PART 1 – GENERAL HISTORIES

 

This Part comprises Australian authors and publications which might generally be regarded as factual depictions of military history which features the RAR family. It includes those applicable Australian Official Histories as defined by the Australian Government/Australian War Memorial. For the complete list of the six series of Australian Official Histories, please click here.

GENERAL

ALLSOPP, Nigel – A Centenary of Australian Animals at War

InHouse Publishing, Underwood QLD, 2016

ISBN: 9781925388213 (pbk)

Illustrations, 282 pages.

The story of Australian animals deployed to war. Up to and including the Vietnam War, animals so deployed were not brought home, with the exception of MAJGEN Bridge’s horse. RAR soldiers have served with tracker dogs in most conflicts form the Malayan Emergency on, and more recently, these dogs are brought home and even awarded medals. Four-legged soldiers, some being members of the RAR who contribute to the fight with their RAR human handlers are included.

ALLSOPP, Nigel – Animals in Combat

New Holland Publishers, Chatswood NSW, 2014

ISBN: 9781742575131

Bibliography, photographs; 144 pages.

Some RAR battalions and their tracker dogs are mentioned in this book which provides a good coverage of the general purpose and deployment of animals in support of the modern Army.

ALLSOPP, Nigel – Smokey the War Dog: How a tiny Yorkshire Terrier became a hero on the front line

New Holland Publishers, Chatswood NSW, 2013

ISBN: 9781742574592

Black & white and colour photographs; 112 pages.

While the book is primarily about a WW II dog, the tracker dogs and their handlers of the RAR have part of their story related as well.

ANDERSON, Nola – Australian war Memorial: Treasures from a century of collecting

AWM/Murdoch Books, Crows’ Nest, 2012

ISBN: Nil

Index; 612 pages.

A handsome coverage of AWM’s holdings; Chapters 8-10 cover the RAR’s time of existence up to the date of publication. Includes are range of conflicts and deployments with images and descriptions of various battalions. The Acknowledgments section lists recent/current contact details of organisations/individuals known to be helpful with further research.

ANDREWS, Eric – The Department of Defence: The Australian Centenary of Defence Volume V

Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, 2001

ISBN: 0 19 554113 8

Notes, Bibliography; 348 pages.

This volume in The Australian Centenary History of Defence series of seven volumes traces the history of the Department from 1901 to 2000 including the ADF, and refers to many senior RAR members, but not units or their deployments. Useful high level background to RAR operations.

Anonymous – Australian War Diary: Australian Armed Forces in a changing world

Random House Australia, Sydney, 2010

ISBN: 9781864711202(hbk)

Index; multiple photographs; 174 pages.

A diary of stories of military significance in chronological order, for each of the three centuries spanned. These are paralleled by non-military stories to give social context . Mentions some RAR battalions in Korea, Malaya, Vietnam and has general references to other deployments.

Army Headquarters – The Australian Army in Profile 2004

Defence Publishing Service, Canberra, 2004

ISSN: 1441-5127

Multiple images and short articles; not page numbered.

One of a series of similar publications for each year. Has sections on Operations, The Working Army (exercises, DFACC tasks and specific unit snapshots, useful history and Year’s Best Photographs for period involving Iraq, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste. Features several RAR battalions.

Army Headquarters – The Australian Army in Profile 2006

Defence Publishing Services, Canberra, 2006

ISSN: 14415127

Colour and B & W photographs; 130 pages.

RAR units are named in this annual general publication.

Australia and the Vietnam War

Department of Veterans Affairs, Canberra, 2023

ISBN: 9780645409321

Index; 48 pages.

A general history of the Vietnam War and Australians engaged in it. Most of the images feature RAR soldiers and most battalions are mentioned.

BADMAN, Peter, EVANS, Alan, HURST, Doug & JORDAN Bede – Australians at War: Modern Military: Towards 2000

Time-Life Books, Sydney. 1989

ISBN-10: 0949118419

ISBN-13: 978-0949118417

Index, illustrations;168pp.

Volume 16 of the Time-Life series. General coverage of the ADF. Refers to the RAR as a component of the Army as the 20th century drew to a close.

BADSLEY, Stephen – Korean war

Bison Group, London (1990)

ISBN 10: 0861245962

ISBN 13: 9780861245963

Index; 80 pages.

Details the major battles and all of the events that comprised the crisis, from the problems left by the end of the Second World War, through the outbreak of hostilities, to attempts at a political solution. Refers to the Commonwealth contribution which included 1, 2 and 3 RAR.

BAYLY, Christopher & HARPER, Tim – Forgotten Wars: The End of Britain’s Asian Empire

Penguin, UK, 2008

ISBN: 0141017384

ISBN-13: 978-0141017389

Index; photographs, 704 pages.

This book is an account of the creation of the new Asia after the World War Two – a wave of nationalism that swept the British Empire aside. It tells the definitive story of how India, Pakistan, Burma and Malaysia came into existence and how British interference in Vietnam and Indonesia fatally shaped those countries’ futures. Lists several RAR battalions and 28 Commonwealth Brigade.

BEAUMONT, Joan – Australian Defence: Sources and Statistics: The Australian Centenary of Defence Volume VI

Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, 2001

ISBN: 0 19 554118 9

Maps, Illustrations, Index; 683 pages.

This volume in The Australian Centenary History of Defence series of seven volumes provides detailed sources and statistics underpinning Defence to 2001, data not found in any similar single source. Refers to many senior RAR members, and all of the major deployments up to 2001 in which RAR battalions participated, but not actual units themselves or any detail surrounding their deployments. Useful background to RAR operations in both Australia and whilst deployed.

BEAUMONT, Joan & CADZOW, Allison – Serving Our Country: Indigenous Australians, War Defence and Citizenship

New South Publishing University of NSW, Sydney, 2018

ISBN: 9871742235394 (paperback)

Maps, index, black & white and colour photographs, 445 pages.

Some indigenous RAR individuals feature in this social history.

BELHAM, David – The History of the 7th Brigade 1915-2015 – The Blue Diamonds

Doctrine Wing, Army Knowledge Group, Puckapunyal VIC, 2015

ISBN: Nil

Index, maps, photographs

An update of the 2008 edition, this one including operational deployments in the Middle East and elsewhere since that year. It is in effect, a different book. Mentions all RAR units comprising 7th Brigade and their contributions to those deployments.

Ben Roberts-Smith

Wikipedia

A general description of Ben Roberts-Smith, VC, MG, an ex-3 RAR soldier who then served in the SASR. Accessible at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Roberts-Smith#Military_career

BLAXLAND, John C – The Australian Army from Whitlam to Howard

Cambridge University Press, Port Melbourne, 2014

ISBN: 10 1107043654

ISBN: 13 9781107043657

Maps, Index, Bibliography, 420 pages.

Following an excellent introduction which deals with the origins of the Australian Army, this book provides a comprehensive coverage of the modern Army during the end of the Vietnam War, through the ‘long peace’ that followed, and into the escalating series of deployments to Somalia, Rwanda, Cambodia, East Timor, Solomon Islands, Afghanistan and Iraq up to 2011. Raises the concept of the “Asian Century” and Australia’s inevitable military involvement. Most RAR battalions are mentioned, including sub-unit deployments, and some individuals.

BLAXLAND, John, FIELDING, Marcus and GELLERFY, Thea (Editors) – Niche Wars: Australia in Afghanistan and Iraq 2001-2014

ANU Press, Canberra, 2020

ISBN: 9781760464028 (print)

ISBN: 9781760464035 (online)

Bibliography, images, maps, figures; 377 pages.

This publication examines Australia’s experience on military operations from 2001 to 2014 in Afghanistan and Iraq. RARs deployed in both wars either as the main component of battle groups or provided combat teams, and individuals in other roles during this time, under a range of titles.

 DOI: http://doi.org/10.22459/NW.2020. Online version accessible at https://press.anu.edu.au/publications/niche-wars

BLAXLAND, John, KELLY, Michael & HIGGINS, Liam Brewin – In from the cold: Reflections of Australia’s Korean War

ANU Press, Canberra, 2020

ISBN: 9781760462727

Black & White and coloured illustrations, maps, index, chronology; 319 pages.

Book includes the perspectives of leading academics, practitioners, and veterans (including RAR) contributing fresh ideas on the conduct and legacy of the Korean War.

BRADLEY Joyce, FOGARTY Bill, HOBBS Kate, Macpherson Paul, PIGGOTT Michael, SELF Bronwyn and STAMLEY Peter (Compilers) – Roll Call! A guide to genealogical sources in the Australian War Memorial

Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 1986

ISBN: 0 642 99495 1

Index, Bibliography, 150 pages.

A superb, if little known, source of support to researchers. This book describes the AWM’s research centre, sources of written and printed records and collections covering all of the conflicts up to the date of publication. RAR is mentioned in many places. Also provides contact locations and addresses for other sources of research support with a focus on genealogical records.

BARCLAY, Glen St. J – A very small insurance policy: the politics of Australian involvement in Vietnam

University of Queensland, Brisbane, 1988

ISBN-10: 0702220698

ISBN-13: 9780702220692

Index, references: 199 pages.

Political focus on Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam war. RARs are mentioned. 

CADZOW, Allison and JEBB, Mary Anne – Our Mob Served: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories of War and Defending Australia

Aboriginal Studies Press, Canberra, 2019

ISBN: 9780855750718

Name index, archival sources, colour and B & W photographs; 399 pages.

A short biography of many ATSI Service personnel. Service with the RAR is well represented.

CAMPBELL, Emma – The Last Post: a ceremony of love, loss and remembrance at the Australian War Memorial

New South Wales Publishing, Sydney, 2018

ISBN: 9781742235783

B & W and colour photographs, Index; 213 pages.

Material universal to all ADF and their relations; includes names and photographs of RAR members.

CHAMBERLAIN, Dennis J – History of the Bathurst contingents 1868 – 1987

Self-published, Bathurst NSW, 1987

ISBN: 0731602110

Illustrations, index; 192 pages.

Local history listings of its citizens who deployed over the period in question.

CHEESEMAN, Graeme & KETTLE, St John (Eds) – The new Australian militarism: undermining our future security

Pluto Press Australia, Leichardt NSW, 1990

ISBN: 9780949138568

Illustrated, index; 231 pages.

A coverage of the post-WW II directions in the nation leading to the multiple deployments overseas that involved RAR units of individuals.

CHARLTON, Bill – A Rugged Bunch of Diggers: Poetry by Bill Charlton

Charlton Publishing, Valentine NSW, 1999

ISBN: 0957762003

Colour and B & W photographs; 80 pages.

A must for anyone who has ever pulled on an Army boot. A book of poems, many of which are about RAR personalities and events in their Service with RAR battalions.

COATES, John – An Atlas of Australia’s Wars: The Centenary History of Defence Vol 7

Oxford University Press, Melbourne, 2001

ISBN: 0 19554 119 7

Index, bibliography, 424 pages

Part V – The Post World War II period covering the Korean War, Malayan Emergency and Confrontation and the Vietnam War.

Part VI – Post-Cold War period covering Iraq and Afghanistan with a brief coverage of Somalia, Rwanda and East Timor; all have relevance for the RAR.

COCHRANE, Peter – Australians at War

ABC Books, Sydney, 2001

ISBN: 0 7333 0917 8

Index, bibliography, colour and B & W photographs, maps; 272 pages.

