A daring patrol was made by a troop of 9 Cav to the Joel Bourkoch. The squadron was then attached to the Indian brigaede in the Qatana area. As it neared Bourkoch early in the morning it ran into heavy fire and its retreat was cut off. The remainder of the squadron, a squadron of Circassian Cavalry and a party of batmen, cooks, clerks and others from RHQ hastened to their rescue. After a long exchange of fire, the patrol, except for the officer commanding, Lt J.L.D. Freguson and Sgt J.C. McEachern and a trooper, managed to withdraw; Ferguson and McEachern made their way back after dark, but the trooper was captured.

RAAC Related Units Involved Included:   9 Aust Div Cav

RAAC Battle Chronology

RAAC Bibliography                        Ref No 60 p477

Valour Awards To AAC Soldiers related to this battle.

(Citations accessible through SoArmd Website: RAAC Notes, Honours & Awards.)

Common Recommendation:

Between 0400 and 0600 2 Jul41 a dismounted patrol from Besi proceeded West up a re-entrant (BEY. F174172). Patrol consisted of Lt J.L.D. Ferguson, one Sgt and one other rank. Enemy concealed in position on right side near ruin BEY 173169 allowed patrol to cross ridge and then cut them off from behind. Believed probable that patrol taken prisoner. Enemy strength estimated at about 30 men dismounted, armed with rifles and 2 LMGs.

Patrol commanded by Lt W.K. Hope proceeded forward up the re-entrant, and when about 800 yards from ridge were fired on and Lt Hope was wounded. Tpr Stark was killed and his Bren LMG captured by enemy near crest of ridge.

Message sent to RMO Mouaddimiye who proceeded to Besi area and brought back Lt Hope under great difficulties. Enemy refrained from firing on them while Lt Hope’s wounds were being dressed. Lt Hope was evacuated to FDS at 1200hrs.

 2 July 1970   Poor Operational Fire Control Results In Ambush Of Friendly Forces, South Vietnam

A friendly fire incident of an ambush of friendly infantry by 1 Tp 3 Cav Regt brought about by a breakdown in command and control procedures at a high level. Ngai Giao, South Vietnam, Operation Quartermile

RAAC Related Units Involved:     1 Tp 3 Cav Regt

Other Significant Units Involved.            C Coy 8 RAR

RAAC Battle Chronology

SOArmd Operational Examples.        Annex D

RAAC Bibliography                        Ref GG p185-190

Ref No 16 p 362

1 Jul 1917   4 LHR In Action at Khasif

Cpl J. Gillespie, 4 LHR, RECOMMENDATION :

At Khasif on 1^st July 1917 for devotion to duty. This NCO had charge of 3 sections and brought fire to bear on 2 troops of Turkish cavalry which were infiltrating part of another squadron convincing the enemy to retire. During the whole action he set a fine example to his men.

Sgt R. Hampton, 4 LHR, RECOMMENDATION:

At Khasif on 1^st July 1917 he rendered valuable assistance in the ambushing of enemy. He set a fine example and was responsible for direction of five of his party.

Tpr H.C. Robertson, 4 LHR, RECOMMENDATION :

Gallantry at Khasif on 1^st July 1917. He was in charge of directed fire of a Hotchkiss gun and accounted for considerable casualties amongst the enemy.

1 July 1945 1^st Aust Armd Regt (AIF) Part of 7^th Div Landing At Balikpapan, Borneo

7^th Div Land at Balikpapan.

Tanks save lives.

RAAC Related Units Involved:     7^th Div AIF, including

1^st Aust Armd Regt (AIF) plus

2/1^st Armd Bde Recce Sqn   One troop tank dozers, one troop Frog flamethrowers (Matildas) and one Covenanter bridge-layer tank.

RAAC Battle Chronology

SOArmd Operational Examples.        Annex D Tactics: Terrain, Amphibious landings No 4

RAAC Bibliography                        Ref O p165 - 171

At 2:30 AM on the 30^th of June, 8^th LHR and 9^th LHR located on Russell's Top were attacked by the Turkish 18^th Regt from the Nek.

 Troops in forward saps and trenches engaged the Turks but are driven back but consolidate on Walkers Ridge and repulse the Turks. Turkish reinforcements flow from Baby 700 and into Monash Valley but are engaged by MGs from Pope’s Knoll and 2^nd LHR who had moved into the valley.

Russell’s Top was then retaken by the 8^th and 9^th LHRs.

7 LHR killed and 19 wounded against approximately 200 Turks killed and three times that wounded

RAAC Related Units Involved:     2^nd LHR

8^th LHR

9^th LHR

RAAC Bibliography            Ref No ZZZ p12-15

Ref No 1 p16-19

Ref No 3 p311-317

Ref No 12 p234-238

Valour Awards To ALH Soldiers related to this battle.

(Citations accessible through SoArmd Website: RAAC Notes, Honours & Awards.)

