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3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment
Your FaithfullyJapan - Korea - Malaya - Borneo - Vietnam - East Timor - Solomons - Iraq - Afghanistan |
| History 3rd Battalion |
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| Royal Australian Regiment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Site Page Index Formation Japan 1946 - 1950 Korean War Korea to Kapyong The Battle of Kapyong Kapyong to Cease Fire Return to Australia 1954 Australia 1954 - 1957 Malaya 1957 - 1959 Australia 1959 - 1963 Malaya and Borneo 1963-1965 Australia 1965 - 1967 South Vietnam 1st Tour 1967 - 1968 Australia 1968 - 1971 South Vietnam 2nd Tour 1971 The Defence of Australia Period 1973 - 1999 East Timor 1999 Iraq 2003 Solomons Islands 2005 Australia 2006 - 2007 Afghanistan 2008 Theatres Of Service index Commanding Officers Regimental Sergeant Majors Allied Regiment - The Scotts Guards Allied Regiment - The Queens Royal Hussars Distinguished Unit Citation Regimental Marches Miscellaneous Battalion Information |
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| FORMATION 1945 |
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| In 1945, with the unconditional surrender of Japan, the necessity arose for the occupation of the country to enforce the terms of surrender. When it became known that Australian forces were to assist, preparations commenced to raise a volunteer force. Known as the ‘Interim Army’, the force was built around the newly created and designated 34th Australian Infantry Brigade, itself comprising the 65th, 66th, and 67th Battalion. These new battalions inherited the traditions and manpower from the entirety of the existing Australian wartime Army. The 65th Battalion was formed from volunteers from 7th Australian Division and the 2/40th Australian Infantry Battalion; the 66th drew its men from 9th Division and 1st Australian Corps troops whilst the 67th comprised volunteers from the 3rd, 6th and 11th Divisions. Thus the predecessor battalion to 3 RAR, the 67th Battalion, consisted of men who had the wide, collective experience of service in the Middle East, Greece, New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. The 34th Infantry Brigade was assembled at the island of Morotai in the North Moluccas making itself ready for service with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) in Japan. The importance of this new force can not be underestimated. For the first time in Australia’s history, the Army had raised a full-time, professional infantry force in peacetime. Previously, the Defence Act had not allowed regular troops in peacetime with the exception of some garrison artillery units and cadre staff to train the part-time militia. This full-time infantry force would play crucial roles in the coming Cold War conflicts and form the nucleus of the Australian Regular Army. |
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| Japan 1946 - 1950 The main body of 67th Australian Infantry Battalion arrived at Kure, Japan on 21 February 1946 and throughout its time in Japan, the Battalion served at Kahachi, Okayama, Haramuri, Kure, Hiro and Tokyo. The Battalion's tasks during this period included the screening of returning Japanese soldiers, the destruction of arms caches, the supervision of general elections, guard duties on various important buildings and installations, internal security, as well as normal military operations. It should be noted that the situation in Japan was far from guaranteed and the Brigade Training Instruction emphasized the need “to maintain the high standard of the discipline and fighting efficiency of the last years of the war.” Thus one can see that the new force inherited the ethics and proficiency of the wartime soldiers. In September 1947, the post-war defence planners determined that the erstwhile Permanent Military Forces would be known as the Australian Regular Army. Recruiting began for this new force began and those members of the Interim Army that wished to transfer across to the new force did so. After much debate, it was decided that the infantry battalions would adopt the British regimental system and thus the 67th Battalion was re designated the 3rd Battalion, The Australian Regiment. On 10 March 1949, HM King George VI approved the title ‘Royal’. |
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Korean War  |
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Korea up to Kapyong On 5 October 1950, the battalion deployed to take part in the 8th Army offensive to break out of the Pusan pocket. During the ensuing advance to the Yalu River, 3 RAR performed with great credit, covering some 400 miles and accounting for approximately 450 enemy killed, 1900 prisoners taken and 15 Armoured vehicles destroyed. The battalion's casualties were 13 killed and 34 wounded. By late October, the Battalion had reached the Pakchon-Chongju area, which also represented the northernmost extent of 3 RAR’s advance in the war. However it was here on 30 October 1950, that the CO, LTCOL Charlie Green was killed by a shell fragment exploding near his tent. Green was a highly competent and well-regarded CO and he remains the only CO of the RAR killed in action. In November 1950, the Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) entered the war. This resulted in the a reversal of the successes enjoyed over the last months; during the harsh winter of November and December 1950 the Allies were forced to withdraw across the 38th Parallel. On 4 January 1951, Seoul fell once again to the Communists. During the withdrawal, 3 RAR was employed in tasks ranging from rear guard actions to the defence of Corps HQ. |