RAR units feature in the last third of this general history.

CONNERY, David – The Battles Before: Case Studies of the Australian Army Leadership after the Vietnam War

Big Sky Publishing, Newport NSW, 2016

ISBN: 9781925520194 (pbk)

Index, Endnotes, Authors’ Biographies; 124 pages.

One of the Australian Military History Series (no 3) this book features several writers (two of them ex-RAR members) generating case studies of leadership. Many of these leaders are/were RAR members. Several RAR battalions are mentioned.

CONNERY, David (Colonel) – Which Division? Risk management and the Australian Army’s force structure after the Vietnam War

Australian Army History Unit, Canberra, 2017

ISBN: 9780987495990

39 pages.

An Occasional Paper in the AAHU series by that name. Mentions several RARs in the context of force structurepost – 1972.

COULTHARD–CLARK, Chris – The Encyclopaedia of Australia’s Battles (Second Edition)

 Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest NSW, 2010

ISBN: 1865086347

Illustrations, maps, Index, references; 320 pages.

Contains concise descriptions of all the major battles that have taken place in which Australians have been involved up to and including involvement in East Timor. Arranged chronologically, over 300 battles are detailed. A ready reference is provided, listing the date and location of each event, and the main units and commanders involved. Based on studies of historical records and first-hand accounts, and illustrated with explanatory maps, contemporary drawings and photographs of the fighting in progress, a concise and readable account of the course of the battle and its outcome is given

COULTHARD–CLARK, Chris – Where Australians Fought: The Encyclopaedia of Australia’s Battles

Allen & Unwin, Sydney, 2010

ISBN: 9781742373355

Index, Chronology of Battles; 320 pages.

Contains concise descriptions of all major battles over the past 200 years in which Australians have been involved including the Middle East and Afghanistan in the more recent editions. Most of the Battalions of the RAR are mentioned.

CROSS, JP – Jungle warfare: experiences and encounters

Pen and Sword Military, London, 2008

ISBN 13: 978184456665

Photographs, index; 271 pages.

Author, a Gurkha officer, uses British and Japanese examples from the Second World War and goes on to demonstrate how tactics and strategy developed in the Malay, Borneo and Indo-China theatres thereafter, all of which the RAR served in.

DARLINGTON, Robert – Sudan to Vietnam

Shakespeare Head Press, Drummoyne NSW, 1987

ISBN: 0 7320 0202 X

Multi-illustrated colour and B & W photographs; 232 pages.

Primarily a pictorial history with adequate general text to give sense to the good images. RARs and individual images feature in the Korean, Maya and Borneo and Vietnam chapters.

DEAN, Peter and MOSS, Tristan (Eds) – Fighting Australia’s Cold War – the nexus of strategy and operations in a multipolar Asia 1945-1965

ANU Press, Canberra, 2022

ISBN: 9781760464820

Index, Maps, footnotes; 206 pp.

Contains nine essays by different authors on BCOF Japan, Korea, Malaya and Borneo in the precursor period to the Vietnam War. RARs took part in all such conflicts; some are mentioned.

DENNIS, Peter & GREY, Jeffrey (editors) – Serving Vital Interests: Australia’s Strategic Planning in Peace and War

Australian Defence force Academy, Canberra, 1996

ISBN: 073170357X

153 pages.

Edited proceedings of the 1996 Australian Army History Conference. Mentions RAR.

DENNIS Peter, GREY Jeffery, PRIOR, Robin, MORRIS Ewan with CONNOR John – The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History

Oxford University Press, Melbourne, 1999

ISBN: 019 553 2279

Bibliographical references, photos and maps, 692 pages.

A comprehensive guide to Australian military experience containing over 800 individual entries written by leading military historians.

DENNIS, Peter and GREY Jeffery – The Second Fifty Years: The Australian Army 1947 – 1997

Australian Defence Academy, Canberra, 1997

ISBN: 073 170 3634 

Bibliographical references, 133 pages.

These proceedings of the Chief of Army’s History Conference provide a background to the history of the RAR.

DWYER, Vivienne – Duntroon: An artist’s impression

Lonsdale Gallery Press, Singleton NSW, 2004

ISBN: 9780975197806

Coloured paintings, index; 206 pages.

Visual story telling with some text that gives a good impression of the Duntroon environment where many RAR graduates have trained.

EDWARDS, Peter – Crises and Commitments: The Politics and Diplomacy of Australia’s Involvement in Southeast Asian Conflicts 1948-1965

Allen & Unwin in association with the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 1992

ISBN: 1863731849

Bibliography, index, 515 pages.

This Official History covers the domestic and international politics of Australia’s involvement in Southeast Asia and the commitment of the RAR to those conflicts.

EKINS, Ashley & STEWART, Elizabeth – War Wounds: Medicine and the trauma of conflict

Exisle Publishing Ltd, Wollombi NSW, 2011

ISBN: 978-1-921497-87-2

Notes, Index, Maps and Illustrations; 240 pp.

A series of chapters including Korea, Vietnam and Afghanistan. Mentions most RAR battalions through stories of veterans’ experiences of injury, battlefield treatment and subsequent recovery/healing pathways. Brings the history of warfare and military medicine together as experienced by both medical practitioners and the main users of that care, the RAR and other combatants.

FIELD, Paul – Gimme shelter: stories of courage, endurance and survival from the frontline and back home

Bonner Publishing Australia, Sydney, 2017

ISBN: Not identified

Illustrated; 291 pages.

16 different stories, some about RAR members from Vietnam to Afghanistan.

FINCHER, EB – The war in Korea: a first book

Franklin Watts, New York, 1981

ISBN-10: 0531043304

ISBN-13: 978-0531043301

Illustrated, bibliography, index; 327 pages.

Covers the Korean war from a primarily US perspective, includes reference to the other UN forces including the British Commonwealth Division in which 1, 2 and 3 RAR served.

FINLAYSON, Ian (Editor) – Army: A Brief History of the Australian Army

Big Sky Publishing, Newport NSW, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-925520-55-2

Colour and black and white photographs, maps; 166 pages.

An overview of campaigns in which the Australian Army has been involved, particularly the post-Vietnam era which are not yet well known. History and traditions are explained in Part 6. All RAR battalions feature. Four earlier editions exist, each revised by different people. A new first chapter covers pre-federation conflict between European settlement and the First Australians.

FIRKINS, Peter – The Australians in Nine Wars: Waikato to Long Tan

McGraw-Hill Book Company (Published in Australia by Rigby Co Ltd), 1971

ISBN: 007 021 0659

Index, bibliography, 460 pages.

The bulk of the book covers Australia’s wars up to the end of WW II. Book IV covers the post war period up to Long Tan.

FISHER, Victoria – Australian War Diary: Australian Armed Forces in a changing world: 1870-2010

Ransom House, North Sydney, 2010

ISBN: 9781864711202

Index, bibliography, photographs; 303 pages.

About half of this book is on the post- WW II era, the role played by the RAR in that time highlighted in the text and with photograph support.

FORTY, George – At war in Korea

Arms and Armour, London, 1998

ISBN-10: 1854094394

ISBN-13: 978-1854094391

Illustrated, index; 160 pages.

A collection of stories rather than a linear history covers the opposing armies, unique employment of the United Nations Command, use of helicopters in battle, the Chinese attack and spring offensive, presidential citations, life in the line, patrolling, propaganda, and prisoners of war. Reference to the British Commonwealth Division in which 1, 2 and 3 RAR served.

FOSTER, Jason K – A century of ANZACS

New Holland Publishers, Sydney, 2014

ISBN: 97881742573175

Colour and Black & white photographs; 384 pages.

A pictorial history of Australia’s involvement in more than one hundred years of war and peacekeeping.

FRAME, Tom – Living by the sword? The ethics of armed intervention

University of New South Wales Press, Sydney, 2004

ISBN: 0868405191

Index; bibliography and notes; 278 pages

14-chapter critique of the Australian military experience from a Christian ethical perspective. It surveys attitudes towards war and warfare from ancient to modern times, including deployments featuring the RAR. And asks if the Australian war tradition was relevant to campaigns against Iraq. Assesses recent emphasis on collective security and suggests some difficulties associated with recognising conscientious objection.

FRAME, Tom (Ed) – Moral Injury: Unseen wounds in an age of barbarism

UNSW Press, Sydney, 2015

ISBN: 9781742234656 (pkb)

Notes; 278 pp.

A collection of essays that cover personal, ethical, psychological, practical and religious perspectives on this issue. Involves references to RAR personnel including several in photographs. Also addresses these phenomena across armed conflict, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

FRAME, Tom (Ed) – The Long Road: Australia’s Train, Advise and Assist Missions

UNSW Press, Sydney, 2017

ISBN: 9781742235080

Index, notes, B & W photos; 390 pages.

Analyses the successes and failures of Australia’s efforts in Train, Adviser and Assist missions over the last fifty years. Most RAR battalions are mentioned across this book, being either the prime force, or through the provision of protection to non-Infantry-dominant deployments.

FRAME, Tom and PALAZZO, Albert (Eds) – Ethics under Fire: Challenges for the Australian Army

UNSW Press, Sydney, 2017

ISBN: 9781742235493

Index, Notes, B & W photos; 323 pages.

Several of the contributors to this book have served in the RAR which is mentioned frequently. The central them of the book is constantly a prime issue for all soldiers, but especially RAR members.

FRAME, Tom & PALAZZO, Albert (Editors) – On Ops – Lessons and Challenges for the Australian Army since East Timor

UNSW Press, Sydney, 2016

ISBN: 9781742235097 (pbk)

Notes/bibliographic references; 324 pages.

A wide ranging series of chapters that address issues from every deployment since East Timor, and Australia-based concerns facing the Army, including the RAR.

GILLING, Tom – The diggers of Kapyong

Allen and Unwin, Sydney, 2024

ISBN: 9781761068690

Maps, illustrated, 288 pages.

An account of Australia in the Korean War and how 3RAR held back an entire Chinese army division to prevent Seoul being overrun.

GOOT, Murray & TIFFEN, Rodney (Eds) – Australia’s Gulf War

Melbourne University Press, Carlton VIC, 1992

ISBN: 0522844634

Illustrations, index, bibliography; 304 pages.

An edition of papers covering Australia’s preparation for and involvement in the first Gulf War 1990-91.

GORDON, Harry – An eyewitness story of Australia (4th Edition)

Penguin, Ringwood VIC, 1988

ISBN: 0140118845

Illustrated, index, bibliography; 503 pages.

A widely published general text, includes coverage of the more widely known post-WW II deployments involving the RAR.

GRANDIN, Bob, SMITH Harry, KENDALL, Geoff, BUICK, Bob, SABBEN, Dave, SHANLEY, Morrie and ROBERTS, Adrian – The Battle of Long Tan

Allen and Unwin, Crows Nest NSW, 2019

ISBN: 978 1 76087 –726 2

Index; Maps, colour and black and white photographs; pages TBA.

2019 edition of the 2014 version of this book. Covers the most well-known battle, involving 6 RAR and supporting arms and services and RAAF, of the Vietnam war.

GRANT, I – Dictionary of Australian military history

Ransom House, Milsons Point NSW, 1992.

ISBN: 9780091825928

Index; 414 pages.

Covers Australia’s military history through to the Gulf War. Mentions RARs.

