5RAR Association Official Website
screw top menu bar screw
screw The mateship that was formed in war will never be lost with the passage of time screw
GENERAL
Nominal Roll 1st & 2nd Tours
Republic of South Vietnam
Internment Locations of 5RAR's War Dead
Selected Links
THE COs
Lt Col Peter H. G. Oxley OBE
Bio Pending
Lt Col John Arthur Warr DSO
Lt Col Colin Khan DSO AM
Lt Col Graham O. Thompson
Lt Col John A. Hooper CBE
Lt Col Kevin E. Newman AO
Lt Col Jake Ellwood DSC
Lt Col Darren Huxley
Lt Col Andrew Forbes
KILLED IN ACTION THIS MONTH
February: No Members of the Battalion were killed in action or died of wounds in the month of February
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Military Awards 5RAR
TOURS ... AN OVERVIEW
First Tour 1966 - 67
Second Tour 1969 - 70
OPERATIONS CONDUCTED
First Tour 1966 - 67
Second Tour 1969 - 70
VC AND NVA
The Enemy and His Tactics
Were Russian Advisors in Phuoc Tuy Province?
BATTLE OF BINH BA
Battle of Binh Ba. Schematic of the battle and aerial view of the village
Battle of Binh Ba by Brian London OAM., DCM.
An Account & Photos From a B Company Digger
The Battle by Mr. Raymond Gallacher, Writer & Lecturer
Photo of 6Pl B Coy at the Start Line Prior to the Assault on Duc Trung
Photo of 6 Pl B Coy Assaulting the Village of Duc Trung
Images of the Battle of Binh Ba
Photograph of 5RAR's RMO, Capt Hugh Roberton treating a wounded VC outside the village
Photograph of Pte. Ian Hutchison Treating a Captured NVA Soldier During the Battle
WEAPONS
Australian Infantry Small Arms
VC & NVA Weapons
Booby Traps
Mines
SPECIAL MENTION

Once We Were Soldiers
Tales From the Tiger
The Reflections of a Battalion Medical Officer
Enemy Bunker Systems
Operation Camden: 3 Platoon & Assault Pioneer Platoon Encounter 3rd Battalion 274 VC Regiment
When 'Wingy' Read the Riot Act!
When Wingy Read the Riot Act ... A Reprise
Anatomy of a Bunker Contact
Preparation & Logistical Problems Faced By 5RAR up to Dec 1966
Memoirs of an Armourer
To Nui Dat with the 173rd Airborne Brigade
5RAR's Final Battle
The Long Hai Hills Incident
The Village of Dat Do
Close Quarter Ambush
Band of the 5th Battalion
AUDIO VIDEO
Video Tribute - 5RAR Vietnam (5.8Mb) Producer: Kevin Gaunt
Video tribute to the 'Chopper Crews' of the Vietnam War
point High Quality Video (12Mb) »Here
point Small Quality Video (4.8Mb) »Here
Video Tribute to 5RAR's War Dead (5.4Mb)
5RAR Band at Nui Dat
Audio Interview with Assistant Ops Officer Capt Bob Supple During Operation Queanbeyan
IMAGE GALLERY
Officers of the Battalion
Senior NCOs First Tour
Senior NCOs Second Tour

Men of the Battalion
On Operations
Reconnaissance Platoon
Operation Renmark
Aircraft in Support
Artillery in Support
Armour in Support
Navy in Support
Nui Dat Base
Updated
Phuoc Tuy Province
Captured VC Photographs and Art
'AUSSIEISMS'
Don Harrod Remembers Vietnam
Glossary of Language used by Australian Soldiers in Vietnam
Nicknames of 5RAR personnel
5RAR Equipment Scale
TRIBUTES
Our Members
Australian Vietnam Veterans' War Memorial
The Cherry Tree Walk
HISTORY
History of the 5th Battalions
Photographs of Members of the 2/5th Inf Bn at Wondecla, Qld 1944
Members of the 5th Battalion 1923
Formation of the Royal Australian Regiment
Presentation of the Battalion's Colours
'Quintus' the Battalion's Mascot
The Original Plaque that adorned Quintus' Enclosure
Chronicle of the Vietnam War
5th Battalion's Regimental Marches
Booklet Celebrating 5RAR's Inauguration Parade 1965
Laying Up of the Battalion's Colours
173rd Airborne Brigade Recognises ANZAC KIAs
Origin of the Badge of the Royal Australian Regiment
Origin of the Slouch Hat
Origin of the Rising Sun Badge
Ode of Remembrance
Profile of the 5RAR Soldier
As seen by an American journalist
'Tiger Rag' Newsletter
June 1969 copy
SMOKO
Music Videos of the 60s and 70s
Video Library
Murphy's Law on Combat Operations
Parable of the Kit Inspection
WELCOME