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| Kapyong 22rd & 25th April 1951 The Chinese winter offensive was eventually halted and in February/March 1951, UN forces began to push the CCF slowly back. Seoul was recaptured by US troops on 14 March 1951.By 22 April 1951, 3 RAR and advanced as far as Kapyong where it was held in reserve while 50 km to the front, 6th Republic of Korea (ROK) Division held the frontline. The Battle of Kapyong, The seriousness of the breakthrough on the central front had been changed from defeat to victory by the gallant stand of these heroic and courageous soldiers who displayed such gallantry, determination and esprit de corps in accomplishing their mission as to set them apart and above other units participating in the campaign and by their achievements they have brought distinguished credit to themselves, their homelands and all freedom loving nations. United States Presidential Unit Citation, awarded to 3 RAR, 26 June 1951 Seeing another wave of communist Chinese troops advancing up the valley as the early dawn light silhouetted them against the towering mountains, Major Ben O’Dowd ordered his radio operator to call for immediate support. An officer of the US 1st Marine Division answered but, despite the obvious Australian accent, refused to believe it was O’Dowd’s radio operator calling. Fuming with rage and with seconds before the enemy arrived, O’Dowd grabbed the phone and demanded to speak to the American commanding officer. The general commanding the Marines came on the line, but when O’Dowd reported his position and the imminent attack, the American refused point blank to believe him. The American insisted the Australian forces no longer existed because the Chinese had wiped them out the night before. Losing patience and with the enemy almost on them, O’Dowd blasted back: `I’ve got news for you-we are still here and we are staying here’. The Battle It was 24 April, the eve of Anzac Day, and O’Dowd and his fellow Australians were fighting hand-to-hand for their lives as they repulsed one of the biggest Chinese offensives of the Korean War. All through the previous night they had been defending a series of ridges strung across the Kapyong River valley, trying to stop wave after wave of Chinese forces advancing south towards the capital, Seoul. The valley was a traditional invasion route and if the Chinese captured Seoul, they may have pushed the foreigners right off the Korean peninsula and won the war. But UN forces wanted to draw a line in the sand at the 38th parallel, the line of latitude 38 degrees north, where it crossed the Korean peninsula. The Australians were fighting about 60 kilometres northeast of Seoul as part of a United Nations force. O’Dowd was commander of A Company within the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, which was fighting as part of the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade. The Diggers were also fighting alongside Americans, Canadians, New Zealanders and South Koreans. The Commonwealth Brigade had occupied strategic defensive positions across the valley in an attempt to halt the Chinese advance. As a reserve, British soldiers of the 1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, held a position to the rear. On 23 April the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR), under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Ferguson, and the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, took up their positions on prominent hills on either side of the valley, near where a small tributary joined the Kapyong River. The Diggers, who had been assigned positions on ridges such as Hill 504 overlooking the Kapyong River and one of its smaller tributaries, dug themselves in on 23 April. It was a tiny force compared to the Chinese juggernaut. The Chinese launched their spring offensive south down the valley with an estimated 337,000 men in the main force across a 7-kilometre front, with an estimated 150,000 attacking further east. The expansive Kapyong valley was too large to defend with the forces available, and the defenders were spread very thinly. The Chinese first overran American tanks placed unwisely out in front of the infantry and without artillery support. Enterprisingly the Chinese, who had already occupied Seoul once, quickly overran South Korean forces defending the major invasion route. The Australians of the 3rd Battalion first realised the situation in the evening of 23 April, when South Korean forces came running back past Australian positions along with Korean civilians retreating from the Chinese. Much to the Australians’ surprise, within minutes Chinese soldiers themselves came running past in the night, chasing the retreating South Koreans. It was difficult to differentiate between the two Asian armies in the dark, with Chinese in among the retreating Koreans, but the shrewd O’Dowd had expected the worst. `I knew that Chinese soldiers would mix in with the civilians’, he said. They would be in civilian clothes or in uniform, in the half-light, and be penetrating to the rear in numbers. I rang the commanding officer and requested permission to open fire with the machine-guns to stop all movement on the road. This was refused on the grounds Republic of Korea soldiers could still be coming through. The odd shot rang out and I repeated my request. Nevertheless, the panic became justified as firing broke out around battalion HQ. The enemy was at our rear. O’Dowd and his men now had to watch their backs. This human wave initially swarmed between the positions of the Australian battalion’s A and B Companies and into the positions they were defending, so the Australians, all of whom were now fully alert, began to let them have it, firing at the Chinese charging in among them and stopping them in hand-to-hand combat. The Australians killed many, but the enemy soldiers kept on coming and by midnight the Australians were fighting for their lives as the communists began breaking into their inner defences. Throughout the night the Chinese used grenades and mortars, then repeatedly charged into the Australian positions in waves over their own dead and wounded. The Australians managed to keep them at bay. It was a close-run thing; no wonder the Americans thought O’Dowd had been killed. O’Dowd said: `Some of the Chinese soldiers did not carry weapons, just buckets of grenades. They had the job of keeping my Diggers’ heads down so their rifleman and machine-gunners could rush in and get among us’. The Chinese also attacked the nearby C Company and its highly respected commander, Captain Reg Saunders, the first Aboriginal commissioned officer in the Australian army. Saunders reported he had first been alerted to the attack by `the sound of small arms fire’ and `the crash of cannon’ and also seen `flashes of fire coming from the direction of Battalion headquarters’. Saunders `thought the communists were in a