5RAR soldier throwing a smoke grenade

Although not a weapon, nevertheless smoke grenades saved the lives of many Australians by marking directly the location for the 'Dust Offs' (casualty evacuation helicopters) and giving wind information. Also when in close contact with the enemy, 'smoke' was also used to 'mark' the Australian position so that air support would know the location of friendly forces prior to strafing and bombing close enemy targets.