3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment | |
---|---|
Mechanised infantry | |
Part of | 3rd Brigade |
Garrison/HQ | Lavarack Barracks |
Nickname(s) | Old Faithful |
Motto(s) | Duty First |
March | Our Director (Band) Highland Laddie (Pipes and Drums) |
Engagements | Korean War
Malayan Emergency
Francis Hassett |
Insignia | |
Unit colour patch | |
Tartan | Royal Stewart (Pipers kilts and plaids) |
The 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR) is a
History
Formation
3 RAR was initially formed on 20 October 1945 from volunteers from the 3rd, 6th, 7th and 11th Australian Divisions,[1] as the 67th Battalion of the 34th Brigade (Australia) on Morotai. The battalion was intended to be part of a wider commitment for occupation duties as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan.[2]
The 67th Battalion arrived in Japan as part of the Australian 34th Brigade in February 1946.[3] As with the rest of the occupation force, the battalion did not encounter any significant resistance or civil unrest.[4] The 67th Battalion was redesignated the 3rd Battalion of the Australian Regiment upon its formation in November 1948. The 'Royal' prefix was appended in March 1949.[5] The Australian force in Japan was gradually downsized, with 3 RAR being the only Australian battalion left in the country at the outbreak of the Korean War.[6]
Korea, 1950–1953
3 RAR was rapidly committed as Australia's main land force contribution to the
In July 1951, Major
Malaya, 1957–1959
The next major conflict that 3 RAR was involved in was the Malayan Emergency. The Australian Government first committed a battalion in 1955 to assist the British colonial occupation in crushing a pro-independence uprising led by the Malayan Communist Party, and their armed wing the Malayan National Liberation Army (MNLA). However, it was not until October 1957 that 3 RAR arrived in theatre; it then commenced a period of acclimatisation at the FARELF Training Centre Kota Tingi (later to become the Jungle Warfare School). 3 RAR then moved to company base camps at Kuala Kangsar (BHQ), Lasah, Sungei, Siput, Penang and Lintang. The unit was engaged in military operations against the MNLA in northern Malaya. Operations began in November 1957 and as a result many MNLA camps and food dumps were located and destroyed. 3 RAR was credited with killing 14 MNLA soldiers and was responsible for the capture of 32 others. 3 RAR casualties over the two years were two wounded and four non-battle casualties. Upon return to Australia, 3 RAR established itself at Enoggera Barracks, Brisbane. It remained there for four years during which time it carried out routine training and barracks duties and was organised on the Pentropic establishment, with five rifle companies and an enlarged headquarters.[11]
Malaya and Borneo, 1963–1965
3 RAR also served in Malaysia and Borneo during the
South Vietnam, 1967–1971
3 RAR served two tours in
On 8 May 1970 a group of soldiers from 3 RAR who had served in South Vietnam attacked 1,000 Moratorium marchers who were peacefully protesting against the war in Adelaide. This led to 21 soldiers facing disciplinary charges, including five who had been arrested by police and also faced civil charges.[19] The Army disciplinary heading led to at least 16 of the soldiers being fined or imprisoned for a short period.[20] At least three of the soldiers were convicted when their cases were heard by the Adelaide Magistrate's Court; two did not receive a penalty and the other received a small fine.[21]
On 25 February 1971 the battalion returned to Phuoc Tuy Province. By 1971 American and Australian forces in South Vietnam had reduced significantly and under President Nixon's Vietnamization program U.S and allied forces undertook the process of handing military operations back to the South Vietnamese forces. PAVN forces took this opportunity to try and re enter areas that they had been previously forced out of earlier. This included the Australian and New Zealand Tactical area of responsibility of Phuoc Tuy Province. During the second tour the battalion took part in several actions and saw fierce fighting particularly in Battle of Long Khánh against well-trained PAVN regular forces before returning to Australia by the end of 1971 after an eight-month tour.[22] During these operations 3 RAR lost four killed and 27 wounded.[17][23]
Parachute role, 1983–2011
A move to Holsworthy Barracks, Sydney, contemplated since returning from operations in South Vietnam, was conducted at the end of 1981. On 1 December 1983, the battalion assumed responsibility for the Australian Army's conventional parachute capability (previously, D Company 6 RAR had maintained an airborne company).[24][25][26] In 1985, the battalion was granted permission to wear the dull Cherry beret, common to all parachute units worldwide, and to wear parachute wings identical to those worn by the 1st Australian Parachute Battalion during the Second World War.