CAPT J. Bentley

RECOMMENDATION:

This officer has done splendid work in the trenches, and during the several engagements in which his regiment participated, notably at Walker’s Ridge on June 30^th and August 7^th and later at Hill 60 on August 30^th. He has never been absent from his duty for an hour and no medical officer could have carried out his duties more satisfactorily, or with more credit, than the officer referred to. His name has already been brought to notice by General Hughes in despatches after the operations on August 7^th.

TPR B. S. Sanderson

RECOMMENDATION:

When the attack was made on the 30^th June this man with four others was lying in a very dangerous sap in front of our firing line.  All the men with him were instantly either killed or wounded and Trooper Sanderson held the sap alone for almost about three hours.  By this time the attack had finally been suppressed.  He killed with his bayonet two Turks who jumped into the sap.  In the attack made by us on the 7^th August, Trooper Sanderson was in the troop on the extreme left of our first line. His troop suffered very heavy casualties when he was badly wounded in the leg by a bomb.  He succeeded in dragging himself back over heavy fire to our trenches.  His leg was subsequently amputated.

30 Jun 1942   9 Div Cav Regt Left Latakia to join Delta Force in Egypt.

9 Div Cav Regt Latakia in Syria to rejoin 9 Division as part of the Delta Force which was formed to defend Alexandria and the western edge of the Delta should Rommel’s Army advance beyond Al Elamein. 9 Div Cav tanks were obsolete and 22 below establishment.

RAAC Related Units Involved:    9 Div Cav Regt

RAAC Battle Chronology

Two squadrons of 5 LHR attacked south along Harris Ridge to the Balkan Pits and then turned east in a feint against the Echelon Trenches occupied by the Turks. Two troops of 7 LHR laid out on Holly Ridge observing Echelon Trenches.

The leading  two troops of 5LHR led by Lt Nimmo and Lt Bolingbroke were successful in reaching the deserted Balkan Pits and forced the Turks to withdraw further south to Twin Trenches when three destroyer rounds mistakenly landed in their position causing casualties.

The Turks regained the initiative and the 5LHR withdrew at dusk under the support of 6 LHR who had moved south into their previous position.

This action was instrumental in the Turks postponing their attack on Russell’s Top from The Nek

RAAC Related Units Involved:    2^nd LHBde

                                                            5 LHR

                                                            6 LHR

                                                            7 LHR

RAAC Bibliography                        Ref No 3 p292-299

Valour Awards To ALH Soldiers related to this battle.

(Citations accessible through SoArmd Website: RAAC Notes, Honours & Awards.)

28 Jun 65  Troop Leader’s Bravery Instrumental in Defending Troop Position, Phuoc Loc, Sth Vietnam

Valour Awards To RAAC Soldiers related to this battle.

(Citations accessible through SoArmd Website: RAAC Notes, Honours & Awards.)

CITATION

Captain Hill has commanded 1^st Armoured Personnel Carrier Troop of the Prince of Wales Light Horse since the arrival of the unit in South Vietnam in June 1965.

In addition to supporting 1^st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, to which the troop is attached, Captain Hill’s unit has participated in a number of operations under command of the American D16 Armour of 173 Airborne Brigade (Separate).  It was during one of these joint operations, on the night of 28 June 1965, that Captain Hill distinguished himself in a display of conspicuous gallantry.

While in a defensive position at the abandoned hamlet of PHUOC LOC in War Zone D, an attempt to infiltrate Captain Hill’s Troop perimeter was made at about 2200 hours.  Captain Hill rushed to the point of contact and assisted in repulsing the Viet Cong by throwing hand grenades.  During this action, he repeatedly exposed himself to fire and he was wounded in the right side.  Although in great pain, he refused to be evacuated and continued to direct the efforts of his men during the action and for the remainder of the night.  He was finally evacuated at approximately 0900 hours the next morning.

His bravery inspired those around him and was singularly instrumental in preventing the enemy from penetrating the tenuous position.  Captain Hill’s actions on the night of 28 June 1965 are indicative of the service he has rendered since coming to South Vietnam and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

Valour Awards To ALH Soldiers related to this battle.

(Citations accessible through SoArmd Website: RAAC Notes, Honours & Awards.)

RECOMMENDATION:

During operations of 4^th LH Regt near Khirbat on 25.6.17 he was in charge of a covering party supporting the retirement of a rear guard troop and while his party were retiring a horse fell stunning its rider 1309A Tpr  Grior. Corp Williams immediately rode back 200 yards under heavy rifle and machine gun fire and brought back Tpr Grior on his (William’s) horse Priors horse having galloped away. Lieut L A Austin witnessed this action.

25th June 1971 June    Shock Action by Tanks to Take Enemy Bunker System, Operation Hermit Park, South Vietnam.

A significant action, in that this was the only operation in Vietnam that infantry were tasked to support armour (rather than vice versa). Combined cavalry, tank, artillery and infantry attack on bunker system during Operation Hermit Park, Phuoc Tuy Province South Vietnam.

The wounds to tank crewmwere horrendous.

Reference includes Company Commander’s statement of principal lessons learnt.