    My appreciation goes to the many members who have contributed to the website,welcome logo and in particular to those men who contributed articles to 'Special Mention', 'Once We Were Soldiers' and 'Tales From The Tiger' sections, who walked over dead ground and relived it again. I thank you.
     To fully utilise this website your web browser must be Java Script enabled.  
    Members check the notice board above and also the forum message board located further down the page.
    For visitors wanting more information about each page on the left menu bar, hold you mouse pointer over each link.
    And finally, the views expressed on this website are not necessarily those of the 5RAR Association Committee.
     I hope you find your visit informative and interesting.

"History books begin and end, but the events they describe do not."
R. G. Collingwood, An Autobiography, 1939.

Search This Website

Copyright 5RAR Association Legal Notice
Contents Page Updated February 05, 2012 15:58

What's New
point Photograph added to MEN OF THE BATTALION in Image Gallery page 2
(Posted 3 February)
point February edition of 'Half Circle' in SUB-UNIT NEWSLETTERS
(Posted 1 February)
point February edition of Army Newspaper now available and features Maj Gen Stuart Smith AM (son of Sgt Bernie Smith, 5RAR, KIA) p13. (Posted 30 January)
point The passing of Peter Reginald Duell (1st tour) is noted on the VALE & NOTICE BOARD pages (Posted 29 January)
point Another sad passing of Kenneth Thomas Black (2nd tour) is noted on the VALE and NOTICE BOARD pages (Posted 19 January)
point An informal B Company 1st tour get-together has been added to SUB-UNIT REUNIONS & NOTICE BOARD (Posted 11 January)
point The sad passing of Pte Sam Osborne, 5RAR is noted on the VALE and NOTICE BOARD pages (Posted 9 January)
point New article added to ONCE WE WERE SOLDIERS section (Posted 8 January)
Image of the Week Article of the Week Poem of the Week Video of the Week
A Wounded VC
Wounded VC
In the Shadows
of the 'Horsemen'.
The Slouch Hat ANZACS on the Western Front - The Australian War Memorial Battlefield Guide
5RAR TODAY
 
Painting of the 5RAR mascot, Sabre New Tiger Adorns 5RAR's Boozer

5RAR commissioned artist Chloe Blanchard to paint their deceased mascot, Quintus Septimus Sabre to adorn the front of their boozer.
To read the article and watch a video of the presentation.
»Here


A Short History of the Second Australian Mentoring Task Force

To read Lt Col Darren Huxley's summary of MTF-2s operational duties in Afghanistan. Click on the image below.

HQ MTF-2

ARTICLES
point Commanding Officers' Crystal Tiger
The new COs perpetual trophy
»Here
point Tails From the Tiger ―
5RAR Afghanistan

