Well Fellas heres a few from the archieves for you.
Just kinda hope that it refreshes a few memories and makes you wonder what happened to all our old mates.
Don't forget the ADGie get together 31st August 2001.
Waratah-Mayfield RSL Club
Newcastle
---------------------------------------------------------
Contact July 1970
Phan-Rang Air Base South Vietnam
"The Haystacks"
The Members of Watch-Dog 22.
Brian (Blue) Miller Section Commander.
Ted Dutschke Rifleman (SLR)
Harry Fridd Rifleman
Chris Burris ( M79 Grenade Launcher)
Pommie Cornwell Radio-operator (F1 Sub Machine Gun)
Tony Marinac Rifleman
Attilio Caviato Rifleman (wounded)
Dave Eyres Rifleman
Ian Frazer( M60 GPMG)
Ian Devantier Rifleman
Just kind of hope that my memory serves me well, on this particular night the boys of Watch-Dog 22 was to be engaged in their first contact with Charlie marked as (XX).
A small group maybe 2 or 3 i'm not to sure of exactly how many where in this party or maybe they were a sapper group but at about 2-30 am all hell broke lose as the two forces contacted each other, Charlie had waltzed straight into us coming along a walking trail that passed through our position on its way to the canal that made its way along the fence.
As the VC came within a few yards of our position the M60 opened up to smother the sounds of the AK47 of the leading VC and as you can imagine that all charlie wanted to do was Didi-Mau back the way he came followed by as much lead as we could throw his way which we illuminated with flares from the base ( reported a couple of days later that 2 had died of gunshot wounds in the town of Phan Rang ) meant that our ambush had been successful.
After the intial contact Blue Miller pulled us back to the gunpits near the strip bridge just in case there were more, intent on coming along, we stayed in this position till dawn and returned to the ambush site to review the nights events, this is where i obtained a spent AK47 case of which i still have as reminder of that night.
Location Location
Left to Right
Paddy Fields used as point of entry to the Haystacks by the VC.
The Strip, to the left of this picture, the gunpits used by Watch-Dog 22 on the night.
The canal ran along the perimeter fence from the strip.
The 1968 2 Sqn Magazine
Many thanks to Les Williams for sending in these pages from the 1968,
2 Sqn Magazine, you might even recognise the odd face or two
Thanks Les
As long as its not late for tea
Hi Mr. Cornwell, Pom, Pommie, Sir,
I'm a little uncertain on how to address you so I hope you don't mind if I
call you POM. Pom, by way of introduction, I am Carol Dwyer, the WOD at 1RTU
in sunny South Australia(?). I am also the life partner of an ex ADG, and
still serving WOD - Harvey Grant Nicoll. I don't know if you know him or
not, but I'll assume that you do.
Harvey has been in the RAAF for 36 years now and is discharging on 11Nov
this year. It is my intention to organise a dining out night for him in the
Sergeants Mess here on Friday 2 Nov 01. I am aware of the vast array of
mates, friends, associates etc that Harvey has made over the time he has
been in the RAAF. Accordingly, I would like for as many of his friends,
especially from his past, to know of his impending discharge and in
particular the dining out night on the 2Nov01.
I was hoping that you might be in a position to help me with this. Would you
be able to send emails to or notify on the 'grapevine' as many 'old' ADG's
as possible to let them know what is going on?
Currently, I am only in the planning stages and to have people let me know
if they would be interested in attending would be greatly appreciated. I'm
trying to keep the costs of the dinner to a minimum and I hope that there
will be accommodation available on base for those that may travel from
interstate. We may be able to offer some accommodation from local people as
well, if that helps anyone. Obviously individuals will be responsible for
their own costs involved but like I said, I hope to keep it to a minimum.
So Pom, can you contact members of the association and tell them:
The event: celebrate the service that Harvey has provided the RAAF
The date: 2 Nov 01
Are people interested and can they attend?
If so can they contact me on: 083932401 (work)
Carol.Dwyer@defence.gov.au (email work)
carolanharvey@optusnet.com.au(email home)
Could you also tell people that as more info comes in and the plan develops,
I'll keep them informed. Also, I'd like for this to as big as surprise as
possible for Harvey, so "MUM's" the word. Thanks for your time, POM and I
hope I hear from you soon.
