Happy Birthday to the Australian Army, 110 yrs young on March 1st........History

LEST WE FORGET

The Digger's unspoken, unbreakable creed was the miner's and bushman's, "Stand by your mate."

C.E.W. Bean, The AIF in France 1918      

                    The Australian Army turns 110 this Tuesday. March 1st. Lets put a moment aside, it doesn't take long! Stop and think, I mean really think about this Nation and the sacrifices that were made for us over the past 100 odd years and that are being made for us still today. 
                    How dare we sit idly by and allow this country to go down the dunny, how fucking dare we. Absolute disgrace and a punch in guts for our fallen, they are weeping from above as they watch this Nation turn into some sort of melting pot for those who do not give a fuck or one ounce of loyalty to Her.
                   We owe these men and women (and their four legged friends) no less than honour, we must give them respect and we must always stop and say 'thanks mate, thank you for allowing me the freedoms I enjoy today, thank you for leaving family and friends, comfort and warmth to go to far off lands to protect us, thank you for keeping us safe".  Thank-you for making this country the best in the world, we are a prosperous safe country through your sacrifice and I sincerely, faithfully and most genuinely, thank you.
                  I want to also say sorry to them, I am so sorry that you have endured disrespect and abuse from those who do not know the meaning of freedom and sacrifice, those who come to this country to abuse the very thing that you lay your life on the line for.  Free speech.  They abuse that privilege and I am sorry. I am sorry that these very people go about their daily business oblivious to the fact that if those precious sacrifices had not been made over this last century we would not be the country we are today. .....and, I am sorry that our Labor Govt. does not give you more support and basic necessities needed when deployed and the support needed when you return.
                  Our Army is regarded by all Nations as one of the best, the elite, and that regard is well founded.  They have been to so many campaigns and so many countries, forged many friendships in many nations and they have killed the enemies of Australia.  The Australian Army are protectors of the people no matter who you are, if you need help our men and women are there at the ready for you.

A BIT OF HISTORY 

sourced from:Federation Through The World Wars

LEST WE FORGET,past and present

• On 1 March 1901, 28,923 colonial soldiers, comprised of 1,457 permanent, 18,603 militia and 8,863 unpaid volunteers, were transferred to the new Australian Army.
• The Royal Australian Air Force was later established as a separate service, in 1921 the development of aviation and its use in war had not passed unnoticed, and by 1912 the Military Board had approved the formation of the Australian Flying Corps and the establishment of a Central Flying School at Point Cook, Victoria.
• In June 1911, the Royal Military College, Duntroon, was established.
• In 1911, 155,000 youths were registered, of whom 90,000 were in training, with 20,000 inducted each year until the outbreak of World War I.
• ANZAC Day was first marked on 25 April 1916, the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli the year before.  By early 1916, recruiting in Australia had made it possible to replace the ANZAC losses.
• Following the declaration of war on 4 August 1914, the Fisher Government's pledge of full support for Britain led to the raising of what became known as the Australian Imperial Force (AIF ).The AIF strength in France was maintained at some 117,000 men.  Its battle casualties for the three years of trench warfare between 1916 and 18 were over 181,000; of whom over 46,000 died. Another 114,000 were wounded, 16,000 gassed and nearly 4,000 were taken prisoners of war. In terms of total deaths per 1000 men mobilised, the AIF figure was 145 - the highest of all the British Commonwealth armies        
  