A series of articles written by our 5RAR soldiers and their support elements on the ground in Afghanistan.
»Here
point Warr-Khan Trophy
2010 recipient awarded to Corporal Tavis Gerald Smith.
»Here
point Mechanised Infantry in Timor-Leste
An excellent article by Lt. Nicholas Andrews. (Courtesy Australian Infantry magazine.)
»Here
point Rededication to the Colours in the Field
Cultana Training Field Area.
»Here
PHOTOGRAPHS - VIDEO
point Photographs of MTF -2's Welcome Home Parade
»Here
point Operation Slipper
Photo Album of MTF-2 in Afghanistan
»Here
point Australian Operations in Afghanistan
Department of Defence.
»Here
point Video Statement
By Lt. Col Darren Huxley on MTF-2's intent in Afghanistan.
»Here (10Mb)
point Timor-Leste Battlegroup Farewell Parade
»Here
point Presentation of 5RAR's Colours in Darwin
photographs.
»Here
point Presentation of 5RAR's Colours in Darwin
Article on the origin of the Colours and photographs of the presentation.
»Here
THE BATTLE OF BINH BA
THE PRELUDE
Situated north of the 1st Australian Task Force base at Nui Dat on the western side of Route 2, the village of Binh Ba had a population of around three thousand people — mainly farmers and rubber plantation workers. Tidy and rectangular in shape, and mainly constructed of solid brick and tile, Binh Ba was well known to the Australians. Indeed during 5RAR's first tour in Vietnam a rifle company and a mortar section had been briefly stationed within the village itself. This strategy proved to be a deterrent to the Viet Cong tax collectors and assassination squads taking control of the village. The drain on the finite resources of the small Australian force proved to be too much however, and the village was later left to the protection of South Vietnamese Regional Forces. In an attempt to demonstrate that they could move freely with in the province, a combined communist force including the 1st Battalion NVA 33 Regiment, elements of the VC D440 Local Force Battalion, the Binh Ba and Ngai Giao Guerrilla Squad and the Chau Duc District Company had occupied Binh Ba on the evening of 5–6 June 1969. In response, South Vietnamese forces were sent from Duc Thanh the following morning. Initial intelligence suggested that a group of about platoon strength had infiltrated the village. Meanwhile during a separate operation 6RAR had also been engaged in a heavy contact several kilometres north of the task force base and at 0800 on 6 June, an Australian Centurion tank and an armoured recovery vehicle moving through Binh Ba to assist 6RAR were fired upon. A rocket propelled grenade struck the Centurion penetrating the turret, and causing damage to the tank and severe wounds to one of the crewman. The district commander subsequently asked 1 ATF for assistance in clearing Binh Ba.
point On 5 June 2009, the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Binh Ba, the Australian War Memorial hosted a symposium to study various aspects of the battle. The link to the audio is: »Here
point Photo Album: Battle of Binh Ba Service »Here
point Photo Album: Battle of Binh Ba Dinner »Here
5RAR Association Newsletter
5RAR Newsletter
Tiger Tales is the newsletter of the 5RAR Association and is published three times a year in April, August and December. This page contains copies of previous editions. The current edition is forwarded by post to all current financial members of the Association.
point August 2011 Edition
point Back issues April 1987 ~ April 2011
2/5th Aust Inf Bn Newsletter
point November 2011 edition
The official newsletter of the Fifth Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment.
point October 2011
point Back Issues

point Edition 1274, February 2, 2011
point Maj Gen Stuart Smith AM (son of Sgt Bernie Smith 5RAR, KIA) takes command of JTF 633. page 13.
POETRY
Poetry
Member Contributions
& Selected Works
NOSTALGIA
Slideshow of Vietnam
Pics of Vung Tau and Saigon in the 60s' and 70s'
Huey Fly-Past
If this doesn't zap you back onto that 'LZ' as a stick of "Hueys" fly past then nothing will.
May Day Boogie
An interesting mix
of music and gun-fire
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
'The Year Of The Tigers'
Is Now on Sale!

The third edition has increased in size by about another 150 pages including an additional 250 photographs as well as some new information about our involvement in the War (eg, bunker systems, land clearing, pacification in Dat Do, mine incidents, the Tracker Platoon, Assault Pioneer Platoon, MAT teams etc). The background history to the war has been updated and citations for those who were mentioned in dispatches are included, as well as the updating of the battalion's honours and awards. Maps and schematics for the Battle of Binh Ba (Operation Hammer) and for Operation Tong (in Hoa Long) are included. The nominal roll has been corrected, and index is now included.
In addition to the nominal roll of all those 5RAR members who served in 1969-70, over 450 soldiers have their names mentioned in the book, either in articles or captions to photographs.