Carol Dwyer
WOFF
WOD 1RTU
Tel: 32401
DVA 105 Monday 9 July 2001
THIS WEEK IN HISTORY - OUR WARTIME HERITAGE
Issued by the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Bruce Scott, to foster
awareness of
Australia's wartime history and heritage during the Centenary of
Federation.
13-19 July
14 July 1918: About 1000 men of the German Asia Corps attacked positions
at Abu
Tellul, Palestine, held by the 1st Brigade of the Australian Light Horse.
The Germans
overwhelmed one post but encountered strong resistance at other points.
During
savage fighting in fierce heat, the Australians counter-attacked with a
bayonet charge,
chasing the enemy troops into a crossfire and defeating the attack. The
battle cost the
Australians 31 dead and 46 wounded, while the enemy forces suffered 105
dead and
45 wounded, with 425 taken prisoner.
15 July 1940: The Volunteer Defence Corps was established by the Returned Sailors
and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia (now the RSL). The VDC originally was
formed from World War I veterans and was modelled on the British Home Guard. In
May 1941, it came under control of the Military Board and was given the role of training
for guerilla warfare, providing defence of each unit's local area and protecting key
points. In February 1942, the government expanded the VDC and constituted it as a
corps of the Citizen Military Forces. Membership was opened to men between the
ages of 18 and 60 and, at its peak, the VDC had almost 100,000 members. The VDC
was disbanded on 24 August 1945.
17-18 July 1918: Lieutenant Albert Chalmers Borella, 26th Battalion, originally from
Borung, Victoria, won the Victoria Cross for his valour at Villers-Bretonneux, France.
While leading his platoon in an assault on an enemy support trench, Lieutenant Borella
noticed a machine gun that was still firing despite the Australian artillery barrage. He
ran out ahead of his men into the artillery barrage, shot the German gunners with his
revolver and captured the gun. Lieutenant Borella then led a small party against a
strongly held trench 200 metres beyond his actual objective. The German defenders
were showered with grenades and Lewis gun fire, with 30 enemy soldiers taken
prisoner. At the time he received his Victoria Cross, Lieutenant Borella was
approaching his 37th birthday, the oldest member of the 1st AIF to be decorated with the
VC.
19 July 1940: HMAS Sydney and three British destroyers clashed with the Italian
cruisers Giovanni Bande Nere and Bartolomeo Colleoni off Cape Spada at the north-
western tip of Crete. Under the command of Captain John Collins, Sydney fired on
Bande Nere, sending the Italian ships into retreat. Pursuing the enemy ships, the
Sydney scored a hit on Bartolomeo Colleoni's boiler room, setting her on fire and
bringing her to a stop. The Bartolomeo Colleoni was then sunk by a British torpedo.
The Australian ship pursued Bande Nere, but was forced to give up the chase. During
the engagement, only one hit landed on HMAS Sydney, holing a funnel but causing no
casualties.
DVA 104 Friday 6 July 2001
STUDY TO INVESTIGATE HEALTH OF F-111 MAINTENANCE CREWS
The Federal Government is seeking RAAF personnel and civilian contractors involved in the
desealing and resealing of F-111 aircraft at Amberley to take part in a comprehensive health
study, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Bruce
Scott, said today.
Mr Scott said the Department of Veterans' Affairs would advertise in print media
nationally over the weekend calling on serving and former maintenance personnel to
contact DVA if they had not already done so.
"This health study will complement the work of the RAAF Board of Inquiry, which this
week handed its report on the deseal/reseal program to the Chief of Air Force," he
said.
"DVA and the Board of Inquiry have already been approached by a number of
individuals who were involved in the maintenance program. It is possible, however,
that some personnel who were involved have not yet been in contact.
"It is important that everyone who has been involved be given the opportunity to take part in
the study, to ensure their health concerns are addressed."
DVA will contract a suitably qualified scientific organisation to undertake the study.
This will involve a thorough medical examination including blood testing, psychometric
testing and the completion of questionnaires that will also seek information about the
health of spouses, partners and children.