• The years between the wars were difficult for the Australian Army. The public’s reactions to the immense cost of the War were exhaustion, apathy and stagnation, compounded by national economic problems..
• In the decade prior to 1929, opposition to compulsory training scheme began to grow and the Australian Labor Party, elected on a policy which included the abolition of universal training, terminated the scheme in November 1929. Henceforth, Australia was to have an all-volunteer, primarily part-time 35,000 strong Army. In 1931, even though Japan invaded Manchuria international tension increased, unit strengths decreased even further.
• Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939 and two days later Britain and France were once more at war with Germany. Australia, as a consequence, was also at war on the 3rd of September 1939.  Australia went to war with an ill-equipped and incompletely trained Army, still home-bound by the provisions of the Defence Act  Strangely enough the first round fired by Britain and the Dominions was again fired from the Fort Nepean Battery. A freighter repeatedly refused to be identified and attempted to enter Port Phillip at 1.50 am on 4 September, only five hours after the declaration of war. One round was sufficient for the SS 'Woniora' to establish her friendly intentions..
•  1942, Australian losses for the whole period of the El Alamein operations from 7 July were 5809, including 1225 dead, 3638 wounded and 946 taken prisoner.
• In December 1941 Australia's seven militia divisions were mobilised and, early in January 1942, Australia agreed to redeploy the 1st Australian Corps (6th and 7th Divisions ) from the Middle East to the Far East.
• Allied intentions for 1943 included plans to recapture the Solomons as far as southern Bougainville, the New Guinea coast as far as Madang and the west coast of New Britain.
• From over 724 000 enlistments, with almost 400,000 serving outside Australia, there were over 18,000 deaths, 22 000 wounded and over 20 000 prisoners of war, mainly from the early stage of the war with Japan.
• In 1947, the Australian Army's involvement in multinational peacekeeping had commenced,.
• A National Service scheme was reintroduced in 1965. The cause was both Government concerns with Australia's capacity to deal effectively with direct security concerns in the region.  This period of national service involved, for most of the period, two years full-time duty.   
  
• For the Australian Army, the withdrawal from Vietnam represented the end of 33 years of continuous operational duties, which had commenced with World War II, continued through the occupation of Japan, the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency and Indonesian Confrontation to the Second Indo-China War in Vietnam. Army casualties in Vietnam were 413 KIA/DoW, two MIA, 2026 WIA, 64 non-battle deaths and 999 other casualties.
• With the election in December 1972 of a new Labor government under Gough Whitlam, the completion of the withdrawal from Vietnam and the ending of the National Service scheme were immediately effected.
• The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait began on 2 August 1990, initiating the Second Gulf War. The UN-sanctioned operation to liberate Kuwait commenced on 17 January 1991, with the land offensive following on 24 February. A ceasefire was declared on 28 February, with a formal end to hostilities on 12 April 1991.
• In September 1999, Australian troops were deployed to East Timor as part of the International Force East Timor (INTERFET), under the command of Major General Peter Cosgrove. In February 2000, governance of military operations was passed from INTERFET to the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) with Australia continuing to make a sizeable contribution. 
• In 2003, following a tense stand-off between Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and his refusal to allow international weapons inspectors into the country, Australia joined a multinational combat force to Iraq as part of Operation Falconer.
• Operation Slipper is Australia’s ongoing commitment to the war in Afghanistan against the Taliban and Al Qaeda terrorists.                
  

From the Sudan Contingent, the South Africa war, World War One and through to the end of World War Two, veterinarians have provided professional care for horses and other animals of the Australian Army. It is important to acknowledge veterinarians and those who served with them in war and peace, and allow them to take their honoured place in Australian Army history and to have their contributions recorded for future generations. 

The Victoria Cross for animals

The Dickin Medal, instituted by Mrs Maria Dickin, founder of the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals in England, was popularly referred to as "the animals’ VC". It was awarded to any animal displaying conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty associated with, or under the control of, any branch of the Armed Forces or Civil Defence units during World War II and its aftermath.
      At least two Australian carrier pigeons attached to the Australian Army have received the Dickin Medal:

The Dickin medal– the Victoria Cross for animals 

Corporal G.R. Rayner of No.3 Section (HQ) Carrier Pigeon Unit No.17 Loft, reading a message removed from the container seen on the bird's leg

• Blue bar cock No. 139:D/D:43:T Detachment 10 Pigeon Section (Type B) attached to Detachment 55 Port Craft Company, Madang 12 July 1945. Awarded the Dickin Medal for gallantry carrying a message through a severe tropical storm thereby bringing help to an army boat with a vital cargo, in danger of foundering.
• Blue chequer cock No. 879:D/D: 43: Q Loft No. 5 of 1 Australian Pigeon Section, attached to the US forces, Manus Island, Admiralty Islands 5th April 1944. Awarded the Dickin Medal for gallantry carrying a message through heavy fire thereby bringing relief to a Patrol surrounded and attacked by the enemy without other means of communication.        