GOWER, Steve – The Australian War Memorial: A century on from the vision

Wakefield Press, Mile End SA, 2019

ISBN: 9781743056165

Index, colour and B & W photographs; 368 pages.

Many RAR personnel feature in the work of the AWM and are mentioned and/or feature in this work.

GREY, Jeffery – A Military History of Australia

Cambridge University Press, Melbourne, 1999

ISBN: 052 136 6593

284 pages, Index, bibliography.

Studies in Australian History Series which include reference to the RAR.

GREY, Jeffery – The Australian Army: The Australian Centenary History of Defence Volume 1 (of 7)

Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, 2001

ISBN: 019 554 1146

Index and bibliographic notes.

Volume 1 of a seven volume series by a range of authors. Chapters 6-8 provide coverage of the RAR. It is a history of the Army as an institution; not a history of battles or deployments.

GUDMUNDSSON, Bruce and ENGLISH, John – On Infantry

Praeger Publisher, 1994

ISBN-10: ‎ 027594588X

ISBN-13: ‎ 978-0275945886

Illustrated, index; 214 pages.

Although the RAR is not mentioned in this book, it is one of the classics on the Corps. Placed on the Chief of Army’s recommended reading list. Affects all RAR members.

HACKWORTH, David & SHERMAN, Julie – About face: the odyssey of an American warrior

Simon and Shuster, New York, 1990

ISBN-10: 0671695347

ISBN-13: 9780671695347

Illustrations, index. References; 897 pages

A seminal source by one of the world’s eminent soldiers to also serve in Vietnam. Colonel David H. Hackworth served in the US military for twenty-five years and received 110 medals for his service as an Infantryman. The book provides unique insight into what the RAR battalions also faced in Vietnam.

HALL, R – A long bridge in time: The 1st Australian Task Force in Vietnam via Malaya and Borneo

In Trust and Leadership: The Australian Army Approach to Mission Command, ed RW Glenn, University of Georgia Press, Dahlonega, GA, 2020

Endnotes; pp 127-155.

Mentions most RARs in this chapter.

HALL, Robert A – Fighters from the Fringe: Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders recall the Second World War

Aboriginal Studies Press, Canberra, 1995

ISBN: 0 85575 286 6 (pbk)

Index, bibliography, black and white photos; 218 pages

Contains information about indigenous soldiers i.e. Charlie Mene and Reg Saunders who went on to serve as RAR members.

HALL, Robert A – The Black Diggers: Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders in the Second World War

Allen and Unwin, North Sydney, 1989

ISBN: 9780045200054 (pbk)

Index, bibliography, notes, black and white photos; 228 pages.

Contains information about indigenous soldiers i.e. Charlie Mene and Reg Saunders who went on to serve as RAR members.

HARPUR, James – War without End: Conflict in Indo-China

Pearson Education Aust, South Melbourne, 1990, 1995

ISBN: 0 58271197 5

Index, black and white photographs, glossary, bibliography, annotated documentary list, chronology; 198 pages.

This book provides a detailed account of the history of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos and the changes that have occurred in those countries since the mid-nineteenth century. Australian involvement including the RAR is documented.

HARRISON-FORD, Carl – Fighting Words: Australian War Writing

Lothian Press Inc, New York, 1986

ISBN10: 0850912482

ISBN13: 978-0850912487

362 pages.

Addresses a range of writings about and some by RAR authors.

HAYNES, Jim – The big book of Australia’s war stories

Allen and Unwin, Crows Nest NSW, 2019

ISBN: 978 1 76087 – 561 – 9

Maps, photographs, Index; 238 pages.

A book of chapters, some written by other authors, that cover a range of campaigns and individual battles. These include Korea, Malaya and Vietnam among which the RAR battalions are mentioned. Most are good summaries of the battle/campaign in question.

HORNER, David – Defence Supremo: Sir Frederick Sheddon and the making of Australian defence policy

Allen & Unwin, Sydney, 2000

ISBN10: 186082805

ISBN13: 9781865082806

Black and white photographs, references, indexes; 440 pages.

Sheddon was instrumental in foreign /defence policy making during the Korean War and Malaya Campaign. This book gives detailed background to the deployment of the RAR battalions to those theatres of war.

HORNER, David – Making the Australian Defence Force

Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, 2001

ISBN: 019 554 1179

Bibliography, index.

Covers the development of the Australian Defence Force and Joint Force operational capability in the post Vietnam era. Chapter 7 on Land Combat Forces has particular relevance for the RAR, referring to many of the battalions and SASR.

HORNER, David – Phantoms of War: A History of the Australian Special Air Service (Second ed.)

Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, 2002

ISBN 10: 1865086479

ISBN 13: 10865086479

Illustrated, index; 616 pages.

Second edition; covers the SASR and mentions RAR; SASR started in the RAR as a company sized-unit.

HORNER, David – Strategy and Command: Issues in Australia’s Twentieth Century Wars

Cambridge University Press, Melbourne, 2022

ISBN:9781316512371

Illustrated, maps, tables, bibliography, index; 356 pages.

In the Australian Army History Series edited by Peter Stanley, this book is a compilation of half a century of research and writing on military history by one of Australia’s pre-eminent military historians. It is a crucial read for anyone interested in Australia’s involvement in twentieth-century wars. The latter wars feature the RAR battalions whose role and prominence in those wars is well outlined.

HORNER, David (Editor) – The Commanders: Australian military leadership in the twentieth century

Harper Collins, Melbourne, 1984

ISBN-10: 0868614963

ISBN-13: 978-0868614960

Bibliography, photographs, maps, index, references; 374 pages.

 Includes senior commanders with RAR backgrounds among the 17 individuals studied, and refers to all RAR battalions.

HORNER, David – The War Game: Australia War Leadership from Gallipoli to Iraq

Allen and Unwin, Crows Nest, 2022

ISBN:  9781761065958

Bibliography, Endnotes, index; 480 pages

Raises important questions about the process of war leadership. Should political leaders leave the conduct of the war to their top military commanders or should they interfere? Given that Australia has always fought as a junior partner in a coalition, either within the British Empire or as part of the US alliance, how should Australia’s leaders manage these alliance arrangements? And how should Australia’s future war leaders prepare for the tasks ahead? Examines leadership and the interactions between politicians and the military, focussing on wartime. High-level, but more recent deployments have seen RAR COs as force-deployed unit commanders. The War Game is about the greatest challenges likely to face Australia’s leaders, and represents necessary reading by future commanders including those from the RAR who will continue to comprise the bulk of future forces for the foreseeable future.

HUNT, Bruce – Australia’s Northern Shield? Papua New Guinea and the defence of Australia since 1880

Monash University Publishing, Melbourne, 2017

ISBN: 978-1612-5196-8

Index, References, photographs; 374 pages.

Using many recently declassified and sensitive records, this examination covers Australia’s relationships with its northern neighbours including during the Malayan, Borneo, Vietnam and more recent conflicts. Includes references to RAR personnel serving in the Australian Army in PNG before and through the granting of independence in 1975.

JANS, Brigadier Nicolas (Ret’d), OAM – Leadership Secrets of the Australian Army

Allen and Unwin, Sydney, 2018

ISBN: 978 1 76063 180 2

Notes, Index; 188 pages.

A study into modern Australian Army leadership which identifies the distinctive egalitarian leadership principles behind the effectiveness of the Australian defence forces, and demonstrates how they can be applied in any organisation, at any level. Features a range of RAR individuals recognised as effective leaders.

JANS, Nicolas with Stephen Mugford, Jamie Cullens, & Judy Frazer-Jans – The Chiefs: A Study of Strategic Leadership

Australian Defence College, Canberra, 2013.

ISBN: Nil

A paper which examines a range of strategic leaders that includes some with RAR backgrounds.

KHOSA, Praspal – Australian Defence Almanac 2010-2011 (ADF Overseas deployments from 1947 to 2009)

Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Australia, 2010

ISBN: N/A

This article is Chapter 6 of this publication, listing on pp 102-108 all ADF Overseas deployments from 1947 to 2009 inclusive, and their warlike/non-warlike/humanitarian status at the time of publication. Most of these deployments including UN missions, included RAR units/individuals. Accessible at https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/resrep04181.8.pdf

KILCULLEN, David – The Dragons and the Snakes: How the Rest Learned to Fight The West

Scribe, Melbourne, 2020

ISBN: 9781925849158

Illustrated, index, bibliography; 325 pages.

Author was an RAR officer and this book addresses the rise and capabilities of terrorist enemy forces faced in conflicts including Iraq and Afghanistan against which RAR units have been pitted.

LACHLAN, Grant & MICHAEL, Bell (Editors) – For Country and Nation: An Illustrated History of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Military Service

Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 2018

ISBN: 9781921353208

Black and White Photographs, illustrations, index, list of contributors, endnotes, further reading; 312 pages.

Includes many to have served with the RAR in the post-WW II period including all deployments/campaigns.

LAFFIN, John – The Australian Army at war 1899-1975

Osprey Publishing, London, 1982

ISBN: 08540454182

Illustrated; 49 pages.

A general history which includes a range of RAR individuals and most RAR battalions.

LEWIS, Tom – The truth of war: Lethality in combat: a study of the real nature of battle

Big Sky Publishing, Newport NSW, 2023

ISBN: 9781923004443

Illustrated, bibliography, endnotes; 349 pages.

A detailed treatise of how combat soldiers really think and fight. Examples from around the world and including the Boer war, WW I, WW II, Korea, Vietnam, East Timor and Iraq are used to cover this topic. Quite a few examples involve RAR members identified by name, but not by unit. The latter can be identified in most cases by the individual, and the references which are comprehensively used, and accurate.

LINDSAY, Patrick – Cosgrove: Portrait of a Leader

Random House Australia Pty Ltd, Milsons Point, 2006

ISBN: 978 1 74166 528 4

Index, Bibliography; 289 pages.

Biography of General Sir Peter Cosgrove, who served in several RAR battalions prior to ascending command and staff appointments including Governor-General.

 LOGAN, E (Brigadier) – Establishment of a Task Force at Townsville

In Australian Army Journal, No 254, July 1970.

Lavarack Barracks was built primarily to house RAR battalions and other units, based on a Task Force, the title used at the time for a Brigade, in the face of the Vietnam War. Many RARs have since been based at Lavarack.

LONG, Gavin – The Final Campaigns: Australia In The War of 1939-1945

Australian War Memorial, Canberra,1963

ISBN: nil

Index, maps, diagrams and bibliography, 667 pages.

Briefly mentions the origins of the Regiment and a comparison of awards between the AIF and RAR.

LOVELL, David W and BAKER, Deane-Peter (Eds) – The Strategic Corporal Revisited: Challenges Facing Combatants in 21st Century Warfare

UCT Press, Online, 2017

ISBN: 9781775822202

Index, illustrated; 224 pages.

While an international coverage, this book refers to Australian junior NCOs in East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq in front line appointments, meaning RAR units along with others.

MACCALLION, Gregory – National versus human security – Australian and Canadian military interventions (book)

Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 2019

ISBN: 978052875379

Maps, illustrations, index, bibliography; 310 pages.

In this paper/electronic book, one chapter covers Somalia and mentions 1 RAR while Chapter 4 is titled Australians in Afghanistan – Securing ANZUS by reconstructing a province. This chapter mentions most of the Australian RTF, MTF and MRTFs which all were based on, or included, RAR battalion/company groups. See Section 11 for e-access to Chapter 4 (Afghanistan).