Participation in the health study will be on a voluntary basis and the maintenance of
privacy will be paramount. An independent Scientific Advisory Committee will oversee
the project.
Mr Scott said the health study was expected to take two years to complete, but
stressed that maintenance personnel did not need to wait for the study to finish in order
to seek assistance.
"Australian Defence Force personnel are eligible to claim compensation for any illness or
medical condition that they believe is related to their service," he said.
"I would encourage any personnel who believe they are suffering as a result of their service to
contact the Department of Veterans' Affairs as soon as possible about lodging a claim."
RAAF personnel and civilian contractors wishing to participate in the study, who have not yet
contacted the RAAF Board of Inquiry or DVA, should contact DVA during business hours on
07 3223 8757 by Friday 31 August 2001.
Media contact: Mark Croxford 02 6277 7802 or 0408 645 787
July's Link Line Mag now on site Fellas
Mate i'll post your message on our news page along with your email address
Wishing you success
the POM
----- Original Message -----
From: Brian Abraham
To: Robert Cornwall
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2001 12:33 PM
Subject: Vietnam
Bob,
Brian Dirou suggested I contact you in my quest to trace a couple of people who served as gunners in 9 sqdn in Vietnam on a flight on the 6th July 1969. They were part of a crew who lifted my brothers body out following a fire fight and I wish to contact them to see what if anything they recall of the event after all these years. I only have surnames, these being Neil and Gale.
Best Wishes, Brian Abraham
. Brian Abrahams ....emu@i-o.net.au
DVA 103 Friday 6 July 2001
NEW INCENTIVES FOR GPs TO TREAT RURAL VETERANS
The Liberal-National Government had strengthened its commitment to caring for veterans and war
widows living in rural areas in four States, with increased payments for general practitioners who
treated entitled members of the veteran community, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Bruce Scott,
said today.
Speaking at the WA RSL State, Mr Scott announced new fees for rural Local Medical Officers in
Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, who admit entitled veterans and
war widows for hospital treatment as veteran patients rather than as public patients.
For example, the fee for a hospital consultation will increase from $47.10 to $51.80 for the first
patient, while the fee for the removal of minor skin lesions will increase from $74.25 to $81.70.
The Minister said the new agreement was part of a Memorandum of Understanding between the
Repatriation Commission and the Australian Medical Association, aimed at further improving the
care provided to veterans by GPs registered as Local Medical Officers under the Repatriation
Comprehensive Care Scheme.
"Currently, many DVA entitled veterans with Gold Cards are being treated as public patients in
these rural areas, because public hospital fees for general practitioners are higher than through
DVA arrangements," Mr Scott said.
"Veterans are adamant that they want to be treated under the Gold Card which is their special
entitlement.
"This agreement will increase LMO fees for providing care to veterans by 10 per cent, to provide
parity with payments available through the State hospital system. These new arrangements should
be to the satisfaction of both veterans and their treating general practitioners."
Mr Scott said the Memorandum of Understanding recognised the central role that Local Medical
Officers play in coordinating health care that meets the individual needs of veterans or war widows.
"This agreement ensures that rural LMOs will be properly remunerated for this important role. The
increase in payments will also provide an additional incentive to encourage GPs to practice in rural
areas."
The new payments will take effect from 15 September 2001, with a one-off retrospective payment.
"The Liberal-National Government has made it a top priority to continually improve the level of health
care available to the one-third of veterans and war widows who live outside our cities," Mr Scott
said.
"This agreement represents another important step in carrying through our commitment to meet the
needs of those who have served their country."
Media Contact: Mark Croxford 02 6277 7820 or 0408 645 787
Dear Les,
Well mate welcome in young fella i've added your name to the 2 Sqn list plus our email address page as well
Regards the POM
Dear Pom,
I see my name is missing from the Phan Rang nominal roll,my number was
A117212 Williams Les,served Phan Rang 28/2/68 to 26/2/69 would you correct it
please. I was on no.7 ADG course.
Regards
Les.
. Les Williams 7 course
Opening of New GRDEF Section at Darwin
Pom, sorry I've not been in touch earlier but I don't check this thing as often as I should. I'll track down the names and dates of the blokes I was there with. I'll also get in touch with Aldo Kovic he was there for the end of INTERFET and the beginning of UNTAET, I'll get back to you.