Updated letter of acknowledgement  »Here

MUSIC & VIDEO
Pte Evan Jones, who was in the 5RAR Intelligence Section of BHQ during 1969-70, was always a bit of an entertainer and has now placed a couple of his recent songs on You Tube.
point Your Son in Vietnam
point  Before That Bloody War

Jim Mavromatis served with 5RAR 1st Tour and has developed a reputation for song writing and performing. Here are three tracks for you to enjoy.
point'Nasho'
pointLife's Journey Blues
point Echo From a Hard War

         Tribute
To Andy Mattay - Soldier and Pictorial Historian
(1941 - 2004)

Can You Hear Australia's Heroes Marching?
       Poster Girl
Beccy Cole's tribute to the Australian Soldier.

The man
They Called 'The Anzac'
(Reposted)

RETURN
Return to Vietnam
This article by our president Roger Wainwright, recounts the highlights of a visit to Vietnam in October 2005.
A Tiger's Return
Mick Henrys' observations on his return to Vietnam.
Hanoi Revisited
Mick Henrys' reflection on Vietnam after five years since he last went back.

 

GENERAL ARTICLES
A Link to The
2/5th Battalion

By Don Harrod
In The Shadows
of the 'Horsemen'.

By Robert Kearney
Celebrating the
Last 'Huey'

Courtesy Helicopter Association International
Nui Dat and
Vung Tau Revisited

By Gary Townsend
Dawn Service Remembrance
Address 2009

By Col J. E. Taske: Honorary Colonel
RAAMC Queensland

Photographs
60th Anniversary of the Royal Australian Regiment
Paul Ham on War
An article from the Australian Newspaper October 4 2008.
Long Tan Day Commemorative Service Address given by Major William Alfred Wallace
(Ret) 6Bn RAR Ballarat.

Charlestown East State School students.
 On the meaning
of Anzac Day

Slide show of the
Post 1945 Exhibition.

At the Australian
War Memorial

Dog Tag Recovery
38 years on,
a dog tag returns.

Our Mate Mick
We all knew Mick, he was the sort of bloke who sometimes could make the unbelievable, believable.
Digging for the Meaning
A member's observations on the character of the Aussie soldier
MEDIA RELEASES
DVA Media Releases that may effect you. »Here
Labor's plans for Veterans' Affairs. 
»Here
VVCS & WELFARE ISSUES
Wellbeing Toolbox
The Wellbeing Toolbox is an on-line interactive tool designed primarily to assist those making a transition from military life to civilian life but it can be of use to any veteran. »Here
VVCS.
Services Provided by the VVCS.»Here
'AT EASE'.
DVA Mental Health Site. »Here
You, and Your Prostate.
Information from the DVA website  (It's a large file so be patient while it downloads). Or you can contact DVA for a hard copy. »Here
Private Hospital List
Contracted for services by the DVA. »Here
DVA Home Front
A Falls Prevention Program. »Here
Vietnam Veterans' Family Health Study.
Intergenerational Health Effects of Service in the Military. »Here
LIFE MEMBERSHIP
Life membership Badge
2011 Ron Hamlyn »Here
2010 Brian Budden »Here
Geoff Pearson »Here
2010 REUNION
2010  reunion success banner
To View Photographs

When asked for a password type in '5rar' (without the quotation marks) in the 'Event Name' column and also when asked for a password. To view and order copies. »Click Here
-------------------------------------
5RAR Commemorative address given by Brigadier Stuart Smith AM. Brigadier Smith is the son of Sgt Bernie Smith 5RAR, KIA 9 March 1969. »Click Here

SUB-UNIT NEWSLETTERS

'Half Circle'
An informal newsletter for members of
C Company 2nd Tour
Issue No 62, February 2012 »Here

If you distribute a newsletter, you are invited to place it here.
SUB-UNIT WEBSITES
C Company 1st Tour Website
Webmaster: Gary Townsend (Current Editor of Tiger Tales)
»Here
SUB-UNIT REUNIONS

B Company 1st Tour Get Together »Here
A Company Reunion October 2012 »Here


B Company 2nd Tour Reunion
ANZAC Week 2012
Details
»Here
Attendance Form
»Here


D Company 2nd Tour Reunion October 2012 »Here
C Company 1966-67 Reunion April 2012
Details.
»Here
A Company & Assault Pioneers Group,
Port Fairy.
»Here
DVD SALES