good position to cut off our Company’-he was right, as his men had not been able to stop the Chinese. Saunders had no alternative but to retreat. Then the enemy attacked the battalion headquarters deeper in the Allied lines in overwhelming numbers. The defenders had to withdraw towards the Middlesex position. This loss of the headquarters forced other Allied units to withdraw. It had been a tough night’s fighting. Mick Servos, a rifleman and forward scout, said the Chinese `were a tough and clever enemy and they just charged in, wave after wave after wave’. At least every twenty minutes on average through the night, he said, the massed Chinese attacks kept coming at the Australians defending their positions on the hills overlooking the Kapyong valley. When dawn broke on 24 April, most Australians had survived and were still defending their positions. The light enabled O’Dowd to see the Chinese getting ready for another attack on his position, which is when he phoned for support, only to be told by the Americans he had been wiped out. The American commanding officer’s reaction was understandable, though, because so many Chinese had infiltrated Australian positions during the night of 23 April. O’Dowd mounted a counterattack that forced the enemy back, but `there was absolutely nothing I could do to help my men, beyond walking up and down, watching for the possibility of a break-in and shouting encouragement while attacks were in progress’. The battle was to be largely O’Dowd’s. Although the Chinese were exposed on the floor of the valley in the daylight where Allied forces could reach them with artillery, during the night they kept creeping forward and the Australians had to stop them with fire or hand-to-hand fighting and bayonets. O’Dowd also called in New Zealand artillery support-he expected a better result in convincing the Kiwis he was still alive. Fighting continued throughout 24 April. The Australians held their positions, even though US airstrikes accidentally killed two Australians and wounded others with napalm-an example of `friendly fire’. The Canadians also fought off intensive attacks by the Chinese, refusing to be dislodged from their hill-top position. But it was plain the Australians would be unlikely to survive another night in such an exposed position without great losses, so they planned a night withdrawal along a ridge. Late on 24 April, with more Chinese arriving, the Australians were ordered to retreat to a position that had been successfully defended by the Middlesex men, then establish new front-line defences. Their fighting withdrawal was supported by New Zealand artillery from the 16th Field Regiment, and as they fired and fell back the Diggers attacked the enemy occupants of their former battalion headquarters, killing 81 Chinese soldiers at the cost of four Australian lives. The Australians had delivered a blow but continued their retreat to safer ground. Just before midnight on 24 April, the Australians were recovering at the Middlesex Regiment’s position where they had linked up again. On Anzac Day 1951, the Australians rested after their long fight. They could celebrate as they had slowed and blunted the Chinese offensive for long enough for the Americans to move in and rein force the Kapyong River front. It cost the 3rd Battalion thirty-two lives lost and 59 wounded, but the battalion had certainly stood up well against massive odds. The Australians had taken the brunt of the fighting that first night, with little food and water, limited ammunition and no mines or barbed wire to secure their positions. The 3rd Battalion held up the Chinese long enough for US reinforcements to reach the Kapyong River front and blunted the Chinese offensive, which never got going again. After Kapyong the Chinese made only one more attempt to break through UN lines, only to be stopped once again by the Americans. From then on, the 38th parallel was maintained by the Allies. Cease-fire talks began in July 1951. It was the most significant and important battle for Australian troops in Korea. The Diggers of the 3rd Battalion RAR, nicknamed `Old Faithful’, along with the Canadian and American units, were presented with the US Presidential Unit Citation. The commander of 3 RAR, Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Ferguson, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his skilful leader ship at Kapyong. It was a great achievement stopping the communist advance and the capture of Seoul, although it still cost thirty two Australians their lives. It was a big achievement in Korea and instructors in military academies described Kapyong as `the perfect defensive battle’. But few in Australia heard about Kapyong-in fact, so many knew so little about the Korean conflict it became known as the `Forgotten War’. The heroes of Kapyong returned to an Australia largely uninterested in their struggle. Australians had plenty of heroes and war stories from World War II. The Kapyong veterans received little public recognition and even found it difficult to gain repatriation benefits. More than one remembers being turned away from RSL clubs because `that wasn’t a proper war’. Defeating Chinese soldiers had also been downplayed by the great US General Douglas MacArthur, leader of the United Nations forces, who dismissed Mao’s army as `Chinese laundrymen’ who would flee at the first encounter with the Allies in Korea. MacArthur was dismissed just before the battle for failing to follow presidential orders. President Harry S. Truman said: I fired him because he wouldn’t respect the authority of the president. I didn’t fire him because he was a dumb son-of-a-bitch, although he was, but that’s not against the law for generals in the US Army. If it was, half to three-quarters of them would be in jail. The American leadership also made too many mistakes in the Battle of Kapyong-especially when they sent Corsair aircraft to hit Hill 504, believing no one could have survived the attacks of the night before, without making sure. The napalm attack killed two Australians and injured several others. |