Could you let it be known on the website that the grand opening of the new GRDEF section at Darwin will be on Thu 19 Jul time TBA, all serving and ex GRDEF personnel are welcome. For those wanting to know more give me a bell on (08) 892 38331 or Kenny Hazel on (08) 892 38333. We may be hard to get hold of this week as Ken is off swaning as a bus driver and has left me to do all the work (he hasn't changed).
Cheers Mate
Bung
----- Original Message -----
From: Robert Cornwell
To: Geoffrey Banning
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2001 12:49 PM
Subject: info needed
Gday Bung,
Well gday to the top end old mate, just a small request i'm starting to compile a nominal roll of East Timor ADGies could you help or do you know of someone who might be able.
regards the POM
N. Korea: Pilots Fought in Vietnam War
The Associated Press
Saturday, July 7, 2001; 12:51 a.m. EDT
SEOUL, South Korea -- North Korea sent fighter jet pilots to combat U.S. forces during the Vietnam War, the communist state's official news media reported.
It was the North's first official confirmation that its pilots participated in the Vietnam War.
North Korea's state-run Radio Pyongyang and Korean Central Television Station reported late Friday that representatives from the North's ruling Workers' Party met in October 1966 and decided to support North Vietnam during the war.
The reports quoted the late President Kim Il Sung, the father of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, as telling the pilots to "fight in the war as if the Vietnamese sky were your own sky," said Yonhap, the South's national news agency, which monitored the North Korean reports.
The reports also said North Korea provided North Vietnam with "numerous weapons and ammunition as well as 2 million sets of uniforms."
They did not reveal how many North Korean pilots were dispatched to the war.
Lee Chul Soo, a North Korean air force captain who defected to South Korea in 1998, had earlier said that more than 800 North Korean pilots flew Soviet-provided MiG jets to help North Vietnamese troops fight U.S. forces.
North Korea and Vietnam had remained close allies until bilateral relations began cooling with Hanoi's establishment of diplomatic ties with Seoul in 1992. South Korea is one of the largest foreign investors in Vietnam.
Kim Yong Nam, the head of North Korea's national assembly and its No. 2 man, will visit Hanoi July 11-14 to discuss bolstering ties. Kim, the ceremonial head of state, was invited by Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong.
President Luong plans to visit South Korea in late August, a South Korean foreign ministry official said.
South Korea also participated in the Vietnam War on the side of the United States. From 1965 to 1973, 320,000 South Korean soldiers were sent to Vietnam. The maximum number of South Korean troops there at one time was 50,000. More than 5,000 South Koreans were killed.
© Copyright 2001 The Associated Press
Nominal Roll of the Ubonities
Putting together a nominal roll of the Ubonities please help as there's no official one at this stage.
If you can supply serial no's name and the rest of the details as on the other rolls it would really help.
The POM.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day
I remember many years ago when I first learned of Armistice Day, now Veterans Day! November 11, 1918 was the date it started, on which the armistice asked for by Germany and granted by the Allies went into effect, at the close of WW 1. A most bloody loss of life on either side, and if anyone cares anymore, or even realize what was paid for what we all now take for granted. But many other conflicts have followed, and they too are barely noticed any more. I have seen those crosses, and Stars of David, from France to Arlington, for I never forgot my first time facing east with my first real friend.
