1 September 2015
Italian Tankette on Display at the AWM
On loan from CanadianWarMuseum, the Carro Veloce (‘fast tank’) L3/33 is thought to have been captured in North Africa between 1940 and 1941 by British and Commonwealth troops.
In 1929 the Italians purchased a number of Vickers Carden-Loyd light tanks from Britain . The first version they produced under licence was the CV 29, after this came the CV 33. In 1938 the CV 33 was redesignated the CV L3/33.
It weighs approx 3 tonnes and is about 3m long and 1.5m high. Initially armed with a single machine gun, it was later equipped with two. The driver sat on the right hand side and the gunner on the left. Powered by a Fiat four-cylinder, 2.7 litre petrol engine, the CV’s small size is an advantage during reconnaissance work.
After its capture, the Carro Veloce was taken to England where it was examined before being sent to Canada. It will be on display at the Memorial about two years (an M3 Stuart from the AWM being displayed in Canada in exchange).
Interestingly, the Carden-Loyd light tank on which the CV design was based, was itself the basis for the Universal (Bren Gun) Carrier. This has been described as the most widely manufactured AFV in history.
Defence Force Reserves 2015 Conference (21 August 2015)
Still no outcomes, transcripts, or media releases. What’s happened?
Vale : Curly Templeton
From Gerry McCormack (see also earlier posts):
“Curly Templeton Drove off The Parade Ground yesterday, 31st Aug 2015.
His funeral was held at Palmdale just North of Gosford and was attended by about 200 people. Curly retired there in 1985 and set about making his mark on the district especially with Legacy. He was President of the local branch (Brisbane Waters) in 1989- 1990 and again 1997-1998.
His AATTV mates were in strength, especially his former CO during his time in SVN, Brig Ray Burnard.
Curly was selected from the NZ Territorial Forces to attend the NZArmy OTU and then by the NZ Army to be one of the 10 Kiwis to come to RMC Duntroon 1950-53. He graduated into the RNZAC but then transferred to the RAAC in 1957. His first posting was to 1 Armd that year, then promoted Capt and made Adjt Jan 1958 to KRG Coleman and then JM Maxwell. Over to 10th LH, back to 1 Armd on promotion and then StaffCollege, LWC and AATTV. Into the Directorate where he looked after the Lts and Capts of the 1970’s and made himself well known to us all.
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2 September 2015
Email Exchange With 1AR Assn Committee re Chris Leihy
Dear C’tee (30 August)
“I ascertained some time ago that unit associations are ‘free’ to list those whose death is largely associated with wounds they received on active service … as DOW.
A number of late Vietnam veterans are listed on the 1AR Assn Honour Roll on this basis. Is it possible for the 1AR Assn to establish if Chris should be listed in this way? (Circumstances relating to his service are copied below … a partialextract from mybook, ‘Canister! On! FIRE!’).See Blog post of 30 August.
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Dear Bruce (1 September)
Thanks for the concern re Chris status, your first point of call is DVA once they have determined the nature of his death and confirmed him as DOW we would certainly list him that way.
Again many thanks for your concern and good luck with DVA.
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Dear C’tee (1 September)
Thanks for your reply to my email.
May I remind you of my question: “Is it possible for the 1AR Assn to establishif Chris should be listed [on the 1AR Assn Honour Roll] in this way [ie. as DOW].
My purpose in asking was to draw attention to the wounds that Chris suffered in Vietnam and the consequent medical issues he endured throughout life (“Leihy had to have two cracked teeth removed. He was able to see again after three days. Later operations included triple spinal fusion, pins in an arm, and the insertion of a steel plate in his mouth. He later suffered major hearing loss and had to walk with the aid of sticks.”)
I had hoped that he might be honoured by the Assn with his listing on the Honour Roll, if it was found that these wounds wereresponsible forhis early death.
You avoided answering the question. Of course it is ‘possible’ for the 1AR Assn to do this … I was just being polite.
My question really was: ‘Will the 1AR Assn do it?’. Your response makes it clear that the Assn will not (though no reason is given).
You have stated that I (or anyone other than the Assn) need to establish the nature of the cause of Chris’ death by contacting DVA.
You are misinformed here. There are three (possibly four,I don’t know the details as to where Sgt S Stone was WIA) former members of 1AR listed on the1AR Assn Honour Roll whosedeath could be attributed to their wounds, but who died after the prescribed period of the Vietnam War.
I investigated at some length with the AWM and DVA as to how those in these circumstances could be respectfully honoured. DVA have no requirement (nor responsibility) to determine whether a soldier’s death (outside the prescribed period of a war) is attributable to active service.
I was able to establish that if unit associations determined that one of their membersdied as a result of wounds suffered, then they (ie. the unit associations) may list that person on their Honour Rolls.