MacDOUGALL, AK – Anzacs, Australians at war: a narrative history

Reed books Australia, Kew VIC, 1991

ISBN: 9780730103592

Illustrations, maps, portraits, index; 360 pages.

A pictorial coverage of Australians at war including all wars/deployments by RAR battalions.

MacDOUGALL, AK – The illustrated history of Australia

The five mile press Pty Ltd, Scoresby VIC, 2004

ISBN: 9781742487175

Illustrated, index, 272 pages.

A general history of Australia, with chapters 10-11 referring to deployments to Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam, Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. Most RARs are mentioned.

MACKLYN, Robert – Warrior Elite: Australia’s special forces, Z Force to the SAS, Intelligence operations to cyber warfare

Hackette Australia, Sydney, 2000

ISBN: 978073363291

Illustrated, index, bibliography; 378 pages.

Story ranges from WW II onwards and covers all of the entities in the title plus ASIO and the Australian Signals Directorate. Most of the RAR battalions are mentioned.

MAHONEY, Kevin – Formidable enemies: The North Korean and Chinese soldier in the Korean War

Presidio Press, New York, 2001

ISBN-10 : 0891417389

ISBN-13 : 978-0891417385

Illustrated, Index; 208 pages.

Portrays the enemy faced by the UN forces including 1, 2 and 3 RAR in Korea as a formidable foe, and provides a good insight into their method operation that few histories do.

MAIN, JM – Problems in Australian History: Conscription the Australian Debate 1901-1970

Cassell Australia, North Melbourne, 1970

ISBN: 0304939897

Index, Selected secondary sources; 170 pages.

This book places into context the four different uses of conscription since Federation. Some of the RAR battalions are mentioned in a parliamentary speech advising the deployment of Australian forces to Vietnam which was in part dependent upon the fourth use of conscription.

MALONE, Michael J (OAM) – Simmo: a biography of Ray Simpson VC, DCM one of Australia’s greatest soldiers

Imprimatur Books, North Perth, 2015

ISBN: 9780646943206

Illustrated; 266 pp.

Co-researched with Peter Dudley, this book tells Simpson’s story. He served with 2 RAR and 3 RAR, and also SASR and 1st Commando Regt.

Management of Australian Defence Force deployment to East Timor (Auditor-General Audit Report No 38 – 2001-2)

Australian National Audit Office, Canberra, 2002

ISBN: 9642806209

Graphs, index; 127 pages.

Auditor-General Audit Report No 38- 2001-2 signed by Ian McPhee, Acting Auditor-General. Official federal government audit of a national event, in this case the deployment to East Timor between first lodgements and the date of this report. Includes INTERFET and UNTAET which involved 2, 3,4 and 5/7 RAR. Accessible at https://www.anao.gov.au/sites/default/files/anao_report_2001-2002_38.pdf?acsf_files_redirect

MAY, Tony – The SAS ‘Deniables’: Special forces operations denied by the authorities, from Vietnam to the War on Terror

Big Sky Publishing, Crows Nest NSW, 2023

ISBN-10: 1399096303

ISBN 13: 9781922896445

Illustrated; 320 pages.

Covers SAS covert operations during the Vietnam War and since including the ‘War on Terror’ which does not necessarily include overt deployments in ‘official’ wars/operational deployments. Several mentions of members who came from the RAR.

McKAY, Gary – On patrol with the SAS: Sleeping with your ears open

Allen & Unwin, Sydney,, 2002 and multiple re-releases

ISBN: 9781741752885

328 pages.

This book takes the reader into the heart and soul of the men of the Australian Army’s Special Air Services Regiment. It provides a clear insight into the rigours of the SAS selection process, training for war in Papua New Guinea, then in graphic and sometimes raw and brutal detail into combat behind enemy lines in Borneo and South Viet Nam. Refers to the RAR; most members of the SASR come from an RAR background.

McKENZIE-SMITH, Graham R – A Unit Guide – The Australian Army 1939-45 (Vol 2 of 6) – Headquarters, Infantry, Cavalry, Armoured and Intelligence Units

Big Sky Publishing, Newport NSW, 2016

ISBN: 978-1-925675-14-6

Glossary, abbreviations; full six volumes comprise 3001 pages; this one approx 500 pages.

Contains a brief description of the three battalions which formed the 24th Infantry Brigade group later to become the RAR (1, 2 and 3 battalions, Australian Regiment, later with ‘Royal’ prefix added. Identifies the Australian War Memorial file numbers for the War Diaries for each parent battalion.

McKERNAN, M – Australians in wartime

Nelson, Melbourne, 1980

ISBN 10: 0170059391

ISBN 13: 9780170059398

Illustrated, index, bibliography; 94 pages.

Aimed at secondary school students, this book is a generalist coverage of the wars including those involving the RAR.

McKERNAN, M & BROWNE, M – Australia two centuries of war and peace

AWM and Allen & Unwin Australia, Canberra, 1988

ISBN: 0642995028

Illustrated, index; 467 pages.

A wide-ranging coverage including post 1945 deployments to Korea Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam which featured the RAR battalions of the time.

McPHEDRAN,  Ian – Soldiers without Borders: Beyond the SAS

Harper Collins Publishers, Sydney, 2008

ISBN: 978 0 7322 8555 5

Index; 375 pages.

While this is a coverage of SAS operations over time it also refers to several of the RARs to receive context for what the SAS were doing there.

McPHERSON, P – Bibliographies of military history

Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 1987

ISBN: 9780642994639

54 pages.

A text listing a large range of sources of military history. Helpful for further searching for references to include RAR-related material.

MILLAR, TB – Australia’s defence

Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 1965

ASIN:  B0000CMFOF

Illustrated, maps, bibliography, index; 198 pages.

Seminal examination of the state of Australia’s defence capability. Mentions RARs in their broader context of Army as it was in 1965 with I RAR deploying to the Vietnam war in that year.

MILLAR, TB – Australia’s defence (2nd Edition)

Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 1969

ISBN: 0522839177

Illustrated, maps, bibliography, index; 229 pages.

Seminal examination of the state of Australia’s defence capability updated. Mentions RARs in their broader context of Army and takes into account the commitment of all RARs raised for the Vietnam war by 1969, including the completion of Malayan Emergency and Borneo deployments.

MOORE, Darren – The Soldier: A history of courage, sacrifice and brotherhood

Icon Books, London, 2009

ISBN: 978-184831-079-7

Index, bibliography, 500 pages.

Study of soldiers and their professional conduct, core to the RAR and SASR, both of which are included among the individuals referred to in this source. This source is considered most important to the overall understanding of RAR soldiers, irrespective of which unit in which they serve as it underscores what combat soldiers face, and do, in battle.

MIONNET, Yvonne ‘Inky’ – History of the 1st Division from Gallipoli to Brisbane – 5 August 1914 to 5 August 2004

HQ 1st Division, Brisbane, 2004

ISBN: Nil

Maps, diagrams, B & W photographs; 84 pages.

A local production reproduced on A4 paper and distributed around Defence Regional Libraries.

MOORE, Jonathan – A History of the Australian Military From the First Fleet to the Modern Day

New Holland publishers, Chatswood NSW, 2018

ISBN: 9781760790479

Black and white photographs, bibliography; 256 pages.

Last three chapters cover the post-WW II conflicts with RAR battalions featured therein.

MORRIS, Sherry – Kapooka: From Engineers’ Camp to Home of the Soldier 1942-2016

Self-published, Wagga Wagga, 2016

ISBN: 978-0-9808426-4-7

Index, bibliography, roll of honour, maps, photo; 198 pages.

Most Other Ranks of the RAR started Army life at one of the three Recruit Training Battalions, and many officers, warrant officers and NCOs have served there on the staff. Kapooka remains the prime recruit training location train the great bulk of the Army’s recruits. This history of Kapooka provides a great insight into that training.

MURRAY, Alan – Staff cadet -Bishing, bogging and bastardisation at Duntroon

Amazon Digital Services LLC – KDP Print US, 2017

ISBN: 9781519025579

Illustrated, Index, Nominal Roll; 222 pages.

A frank account by a graduate of the cadet experience from 1978 – 1982. Many of the graduates from 1982 , including some of those mentioned in this book, went on to serve in variety of deployments in RAR units and as individuals.

Muskets and bullets and marching feet: The story of the 7 RAR quick march

7 RAR Association

Online history of how 7 RAR got its march tune. Article attributed online to Barry Caligari who was a captain with 7 RAR and alter CO 1 RAR 1982-3.

Accessible at https://7rar.asn.au/wp/?page_id=4345

NAGL, John A – Learning to eat soup with a knife: Counter-insurgency lessons for Malaya and Vietnam

Preagers Publishers, Westport, 2002

ISBN-10: 0226567702

ISBN-13: 978022656709

Illustrated, index; 280 pages.

A US publication that compares counter-insurgency operations in Malaya and Vietnam, both of which involved all RARs to exist at the time.

NEUVE, Denny – Soldiers’ Tales Volumes 1 and 2

Big Sky Publishing, Newport NSW, 2021

ISBN: 9781922488831

Illustrated, Index; 384 pages.

A book of short stories and anecdotes from diggers over time, including RAR members such as LT James Fanning DSM of 6 RAR, Afghanistan.

O’BRIEN, Michael – Australian army tactical &​ instructional pamphlets &​ books : a bibliography

Australian Army, Hawthorn, 2004

ISBN: 0642296057 (pbk)

248 pages.

Contains a wealth of leads to many tactical, weapon and equipment topics fundamental to the understanding of RAR training and operations. This asset is essential to researchers pursuing more specific research topics, and is one of the most valuable aids to Australian military research.

ODGERS, George – 100 years of Australians at war (Revised Edition)

New Holland Publishers, French’s Forest NSW, 2003

ISBN: 1741100100

Illustrated, index, notes, roll of honour; 418 pages.

A general coverage of all forces to serve including RARs mentioned in the wars since 1952 up to the time of publication.

ODGERS, George – Army Australia: an illustrated history

National book Distributors, Sydney, 1993

ISBN: 1863022694

Illustrated, maps, bibliography; 286 pages.

A general history which mentions several RAR battalions and includes images.

ODGERS, George (Ed) – The Defence Force in the relief of Darwin after Cyclone Tracy

Australian Government Printing Service, Canberra, 1980

ISBN: 0 642 05175 5

A detailed account of actions during the first two weeks of the cyclone relief effort led by NAJGEN Alan Stretton (Retd), an RAR officer, and involving some RAR members posted to Darwin at the time. Curiously , Field Force Group Darwin, which saw the deployment of large numbers of troops starting mid- January 1975, including 5/7 RAR and then 6 RAR until late May 1975 gets only a cursory mention and the battalions are not mentioned at all.

O’KEEFE, Brendan – Medicine at War: Medical Aspects of Australia’s Involvement in Southeast Asian Conflicts 1950-1972

Allen & Unwin in association with the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 1994

ISBN: 1863733019

Index, bibliography, 505 pages.

This comprehensive and analytical Official History account documents the important role of the military medical units who supported Australia’s overseas forces from the time of the Malayan Emergency.

OPPENHEIMER, Melanie – Australian Women and War: Women in War from Boer War to East Timor

Department of Veterans Affairs, Canberra, 2008

ISBN: 9781877007286(HBK)

Index, bibliography, 270 pages.