From 1989, 3 RAR formed the main combat elements of the Parachute Battalion Group, which also included an engineer troop from
The 1st Parachute Surgical Team was raised in January 1989 to provide Level II and limited Level III medical support modelled on a British unit from the Falklands War.[28] In 1995, 105-mm L119 Hamel guns were air dropped for the first time for 'A' Field Battery.[29][24][30]
East Timor, 1999–2008
3 RAR played a key role in the Australian-led
In May 2006, the 3 RAR Battalion Group was deployed to restore order to East Timor as part of Operation Astute.[34] An online company group was deployed at short notice in February 2007 for four months and replaced by a second company group in June 2007 for seven weeks. 3 RAR deployed again to East Timor in 2008 as the Timor Leste Battle Group (TLBG), undertaking operations to apprehend the rebels that attempted to assassinate President José Ramos-Horta.[35]
Solomon Islands, 2005–2006 and 2021
3 RAR deployed to the Solomon Islands on Monday 24 January 2005 to reinforce the military component of Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). The 3 RAR company of soldiers consisted of approximately 100 personnel to provide added support to the local and Australian Federal Police in enforcing the rule of law and restoring order in the Solomon Islands.[36] The soldiers tent lines at RAMSI base were named the "Private Jamie Clark Lines" in March 2007 after the accidental death of Clark in March 2005.[37] Renewed violence in March 2006 again saw a company group deploy to the capital Honiara, returning to Australia in May 2006.[11] Civil unrest flared once again in November 2021 where elements of the battalion deployed as part of an ADF response.[38]
Iraq, 2003–2007
In late 2003, 3 RAR was warned to provide a Company Headquarters and a four rifle section
Afghanistan, 2003–2012
2008 saw the battalion deploy a company group to
Light infantry role, 2011–2018
3 RAR was scheduled to return to Adelaide and based at RAAF Base Edinburgh to be re-rolled as a mechanised infantry battalion under the Hardened and Networked Army plan launched in 2005. It was considered that as 4 RAR (Cdo) had an integral parachute capability there was no requirement for a conventional parachute capability.[44] In 2006, the Enhanced Land Force plan was launched with 3 RAR now to move to Townsville and re-role as a light infantry battalion.[45] From 2006, the Parachute Battalion Group "was scaled back to a task-organised force element" the Airborne Combat Team.[46][47] On 26 August 2011, the Chief of Army transferred responsibility for maintaining the Army's parachute capability from Forces Command to Special Operations Command.[48][49] The additional light infantry battalion provided Forces Command with greater flexibility to develop an amphibious infantry battalion.[50] In January 2012, the battalion relocated to Lavarack Barracks, Townsville.[51]
Iraq, 2017
The battalion was warned for
Afghanistan, 2017–2018
In 2017 3 RAR deployed Bravo Company to Kabul Province, Afghanistan as part of Force Protection Element 8. FPE-8 provided security and protected mobility support for ADF elements located in the vicinity of Kabul, Afghanistan including trainers and mentors at the Afghanistan National Army Officer and the Kabul Garrison Command-Advisory Team. Following FPE-8 3RAR deployed Charlie Company on FPE-9 to relieve B-Coy.[citation needed]
Mechanised infantry role, 2018
In 2017, it was announced that 3 RAR would re-role as a mechanised infantry battalion under the workforce alignment of
Solomon Islands, 2021
In 2021 3 RAR deployed to help quell escalating violence in the Solomon Islands. The contingent – made up mostly of soldiers from 3RAR – joined Australian Federal Police officers and supported critical infrastructure in the capital Honiara.