How is the cause ofdeath established? It is up to the Unit Association to set guidelines. I would suggest that the first port of call (to use your phrase) is the Noticas information re the incident in which the wounding occurred. Following that, enquiries with the NOK/family are likely to verify the effect that the wounds had on the health of the member in later life; finally, the treating doctor could give an opinion.
Obviously, from your response,the 1AR Assn C’tee is not prepared to allocate resources for such an undertaking. (I’m surprised, as Iwould’ve expected this to be the very least that a unit association would be prepared to do for one of its deceasedmembers who had been WIA.)
Given that the Association representing the unit with which Chris was serving will not do so, individual members of 1st Armoured Regimentwillhonour his memory to the best of their ability.
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3 September 2015
VietnamCasualties
Just when we’ve got the PM and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs referring to the sacrifices made by servicepersonnelin Vietnam, a new book refers to “521men”. (The point being that not all 521 were men.) It’s easy to see how the Army newspaper can come to make the same mistake (see last week’s posts).
Of course in terms of misinformation, the fundamental omission is that of not qualifying the figure by noting that 521 is the number of fatalities up until 29 April 1975. The hundreds of others who have died as a direct result of their wounds after this date, are not mentioned.
Speaking of which …
Email Exchange With 1AR Assn Committee re Chris Leihy(cont from yesterday)
Dear Bruce (2 September)
“You are very quick to criticize the 1AR committee for not doing what you want, when you want, things take time and you of all people should know this. Instead of asking the Assoc to do something and then writing a rude letter when you don’t get you way, ASK the Committee is there anything I can do to make this happen?, we are not hear at your beck and call, we are all volunteers with families and full time jobs.
I am not going to let this become a political football and I am not going to get into an argument with you about this, but if you think that Chris`s early death is attributed to wounds he sustained and therefore should be classed as DOW, please get in touch with Chris`s family, because according to the Honor Roll dept of DVA (I have just spent an hour on the phone to them) the request must come from the family and they will have to produce all the medical evidence to DVA. I thank you for your concern which I believe is an genuine effort to honor Chris.”
Dear C’tee (2 September)
“If you believe that certification from DVA is required before the 1AR Assn can list someone as DOW on the Assn’s Honour Roll, then the Assn should remove the names of those currently listed whose deaths occurred outside the prescribed period of the Vietnam War; there are three … anotheris not listed on the Vietnam Nominal Roll so must be from another conflict. (I explained the actual requirements for such listing in my earlier email.)
You have spent an hour on the phone to DVA, I’ve spent years campaigning to have the sacrifice of those who die as a result of their wounds, but are ineligible to be listed on the AWM’s Roll of Honour because of the date of their death …. formally acknowledged by the Nation. Progress is slowly being made in this respect.
Second point … I simply askedif it was possible for the Assn to establish if Chris’s death was caused by his wounds (at this time I thought the Assn’s Vic Rep was in touch with Chris’s family).
If you’d simply said that the C’tee is keen to establish if this was the case, but is too busy to follow up at present … then help in doing so, could have been offered. Instead, you avoided the question, while making it clear that the Assn was not prepared todo anything along these lines.
So be it … others will seek to determine if the wounds of a member of the Assn whose tank detonated a mine and whosesubsequent operations included triple spinal fusion, pins in an arm, and the insertion of a steel plate in his mouth and who lived out his remaining life withmajor hearing loss and walked with the aid of sticks …has justification to be listed as DOW.”
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4 September 2015
September: Defence White Paper Month?
Everything is very quite… has the Dept of Finance finished doing the numbers?
Paratus.
The Paratus topic is becoming really interesting. Email (yesterday) to the Corps Historian:
“There is some discussion as to whetherParatusmeans ‘Ready’ or ‘Prepared’. (Both meanings are quoted in ‘official’ publications.)
Of course it’s usage goes back the Aust Tank Corps badge in 1927.
Do you happen to know of any documentation (letters patent etc) which indicate the origin of the motto?
There is an argument to suggest that it is wrong to attribute the meaning to a single word.
There is, for example, evidence of an oath taken by Roman legions:“We will do what is ordered and at every command we will beready“…the ‘ready’ beingParatus.
Also, in a military context, Paratus can mean “equipped”. That raises interesting speculation as to whether those who originally proposed the motto were aware of that interpretation, ie. a regiment fully prepared with the right kit,soldiers, and training to do the job.”
LAND 400 Phase 2 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV)
Tenders have closed and as reported previously, there are four contenders. The latest issue of the very up to date and comprehensive‘Defence Technology Review’provides some surprising news.
PreviouslyArmouredadvocatesadvised thatBAE Systems Australiaintend to offer the Patria Armoured Modular Vehicle (AMV). Built by Patria (Finland) the vehicle can be fitted with various turret options, and is currently in-service with a number of armies. Armour protection against 30 mm APFSDS rounds is part of the modular concept. Two uparmoured Polish Army vehicles were allegedly hit in Afghanistan by RPG-7 rockets, but were not penetrated. On the face of it, the main shortcoming would seem to be the pwr when fitted with maximum modular armour protection.
