5RAR Association's Contents Page

    My appreciation goes to the many members who have contributed to the website, 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.
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    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.

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Legal Notice

Contents Page Updated

February 05, 2012 15:58

What's New

	Photograph added to MEN OF THE BATTALION in Image Gallery page 2 (Posted 3 February)
	February edition of 'Half Circle' in SUB-UNIT NEWSLETTERS (Posted 1 February)
	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)
	The passing of Peter Reginald Duell (1st tour) is noted on the VALE & NOTICE BOARD pages (Posted 29 January)
	Another sad passing of Kenneth Thomas Black (2nd tour) is noted on the VALE and NOTICE BOARD pages (Posted 19 January)
	An informal B Company 1st tour get-together has been added to SUB-UNIT REUNIONS & NOTICE BOARD (Posted 11 January)
	The sad passing of Pte Sam Osborne, 5RAR is noted on the VALE and NOTICE BOARD pages (Posted 9 January)
	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
Wounded VC	In the Shadows of the 'Horsemen'.	The Slouch Hat	ANZACS on the Western Front - The Australian War Memorial Battlefield Guide

5RAR TODAY

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
	Commanding Officers' Crystal Tiger The new COs perpetual trophy »Here
	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
	Warr-Khan Trophy 2010 recipient awarded to Corporal Tavis Gerald Smith. »Here
	Mechanised Infantry in Timor-Leste An excellent article by Lt. Nicholas Andrews. (Courtesy Australian Infantry magazine.) »Here
	Rededication to the Colours in the Field Cultana Training Field Area. »Here

PHOTOGRAPHS - VIDEO
	Photographs of MTF -2's Welcome Home Parade »Here
	Operation Slipper Photo Album of MTF-2 in Afghanistan »Here
	Australian Operations in Afghanistan Department of Defence. »Here
	Video Statement By Lt. Col Darren Huxley on MTF-2's intent in Afghanistan. »Here (10Mb)
	Timor-Leste Battlegroup Farewell Parade »Here
	Presentation of 5RAR's Colours in Darwin photographs. »Here
	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.

	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
	Photo Album: Battle of Binh Ba Service »Here
	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.

	August 2011 Edition
	Back issues April 1987 ~ April 2011
2/5th Aust Inf Bn Newsletter

	November 2011 edition

The official newsletter of the Fifth Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment.

	October 2011
	Back Issues

	Edition 1274, February 2, 2011
	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.

	Your Son in Vietnam
	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.

	'Nasho'
	Life's Journey Blues
	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

2011	Ron Hamlyn »Here
2010	Brian Budden »Here Geoff Pearson »Here

2010 REUNION

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

	Latest Review Stan Bisset - Kokoda Wallaby.
	A List of Military Book Reviews. »Here

VETERANS' RETREATS

A comprehensive list of Veterans' Retreats. »Here

Cockatoo Rise. »Here

COMMAND & CONTROL

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Ted Harrison

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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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