Peacekeeping 1979-1996

UNCMAC (Korea - Truce Supervision) 1953-*
UNTSO (Middle East - Truce Supervision) 1956-*
ONUC (Congo - Medical Assistance) 1960-61.
UNTEA (West New Guinea - Helicopter Support) 1962.
UNYOM (Yemen - Truce Supervision) 1963.
UNIPOM (India/Pakistan - Truce Supervision) 1965-66.
UNDOF (Syria - Disengagement Observers) 1974-*
UNEF II (Sinai - Truce Supervision, Staff) 1976-80.
UNIFIL (Lebanon - Truce supervision) 1978.
From 1979, the scale of Australian Army commitments generally increased significantly, in several cases to major unit level:
Commonwealth Monitoring Force (CMF) (Rhodesia - Observers) 1979-80.
Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) Sinai - Aviation, Staff) 1982-86, 1993-*
UNIIMOG (Iran - Truce Supervision) 1988-90.
UNTAG (Namibia - Engineer Assistance) 1989-90.
UNMCTT (Afghanistan/Pakistan - Mine Clearance Training) 1989-93.
MIF I (Gulf - Air Defence Detachment for RAN ship) 1990-91.
MNF (I-K) (Iraq/Kuwait - miscellaneous detachments) 1990-91- see Gulf War 1990-91.
UNSCOM (Iraq - Inspection of weapons capabilities) 1991-1999.
MINURSO (Western Sahara - Communications) 1991-94.
UNAMIC (Cambodia - Communications) 1991-92.
UNTAC (Cambodia - Unit Communications, etc) 1992-93.
UNPROFOR (Former Yugoslav states – Observers) 1992-93.
UNOSOM (Somalia - Movement control) 1992; 1993-95 UNITAF (Somalia - Protection of Humanitarian Aid) 1992-93.
UNAMIR (Rwanda - Medical Support and Protection) 1994-95.
UNOMOZ (Mozambique - Military observers) 1994.
SPPKF , TMG/PMG (Bougainville) 1994, 1997-2003.
UNMIH (Haiti - Attached to US Forces) 1994-1995.
MINUGUA (Guatemala –-Military observers) 1997.
SFOR, KFOR (Yugoslavia and Kosovo - Peacekeeping) 1997-*
RAMSI (Solomon Islands – security) 2000-Present-*
UNMEE (Ethiopia/Eritrea - Training) 2000-2005.
IMATT (Sierra Leone - Advice and Training) 2000-2003.
UNMIS (Sudan - Air movement and logistics) 2005-*.
UNAMID (Darfur - Logistics and operations) 2007-*.


 Ladies In Lines, doco about women recruits
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A9NQs3YkvI
Part 2  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9comUsxDBOM&feature=related
Part 3  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfXtBW2pSPE&feature=related
Part 4  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhhUqKMeF70&feature=related 
Part 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSV5cTqqZNI&feature=related 
Western Front WW1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46SocXCb4MM  
Australian Army http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgVjcc1aghs
Dancing digger  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpIao6kNu2M  
Sabi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9sAO1MP05U  

 Hall Of Valour is now open in Canberra     http://www.awm.gov.au/visit/visit-mustsee-valour.asp

Remembrance   http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/    

People profiles, remarkable people   http://www.awm.gov.au/people/index.asp

Army http://www.army.gov.au/ahu/ 

Dept. Of Defense  http://www.defence.gov.au/ 

Army Internet links  http://www.army.gov.au/

Oceanskykhaki  http://oceanskykhaki.blogspot.com/  

Care packages for deployed http://concernedaussies.blogspot.com/2011/01/care-packages-for-our-deployed.html 

Disgrace  http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/soldiers-forced-to-pay-for-equipmentl/story-e6frea8c-1225929106776 


    

 

Care Packages For Our Deployed

SUPPORT YOUR TROOPS

In this household we respect the men and women who serve this Nation in a way that most of us could not.  We admire their courage and  honour their sacrifices.