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| Kapyong to the Cease Fire After the collapse of the Chinese offensive, 3RAR joined 28th British Commonwealth Infantry Brigade. During the following six months, by a series of deep patrols and probes, the battalion captured all its objectives in a UN drive to a position overlooking the strategically important Imjin River. During 2-8 October 1951,as part of ‘Operation Commando’, the battalion assisted in the capture of Point 355 and played a leading part in the capture of Maryang San (Point 317). In five days of heavy fighting, 3 RAR dislodged a numerically superior enemy from a position of great strength. This classic offensive action is acknowledged as an RAR battle honour and is studied by staff cadets at RMC as the acme of offensive operations and a textbook example of battlefield command at all levels. During this phase of operations, 3 RAR killed at least 280 Chinese soldiers and took 50 prisoners at the cost of 20 killed and 104 wounded. In the period from November 1951 to the Armistice, 3RAR occupied various positions in ‘Jamestown Line’ between 'The Hook' and Point 355 with brief periods in brigade and corps reserve. The role of the unit, like that of all UN forces, became one of defence; the holding of a strong defensive line extending across Korea just north of the 38th Parallel. During this period, 3RAR became known for the aggressive spirit displayed by its patrols and the procedures evolved by it were accepted as the basis of the Division's policy for the organisation and control of patrols. At the cessation of hostilities on 27 July 1953, the battalion was occupying Point 146. On 3 August 1953, it moved from there to its post-hostilities location at Area 6, on the ‘Jamestown Line’ |
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| Additional Information Introduction Index and Prefact (Part One) Battle Honours Decorations Foreign Awards Maryang San Korea Veteran Links Return to Index |
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| Return to Australia 1954 Despite the cease fire, 3 RAR remained in Korea for another 14 months improving its defensive position on the Kansas Line and conducting unit and sub-unit training. Eventually, however, on 12 October 1954, after serving continuously overseas since its formation in 1945, 3 RAR embarked in MV 'New Australia' for its return home. During the Korean War, 3 RAR casualties were 198 killed, 892 wounded and 38 missing in action. Perhaps because the Battalion was the first Australian Army unit in action in Korea and was still in the frontline when the fighting stopped, it became as 'Old Faithful' among other units serving there and is still referred to affectionately as such today. The Korean War blooded the newly created ARA and the battalions of the Regiment. It tested Australian infantry in both mobile operations and in defence; in both maintained the standards inherited from the Second World War veterans and provided experience to a new group of officers and men for future operations. |
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| Australia 1954 - 1957 The Battalion arrived in Brisbane on 20 October 1954 and paraded through the city. This was followed by similar parades through Sydney and Melbourne. Finally, the unit concentrated at Ingleburn on 1 February 1955. On Kapyong Day 1956, 3 RAR received the Queen's and Regimental Colours from the Governor General, Field Marshall Sir William Slim, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, GBE, DSO, MC, KStJ. From Ingleburn the Battalion moved to Holsworthy to undergo three months of intensive training in preparation for its deployment to Malaya and with this training completed embarked on the 'New Australia' in Sydney on 24 September 1957. |
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| Malaya 1957 - 1959 The next major conflict that the RAR was involved in was the Malayan Emergency. The Australian Government first committed a battalion in 1955 to assist Malayan Government counter incursion of ‘Communist Terrorists’ (CTs). However, it was not until October 1957 that 3 RAR arrived in theatre; it then commenced a period of acclimatisation at the FARELF Training Centre Kota Tingi (later to become the Jungle Warfare School). 3 RAR then moved to company base camps at Kuala Kangsar (BHQ), Lasah, Sungei, Siput, Penang and Lintang. The unit was engaged on anti-communist terrorist operations in northern Malaya. Operations began in November 1957 and as a result many terrorist camps and food dumps were located and destroyed. 3 RAR was accredited with killing 14 terrorists and was responsible for the capture of 32 others. Battalion casualties over the two years were two WIA and four who died of non-battle casualties. The Emergency was a section-level war that was different to the set piece battles of the Korean War. It gave the infantry soldiers a taste of low-level, jungle operations that would develop procedures and techniques later used in Vietnam. |
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| Australia 1959 - 1963 On its return to Australia in October 1959, 3 RAR established itself at Enoggera. It remained there for four years during which time it carried out routine training and barracks duties. In July 1960, the battalion was organised on the ‘Pentropic’ establishment, with five rifle companies and an enlarged headquarters. Based on the US ‘Pentomic’ model that was designed to counter the effects of tactical nuclear weapons on unit cohesion, the new organisation was probably the first real attempt to realise a combined arms battle group. Training as a battalion and a battle group was carried out culminating in divisional exercises in 1961 and 1962. The Pentropic model, which was fraught with problems pertaining to command and control, amongst others, since its inception, was discarded in 1964.. In this interregnum, the Battalion adjusted to peacetime soldiering at a time when the Army was adjusting to the new realities of possible ‘Cold War’ scenarios and slowly modernising itself. In early 1961, company groups conducted recruiting drives throughout Queensland. Later in 1961 companies conducted Armoured/ infantry training at Puckapunyal, Victoria. In 1962, the Aslt Pnr Pl cleared an old wartime minefield in Darwin. During 1961 and 1962 the battalion participated in the Northern Command Army Week celebrations with mechanised parades, assault river crossings and with helicopters demonstrating the mobility of the infantryman. In 1963, E Company moved to Cape York Peninsula to take part in Exercise BLOWDOWN, an exercise simulating the effects of an atomic blast and the subsequent fall-out under tropical conditions. July and August saw the battalion being air-lifted to Malaya for its second tour of duty there. Boeing 707 jets were used - a far cry from the troopship days of Korea. |