The History of the 5th Battalions' DVD
History of the 5th Battalions

This 70 minute DVD commences with a short history of the Fifth Battalions in Australia in 1885 until the raising of the Fifth Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment in March 1965. This video gives a good general coverage of both tours of the Battalion. You can view further details on the Memorabilia page on the top menu bar or »Here
-----------------------------------------------

DVD of the Battalion's First Tour
5RAR First Tour

Mick Henrys, in conjunction with our RMO 'Doc' White & Tony Henry have produced a DVD of the first tour. For more info and to view the video clip. »Here.
-----------------------------------------------
Doc's Movie Goes To School

The Doc's movie was used to support a Year 12 History class in Western Australia. The following is how it came about and the impact the DVD had on the students. »Here
-----------------------------------------------

Eye of the Tiger DVD
Eyes of the Tiger ...
Diary of a Dirty War.

DVD based on Reconnaissance Platoon during the battalion's first tour. Percentage of sales will go to the 5RAR Association. »Here

BOOK REVIEWS
point Latest Review
Stan Bisset -
Kokoda Wallaby.
point A List of Military Book Reviews. »Here
VETERANS' RETREATS
A comprehensive list of Veterans' Retreats. »Here
Cockatoo Rise. »Here
COMMAND & CONTROL
Please sign the Guest Book
as we value your comments
View or post messages in the Message Forum
   
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9 August 2009

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The Webmaster would like to thank the following members for their contributions.

Bob Alexander, Graeme Ashton, Frank Baker, Michael ('Deaky') Baron von Berg MC, Ray Bolitho, Bob Hobbs,  David Bowman,  Ron Boxall, Jack Bradd, Russell Briggs, Colin Bruce, John Burridge,  Jeff Cappler,  Trevor Carter, Neville Case,  Bob Cavill, Bill Charlton, Trevor Cheeseman, Geoff Conners, Peter Craig, Peter Craib, Ray Curran, Ken Davis, Mick Dench MM, Jeff Dennis, Haydyn Dorrough, Claude Ducker, Bernie Duggan (US), Greg 'Spike' Dwyer, Allan English, David French, Jim Fitzgerald, Kevin Gaunt, Bill Grassick, Paul Greenhalgh, Ron Hamlyn, Bob Harbourd, Don Harrod, John Hellyer, Mick Henrys, Wayne Herbert, John Heyhoe, Russell 'Kiwi' Hill, Bill Hunt,  John Hunter, Colin Illman, Peter Isaacs, John James, Thomas Jane, Bill Jarret, Robert 'Dogs' Kearney, Chris Kuchenmeister, Ivan Kustreba, Paul La Forest, Roger Lambert, Ian Leis,  John Lloyd, Arnold Lockrey, Mal Lyons, Brian London DCM, Darryl Lovell, Ian McDougall, Alan McNulty DCM, Stan Maizey, Jim Marett, Jim Mavromatis, Bob Meredith, Paul McQueen, Jim Metcalf (US), Alan Miles, John Miller, Lloyd 'Dusty' Miller, Michael Nettleton,  Bill O'Mara, Anthony Pahl, Dave Partridge, Mike Radwell, Dennis Rainer MC, Matthew Richards, Hugh Roberton, Alec Robinson, J.P. Rolston, Des Schickert, Graham Sherrington, John Smee, Peter Stone, Robert Swiggett (US), Alec Robinson, Ron Shambrook, Peter Taylor, Barrie Taylor, Tony Templeton, Dave Thompson, Neville Thompson OAM, Bill Titley, Terry Tommasi,  Garry Towner, Gary Townsend, Peter Turner, Roger Wainwright, James Walker, Ian Ward,  John Warr DSO, Ron 'Spider' Webb, Kerry White, David Wilkins, Bob Williams, Father John Williams, George Wills, Ross Wood and Peter Woods.

Helicopter audio files courtesy of
FOURAYS
The Australian Army Aviation Association

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