This history also refers to RAR unit and individuals.

OUDTSHOORN, NV – Front line despatches: Australians at war 1845-1972

Harper-Collins Books, Sydney, 1988

ISBN-10: 1862562873

ISBN-13: 978-1862562875

Colour & black and white illustrations, index; 96 pages.

Photographic coverage of Australians in the front line, including some of RAR scenes post- WW II.

PALAZZO, Albert – The Australian Army: A History of its Organisation 1901-2001

Oxford University Press, Melbourne, 2001

ISBN: 0195515064

Index, bibliography, 456 pages.

Chapters 6-9 provide coverage concerning the RAR.

PATERSON, Allison – Australia Remembers 5 – Cameron Baird VC, MG

Big Sky Publishing, Newport NSW, 2022

ISBN: 9781922615589

Photos and cartoon characters; 72 pages.

No 5 in a series written for the younger reader, this book is about a former member of the RAR. Cameron Baird, VC, MG is one of 41 Australians who died in the service of his country in Afghanistan.  Cameron’s leadership and courageous actions resulted in the award of the Medal of Gallantry in 2007-2008. In 2013, while on active service in Afghanistan, Cameron lost his life while attempting to rescue a wounded mate. His act of supreme sacrifice, valour and devotion to duty was recognised with the awarding of Australia’s highest battlefield honour – the Victoria Cross. This is a story of Australian service in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. It is a story of mateship, dedication, leadership and sacrifice, and one we should never forget.

PEARSON, Ross – Animal Allies

Australian Military History Publications, Loftus VIC, 2005

ISBN: TBA

Index, bibliography, photographs; 185 pages.

Several of the RAR battalions’ mascots and tracker dogs are mentioned.

PEDERSEN, Peter – The Anzac Spirit: from Gallipoli to the Present Day

Carlton Books, London, 2010

ISBN: 978 1 84732 580 8

Index, Colour and B & W photographs, maps; 63 pages.

The last section of this book is devoted to post-WW II campaigns and the RAR is well represented in that section.

PERRETT, Bryan – Against all odds

Brockhampton Press, New York, 2000

ISBN-10: 186019947X

ISBN-13: 978-1860199479

Illustrated, bibliography, index; 224 pages.

Covers the Korean war from a primarily US perspective, includes reference to the other UN forces including the British Commonwealth Division in which 1, 2 and 3 RAR served.

PETROU, George OAM – The art of sacrifice

Big Sky Publishing, Newport NSW, 2022

ISBN: 9781922387929

Illustrated, including artwork, index; 400 pages.

Contains 60 portraitures with accompanying stories in three parts – The Lost Diggers of WW I, VC winners and 10 great Australians. Some of the subjects are RAR members.

PRATTEN, Garth and Harper, Glyn – Still the Same: Reflections on Active Service from Bardia to Baidoa

Army Doctrine Centre HQ Training Command, Georges Heights NSW, 1996

ISBN: 0 642 24435 9

Index, Appendices; 280 pages.

A collection of interview outcomes involving Australian Army Command and Staff College students with retired and serving officers up to 1993. Offers insights into the art and science of war from a leadership perspective. Many RAR individuals and deployments included.

REID, Dr Richard and POUNDS, Robert – Australians at War: Key Dates and Data since 1901

Also titled Their Service, our Heritage

Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Canberra, 1998

BIB ID: 310082

ISBN: nil

60 pages.

A chronology of main events affecting the military for 96 years since Federation. It includes key RAR events.

RISEMAN, Noah and TREMBATH, Richard – Defending Country: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Military Service since 1945

University of Queensland Press, St Lucia QLD, 2016

ISBN: 978 0 7022 5399 7 (paperback)

Documents the unique experiences of indigenous Australian Service personnel of the post-WW II period. Many RAR members are mentioned in this sociological study.

RICHARDSON, Thomas – Destroy and Build: Pacification in Phuoc Tuy 1966-72

Cambridge University Press, Melbourne VIC, 2017

ISBN: 879-1-107-18973-7

Index, bibliography, maps; 280 pages.

This work explores 1 ATF’s implementation of the pacification policy in South Vietnam, especially in Phuoc Tuy province. The involvement of the RAR battalions in this program is addressed in some detail.

RYAN, AlanPrimary responsibilities and primary risks – Australian Defence Force Participation in the International Force East Timor

Australian Army Land Warfare Studies Centre, Canberra, 2000

ISSN: 14428547

Bibliography, map; 160 pages.

Study Paper 304, November 2000. Includes 2, 3 and 5/7 RAR, and mentions many RAR personnel in this coverage of the INTERFET deployment in Operation Stabilis . Also accessible at https://researchcentre.army.gov.au/sites/default/files/sp304_primary_responsibilities_and_primary_risks-alan_ryan.pdf

RYAN, Alan – Putting your Young Men in the Mud: Change, continuity and the Australian Infantry Battalion

Land Warfare Studies Centre, Canberra, 2003

ISBN: 0642295956

ISSN: 1441-0389

Footnotes, no images; 51 pages.

This LWSC Working Paper No 124 mentions several RAR battalions, and it relates to all of them in that it addresses the reasons for different organisations, using some RAR examples. Paper is available at https://www.army.gov.au/sites/default/files/wp124-putting_your_young_men_in_the_mud_alan_ryan.pdf?acsf_files_redirect

SCOTT, Francis Peter, DSO (COL Retd) – A Matter of Pride: A short history of the RMC Class of 1948

Self-Published, Adelaide, 2005

ISBN: None

Illustrated, notes, 137 pages.

A history of the RMC class of 1948, six of which became RAR battalion commanders in Vietnam including the author (CO 3 RAR). Printed by RG Printing (no longer trading). Limited print run, and scarce. 

SCOTT, Francis Peter, DSO (COL Retd) – Infantry battalion commanders in Korea and Vietnam

Self-published, Adelaide, 2022

ISBN: 978-0-646-84802-0

Illustrated, index; 271 pages.

This limited print edition book records the basic details of the twenty-six commanding officers of infantry battalions in Korea 1950-1953 and Vietnam 1965-1971. It also addresses the selection of commanding officers in World War 1 and 2 and the differences in the selection for Korea and Vietnam. Using basic military information from their service records, families of deceased COs have added their comments and subsequently endorsed each man’s story. Six of the RMC Class of 1948 (the author’s cohort) were infantry battalion COs in Vietnam. Printed by Digital Print Australia, Adelaide, SA. The book can be ordered by depositing $45 (which includes postage) into the ANZ Bank account of FP Scott BSB 015627 A/c No 5821 07472 with your name. Any surplus funds will be donated to the Australian Virtual War Memorial and Legacy. Recommend interested persons contact the author first at  [email protected] to confirm stock availability and provide delivery details.

SERONG, Brigadier F.P. – An Australian View of Revolutionary War 

London : Institute for the Study of Conflict, 1971

ISBN: Nil

16 pages. 

Author was a prominent member of the RAR, passing away in 2002. Paper published in Conflict Studies, No. 16 , this publication includes a good bit about the lessons of Vietnam. Mentions RARs.  

SMITH, Ian K – Records of War: A guide to military history sources at the Australian War Memorial

Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 1996

ISBN: 0642229880

The last third of this book deals with post-WW II conflicts, referring to the RAR.

SPEED, FW – Command Structure of the Australian Defence Force

Australian National University, Canberra, 1987

ISBN: 0 7315 0029 6

Bibliography, index; 90 pages.

Published through the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Research School of Pacific Studies in the Canberra Papers on Strategy and Defence as Paper No 77. While it does not address specific RAR battalions, it does provide an overarching discussion of the ADF and gives context to the place and purpose of the RAR units within the ADF.

STANLEY, P & McKERNAN, M– Australians at war 1885-1972: Photographs from the Australian War Memorial

Collins, Sydney, 1984

ISBN: Not identified

Index; 200 photographs.

General photographic coverage including Korea and Vietnam that include RAR troops.

STEPHENS, David and BROINOWSKI, Alison – The Honest History Book: Australia is more than Anzac and always has been

Newsworth Publishing, Sydney, 2017

ISBN: 9781742235264

Index, extensive notes; 344 pages.

This book comprises 20 chapters by different authors who discuss myths and facts surrounding the ANZAC image. The RAR in Vietnam is frequently mentioned.

STEVENSON, Robert C – The Human Dimension of the Hardened and Networked Army: The Lessons of Friendly Fire

Land Warfare Studies Centre, Canberra, 2006

ISBN: 978 0 64229 641 2

Bibliography; 47 pages.

Addresses fratricide/unauthorised discharges resulting in injury/death, including RAR experiences in Vietnam, Somalia and East Timor.

STOCKINGS, Craig and CONNOR, John Editors) – The Shadow Men: the leaders who shaped the Australian Army from the Veldt to Vietnam

NewSouth Publishing, Sydney, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-7422-3474-8

Index, References; 288 pages.

Twelve contributing authors and the two editors produce biographies of a range of successful senior leaders including RAR members including Lieutenant General Thomas Daly and Lieutenant General Mervyn Brogan, all of whom made a significant contribution to the Australian Army. RAR units are mentioned.

STOCKING, Craig & DENNIS, Peter (Eds) – An army of influence: Eighty years of regional engagement

Cambridge University Press, Melbourne, 2021

ISBN: 9781316514399

Illustrated, Bibliography, Endnotes, Index; 353 pages.

The importance of regional cooperation is becoming more apparent as the world moves into the third decade of the 21st century. This book analyses the Australian Army’s capacity to change, with a particular focus on the Asia-Pacific region. It book examines the Australian Army’s influence abroad, almost always containing RAR units or sub-unit elements, and the lessons it has learnt from its engagement across the Asia-Pacific region. It also explores the challenges facing the Australian Army in the future and provides principles to guide operational, administrative and modernisation planning. The book underscores the importance of maintaining an ongoing presence in the region and engages with history to address both current and future issues facing the Army.

STOCKING, Craig – Zombie Myths of Australian Military History

University of NSW Press, Sydney, 2010

ISBN: 9781742230795

Index, Notes, 275 pages.

Addresses some of the pervading myths surrounding Australian Army when deployed. Last two chapters cover Vietnam and East Timor where several RAR battalions are mentioned.

STONE, Barry – The Diggers’ Menagerie: Mates, Mascot and Marvels – True Stories of Animals who went to War

Harper Collins, Sydney, 2012

ISBN: TBA

Index, bibliography; 266 pages.

Chapter 4-6 cover the post-WW II period and relate stories of the RAR battalions’ use of tracker dogs.

 THOMPSON, Sir Robert – Defeating communist insurgency: the lessons of Malaya and Vietnam

Hailer Publishing, London, 1966

ASN: B0006BNX5M

Illustrated, index, references; 171 pages.

No 10 in the Studies in International Security series. Analysis of the Western response to guerrilla warfare pre-1966 in Malaya and Vietnam.