DTR advises that BAE systems have opted for a 35mm weapons system, compared to the 30mm turret options expected to equip the other contenders. The increased effectiveness of the armament is expected to be major plus, but the increased weight has to be wondered at. (Britain’s Warrior IFV is to be fitted with a 40mm gun, however, this is a tracked vehicle.)
A previous AA post advised that“GeneralDynamicsLandSystems & Thaleshave not decided which vehicle to offer. It is expected to be either LAV 700, LAV 6.0 or Piranha V”. No decision had been announced when DTR went to press yesterday.
What a great project this is. Major global AFV manufacturers are vying to offer a MOTS vehicle tailored to best meet Australia’s unique requirements. Fingers crossed that the project team will continue to be resourced to keep up the good work.
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5 September 2015
Communicating RAAC Matters
Last monthArmouredadvocatesasked why the RAAC Corporation didn’t use its own website to communicate with the RAAC ‘family’. The RAAC Corporation website has a ‘News’ page. Fingers crossed that the website will attract the attention it deserves and relevant news items will be posted accordingly.
RAAC ARES Units.
Previous posts have referred to a ‘crisis’ in the RAAC ARES. This refers to the possibility that RAAC units will be forced to adopt a dismounted ‘light cavalry’ (aka infantry) function, rather than maintaining a role of augmenting the ARA RAAC units.Armouredadvocatesprovided a position statement for the 2015 Defence Reserves Association Conference which was held recently (copied below).
So far no transcripts from the Conference have been made public, nor outcomes announced. The Shadow Assistant Minister for Defence, the Hon David Feeney, addressed the Conference and his Office has kindly provided a copy of his speech.
Two extracts from his speech are copied below:
“The capability requirement of Army Reserve is now precisely defined. Army Reserve must now stand up aReadyandDeployablemilitary capability every single year: a Battle Group Plus.”
“To add to this challenge, components of the Battle Group Plus generated by Army Reserve include specialists, who will require a special training focus. The cavalry force elements of 2 DIV must now be proficient in operating and sustaining PMVs, specifically Bushmasters. The plan of the former Labor Government to roll out Bushmasters to the cavalry of 2 DIV is a critical test for Plan BEERSHEBA; it is emblematic of the reality that Army Reserve is delivering a ready and deployable capability every year.”
It is clear that this concept is complexly at odds with RAAC ARES units being relegated to dismounted infantry. The Shadow Minister’s full speech can be found under ‘Articles’ … 2015 DRA Conference Speech
A Position Statement re the RAAC ARES for the2015 Defence Reserves Conference.
The function of RAAC ARES units is that of augmenting the RAAC ARA capability to conduct mobile operations.
The goal of RAAC ARES force structure is to provide for a regt HQ and both a cav and APC sqn to be linked with the multi-role ARA ‘ready’ brigade, as per Plan Beersheba.
The above structure is to be supported by remaining RAAC ARES units, using limited cadre and pool training assets, as required according to the status of their paired brigades as part of the ‘readying’ and ‘reset’ force generation cycle.
The functionof unit establishment reviews and resource allocation is to ensure that each three years, an RAAC ARES ACR (-) will reach the operational readiness level required to support the ARA multi-role ‘ready’ brigade and will be capable of maintaining this level of readiness for 12 months.
The above position statement recognizes that on-going commitment is required to agree unit roles, unit cadre entitlements, and training pool composition and location. Such a challenge, however, is well within the capabilities of ARA/ARES joint implementation arrangements.
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6 September 2015
Paratus
The research into the meaning attributed to it when the motto was decided upon continues … We have on one hand the oath taken by Roman legions: “We will do what is ordered and at every command we will beready”…the ‘ready’ beingParatus.
A number of other meanings are possible, however. For example, also in thecontext of the Roman legions,Paratuscan mean “equipped”. This raises interesting question as to whether the person who originally proposed the motto was aware of that interpretation, ie. a regiment fully prepared with the right kit,soldiers, and training to do the job.
At this point it is important toacknowledge that the significance of the original questionis not just that associated with military history per se, but rather that related to the fundamental acceptance of the motto by whicha Regiment serves, ie.if an attribution to a motto is made, then that becomes the heart of a Regiment’s tradition. It’s fascinating to think that there is so much more behind the motto, than that conveyed by a single word.
In terms of Paratus as ‘equipped’, General Sir John Monash is quoted as saying: “Make it your creed to equip yourself for life, not solely for your own benefit but for the benefit of the whole community.”
AWM.
Interesting time spent last week advising the AWM re captions for Vietnam photos not yet released to the public. Came across a photo of the late John McCarthy which was a better image than that shown on the Roll of Honour. Also noticed a photo of ‘Bud’ Abbott and Danny Handley which might be of interest to Military Heraldry and Technology team re the M113A1 in the Collection that they crewed.