Current composition
The battalion currently consists of:
- Battalion Headquarters
- 3 Rifle Companies – 'Alpha', 'Bravo' and 'Charlie'
- Support Company
- Administration Company
- Pipes and Drums section
Battle and Theatre Honours
The battalion has received the following battle honours:
- Korean War: Korea 1950–1953; Pakchon; Uijongbu; Chuam-ni; Maehwa-san; Kapyong; Kowang-San; Maryang-San; Sariwon; Yongju; Chongju.[9]
- Malaya: Malayan Emergency 1955-63[56]
- Malaysia (Confrontation): Malaysia (Confrontation) 1964-1966
- Vietnam War: Vietnam 1965–1972; Bien-Hoa; Coral-Balmoral.[17]
- East Timor: East Timor 1999-2003
- Iraq: Iraq 2003-11
Commanding officers
The following officers have served as commanding officer of 3RAR. Rank and honours are as at the individual's time in command.[57][58]
Date commenced | Date ended | Commanding Officer |
---|---|---|
67th Australian Infantry Battalion | ||
October 1945 | March 1947 | Lieutenant Colonel Donald Jackson, DSO
|
March 1947 | August 1948 | Lieutenant Colonel Thomas MacAdie, DSO
|
12 August 1948 | 22 November 1948 | Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth MacKay, MBE
|
3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment | ||
23 November 1948 | 11 August 1949 | Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth MacKay, MBE
|
12 August 1949 | 11 September 1950 | Lieutenant Colonel Floyd Walsh |
12 September 1950 | 30 October 1950 | Lieutenant Colonel DSO
|
31 October 1950 | 6 November 1950 | Lieutenant Colonel Floyd Walsh |
6 November 1950 | 5 July 1951 | Lieutenant Colonel I. Bruce Ferguson, DSO, MC
|
6 July 1951 | 1 July 1952 | Lieutenant Colonel OBE
|
2 July 1952 | 5 March 1953 | Lieutenant Colonel DSO
|
9 March 1953 | 10 February 1954 | Lieutenant Colonel OBE
|
11 February 1954 | 6 February 1955 | Lieutenant Colonel Sydney Buckler, OBE
|
7 February 1955 | 9 September 1955 | Lieutenant Colonel MBE
|
10 September 1955 | 12 March 1957 | Lieutenant Colonel John Watch |
13 May 1957 | 9 November 1959 | Lieutenant Colonel John White, OBE
|
10 March 1960 | 15 January 1963 | Colonel William Morrow, OBE
|
16 January 1963 | 30 April 1963 | Colonel OBE
|
1 May 1963 | 14 January 1966 | Lieutenant Colonel OBE, MC
|
15 January 1966 | 14 February 1967 | Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Leary |
15 February 1967 | 17 February 1969 | Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Shelton, DSO, MC
|
February 1969 | January 1972 | Lieutenant Colonel Francis Peter Scott, DSO
|
January 1972 | September 1973 | Lieutenant Colonel Terence Sullivan, MBE
|
October 1973 | January 1976 | Lieutenant Colonel Peter Phillips, MC |
January 1976 | January 1978 | Lieutenant Colonel Brian Howard, MC |
January 1978 | December 1979 | Lieutenant Colonel Michael Bindley |
January 1980 | June 1980 | Lieutenant Colonel Paul Mench |
July 1980 | January 1982 | Lieutenant Colonel Stan Krasnoff |
January 1982 | 13 December 1983 | Lieutenant Colonel James Connolly |
14 December 1983 | 16 January 1986 | Lieutenant Colonel Kerry Gallagher |
17 January 1986 | December 1987 | Lieutenant Colonel Peter Abigail |
December 1987 | December 1989 | Lieutenant Colonel Simon Willis |
December 1989 | August 1991 | Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Hill, AM
|
August 1991 | December 1993 | Lieutenant Colonel Gary Bornholt |
December 1993 | December 1995 | Lieutenant Colonel Roger Tiller |
December 1995 | December 1997 | Lieutenant Colonel Ross Boyd |
December 1997 | December 1999 | Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas Welch, DSC |
December 1999 | December 2001 | Lieutenant Colonel P. K. Singh |
December 2001 | 29 October 2003 | Lieutenant Colonel Quentin Flowers, AM
|
30 October 2003 | 1 December 2005 | Lieutenant Colonel Adam Findlay |
2 December 2005 | 4 December 2007 | Lieutenant Colonel Mick Mumford, CSC |
5 December 2007 | December 2009 | Lieutenant Colonel Wade Stothart |
December 2009 | December 2013 | Lieutenant Colonel Trent Scott |
December 2013 | December 2015 | Lieutenant Colonel Gavin Keating |
December 2015 | December 2017 | Lieutenant Colonel Giles Cornelia, CSM |
December 2017 | December 2019 | Lieutenant Colonel Michael Kearns, CSM |
December 2019 | December 2021 | Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Kearns |
January 2022 | December 2022 | Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Johnson |
January 2023 | Present | Lieutenant Colonel Jack Westhorpe |
Alliances
3 RAR holds the following alliances:[59]
- United Kingdom – Scots Guards
- United Kingdom – The Queen's Royal Hussars (Queen's Own and Royal Irish)
- Papua New Guinea – 2nd Battalion, Royal Pacific Islands Regiment
Affiliations
- Canada - 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
- 3 RAR, Pipes and Drums holds an affiliation with the Mackay and District Pipe Band (Signed 10th Dec 2022)
See also
Notes
- ^ Horner 2008, pp. 5–6.
