The battalion was raised on 14 July 1966 at Enoggera in Queensland. It arrived in South Vietnam on 17 November 1969, relieving 9RAR on 25 November. The battalion formed part of the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) with 5RAR and 6RAR. It was based at Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy province.

One of the major operations the battalion engaged in was Operation Hammersley (10 February–9 March), a reconnaissance operation in the Long Hai area. On 18 February the battalion uncovered an enemy bunker system that had been evacuated as a result of air raids. The battalion spent the remainder of the operation carrying out patrols in the area in order to engage the enemy. This was primarily done with ambushes, which yielded good results with relatively small risks. The battalion was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation, including Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation, by the South Vietnamese government for its involvement in Hammersley.

During its tour 8RAR was mainly involved in pacification operations in Phuoc Tuy, which 1ATF had adopted as its first priority in April 1969. This involved seeking out and destroying the enemy in its base areas, preventing enemy access to the civilian population, and helping to create a secure climate for South Vietnamese social, political, and military life. The work was demanding, dangerous, and monotonous, but it was the primary task of the battalion during its tour.

As part of the pacification program 1ATF took part in Operation Cung Chung. This operation involved four phases of activity from 12 June 1970 to February 1971. Cung Chung involved intensive patrols and ambush. It aimed to deter the enemy from moving through the area by denying it access to food supplies, taxes, and troop recruitment. The operation was successful in limiting the ability of the Viet Cong (VC) to operate in the area but the stress of consistent patrolling placed a strain on the troops.

8RAR ceased operational involvement in October. It was not replaced and 1ATF fell to two-battalion strength. 8RAR arrived at Hamilton Wharf on 12 November 1970.

Available now in our online shop – limited numbers only so get in quick! Click here to buy it now!

Good Reading,

Glenn and the Regimental Books Team

Another great Australian War Memorial podcast.

Courtesy Shrine of Remembrance.

If you enjoyed this podcast, copies of Peter Ewer’s book about the Defence of Darwin is available for sale here.

Another great podcast from the Shrine of Remembrance.

After the third battle of Ypres in September 1917 the Australians were put in to hold the Messines Wytschaete sector and to prepare defences against the expected German spring offensive. The German offensive was launched opposite Amiens and the Australians were sent to meet it.

The heaviest fighting was around Villers Bretonneux which was retaken by the Australians. In May General Monash took command of the Australian Corps from General Birdwood. On 4th July the Battle of Hamel was fought by Australians and Americans under Australian command. On 8 August the Allied offensive took place with tanks and cavalry used on a large scale. General Monash knighted by King George V at Corps HQ Bertangles.

The capture of Mont St Quentin by the 2nd Division; Peronne captured at the same time. At Chuignes the 3rd Battalion captured their largest trophy ever, a 15 inch naval gun weighing over 500 tons. Prime Minister Hughes visited the front and met the AIF at Peronne. The AIF broke through the Hindenburg Line after the Americans were checked at Gillemont Farm. On 21 September 1918 the 53rd Battalion held a memorial parade at Quinconce.

Enjoy!

Glenn and the Regimental Books Team

Many Australians today are interested in the hard fought campaigns of their descendants. Are you looking to discover the military service of a relative or uncover the details of a hard fought battle?

Are you planning on becoming a battlefield tourist and follow in the footsteps of a relative who fought in a major battle in Europe, New Guinea, Turkey or North Africa?

As an ex-soldier and military history enthusiast, I’m really excited to announce that we have started to stock a great range of ‘Battleground Europe’ titles which include affordable titles on nearly all the major World War One battles and many of the World War Two battles. A few will no doubt end up in my own library – they really are quite well written.

In true Battleground style, the dramatic story of each battle is told through the actions of those involved in the fighting. Places and points of interest are highlighted and for those fortunate enough to visit the area there are excellent directions and hints on how to best capture the atmosphere.

If you are researching a particular battle or want a great guide during a battlefield tour, we highly recommend these series of books.

Available now from the World War One Battle section in the online shop. More titles will be stocked as they arrive over the next few weeks and months.

Glenn and the Regimental Books Team

Following our blog post about the new book ‘Beyond Hill 60’ by Will Davies, we have received a few pictures and great information from several of our customers – thank you to everyone who emailed us!

I thought I’d do a blog post on the Battle for Hill 60 and include these great pictures for everyone.

The Battle of Hill 60 was a British assault that was subsidiary to the Battle of Neuve Chapelle.

Hill 60 was a low rise on the southern flank of the Ypres Salient and was named for the 60 metre contour which marked its bounds. The hill had been captured by the Germans on December 10, 1914 from the French forces. After the Race for the Sea, it was obvious the Hill had to be retaken. A great deal of the fighting around Hill 60 was underground. The British immediately began tunneling a number of mines beneath the hill. By April 1915 twenty one mines had been completed. At 19:00 on April 17, 1915 the mines were detonated, demolishing a large part of the hill and killing many German soldiers occupying the trenches. The British battalions suffered only 7 casualties in capturing the hill.

Entrance to Hill 60 – November, 2008
Courtesy: Graham O’Brien

A German counter-attack succeeded in recapturing the hill but the British regained possession on April 18. Fighting continued until April 22.

Hill 60 was eventually taken by the Germans following a gas attack on 5 May 1915. The results were devastating. The front trenches were overrun when the forward companies were almost wiped out. Only 2 officers and 70 men from one battalion remained.

Summit of Hill 60 – November, 2008
Courtesy: Graham O’Brien

It was due to a stout defence by a platoon of the Devon and Dorsets and the Battalion Headquarter Staff of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment that a major breakthrough was prevented.

It is due to the heavy fighting for Hill 60 that 4 VCs were won during one night when the Germans attempted a re-capture.

The 1st Australian Tunneling Division took over mining operations in November 1916. At 03:10 on 7 June 1917, at the start of the Battle of Messines, 19 mines were detonated under the German lines.

The crater made was huge as evidenced by this photo. Jeff (photographer) stated that “Not sure how deep the water is in the crater but our guide said possibly 10 metres or more if I recall correctly”.

Close-in shot of the plaque on the Hill 60 Australian Memorial
Courtesy: Jeff Radcliffe

A memorial to the Australian troops killed here during the course of the war was later placed at the site.

Hill 60 Australian Memorial
Courtesy: Graham O’Brien

You can zoom in on the memorial to read the words and see a couple of bullet marks from World War 2.

Close-in shot of the plaque on the Hill 60 Australian Memorial
Courtesy: Jeff Radcliffe

There is also a movie coming out about Hill 60 this year (around April at a guess) called ‘Beneath Hill 60′.  The Facebook fan page for the movie can be found here.

Good Reading,

Glenn and the Regimental Books Team