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| Malaya and Borneo 1963 - 1965  Australian troops were again deployed to Malaya after deterioration in the regional situation. At this time, there was growing concern about the spread of Communism in South-East Asia but Australia’s immediate worry was Indonesia. It opposed the creation of the Federation of Malaysia and soon Indonesian backed rebels began infiltrating across the border into Sarawak and Sabah. Thus began the Indonesian Confrontation or Konfrontasi. Therefore the second tour of Malaya began on July 1963 and 3 RAR again joined 28th Commonwealth Infantry Brigade, this time at Terendak near Malacca. Training for anti-terrorist operations began immediately and the Battalion was honoured to serve for the first time with the Scots Guards, its affiliated British Regiment. Acclimatisation and training were begun immediately and the first unit exercise was held in October 1963. Brigade exercises were held on the east coast of Malaya near Kuantan. The battalion moved to the Thailand-Malaya border on 20 February 1964 and was again involved in counter-insurgency operations against the communist terrorists. There it was under the command of a Malaysian, BRIG Syed Mohamed Bin Syed Ahmed Alsagolf Amn Pjk. Many old and new terrorist camps were discovered together with communist propaganda and stores. Illegal immigrants and smugglers were also apprehended. In late October 1964, an aggressive force of Indonesian troops landed at Kesang slightly south of Camp Terendak. The unit was alerted and a force went into action capturing more than 50 enemy without loss to the Battalion. Initially, the Australian government restricted 3RAR activity. In January 1965 the battalion was given clearance to be sent to Borneo, due to an increase in Indonesian activity. The battalion formally took over from the 1/7th Gurkahs on 22 March 1965 and joined the West Brigade. Battalion headquarters were stationed at Bau. Three of the four rifle companies were deployed forward to cover the border areas, with the fourth company remaining in reserve at Bau. 3RAR carried out operations on both sides of the border. Cross-border operations were code named “Claret”. The true nature of these operations was not publicly disclosed until 1974. 3RAR carried out 32 Claret operations during its four months in Borneo. These operations rarely resulted in enemy contact. Indonesian activity was small-scale and aimed to confront or challenge rather than attack. The periodic heavy mortaring of security bases was more customary than direct enemy contact. The next major and distinct phase of the conflict, was the decision to conduct Operation ‘CLARET’, aimed at ambushing Indonesian troops and supply parties close to the border as they infiltrated. Thus during March 1965, a serious threat developed in the Borneo states and the unit was once again alerted and on this occasion deployed in the state of Sarawak relatively close to the capital Kuching. This operation lasted some five months with the unit returning to Terendak at the end of July. The unit acquitted itself very well on this tour killing approximately 30 enemy troops for the loss of three of our own troops and an Iban tracker. The operations on the Indonesian border tested and honed the Battalion’s small level jungle skills and the ability to plan sustained complex operations in the jungle. The operations served as an excellent training ground for junior officers and NCOs for the forthcoming Vietnam conflict. The withdrawal of all Australian troops from Borneo via Singapore on 28th July 1974 meant that for the first time since its inception there were no battalions of the RAR on service overseas, although individual rifle companies from the RAR continued to be deployed to Malaysia to help provide security for the air base at Butterworth. |
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| 3 RAR in Borneo (5 March - 6 August 1965)
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| Australia 1965 - 1967 During this time, the situation in South East Asia had worsened and realising that the small Australian Army could not meet a number of commitments, the Australian Government introduced Selective National Service Scheme in October. This would eventually allow the RAR to expand to nine battalions- a far cry from the original three. The newly raised 7 RAR was built around a cadre of 3 RAR veterans. In September 1965, the Battalion returned to Woodside, South Australia. The official date of 3RAR's occupation of Kapyong Lines, Woodside, was 14 October 1965 .The Battalion was reformed after leave in 1966 and began training for operational service in South Vietnam. 3 RAR's advance party arrived in Saigon on 12 December 1967.The main body followed on HMAS Sydney departing from Outer Harbour, Adelaide on 16 December 1967. The main body of the Battalion arrived at Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province on 27 December 1967. |
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| Vietnam 1st Tour 1967 - 1968 |
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| Australia 1968 - 1971 After a period of leave, the Battalion reformed at Woodside in Jan 1969. Here, although remaining under strength, the Battalion continued training in preparation for a possible second tour of Vietnam. Major training activities included exercises at Puckapunyal, Canungra, Shoalwater Bay and the Flinders Ranges. Other incidents of note included Terence Cuneo completing the painting of the Kapyong Battle, which now hangs in the Officers' Mess and the battalion celebrated its 25th birthday on 15 October 1970. 3 RAR Pipes and Drums raised under the direction of Pipe Major SGT Des Ross. Royal Stewart tartan was chosen due to the Battalion's affiliation with the British Scots Guards. The Queen gave her approval on 19 Nov 74 and the traditional uniform has been worn on ceremonial occasions since. |
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Vietnam 2nd Tour |