TWOMEY, Christina, SOBOCINSKA, Agnieszka, RADCLIFFE, Mathew & BRAWLEY, Sean – Australia’s Asian Garrisons: Decolonisation and the Colonial Dynamics of Expatriate Military Communities in Cold War Asia

Taylor Francis Online, 2017

ISSN: 0308-6534

Published in the Journal of Australian Studies, this paper addresses RAAF deployments from a sociological perspective in the post – World War II era. Covering Korea, Malaya, Borneo and Malaysian deployments it mentions 1, 2, 3 and 4 RAR. See https://doi.org/10.1080/1031461X.2019.1682015

TYQUIN, Michael – Training for War: The History of the Headquarters 1st Division 1914-2014

Big Sky Publishing, Sydney, 2017

ISBN: 9781925520422

Extensively illustrated, Bibliography, Appendices, Index; 276 pages.

This book encapsulates one hundred years of the history of HQ 1st Division and the Deployable Joint Force Headquarters. During that time the HQ commanded subordinate formations and units including all of the RAR battalions through intermediate formations since 1960 when it was raised for the third time. As with any military formation it cannot be studied in isolation from politics and policy and so reference is made to wider events in the Australian political and Defence environment.

WAHLERT, Glenn – Anzac Cove to Afghanistan: The History of the 3rd Brigade

Big Sky Publishing, Sydney, 2015

ISBN: Nil

Extensively illustrated, Bibliographical information in Endnotes, Index; 390 pages.

A hundred year history, this book covers the Brigade’s deployment to war where, as the covering force for the landings at Gallipoli, its troops were the first to see action in the Middle East before subsequent service on the Western Front. It also covers preparation for and involvement in WW II, the brigade’s re-creation as a formation in the form of 3rd Task Force and then its current role as the Operational Deployment Force. Associated deployments to East Timor, and then the provision of contingents and contributions to Force Elements by the various battalions of the 3rd Brigade over time are covered. Detailed Appendices include VC winners and Commanders.

We who are left to grow old: stories to mark a centenary of legacy

The Legacy Club of Brisbane, Brisbane, 2023

ISBN: 978-0-646-87240-7

Illustrated; a contents list of the widows included; 241 pages.

Legacy Brisbane supports thousands of widows who lost their loved ones and have been affected by their partner’s service in WW2, the Korean War, Malayan Emergency and Vietnam War. Many of these ladies came to Legacy as young widows, still raising their children and struggling with their grief. This book features 26 different stories, many of which relate to RAR members who have passed on. Online reference with further links is accessible at https://www.storiesofremembrance.org.au/

WELBURN, MCJ – The Development of Australian Army Doctrine 1945 – 1964

Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, ANU, Canberra, 1994

ISBN: Nil

Canberra Papers Strategy and Defence No 108. Footnote references; 43 pages.

Addresses the development of doctrine and the basis upon which that process occurred as 1, 2 and 3 RAR engaged in Korea, Malaya and Borneo, a period in which doctrine continued to be based primarily on British influence. All three battalions’ selected experiences help inform this paper.

WHITE, Patrick – A chain of fortuitous circumstances: the sudden rise of a military base in Townsville

Online extract of pp 65-78 of an unidentified publication.

Paper addresses the circumstances around the selection and establishment of Lavarack barracks following the 1964 decision to base a major force there is support of the Vietnam War. 2 RAR is mentioned several times, and many RARs have cycled through Lavarack since. Accessible at https://historyitm.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/white.pdf

 

JAPAN AND KOREA 1946-53

Anonymous – Australian War Memorial Canberra

Halstead Press, Sydney, 1941 annually to 1965 (less 1943)

ISBN: Nil

Illustrated; 158 pages.

This publication that was republished annually (less 1943) details the various displays in the AWM at that time. The 1965 edition shows the war in Korea and has two and a half pages in which Ivor Hele’s paintings were displayed and include 3 RAR and Operation Commando.

Army History Unit – Army History Conference Proceedings 2000

Army History Unit, Canberra, 2000

ISBN: Nil

A retrospective look at the Korean War with background relevant to the three RAR battalions to deploy there.

BADSEY, Stephen et al – The Korean War 1050-53: a 50 years retrospective

Australian Army, Canberra, 2000

ISBN: Nil

Illustrations, endnotes; 147 pages.

Chief of Army Conference 2000, Online record of 12 papers on different aspects of the war. All three RARs to take part are mentioned throughout especially in the endnotes. Accessible at https://www.army.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-11/2000_chief_of_army_conference_korean_war_0.pdf

BALL, Desmond – Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) in South Korea

Strategic and Defence Studies Centre ANU, Canberra, 1995

ISBN: 0731521315

Bibliography, list of other SDSC publications; 83 pages.

This monograph addresses the history of SIGINT operations in South Korea since 1950, the principal US SIGINT stations, deployments and operations, systems and capabilities currently operational in South Korea. Provides an insight into what support RAR units might have benefited from 1950-53.

BEAUMONT, Joan, GRANT, Lachlan & PEGRAM, Aaron Editors) – Beyond Surrender: Australian Prisoners of War in the Twentieth Century

Melbourne University Press, Carlton VIC, 20154

ISBN: 9870522866209 (pbk)

            9870522868784 (hbk)

Illustrated, maps, references, Index; 284 pages.

Chapter 13 comprises an interview with former POW John Mackay, a 3 RAR soldier from the Korean War.

BROWN, Colin H – Stalemate in Korea: The Royal Australian Regiment in the Static War of 1952-1953

Australian /Military History Publications, Loftus NSW, 1997

ISBN: 0-9586693-9-2

Index; 100 pages.

As a 3 RAR company commander, describes the 1952-53 phase of stationary/positional warfare and the closing stages of the war for Australian troops prior to the armistice. While he concentrates on 3 RAR, 1 and 2 RAR are also included.

CAMERON, David W – Let the bastards come: The Battle for Kapyong Korea 23-25 April 1951

Big Sky Publishing, Newport NSW, 2024 (April)

ISBN: 9781923144156

Illustrated, maps, bibliography, index; 459 pages.

Let the Bastards Come is the story of the Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, and American units involved in the Battle of Kapyong during the Korean War, offering readers a fresh perspective on a pivotal moment in history. The Battle was fought between 23 to 25 April – including Anzac Day, 1951 central to which was 3 RAR. In April 1951, with exceptional valour, fewer than 1,200 Australian and Canadian infantrymen, supported by New Zealand artillery and 15 American Sherman tanks, held the line against a Chinese Division of over 6,000, significantly thwarting the formidable Chinese August offensive. 3 RAR and others involved directly in the battle received the US Presidential Unit Citation.

CATCHPOLE, Brian – The Korean War 1950-1952

Basic Books, London, 2001

ISBN-10: 0786709243

ISBN-13: 978-0786709243

Illustrated, maps, index; 384 pages.

British-centric coverage of the war focussing on the strategic level. Australians including RARs are mentioned.

CHINNERY, Philip – Korean Atrocity! Forgotten War Crimes 1950-1953

Airlife Publishing, 2000

ISBN: 1 84037 103 X

Index, Bibliography, 286 pages

Covers war atrocities and POW data including Australians, references to 27 British Commonwealth Brigade.

COLLINS, GJ – The war of the veterans

Self-published/Toowoomba Education Centre, Toowoomba QLD, 2001

ASIN: 1876245328

154 pages.

This book covers the devastation to Hiroshima, and the events of the post-war occupation which included the battalions to later change their names to 1,2 and 3 Australian Regiment before attaining the Royal prefix. Good background for the birth of the RAR itself.

DAVIES, George – The occupation of Japan: the rhetoric and the reality of Anglo-Australian relations

University of Queensland Press, Brisbane, 2001

ISBN-10: ‎ 0702232092

ISBN-13: ‎ 978-0702232091

Illustrated, references; 391 pages.

A NZ perspective of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force and the role the Australian forces played including 1, 2 and 3 RAR.

DENNIS, Peter & GREY, Jeffrey (Editors) – The Korean War 1950-53: Army History Conference Proceedings 2000

Australian Army History Unit, Canberra, 2000

ISBN: 0642705054

194 pages.

A retrospective look at the Korean War with background relevance and references to the RAR.

Department of Veterans’ Affairs – In Captivity: Australian Prisoners of War in the Twentieth Century

DVA, Canberra, 1999

ISBN: 0 642 414 858

Black and white photographs, index; 70 pages.

POW from the Korean War are mentioned. These were predominantly RAR soldiers, with some RAAF.

Department of Veterans Affairs – Korea: a cold war conflict 1950 – 1953

Department of Veterans Affairs, Canberra, 2016

ISBN: 9780992583996

Illustrated, maps; 108 pages.

Published for secondary schools. Combines facts in text and photographs/maps with instructional guidance and work sheets. 1 and 3 RAR and other individual RAR members are featured.

DORNBURCH, C E (compiler) – Australian Military Bibliography

Home Farm Press, Cornwallville New York, 1963

ISBN: Nil

Index, 80 pages.

Contains only a few entries on the Japan and Korean era listing RAR-related texts. Held at the Australian War Memorial with details at https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/LIB41106

ESMOND, W. New – A doctor in Korea: the story of Charles McLaren, MD

Presbyterian Board, Sydney, 1958

ISBN: not identified

Photographs, index; 46 pages.

Story of one of the psychologists to serve in Japan and Korea; some RAR veterans will have come into contact with him on either location.

EVANS, Ben – Out in the Cold: Australia’s Involvement in the Korean War 1950-1953

Australian War Memorial & Dept of Veterans’ Affairs, Canberra, 2000

ISBN: 0642444765

Index, bibliography, 92 pages.

A brief history of Australia’s involvement in the Korean War that covers RAN operations, RAAF in combat, and battles such as Kapyong, Maryang San, the Hook and other aspects of fighting that involved RAR units.

FEHRANBACH, TR – This kind of war: the classic military history of the Korean war

Open Road Media, New York, 2014 (50th anniversary edition)

ASIN: B00J3EU61K

Maps, illustrations, index; 540 pages.

A comprehensive history of the Korean war from an American perspective. Mentions the Australian (incl RAR) commitment.

FORBES, C – The Korean War, Australia in a Giant’s Playground

Pan Macmillan Australia P/L, Sydney, 2010

ISBN: 9781 4050 40013 (hbk)

ISBN: 951 9042 394

Index, bibliography, maps, 534 pages.

The Korean War reveals the conflict on all its levels, human, military and geopolitical. The battles in which the RAR figured are described and those units named. It is a definitive history of Australia and the Korean War.

FRY, Gavin – Ivor Hele – The soldiers artist

Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 1984

ISBN: 0642994544

Illustrated; 112 pages.

Covers Hele’s art work during WW II and Korea. Korean War paintings include RAR members and terrain with which members would be familiar.

GREY, Jeffery – The Commonwealth Armies and the Korean War: An Alliance Study

Manchester University Press, Manchester, 1988

ISBN: 0719026113

Index, bibliography, 244 pages.

Coverage of the Commonwealth Division in the Korean War 1950-1953. RARs served in the 27th Commonwealth Infantry Brigade.

HALLIDAY, Jon & CUMMINGS, Bruce – Korea the unknown war – an illustrated history

Penguin, London, 1990

ISBN-10: 0140104607

ISBN-13: 978-0140104608

Index, illustrated; 224 pages.

A history of the Korean War with mention of the British Commonwealth Division in which 1, 2 and 3 RAR served.

HARRIS, AM – Only one river to cross: An Australian soldier behind enemy lines

Australian Army History Unit/Australian Military History Productions, Loftus NSW, 2004

ISBN: 1-876-439-52-1

Index, maps, illustrations; 124 pages.