- ^ Horner 2008, pp. 1–2
- ^ Horner 2008, p. 17.
- ^ Horner 2008, pp. 34–39.
- ^ Horner 2008, p. 44.
- ^ Horner 2008, pp. 47–50.
- ^ Kuring 2004, pp. 224–237.
- ^ Butler, Argent and Shelton 2002, p. 123.
- ^ a b "3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment". Korean War units. Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- Bill Madden.
- ^ a b c d e "A Brief History of the 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment". Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 2001, pp. 274–277.
- ^ "3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment". Confrontation, 1963–1966 units. Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ English 2008, p. xi.
- ^ Horner 2008, pp. 197–198.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 2001, p. 289.
- ^ a b c "3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment". Vietnam, 1962–1972 units. Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ "Vietnam 1st Tour 1967–1968". 3rd Battalion RAR South Australia Association. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
- ^ Edwards 1997, p. 271
- ^ "Moratorium ends peacefully". The Canberra Times. 11 May 1970. p. 3. Retrieved 4 March 2020 – via Trove.
- ^ "Soldiers convicted". The Canberra Times. 16 May 1970. p. 7. Retrieved 4 March 2020 – via Trove.
- ^ English 1999, pp. 143–145.
- ^ "3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, 2nd Tour Vietnam 1971". 3rd Battalion RAR South Australia Association. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
- ^ ISSN 1034-3695.
- ^ Dennis et al 2008, p. 410.
- ^ Lord & Tennant 2000, p. 10.
- ^ Lord & Tennant 2000, p. 25.
- ISSN 1034-3695.
- ^ Horner 1995, p. 514.
- ^ "'A' Field Battery – Equipment". Australian Army. Archived from the original on 31 August 2007.
- ^ Horner 2008, pp. 308–311.
- ^ Horner 2008, p. 319.
- ^ "Theatre Honour". Minister of Defence. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
- ^ Horner 2008, pp. 324–325.
- ISSN 0729-5685.
- ^ "3RAR Deployment to RAMSI". Department of Defence. 23 January 2005. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
- ^ "Solomon Islands Casualties". Nautilus Institute. 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ "ADF support to Solomon Islands". Department of Defence. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
- ^ Horner 2008, pp. 330–332.
- ^ "Theatre Honour". Australian Army. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
- ^ "Reconstruction Task Force soldiers farewelled from Sydney". Image Gallery 2008. Department of Defence. 20 March 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ Rofkahr, Tomas (27 August 2008). "Engineers Bridge Gaps on Afghanistan's Highway 1". Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ "3RAR hands Afghan mission to 7RAR". 24 November 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2014.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Minister for Defence Robert Hill (15 December 2005). "Army Battalion to Relocate to Adelaide". Department of Defence (Press release). Archived from the original on 31 December 2005.
- ISSN 0729-5685. Archived from the originalon 21 March 2011.
- ISSN 1320-2545. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
- ISSN 0729-5685. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
- ^ "Army Airborne Insertion Capability" (Press release). Department of Defence. 9 September 2011. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012.