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| The Defence of Australia Period 1973 - 1999 After Australia withdrew from Vietnam, defence policies revolved around defending the continent and retreating from the ‘forward defence’ stance that characterised the 1950s and 1960s. The most immediate and visible impact on the battalions of the RAR was the decision by the Labor Government in 1972 to abolish the Selective National Service Scheme. This meant that the nine battalions that existed would have to be reduced in number without the flow of national servicemen to swell the ranks. In the end, the Army decided to link battalions in order to preserve colours and traditions. 3 RAR returned to Woodside where it was to stay for the next ten years. On its return, 3 RAR found itself limited to low level training activities. The year 1973 began with 3 RAR being given a temporary role supporting the Army Reserve in South and Western Australia and being reduced to a strength of only 200 men comprising mainly officers and senior NCOs. The second half of 1973 saw a change of role for 3 RAR. In the Army reorganisation, 3 RAR was designated as a Field Force unit with a proposed strength of 560 all ranks. It was further planned that 3 RAR should make its future home in the Holsworthy area in Sydney, in barracks made vacant by the linking of 5 RAR and 7 RAR. This move was subsequently deferred due to a lack of married quarter accommodation. In December 1974, the battalion assisted in the task of housing Cyclone Tracy victims evacuated from Darwin to Adelaide. In 1975 saw the battalion receive priority for training and a gradual build up in strength began. The major activities during this time were aimed at developing infantry/armoured cooperation skills. Major ceremonial parades were held that year. A Trooping of the Colour was conducted at Torrens Parade Ground on 20 April 1975 to celebrate the 24th Anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong. The parade was reviewed by MAJGEN A.L. MacDonald, CB, OBE. The trooping was the first since the presentation of the Colours in 1956. The Pipes and Drums also paraded for the first time in the dress of the Scots Guards. Other historically significant ceremonial activities that year included the opening of a memorial stone at the camp entrance on 13 November 1975 and a 30th Birthday Parade on 14 November 1975. His Excellency, the Governor of South Australia, Sir Mark Oliphant, KBE unveiled the plaque on the stone commemorating 10 years residence of the Battalion at Woodside. The following morning the Colonel Commandant, LTGEN Sir Thomas Daly, KBE, BD, DSO reviewed the birthday parade; this parade was the Colonel Commandant's formal farewell from the Regiment prior to handing over his duties to MAJGEN C.M.I. Pearson, AO, DSO, OBE, MC. During this long period it conducted normal training activities and was often involved in providing assistance to the civil community. Perhaps the highlight of this peacetime soldiering was the provision of a Royal Guard for HM The Queen’s visit to Adelaide in 1977. After the parade, which went well, a small group of protesters tried to threaten the colours but were dissuaded when the colour escorts assumed the ‘On Guard’ position! Throughout 1976-1979, the battalion trained extensively in conventional operations and including tours by sub-units to Air Base, Butterworth in Malaysia. A highlight of 1979 was the Kapyong Parade held at Woodside for the first time in many years. The parade was conducted in the format of the 1950’s and the battalion paraded by platoons. 3 RAR’s training continued in mounted infantry, combat team and battle group tactics. This period was marred by the untimely loss of the CO, LTCOL Paul Mench, who died in a cliff fall in June 1980. 1981 proved to be a significant year in the history of the battalion. Finally, after it had first seriously contemplated a move in 1973, the unit moved to Holsworthy, NSW from Woodside, South Australia, ending a long association with that state. On 4 December 1981, a small but moving farewell parade was held at Kapyong Lines and by February 1982 the last elements of 3 RAR had been relocated in Holsworthy. 3 RAR's new barracks were formally designated Kapyong Lines during the Kapyong Day Parade, held at Holsworthy on 24 April 1982. The parade was reviewed by the CGS, LTGEN Sir Phillip Bennett, KBE, AO, DSO. This had special significance, as LTGEN Bennett was a platoon commander at the Battle of Kapyong.  However it was in 1983 that 3 RAR received news that would have the most dramatic impact on its future and role. Following a period where the Army sought to maintain specialist skills within the RAR, its seemed that 3 RAR would join its sister unit in 1st Brigade, 5/7 RAR, and become mechanised. However around 1980s there was talk of an airborne trial with the objective of expanding the current airborne capability. (6 RAR had formed an airborne company in 1974). In 1981, 3 RAR had begun sending soldiers to PTS for parachute training and by June 1983, Army Headquarters had approved 3 RAR becoming an airborne battalion. In October 1983, the battalion was designated a 'Parachute Infantry Battalion' and in December 1983, assumed responsibility for the Australian Army's conventional parachute capability. On 29 August 1985 the battalion was granted permission to wear the dull Cherry Beret, common to all parachute units worldwide. On 12 December 1985 approval was granted to wear parachute wings identical to those worn by the 1st Australian Parachute Battalion during the Second World War. Work developed on airborne scenarios and possible roles. Soon it became apparent that to be effective, 3 RAR would also need a supporting arms and services with it. To this end, the nascent '‘Parachute Battalion Group” began to be developed. During 1989 the battalion participated in its first Parachute Battalion Group (PBG) exercise to practice SPE/SAE, operations, under the direction of HQ 1 BDE commanded Brigadier Frank Hickling. 1989 also saw C Company deployment rotation of Rifle Company Butterworth, Malaysia. For the period 1990 to 1999, 3 RAR continued to hone its parachute skills and firmly establish the requisite Parachute Battalion Group affiliations. During this period, the battalion also continued to ensure that training did not lose sight of an operational focus and that it was significantly challenging and diverse in order to ensure the capability for which 3 RAR had been created was maintained. |