Provides and account of service with BCOF and then in Korea with 3 RAR where the author was wounded in Oct 50. Returning to Korea in 1953, he commanded a Special agent Detachment behind enemy lines.

HICKEY, Michael – The Korean War: the West confronts communism

Overlook Pr, New York, 2000

ISBN-10: 1585670359

ISBN-13: ‏  978-1585670352

Illustrated, index; 397 pages.

A coverage of the war in Korea. Mentions the Australian contribution.

HOOKER, John – Korea: The Forgotten War

Time Life Books, Sydney, 1989

ISBN: 0 949118 39 7

Index and bibliography,168 pages.

One of the Time-Life Australians at War series, covers the ground war and contains many quality illustrations.

HOYT, Edwin P – The bloody road to Panmunjom

Henry Holt & Co, New York,1985

ISBN-10: 0812829999

ISBN-13: 978-0812829990

Illustrated, maps, index; 320 pages.

General history of the Korean War that refers to the Australian participation as part of the British Commonwealth Division.

HUTCHINSON, Garrie – Eyewitness: Australians write from the front line

Black Inc, Australia, 2005

ISBN: 9782863951661

Index, photographs; 464 pages.

A series of stories written by veterans including RAR members. Interesting to compare what WW I and II veterans said compared to those from more recent deployments including Korea.

JOHN, Arthur W – Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown

Gen Publisher, Cheltenham VIC, 1987

ASIN: B001V8LE50

Maps, illustrations, index. 130 pages.

History of the occupation of Japan by the commonwealth forces. These included the battalions to become 1, 2 and 3 RAR.

KELLY, Michael -The battle which ended the war: Samichon River and the Hook’ A Hot Cold War: Korea 1950-53

Military History and Heritage Victoria Inc, Camberwell VIC, 2015

ISBN: Nil

This monograph is part of an MHHV Conference Proceedings held at Pompey Elliott Memorial Hall, Camberwell, Victoria on 21 November 2015 and can be obtained from that organisation. Can also be accessed via Academia online at https://www.academia.edu/login?post_login_redirect_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.academia.edu%2Ft%2FtoYXv-Qxtfimv-s98xX%2Fresource%2Fwork%2F20446374%2FThe_battle_which_ended_the_war_Samichon_River_and_the_Hook_A_Hot_Cold_War_Korea_1950_53_Military_History_and_Heritage_Victoria_Inc_Pompey_Elliott_Memorial_Hall_Camberwell_Victoria_21_November_2015%3Femail_work_card%3Dview-paper provided the researcher has an account with that entity.

KOREAN MINISTRY OF PATRIOTS AND VETERANS’ AFFAIRS – Korean War Memorials in Pictures – Remembering UN Participation 60 years later

Korean Ministry of Patriots and Veterans’ Affairs, Seoul, 2010

ISBN: Nil

Three volume boxed set, Index in Volume 1,397 pages in Vol 1, 463 pages in Vol 2 and 319 pages in Vol 3.

Vol 1 includes details of Australian memorials worldwide. 3 RAR is addressed in a photo in Vol 3. Pictorial record. For the serious researcher; contains no actual history of the war other than listing, by memorial, all participating nations on the UN/allied side.

MADDEN, April (Editor) – History of Australia (Third Edition)

Future Publishing Limited, London, 2023

ISBN:195459612710

Illustrated; Index, 131 pages.

Contains an article on pp 110-112 titled Timeline of the Royal Australian Regiment.

McCARTHY, Dayton – The Battle of Maryong San 1951

Big Sky Publishing, Sydney, 2018

ISBN: 9781925675696

Colour and B & W photographs, maps; 188 pages.

 The RAR received its baptism of fire in Korea at this battle. This book describes the actions of the Battle of Maryang San. Over one week in October 1951 and as part of a wider divisional assault, the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR), manoeuvred across difficult terrain to dislodge and destroy Chinese forces three times its number. As such, Maryang San is widely regarded as one of the RAR’s and the Australian Army’s greatest battlefield accomplishments.

McCORMACK, Gaven – Cold War Hot War: An Australian perspective on the Korean War

Southwood Press, Marrickville NSW, 1983

ISBN: 0868060828 (casebound), 0868060836 pbk)

Index, chronology, maps, photographs; 191 pages.

This publication is an overview of the lead up to and the higher conduct of the war. The RAR is not specifically mentioned in the text although the Australian participation is. Many of the photos feature soldiers from the RAR.

MILBANK, Roland – Skillfully drilled: A history of the Australian Instructional Corps 1921-1955

Barrallier Books Pty Ltd (Echo Books), West Geelong VIC) 2015

ISBN: 9780646477909

Black and white illustrations, Appendices, index; 344 pages.

Tells the story of the Australian Instructional Corps that comprised approximately 600 warrant officers and officers (mainly honorary quartermaster commissions) who were the backbone of the practical solider training up to and including Korea. Contained many RAR members.

MOSS, Tristan – Guarding the Periphery: The Australian Army in Papua New Guinea, 1951-75

Cambridge University Press, Port Melbourne, 2017

ISBN: 987-1-107-19596-7 (hbk)

Index, Bibliography, Notes, Maps; 266 pages.

The Australian Army commanded units in PNG, based on the Pacific Islands Regiment, over this time until those forces became the PNG Defence Force in its own right. This book is an important coverage of this element of Australia’s military and colonial past, with many RAR individuals serving in these units. 1 to 6 RAR are specifically mentioned, and an Appendix contains listed of key appointments. The book is one of the Australian Army History series.

NEUVE, Denny & SMITH, Craig – Aussie Soldiers: Prisoners of War

Big Sky Publishing, Sydney, 2009

ISBN: 9780980325157 (pbk)

Photographs, maps, Index; 308 pp.

Stories of Australian POW over time, including RAR members captured in Korea. Since then, no Australian service personnel have become POW.

O’BALANCE, Edger – Korea 1950 – 1953

Faber, London, 1969

ISBN-10: 0571089011

ISBN-13: 978-0571089017

Index; maps, illustrated; 171 pages.

A history of the Korean War with mention of the British Commonwealth Division in which 1, 2 and 3 RAR served.

ODGER, George – Remembering Korea: Australians in the war of 1950-53

Lansdowne Publishing Pty Ltd, Sydney, 2000

ISBN: 9781741108071

Index, bibliography, maps,176 pages.

A background history of Australia’s participation in the Korean War 1950-53. Nominal roll of all participants by unit.

ODGERS, George – Remembering Korea: Australians in the war of 1950-53

New Holland Publishers, Chatswood, 2009

ISBN: 9781741108071

Index, bibliography, maps, 176 pages.

Updated second edition of 2000 book – background history of Australia’s participation in the Korean War 1950-53. Nominal roll of all participants by unit.

O’NEILL, Robert – Australia in the Korean War 1950-53 Volume I

Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 1981

ISBN: 06420432 9

Index, bibliography, 548 pages.

First of a two-volume Official History. Deals with both political and strategic aspects of Australia’s participation in the Korean War.

O’NEILL, Robert – Australia in the Korean War 1950-53 Volume II

Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 1985

ISBN: 0642043302

Index, bibliography,782 pages.

Second of a two-volume Official History. Includes Australian battle honours and awards, casualties and the Order of Battle for 1st Commonwealth Division.

PEARS, Maurie – The Battle of Maryang San 2-8 October 1951 – A Remembrance

Self-published, Isle of Capri QLD, 2004

ISBN: Nil

12 page brochure.

A short history of the battle and 3 RAR’s role in it. A commemorative mini-publication.

PEARS, Maurie – Special Commemorative Edition: 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice – 27 July 1953

Queensland Korea War Memorial Committee, Isle of Capri, 2013

ISBN: 987-0-9803796-0-0

Images; short publication.

Covers the ceremony associated with the Korean War Memorial in Queensland.

PEMBROKE, Michael – Korea: Where the American century began

Hardie Grants Books, Melbourne, 2018

ISBN: 9781743793930

Index, map, Endnotes, references; 346 pages.

A general history of the Korean War. The author’s father was (then) LT Pembroke, and the Afterword section of this book includes a narration on the Battle of Maryang San involving 3 RAR and some of the role his father played, Pembroke was awarded the MC.

PIMPLOTT, John (Ed) – British military operations 1945-1984

Hamlyn, New York, 1984

ISBN: 9780600347279

Highly illustrated, index, page number not identified.

Covers British operations including British Commonwealth forces in Korea and South East Asia that included the RAR.

RAMAGE, SP – Kokoda Secret – Ian Hutchinson: Australian Hero

Eora Press, Wahroonga NSW, 2014

ISBN: 9780646913834

Illustrated, maps; 359 pages.

Military history biography of Colonel Ian Hutchison DSO, OBE, MC, ED who was CO 1 RAR from 1 Nov 51 -20 Oct 52 in Korea. He also served in BCOF Japan following WW II service as CO 67th Battalion before it was renamed into the RAR.

ROE, Patrick C – The Dragon Strikes: China and the Korean War: June-December 1950

Presidio Press, Novato USA, 1950

ISBN: 0-89141-703-6

Index, bibliography maps; 466 pages.

High level American coverage of the Chinese intervention in 1950, with references to the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade (including 3 RAR) in the context of corps, divisional and brigade operations. Appendix on the Chinese Communist Army and the Chinese People’s Volunteers Order of Battle gives a good idea of what and who the Australians from 1, 2 and 3 RAR were up against.

SEAL, Graham – Echoes of Anzac: the voices of Australians at war

Lothian Books, South Melbourne, 2005

ISBN: 0734408099

Photographs, index, bibliography; 298 pages.

More verse attributed to soldiers over time including some RAR soldiers.

SEAL, Graham – Inventing Anzac: the digger and national mythology

University of Queensland Press, Brisbane, 2004

ISBN: 798702234477

Photographs, index, bibliography; 232 pages,

This work includes excavating the origins and development of Anzac Day itself, the distinctive culture of the digger and the continuation of digger lore through to Vietnam.

SMITH, Neil C – Disarming the menace – Australian soldiers with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force 1946-1952

Mostly Unsung Military History Research and Publications, Brighton VIC, 2021

ISBN: 1876179473

Bibliography, maps, illustrated; 259

Addresses the work of the BCOF including 65, 66 and 67 Bns which became 1, 2 and 3 RAR while serving in Japan.

SUMMERS, Harry G (Jnr) – Korean War Almanac

Facts of File Inc, New York, 1990

ISBN: 0-8160-1737-9 (hcvr)

ISBN: 0-8160-2463-4 (pbk)

Index, bibliography; 330 pages.

US Colonel of Infantry Summers presents a highly readable accounf of the war in Part I. Part II is a chronology. Part III is an alphabetically arranged list of military concepts. Several references to all three RAR battalions and their parent brigade.

THOMAS, Nigel and ABBOTT, Peter – The Korean War 1950-53

Osprey Publishing Ltd, UK, 1986

ISBN: 0-85045-685-1

Illustrations and photographs; 48 pages.

An overview of the participants of the war in Korea, mentioning the RAR battalions forming part of 27 and then 28 Commonwealth Infantry Brigades. One of the illustrations features a 3RAR corporal early in the war.

TREMBATH, Richard – A Different Sort of War: Australians in Korea 1950-53

Australian Scholarly Publishing, Melbourne, 2005

ISBN: 1740970802

Index, bibliography, 266 pages.

