The Red Baron has always been one of the famous soldiers (or in this case airmen) of World War I and his death (he was shot down by some Australian machine gunners)  was one of the most famous incidents of the war and also in Australian military history.

Check out this video of his funeral.

Incidents in connection with the funeral of Captain Baron von Ritchofen, Germany’s leading airman.

At the time of his death, Baron von Richthofen was the greatest air ace of the First World War. He had shot down 80 opponents. As such his passing was treated with great respect and he was accorded a full military funeral. The funeral was conducted by the personnel of No. 3 Squadron Australian Flying Corps in the cemetery at Bertangles, a village near the city of Amiens. Six flying officers with the rank of captain, the same rank as Richthofen, served as pallbearers and other ranks from the squadron provided a guard of honour. A number of memorial wreaths were sent, including one from 5th Australian Division Headquarters and one from the Royal Air Force. Each wreath bore the German colours.

This footage is believed to have been shot by an official cinematographer from the War Records Department. A number of official reporters and photographers were also present to record such an historic event.

After his death Richthofen’s Fokker Triplane was taken apart by souvenir hunters. At the beginning of the film you can see members of No. 3 Squadron AFC, picking over the remnants of his aircraft. More on the Red Baron funeral is covered in the No 3 Squadron AFC unit history book – “The Battle Below“, a scarce Australian military book  which we have in stock.

In 1925 Richthofen’s body was recovered and buried in the Invalidenfriedh of Cemetery in Berlin. In 1975 his body was exhumed again and buried in his family’s tomb in Wiesbaden.

Good Reading,

Glenn and the Regimental Books Team

I just came across this very interesting video – the First World War in colour.

There isn’t much Australian military history content in it but if you are interested in the First World War, its certainly worth a watch.

Enjoy!

Glenn and the Regimental Books Team

A great new video from the Australian War Memorial.

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

Hi Folks,

I just came across an interesting video about ‘A’ Field Battery – Royal Australian Artillery – ‘The Airborne Gunners’.

‘A’ Field Battery is an airborne artillery battery of the Australian Army. The unit has been in existence since 1871, having originally been raised as part of the New South Wales colonial defence force. Today it is part of the 4th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, attached to the 3rd Brigade and is a component of the Army’s Airborne Battle Group.

‘A’ Field Battery was originally formed as ‘A’ Field Battery, New South Wales Artillery. The Battery served in the Sudan Campaign but saw only limited action as the war was near its end when it arrived. In 1899 the battery was renamed A Battery, Royal Australian Artillery and departed for the Second Boer War on the 30th December, 1899. During the war, the Battery was involved in several important actions, such as playing an important role in the capture of the Boer commander de Wet’s artillery pieces. ‘A’ Battery lost one man killed in action, two died of disease, and 45 men returned to Australia due to illness. For its service in South Africa, A Battery was presented a Kings Banner, and is believed to be the only Commonwealth artillery unit to have been honoured in this way.

Following the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, the Battery was among the first units of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) to leave Australia. Following a period of training and preparation in Egypt with the rest of the AIF, the unit served with distinction at Gallipoli (where only one gun was able to be brought to shore) and in France and Belgium on the Western Front.

Following the war, the Battery provided the personal escort and saluting battery during the Prince of Wales visit to Australia 1919. During the Prince’s visit, in acknowledgment of the Battery’s service in South Africa and during the First World War, the Battery was granted the right to wear the white lanyard on the left shoulder. As a result, the Battery is the only unit of the Royal Australian Artillery to do this.

During the period between the wars, the Battery undertook several changes in name, eventually being designated A Field Battery Royal Australian Artillery Regiment. At the outbreak of the Second World War A Field Battery were deployed at the School of Artillery and at Holsworthy Barracks, preventing their deployment to the Middle-East and North Africa. However, in July 1943 A Field Battery was re-designated yet again, as the 2nd Mountain Battery, and arrived in New Guinea in September that year. The Battery served in New Guinea from 1943–1944.

Following the end of the war, and returning to its original name, the Battery was part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan. It saw service during the Malayan Emergency, the Indonesian Confrontation and in Vietnam. In late 1987 the Battery assumed the role of parachute deployable artillery for the Airborne Battle Group, and has had personnel serve in non-artillery roles in East Timor / (Timor Leste), as well as deploying in artillery roles to Afghanistan and Iraq.

‘A’ Field Battery is currently equipped with six 105mm L119 Hamel guns. These guns have currently not seen operational service with the Australian Army.

For more information about ‘A’  Field Battery, we recommend the unit history:

History of ‘A’ Battery – Royal Australian Artillery

Good Reading.

Glenn and the Regimental Books Team

Hi Folks,

Here’s a great short video on Mosquito Bombers being manufactured in Australia during World War 2.

Enjoy!

Glenn and the Regimental Books Team