Email 7 Apr 08 Lt Col  Bruce Cameron MC (Retd)

On 25 June 1971, Cpl Andy Anderson was commanding Centurion callsign 3Bravo when it was hit by an RPG.  Both he and his operator (Tpr Phil Barwick) were very badly wounded.  Lt Norman Fry was the commander of the NZ platoon (Victor Company, 4RAR/NZ) immediately behind 3Bravo.  He had previously served with the RNZAC and instinctively climbed up onto the back of the tank to assist the wounded crewmen and lower them to the ground.  He was helped by others from his platoon, one of whom (L/Cpl John Adams) was awarded the MM for his actions.  The two casualties were stabilised by the platoon medics and transferred to L/Cpl Peter Turner's APC (callsign 12Bravo) which had come forward to evacuate them.  The Commander's .30cal machine gun which has been hit by the RPG was retained after the action and returned to Australia by the Squadron Commander, Major Peter Bourke.  It can now be viewed in memory of the bravery of the crew, at the RAAC Memorial and Tank Museum, Puckapunyal.  

The driver of another Centurion, Tpr Peter Cadge, was also very seriously wounded by RPG shrapnel during the same contact.  (The tank that he was driving at the time   056      is now restored and on display in the grounds of the AWM.)

Phillip Barwick died from his wounds on 4 November 1988.  As this was after the end of the prescribed period for the Vietnam War, (29 April 1975), his name is not recorded on Australia's Roll of Honour. 

Bruce Cameron is leading a campaign to have the sacrifices of those such as Phil, formally acknowledged. 

RAAC Related Units Involved:     3 Tp, 5 Tp, SHQ C Sqn 1 Armd Regt

1 Tp A Sqn 3 Cav Regt

Other Significant Units Involved 2 Pl A Coy 4 RAR/NZ

                                                104 Fd Bty

SOArmd Operational Examples.        Annex F Significant Actions No 23

RAAC Battle Chronology

RAAC Bibliography                        Ref JJ p 180-184

Valour Awards To RAAC Soldiers related to this battle.

(Citations accessible through SoArmd Website: RAAC Notes, Honours & Awards.)

Citation includes:

“. ……On 25 June 1971, Corporal Anderson commanded the left flank tank of 3rd Troop of his Squadron during a Squadron assault on an occupied enemy bunker system in the north west of Phuoc Tuy Province. However, the progress of the assault was held up by a barrier of thick bamboo. Without regard for his personal safety, Corporal Anderson broke from the assault formation and maneuvered his tank to smash down the bamboo obstacle. The enemy was then forced to reveal his position by firing on Corporal Anderson's tank. As a result of his selfless act, Corporal Anderson was very seriously wounded.

Corporal Anderson at terrible personal cost on that day prepared the way for the destruction of the enemy force. His action was an inspiration to the remainder of the force and reflects great credit upon himself, his Regiment and the Australian Army.”

Citation includes:

“……On 25 June 1971, during Operation Hermit Park, Trooper Cadge was driving the Troop Leader's Tank of 5th Troop. The tank was engaged and hit by enemy rocket propelled grenade fire resulting in Trooper Cadge being very seriously wounded.

Trooper Cadge was unable to communicate with the remainder of the tank crew as his radio headset had been rendered inoperable by enemy fire. Seeing the mantelet cover above his head burning, he assumed that the tank was on fire and that the remaining members of his crew were in danger. Although badly wounded and still under enemy fire, he immediately stood up and attempted to go to their aid; in doing so, due to this wounds, he collapsed across the front of his tank.

Trooper Cadge was removed from the front of the tank by his troop leader and placed in a position of relative safety to the rear of his tank. He remained alone but calm in that position, after assurance that the rest of the crew were safe, until the enemy weapons were suppressed, the Troop position secured and his evacuation arranged………”

Valour Awards To ALH Soldiers related to this battle.

(Citations accessible through SoArmd Website: RAAC Notes, Honours & Awards.)

RECOMMENDATION includes:

“On 24^th June while in charge of a patrol reconnoitring towards the Wadi Imlich showed great dash and gallantry in obtaining necessary information reference the enemy’s dispositions a body of about 400 infantry having advanced from the Wadi Imlich towards the patrol  at point 300 with the apparent intention of delivering a surprise attack……….”

24-25 Jun 1941 B Sqn 6 Div Cav Regt tanks in Action Nort Est of Merdjayoun, Syria

Sgt T.L. Killeen’s tank was put out of action by shelling from four French guns whilst conducting a reconnaissance to the pass at the end of the valley NE of Merdjayoun. The second salvo broke the track. The troop Leader, Lt Hurrey, instructed him to repair the track whilst he moved on with his own and Cpl F.A. Lea’s tank.  Half an hour later, his own tank was destroyed by a mine concealed in a stubble paddock. Cpl B.E. Croucher the driver was killed and both Hurrey and the gunner Tpr N.C. Freeman were wounded.

On the following day lost two men when Cpl R.E. Miatke and Tpr R.J.Smith were wounded in an attack by French Glenn Martin bombers.

RAAC Related Units Involved:    6 Div Cav Regt

RAAC Battle Chronology