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East Timor
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| Iraq 2003  In late 2003, 3RAR was warned to provide a Company Headquarters and a four rifle section platoon for security duties in IRAQ on Operation CATALYST. This group was deployed to Baghdad from December 2003 to May 2004. It provided specific local protection to the Australian Diplomatic Mission in Baghdad. After a period of nearly four years involvement on operations, 2003 and 2004 saw 3RAR continue to focus on 'war fighting' and 'airborne-insertion' skills. This was successfully achieved through the reintroduction of the annual Airborne seminar, regular parachute continuation training, and both company and battalion group tactical insertion training during Exercises Arnhem, Crocodile and Swift Eagle respectively. The unit also saw the reintroduction of sub-unit deployments to Jungle Training Wing - Tully, and the assessed company activities at the Combat Training Centre (Live) - NQLD. |
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| Solomons Islands 2005  In January 2005, Bravo Company was called to deploy to the Solomon Islands on OP ANODE to restore order after the shooting of an Australian Federal Police officer. The company quickly established a presence and restored order. The deployment was marred by the accidental death in March 2005 of one of its soldiers, PTE Jamie Clark - 3 RAR's first operational casualty since the Vietnam War. |
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| Australia 2006 - 2007 2006 and 2007 were some of the busiest years in the battalion's history with, in a period of 18 months, the Battalion seeing continuous operational service across three separate theatres over six deployments. From February 2006 until March 2007 the Battalion returned companies to Baghdad as SECDET IX (C Coy) and SECDET X (A Coy). Both tours were eventful with several contacts, a rocket attack that injured four soldiers, and the death PTE Jake Kovco in a non-battle accident in April 2006 Australia's first casualty in Iraq and the subject of intense media attention. In March 2006 A Coy was sent to reinforce 1 RAR as violence broke out in the Solomon Island's capital Honiara. They returned in May 2006 after a successful mission to restore law and order. At Kapyong Parade in 2006 the Commanding Officer lost his voice on parade and called the RSM to him to give the words of command, including during the march around in slow time. The following year the RSM was called forward intentionally to march with the CO at the head of the parade a symbol to honour the service that RSMs give to their COs and the then CO declared that this honour would be preserved for all RSMs on Kapyong Day into the future. In May 2006 East Timor (now known as Timor Leste after Independence) again descended into violence between Army and Police political factions fuelled by ethnic divisions and public discontent. Despite having companies already deployed to the Solomon Islands on OP ANODE and Iraq on OP CATALYST, the Bn took command of a composite Battle group reinforced by infantry companies from 1 RAR (A Coy) and 2 RAR (C and D Coys). This was the first time in Regimental history that companies from three different infantry battalions had been battle grouped under one commander. 3 RAR contributed B Coy, Spt Coy, and Admin Coy and also commanded B Sqn 3/4 Cav Regt, a re-rolled artillery battery from 4 Fd Regt (G Coy), D Coy 2/1 RNZIR, and other attachments including Black hawk helicopters. Called "Battle group Faithful" the group comprised 930 soldiers from 23 units across the Army, put together with less than two weeks notice. The Battle group deployed by air and sea on 26 May 2006 and quickly re-established law and order in Dili as part of the JTF631, commanded by Commander 3rd Brigade. By August the security situation had stabilised enough to begin handing over to UN police and by the time the Battle group redeployed to Australia, after relief by the ANZAC Battle group led by 6 RAR on 19 Sep 2006, the Battle group had captured 1380 firearms, 1440 bladed weapons, and 428 detainees for the cost of no soldiers killed and only a few seriously injured. Unfortunately the violence did not abate and on the 2nd of March 2007 C Coy was sent to Timor Leste to reinforce the ANZAC Battle group and were in turn replaced by B Coy in June 2007. In August, after relatively calm elections, B Coy returned to Australia. Their arrival marked the return of all 3 RAR forces from operations for the first time since February 2006. |
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| Afghanistan 2008 - 2018  2008 saw Support Coy deploy to Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan as the Security Task Group (Combat Team Dagger) component of the Reconstruction Task Force 4. The rotation commenced in March 2008 with a valuable lead-in training period in Kuwait prior to receiving the handover from RTF-3. Highlights of the deployment include the establishment of a Patrol Base in the Baluchi Valley and the short-notice, high-priority deployment beyond the RTF AO to construct key bridges over the Andar and Moqur Rivers in Zabul and Ghazni Provinces. The challenging operation, known as OP ZABUL ASSIST, was successful, demonstrating the capability of the Combat Team and Task Force as a whole, and providing the opportunity to work with many coalition partners, including Dutch, Romanian, Canadian, US, UK and Afghan personnel. 3 RAR maintains a high readiness state as part of the ADF Ready Deployment Force. The Battalion is scheduled to move to Townsville in 2011 to join the rest of 3 Brigade, where it will maintain its Parachute capability, in the form of a smaller high-readiness Airborne Combat Team in place of the Parachute Battalion Group maintained up until this point. Whatever the future holds for the Battalion, Old Faithful will serve on and uphold the motto of the Royal Australian Regiment- Duty First. |
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Mechanised Infantry Role