- ^ Stevens, LTCOL Matt (April 2016). "Airfield Seizure: Rangers Lead the Way" (PDF). Commando news / Australian Commando Association Inc. No. 7. Surfers Paradise, Qld: Statewide Publishing P/L. Retrieved 31 December 2019.[permanent dead link]
- ISSN 0729-5685. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
- ^ "3RAR Arrive in Townsville". Department of Defence (Press release). 31 January 2012. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014.
- ^ McLachlan 2017, p. 7.
- ^ "Force Structure". Australian Army. 15 June 2017. Archived from the original on 5 February 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
- ISSN 0729-5685. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
- ISSN 0729-5685. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
- ^ "Defence Image Gallery". Department of Defence. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
- ^ Horner 2008, pp. 440–41.
- ^ "3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Commanding Officers". A Brief History of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. 3rd Battalion RAR South Australia Association. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
- ^ Festberg 1972, p. 22.
References
- Butler, David; Argent, Alf and Jim Shelton (2002). The Fight Leaders: Australian Battlefield Leadership: Green, Hassett and Ferguson 3 RAR – Korea. Loftus, New South Wales: Australian Military History Publications. ISBN 1-876439-56-4.
- Coulthard-Clark, Chris (2001). The Encyclopaedia of Australia's Battles (Second ed.). Crows Nest, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-634-7.
- Dennis, Peter; Grey, Jeffrey; Morris, Ewan; Prior, Robin; Bou, Jean (2008). The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History (Second ed.). Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-551784-2.
- Edwards, Peter (1997). A Nation at War: Australian Politics, Society and Diplomacy during the Vietnam War 1965-1975. St Leonards NSW: Allen & Unwin in association with the Australian War Memorial. ISBN 1-86448-282-6.
- English, Michael (1999). The Riflemen: The Unit History of 3RAR in Vietnam 1971. Loftus, New South Wales: Australian Military History Publications. ISBN 1-876439-54-8.
- English, Michael (2008). Brave Lads: 3RAR in South Vietnam 1967–1968. Loftus, New South Wales: Australian Military History Publications. ISBN 978-0-9805674-0-3.
- Festberg, Alfred (1972). The Lineage of the Australian Army. Melbourne, Victoria: Allara Publishing. ISBN 978-0-85887-024-6.
- Horner, David (1995). The Gunners: A History of Australian Artillery. St Leonards: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 978-1-86373-917-7.
- ISBN 978-1-74175-374-5.
- Kuring, Ian (2004). Redcoats to Cams: A History of Australian Infantry 1788–2001. Loftus, New South Wales: Australian Military Historical Publications. ISBN 1-876439-99-8.
- McLachlan, Angus (2017). "SITREP: from Commander Forces Command". Ironsides: The Journal of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps: 7. OCLC 808384287.
- Lord, Cliff; Tennant, Julian (2000). ANZAC Elite: The Airborne and Special Forces Insignia of Australia and New Zealand. Wellington, New Zealand: IPL Books. ISBN 0-908876-10-6.
Further reading
- Bannister, Colin (1994). An Inch of Bravery: 3 RAR in the Malayan Emergency 1957–59. Canberra: Directorate of Public Affairs, Australian Army. ISBN 978-0-642-21207-8.
- Breen, Bob (1992). The Battle of Kapyong: 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, Korea 23–24 April 1951. Georges Heights, New South Wales: Headquarters Training Command, Australian Army. ISBN 978-0-642-18222-7.
- Breen, Bob (1994). The Battle of Maryang San: 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, 2–8 October 1951 (Second ed.). Georges Heights, New South Wales: Headquarters Training Command, Australian Army. ISBN 0-642-21308-9.
- McAulay, Lex (1988). The Battle of Coral: Vietnam Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral, May 1968. London, England: Arrow Books. ISBN 0-09-169091-9.
- Scott, Francis Peter (2007). Command in Vietnam: Reflections of a Commanding Officer. McCrae, Victoria: Slouch Hat Publications. ISBN 978-0-9758353-3-3.
- Stockings, Craig, ed. (2000). Paratroopers as Peacekeepers: 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment - East Timor 1999–2000. Sydney: [s.n.] OCLC 224442539.