Back in about 1940, I was a very young man, first being allowed to play in my yard at home. Now this was in an old neighborhood, and the streets were higher than the yards, here in Chicago, and we had long gangways with wooden planks to keep your feet from the mud. So I played with my little trucks, running along the neighbors fence and really keeping myself busy. Now this was a 3-story brick building and had tenants living in it. After the second day, it was very warm, and of course we didn't know what air conditioning was, so out side we came. But this day was different, when I got to the back yard, an old man was sitting in an old wooden chair, and had a light blanket over his knees. Startled I stopped, and looked at his face, and saw deepness in his eyes, and his face was hardened with life. I had never felt this way, for my experience at that age was very limited, but I was impressed, and of course curious to whom he was. I said, " Hi mister, I'm Don and I live upstairs in this house", Who are you? He replied, in an even tone, "I'm Bill and I live here too and I know you live here!" Then I noticed by his side was an old dog! I saw him but the dog didn't move. I asked, " Is that your dog Mister Bill?" " Yep had him a long time" The dog slowly got up and came toward me, he was brown and white, his fur was short, and dry, his eyes were red at the lids like they were sore. Is he OK Mister Bill? I asked? "Yes he's as good as he can be, for he's an old timer like me! I petted him, and asked, What's his name? Buster was the reply! I gave him a hug, and I immediately had a new friend. Buster, my first dog, but he didn't want to play much tho. I asked Mr. Bill, Do you want to use one of my trucks and run with me? And he looked at me with those eyes, and I saw a slight tear form at the corner of his eye, and he said, "not this time Don, I'm not up to par today, but someday I'll run again" I excused myself, for we learned to respect our elders or there would be hell to pay with dad's strap! I saw Bill, and buster, for a few months, and I really became his buddy, he talked a lot more and seemed to lighten up, and his eyes were different when I came around. Even old Buster would get up as a soldier, when I came and wagged his old stiff tail. We were buddies! My dad told me Bill was a wounded veteran, was shot and gassed. Of course I couldn't fully comprehend what all that meant, but my dad was very serious, and said, you be on your best manners. Well when dad spoke, that was law! But I was not a trouble, maker then I minded myself and always kept busy. One day, Bill, was sitting in his chair and looked sad. What's wrong Mr. Bill? Oh, it's a day that brings many things to me. Are they bad I asked? Yes And no! Now I was feeling bad for my new friend. He said, "Do you know what day it is today? No! I replied! Very soon, he said I will remember my friends, who are gone now! I asked are they far away? He said, yes very far! Will you ever go to see them? I asked? Yes, Don very soon! Can I come along with you and Buster I asked? No not this trip, but some day you will! I was sad not being able to go on a trip with Mr. Bill and Buster. He said, would you like to do me a favor? Of course! I was all puffed up, being asked by a grown up to do him a favour! Anything sir! Would you just help me to stand and face east, just for a couple min. I have to honor my friends. Do they live east I asked? Well, they are there, he said. Now the whistles in factories started to blow, and some horns in the far distance and he pulled himself up and I was trying to help with all my strength, Buster stood with his master, and leaned against my leg. He stood tall and looked young again! He snapped a salute, straight ahead to the east! He said, Like a sergeant, Do as I do, Salute with me, and you must promise me you will always do this every year, for you will honour my friends and me! This will be our secret code and will both know at this time you are thinking of me, and all my friends! Deal? I said,"I'll never forget Mr. Bill." And we stood there for what seemed a long time, and then he shrunk into his chair, with tears streaming down his weathered cheeks. I knew now was not the time to talk, I just backed away, for he was distant, somewhere else, with a slight twitch in his face, he just looked down, and I left. Many days went by got cold out side quickly. So I missed my friend who lived in the basement. So one day I brought some toys down to the basement, to look for my friends Mr. Bill and Buster. I knocked so lightly, no answer, I tried louder, but no one answered. Later I saw our land lady, I called her Cookie, for she always had a couple cookies for me. I asked, "Where is Mr. Bill and Buster?" She said, "Don, they have gone away." Where? Did he go with his friends/" Yes, you can say that! Oh! I so much wanted to go with him, and I started to cry. She said, "don't cry for he's happy, and Buster went with him too! I was broken! Then I later found out Mr. Bill died, mostly from the gas damage, and old Buster was put to sleep, for no one wanted him because he was too old.
So from that time till now I face East -On this day now called Veterans Day!
I Dedicate this to all the Mr. Bills and all those who have served HONORABLY for their country, and exposed their life to great harm, to them I owe my freedom!
May our flag forever wave proudly over our heads in freedom!
Harold Don Johnson NAVY
No 5 Course ADGies
Peter Simpson Collection
--------------------------------------------------------
Paul Tuck meets our future Prime Minister ??
Paul Tuck centre with Kim Beasley on right of photo.
Paul Tuck Collection
Who and Where are they now ??
No 30 ADG Section Leader Course
23-1-81.......14-4-81
Part of the Lawrie Gay Collection