  A couple of months back I was passing a shopping area and spotted an Aussie Flag so of course I wondered on over to have a sticky and seen a couple of old blokes with some flyers, I asked what was going on and one told me that they were veterans who were letting people know that our troops are going without basics and that a very well kept secret is about to be told.  I was intrigued, tell me more I say as I read the printed flyer.
Did you know that Australia Post allows 2kg FREE POSTAGE for care packages sent to our fellas who are deployed he says, and that you can do this up to 10times!.  I was smiling by this time.  I didn't smile for long as I read the flyer and discovered that our troops go without plenty that you and I would take for granted. Things like toothpaste for example, did you know they have used sand as a substitute. Lip balm, bet you didn't think about that scorching heat on their lips, and balls for their bomb sniffing dogs is a luxury.  I think we can do something about this if we try.
**********************************

Here is a list
They need things like longlife milk (small packages),
Books, cards, pens, writing paper, boardgames, magazines (no porn)
Batteries, tennis balls for their dogs, music and entertainment,
Female hygiene products, toothbushes, toothpaste, talc, soap, razor blades (not
the cheap no-name ones), shaving cream, mouth wash, moisturizer, lip balm (chap stick), shampoo,
conditioner, inner soles, foot powder, baby wipes, cotton buds, aftershave,
Twisties, chips, trail-mix, coffee and tea sachets, biscuits (not nuts or choc), oatmeal sachets, microwave rice (reject shop $2), microwave popcorn,, lollies,
Ring pull cans of tuna and salmon, small cereal boxes, powdered energy drinks,
Salt and pepper sachets, sauces and condiment sachets, sugar sachets,
Greek spices, spices that go with lamb or goat, cuppa soup, noodles,
disposable spoons and forks, dried food/fruit, drinking chocolate sachets.
******************************

I took a couple of flyers and went home and thought about it.  The next day I was at the local Chemist and they came good with some lip balm at cost, and when the women found out what it was for they were interested in getting some Care Packs together themselves.  Great!  Word was getting out.  Next stop was the local KFC and McDonalds to ask for sachets of sauces.  The young girl in KFC was great, she gave a bag full of sauces, disposable spoons forks and even some clean wipes.  Good on her!. I did not get anything from the manager at Maccas, I did not even bother to ask.  I did not want what I was doing to be soiled by anything negative someone may say.
The next few days was filled with gathering odds and ends, checking out secondhand books and getting the word out.  By weeks end there were about four boxes to be sent so off I went to the Post Office (which coincidentally is attached to the Chemist I spoke of) and wouldn't you know it, the lovely women there had been busy themselves and that kids from schools and women from the local knitting class were also donating goods and money for goods.  Truly inspiring.  I do not know exact numbers but would be confident in saying that through those two men that day in the shopping center with their Flag they were able to get hundreds of care packs sent to our troops. With the people I know who have sent packages there have been at least 20.
There are some good people out there who care about our men and women who are deployed and if in our own small way we can make them a little more comfortable well I am happy.
*  I would like to give a special thankyou to the guys (and girls) who work at The Pet Warehouse for donating close to 4kg of extra special goodies for our four legged friends at Christmas time.  That is the spirit we need.


This link is to oceanskykhaki and it has all the information you will need, it has the addresses to send the Care Packages, what you can put inside the packs, what can and cannot be sent,  make specialty Care packs.       http://oceanskykhaki.blogspot.com/
                                                                                              

AUSTRALIA POST allows 2kg FREE POSTAGE,  The Post Office is aware of the parcel arrangement with the Department of Defence.

ADDRESSES:
PARCELS/LETTERS

Sending to Afghanistan
An Australian Soldier
Op Slipper
AFPO 13
Australian Defence Force
SYDNEY NSW 2890

for the dog handler and his helpmate
An Australian EDD Handler
Op Slipper
AFPO 13
Australian Defence Force
SYDNEY NSW 2890

Sending to East Timor
An Australian Soldier
East Timor Operations
AFPO 61
Australian Defence Force
SYDNEY NSW 2890

Sending to the Solomon Islands
An Australian Soldier
Solomon Island Operations
AFPO 62
Australian Defence Force
SYDNEY NSW 2890

POSTCARDS ONLY
Messages to the Troops
R1-5-A056
Russell Offices
Department of Defence
 

'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. 

Protect them as they protect us 

Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. 

Amen.'