and Canadian plans for the capture of Passchendaele, with the Canadians experiencing success where Australia and Monash did not.

Finally, Bob Stevenson’s Australia’s First Campaign: German New Guinea should be released at the end of this year. Preceding the Gallipoli landing by seven months, the Australian campaign to seize German New Guinea in 1914 is one of the forgotten episodes of WWI, it was remarkably successful. Not only was this the first amphibious operation of its kind for the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army, but it was also a highly planned and effective use of military force, achieving success at relatively low cost and great reward for Australia’s strategic interests. This book presents a fresh examination of evidence to provide a fascinating account of Australia’s first joint operation.

The AAHU Publishing Program and Campaign Series is always looking to expand and broaden its range. If you or someone you know would be interested in writing or contributing to a Campaign Series title, we welcome submissions through the AAHU Publishing Program. More information can be found on the Australian Army History Unit website.

ARMY HISTORY PUBLISHING PROGRAM

New titles in the Army History Campaign Series

Cpl Michael Kugler salutes during the Anzac Day dawn service at the main operating base in the Middle East. Photo: PO Yuri Ramsey

Brig Kahlil Fegan, left, and WO1 Mark Retallick, both of 3 Bde, donate blood during the brigade initiative to encourage soldiers and locals to meet the continued demand for blood at the Lifeblood Townsville Donor Centre. Photo: Pte Madhur Chitnis

Nursing officer

Lt Celie Bright-

Perry, of 2GHB,

outside the emergency department

of the North West

Regional Hospital

in Burnie, Tasmania,

during Operation COVID-19

Assist.Photo: Cpl Nicci

Freeman

How many squares are there on a chess board? (Q2) Photo: Randy Fath on Unsplash

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Sportdefence.gov.au/news/armynewsMay 14, 2020 19

Pte Jacob Joseph

A HUSBAND and wife team from the ADF pulled together to clock up 120km as part of the Anzac Day Indoor Rowing Challenge.

Sgt Damien Richardson and Cpl Marissa Richardson were among the many ADF members who joined more than 1500 row-ers from across Australia and New Zealand in the challenge to raise money for past and present soldiers.

They were invited to cover 2504m on indoor rowers as many times as possible between dawn and dusk.

Sgt Richardson, part of the ADF King’s Cup crew, said he originally elected to do 105km with his wife to mark 105 years since the landings at Gallipoli, but “when we started closing in on it, we pushed it out 120km”.

Cpl Richardson said it “got easier towards the end”.

“I was feeding off about five hours sleep as well, thanks to our kids,” she said.

Sgt Richardson said rowing on an indoor machine was noth-ing compared to the plight of diggers at Gallipoli.

“A number of them would have had to row big, heavy boats, exhausting themselves while also being fired on,” he said.

“Doing 60km on an erg

(ergometer) didn’t seem like too much of a challenge as a way to honour them.”

Maj Carl Bleimschein, a reserve member of the ADF King’s Cup crew, rowed more than 75km in a bid to test him-self, even with minimal lead-up training.

“I was aiming for 100km but decided to call it a day at 75.12km as I was starting to get quite tired,” Maj Bleimschein said.

Other notable efforts came from Capt Mitch Lindsay, on deployment in Papua New Guinea, who recorded 42km and reservist Maj Tom Cregan, with more than 50km.

Australian and New Zealand rowers recorded 19,398km – almost half the earth’s circumfer-ence – collectively.

Sgt Richardson said reunit-ing with the King’s Cup squad inspired him to keep rowing.

He said memories of compet-ing in the Henley Royal Regatta, involving international military crews, in London last year gave him goose bumps.

“There wasn’t too much ban-ter between us. Instead there was lots of encouragement and it was such a nice thing to reconnect,” Sgt Richardson said.

All money raised in the Anzac Day challenge was donated to the RSL Australia Anzac Appeal and the Royal New Zealand Returned Services League.

‘Erging’ each other onHusband and wife team, Sgt Damien Richardson and Cpl Marissa Richardson clocked up 120km between them as part of the Anzac Day Indoor Rowing Challenge.

May 14, 2020

SPORT

Cpl Julia Whitwell

AS EVENTS disappear from social and sport calendars, the ADF Running and Athletics Association (ADFRAA) was set on “keeping its distance” during self-isolation.

Held from April 10-27, the ADFRAA Virtual Fun Run Championship – 10km was the first in a series of three virtual events to be held by the association in 2020.

Canberra-based participant WO1 Damien Woolfe said the advantage of a virtual event was the flexibility to race where and when he wanted.

“I’m definitely a morning runner. I prefer to get up in the dark and cold than to run in the afternoon, so it has been good to choose what time of day to run this race,” WO1 Woolfe said.

Participants registered online and uploaded run times verified by a smartphone or smartwatch fitness app.

WO1 Woolfe said the virtual environment bore new challenges.

“The hardest thing was not having anyone else out there,” he said.

“It added a whole other dimension to it, which was really hard mentally.”

Wg-Cdr Elizabeth Camilleri, deployed to the Middle East, also found it harder without the atmosphere and competitive spirit usually present at races.

“The virtual race was difficult. I find running on my own easy but racing on my own was a whole different ball game,” Wg-Cdr Camilleri said.

“In a normal fun run, there’s always someone ahead you can put your eyes on and aim towards, but that doesn’t exist when you’re running an event on your own.”

Wg-Cdr Camilleri preferred racing rather than not, even with these challenges.

“It’s nice to connect with our fellow ADF runners while there’s no other way for us to do that,” she said.

“Until this race, it looked as though we wouldn’t have a running event for the foreseeable future, so it was great to have this to keep us motivated and connected.”

ADFRAA is now hosting its next virtual event, a half-marathon, from May 9-24.

The 10km event results are available at: https://results.raceroster.com/results/w6u27a9w56qeq4xz To join ADFRAA or for more information about ADFRAA events visit: http://collab/vcdf/org/ADC/ADFSC/ADFRAA/SitePages/Home.aspx

WO1 Damien Woolfe runs solo in the ADFRAA Virtual Fun Run Championship – 10km.Photo: Cpl Julia Whitwell

Virtual champ