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| 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment Theatres Of Service
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| 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment Distinguished Unit Citation |
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| 1. The US presidential Unit Citation was awarded to the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (23 and 24 April 1951), the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (24 and 25 April), and Company A, 72nd Heavy Tank Battalion (United States), (24 and 25 April 1951) for their actions at Kapyong on the 23rd and 24th of April 1951. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
US Presidential Unit Citation |
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2. The original text of the Citation reads: |
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| 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment Miscellaneous Information Battle Firsts 3RAR has the honour of being the: first into action, Korea Sep 50; First ten Regimental Battle Honours won by the RAR (Sariwon to Maryang-San); first to be awarded the US Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation (Kapyong); and first RAR battalion into Sarawak during the Indonesian Confrontation, Mar 65. The Colours On Kapyong Day 1956 at the Sydney Domain, The Queen's and Regimental Colours were presented by His Excellency The Governor-General of Australia, Field Marshal the Viscount Slim, KG, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, GBE, DSO, MC. New Queen's and Regimental Colours were presented to 3RAR by His Excellency the Governor-General Sir Ninian Stephen AK, GCMG, GCVO, KBE at Holsworthy on 24 Apr 85, during the Kapyong Parade. The Colours serve as a constant reminder to all members of 3RAR of their duty to their Sovereign and their Country. Although the battle honour Kapyong is a regimental honour, 3RAR is the only unit which celebrates Kapyong Day, 24 April, and is the only battalion authorised to carry the Kapyong Streamer. The Kapyong Streamer is of blue silk with the word 'Kapyong' emblazoned in white on it. It is the symbol of the granting of the Distinguished Unit Citation by the President of the United States. The Streamer is flown from the colour pike of the Regimental Colour, at all times when uncased. The only exception to this is on Kapyong Day when the Streamer is affixed by a dignitary invited to do so by the Commanding Officer. |
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| Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation The Distinguished Unit Citation was presented to 3RAR by the President of the United States of America. It is worn at all times by those who served with the battalion in the Battle of Kapyong, and by others whilst actually serving with the unit. The Citation is represented by the blue pennant on the Regimental Colour and by the blue rectangle which is worn above the right breast pocket. |
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| Battle Honour - Maryang San The 3RAR action to capture Hill 317 (Maryang San) as part of operation Commando, was recognised in April 1994 by the granting of Maryang San as a Regimental Battle Honour. |
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| Individual Award The highest individual award for a soldier serving as a member of the Battalion is the George Cross, awarded posthumously to Private H.W. (Slim) Madden whilst a prisoner of war in Korea. His memory is perpetuated by the naming of the soldiers' club at Holsworthy - The Madden Club. |
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| The affiliation with 2 PPCLI and 16 RNZA are of note as they date from the Battle of Kapyong, where 3RAR was also associated with Coy A 72nd Heavy US Tk Battalion now designated 1st Battalion 72nd US Armour. The affiliation with A Field Battery continues to be close as that battery is in direct support of the Battalion and previously supported the Battalion in Morotai, Malaysia and Vietnam. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Regimental and Battalion Ties The Regimental tie is of rifle green woven silk with a repeating miniature gold regimental badge motif. It may be worn by all present and past members of the RAR. The battalion tie is woollen and is a miniature of the Royal Stewart Tartan, identical to the kilts of the Battalions' Pipes and Drums and the tartan of the Scots Guards. The Battalion tie may be worn by all present and past members of 3RAR. |
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| Kapyong Day Parade The Kapyong Steamer is ceremonially affixed to the Regimental colour each Kapyong Day by a Kapyong veteran, and the Kapyong citation and Kapyong Prayer, are read by appropriate persons selected by the Commanding Officer. Kapyond Prayer Almighty God, maker of heaven and earth, hear our prayers this Kapyong Day, as we remember the gallant deeds of those members of this Battalion who won for us the high unit distinction which we honour. Please grant us the same strength and will you gave those who fought and died during the action in Kapyong. It is the same strength and will that has been displayed in the Battalion since then. Give to those who paid the supreme sacrifice, eternal rest. Let us not forget the relatives, and friends of our brothers who fell in Korea and the Battalion’s operations since then. May they derive great satisfaction from the deeds of their loved ones who gave their all for the cause of freedom. Comfort them, O Lord, and help them. May we be your agents ensuring help to them in times of need or distress. Copy of the 70th Anniversary Commemorative Service Conducted on the 24th April 2021 Linden Park. SA |
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| Honorary Member of 3 RAR Mr Choi Yung Kil, the Korean who served for so many years with 3RAR in Korea, was made an 'Honorary Member' of the Battalion on 24 Apr 69. |
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| Information Kindly supplied by: MAJOR D.J. HARRISON OC Spt Coy, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (Para) HOLSWORTHY NSW 2173 February, 2011 |
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| The 3 RAR Internet site gratefully acknowledges the assistance of 101 design of Wollongong. www.101design.com.au |