A background study of Australian participation in the Korean War.

WHEELER, Deborah – Silk clouds and olive trees: Stories from the Battle of Crete

Self-published, Warwick QLD, 2021

ISBN: 9780648109167

Illustrated, bibliography; 283 pages.

A collection of World War II stories about Greek and Australian veterans of the Battle of Crete. It includes one about Reg Saunders who was left stranded in Crete and evaded capture for eleven months before escaping by fishing trawler to Libya from where he continued his war service. He re-enlisted later after that war to serve with 3 RAR in Korea where his service included that as a company commander.

WHITE, William Lindsay – The captives of Korea: an unofficial white paper on the treatment of war prisoners

Greenwood Press, Connecticut US, 1978

ISBN 10: 0313206317

ISBN 13: 9780313206313

Illustrated, index; 347 pages.

Covers the treatment of Allied/Un troops captured in Korea; refers to Australians of which almost all POW were RAR members. There are other publishers of this book also.

WOOD, James (Dr) – The Australian military contribution to the occupation of Japan 1945–1952

Australian War Memorial, Canberra, undated

ISBN: Nil

68 page monograph.

High level paper on the Australian component of BCOF. Covers 34 Infantry Brigade comprising 65th, 66th and 67th Battalions which became 1, 2 and 3 RAR respectively while so deployed, with all three moving from Japan to serve in Korea. Accessible at https://www.awm.gov.au/system/files/documents/BCOF_history.pdf

WOOD, James (Dr) – The forgotten force: the Australian military contribution to the occupation of Japan 1945-1952

Allen and Unwin, St Leonards NSW, 1998

ISBN: 186448701

Illustrated, index, bibliography; 304 pages.

Story of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force whose tasks included the dismantling and destruction of the means by which the Japanese waged war; they also conducted patrols to reduce smuggling and illegal immigration, oversaw elections, and supervised repatriation of foreign nationals. Includes reference to 34 Infantry Brigade comprising 65th, 66th and 67th Battalions which became 1, 2 and 3 RAR respectively while so deployed.

SOUTH EAST ASIA 1950-current

(includes Malaya, Borneo, Singapore & Malaysia)

1st Division Headquarters – Rifle Company Butterworth Handbook

Adaptive Warfare Branch HQ 1st Div, Brisbane, 2014

ISBN: Nil

Colour photographs, map; 70 pages.

HQ 1st Division is the Mounting Authority for deployments of RCB to Air Base Butterworth, now for primarily training roles, under the local supervision of 2/30 Training Group which is based there. This publication is issued to all troops deploying there and constitutes a generic briefing to prepare them for service in Malaysia. As an on-line document is subject to periodic updates. Hard copy users need to know that it is FOUO (for official use only).

                                                                                                                                                                                                 Australian Military Forces – Borneo Book for Servicemen

Australian Military Forces, Canberra, 1945

ISBN: Nil

Illustrations, maps; 58 pages.

Believed to be first published in 1945, this monogram was re-issued including tot 3 and 4 RAR for use in preparing troops for deployment during Konfrontasi 1963-66. Available in some Defence Libraries, the National Library and the Victorian State Library. Digital copy in Part 16 of this website.

BEDLINGTON, Stanley S – Malaysia and Singapore: the building of new states

Cornell University Press, London, 1978

ISBN: 0801409101

Illustrations, index, glossary; 280 pages.

General history of Malaysia and Singapore from 1975-78, covering the Malayan Emergency 1948-60, Borneo, Thai border operations,  and the Second Malaysian Emergency/Communist Insurgency during which all RAR battalions contributed. Includes reference to Emergency Regulations that meant the term ‘war’ was not used.

BRAWLEY, Sean and RADCLIFFE, Matthew – Losing the Blanket, Building a Fence: Australian Anxiety and the End of Military Colonialism in Malaysia

Taylor Francis Online, 2017

ISSN: 0308-6534

Article in The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History, Volume 45-2017, Issue 6, 24 pages.

This paper addresses RAAF affairs primarily at Air Base Butterworth, Malaysia and deals also with the constant stream of Rifle companies that were deployed there from 1 Nov 70 onwards, most commonly known as Rifle Company Butterworth, these company groups came form every RAR battalion. See also at   https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03086534.2017.1379669

CAMPBELL, Colin – ANZUK: What is it?

Campbell Publishing, Australia, 2020

ISBN: 978098072016

Illustrated, index, footnotes; 278 pages.

A history of the ANZUK Force, a tri-nation entity based in Malaysia following the withdrawal of the bulk of British forces form SE Asia. It included 28 British Commonwealth Brigade later titled 28 ANZUK Brigade, comprising battalions from the UK, NZ and a third RAR battalion from Australia. Several RAR battalions rotated through this Brigade, all supplying rifle companies to Air Base Butterworth, and engaging in training and other duties during the life of the formation.

CAPLE, D – RCB 128

in Australian Infantry Magazine, Vol 1, Number 1, July-December 2020, pp 56-65.

About Rifle Company Butterworth Rotation 128 in 2019. An Army Reserve group with RAR staff embedded, including W)2 Caple who served twice with RCB during the Second Malaysian Emergency/Communist Insurgency 1968-89.

CLOAKE, John – Templer, Tiger of Malaya: the life of Field Marshal Sir Gerard Templer

Harrap. London, 1985

ISBN: 9780245542046

Photographs, maps, index, bibliography; 520 pages.

Biograph of the British commander credited with turning the tide against the Communist insurgents in the Malaya Emergency during which 1, 2 and 3 RAR served.

CLUTTERBUCK, Richard – Conflict and Violence in Singapore and Malaysia, 1945-1983

Graham Brash, Singapore, 1984

ISBN-10: 0813301688

ISBN-13: 978-0813301686

Illustrations, references, index; 412 pages.

Convers both the Malayan Emergency (1948-60) and the Communist Insurgency War/Second Malaysian Emergency (1968-up to 1983, the time of publication. 1, 2, and 3 RAR served during the first war and all RAR battalions deployed rifle companies to Air Base Butterworth to protect RAAF assets, people and dependents against the CT threat, with several RAR battalions serving in-country  from 1966 to the end of the ANZUK period.

CLUTTERBUCK, Richard – The Long, Long War: The Emergency in Malaya 1948-1960

Cassel and Company Ltd, London, 1967

ISBN: 9810463316, 9789810463311

Index, bibliography, maps, diagrams, summary of events; 206 pages.

Brigadier Clutterbuck served in Malayan Emergency and gained first-hand knowledge of that war.

CLUTTERBUCK, Richard – Riot and Revolution in Singapore and Malaysia 1945-1963

Faber and Faber, London, 1973

ISBN: 057110181X

Index, maps, diagrams, bibliography; 321 pages.

The degree of success any organization can achieve depends ultimately on the point of contact between the revolutionaries and the nation concerned. This book provides good background to what followed in the Malayan Emergency 1948-60 and the follow-on Communist Insurgency War 1968-89. All RAR battalions provided either battalion or company sized forces for these two deployments.

FOLLOWS, Roy with POPHAM, Hugh – The Jungle Beat – Fighting Terrorists in Malaya 1952-1961

Blandford/Cassels, London, 1990

ISBN: 0713721359

Index, bibliography, maps, diagrams, B & W photographs; 152 pages.

A humane, honest and authentic account of jungle warfare. Includes reference to Noel Dudgeon (then a police officer) who later served in 2 RAR and AATV in Vietnam.

GREY, Jeffery  & DENNIS, Peter – Emergency and Confrontation: Australian Military Operations in Malaya and Borneo 1960-1966

Allen & Unwin in association with the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 1996

ISBN: 1863733027

Index, bibliography; 381 pages.

This is an Official History account of Australia’s military involvement in the Malayan Emergency 1948-1960, and the confrontation by Indonesia to destabilize the Federation of Malaysia, the latter fought mainly in northern Borneo between 1964 and 1966. Rolls of Honour for Malaya 1948-60 and Malaysia 1964-66 included.

GUEST, Bob – Konfrontasi Diggers 1963-66: the activities of 3 RAR during the Indonesian Confrontation

Military History and Heritage Victoria, online, 2019

An online copy of a lecture given by Colonel RL Guest (Retd) about 3 RAR’s experiences in Borneo. Accessible at https://www.mhhv.org.au/konfrontasi-diggers-1963-66-the-activities-of-3rar-during-the-indonesian-confrontation/

HANRAHAN, Gene Z – The Communist struggle in Malaya

Institute of Pacific Relations, New York, 1954

ISBN: Nil

159 pages.

Provides an excellent background to the conflict in Malaya into which 2 RAR is deployed in 1955. RAR personnel are already in-country on an advisory/planning mission during this time.

JAMES, Harold & SHEIL-SMALL Denis – The Undeclared War:

The Story of the Indonesian Confrontation 1962-1966

Leo Cooper Ltd, London, 1971

ISBN 10: 0850520800

ISBN 13: 9780850520804T

Index, maps, black and white photographs; 201 pages.

This book provided some detail on Confrontation and Sukarno’s attempt to destroy Malaysia, and the counter-action by the British and Commonwealth forces in Borneo between 1962 and 1966. 3 RAR is mentioned.

JOHNSON, Len – A Mandate of Heaven Lost: The Emergency in Malaysia 1948-1961 – Sub-titled An Exemplary Counter-Insurgency

Longleat House Publishing, Brisbane, 2015 (second edition 2018)

ISBN: Nil

Limited edition (50 copies) coverage of 3 RAR’s tour of duty 1957-1959 which focuses on Operation Ginger. 1 RAR and 2 RAR also mentioned.

LOWRY, Robert – The Armed Forces of Indonesia

Paul and Co Pub Consortium, Sydney, 1997

ISBN: 9781864481440

282 pages.

A coverage of the Indonesian Armed Forces including during the time of Konfrontasi 1963-66 when 3 and 4 RAR were deployed during the Borneo Campaign.

MACKAY, Donald – The Malayan Emergency 1948-1960: the domino that stood

Cultured Lotus, Singapore, 1977

ISBN: 9789810510855

Illustrated, index; 174 pages.

Detailed coverage of the Malayan Emergency during which 1,2 and 3 RAR participated.

MACKIE, JAC – Konfrontasi: The Indonesian-Malaysian Dispute 1963-66

Oxford University press, London, 1974

ISBN: 0196382475

Index, maps, bibliography, tables; 368 pages.

Indonesia’s confrontation with Malaysia was initially a ‘secret’ conflict, some histories calling it less than a war. More than a diplomatic dispute, armed force was used in both East and Western Malaysia, and most Australian serving in this conflict were awarded Active Service status after an initial period of cover up. The campaign is most commonly being called, in Australia’s history, ‘Borneo’. This book analyses the causes. Both 3 and 4 RAR deployed to Borneo.

Malaysia – Special Issues

The Cove, 2022

An online article which covers primarily the Malayan Emergency 1948-60 but also wider times. All three RARs to serve in that war are mentioned as is RCB (the data is not accurate for the latter). Has embedded videos, some of which include RAR personnel. These are also referenced separately in Part 8 of this bibliography. See paper at https://cove.army.gov.au/article/kyr-malaysia-special-issues

MILLER, Harry – Jungle War in Malaya – The Campaign Against Communism 1948-60

Arthur Barker Ltd, London, 1972

ISBN: 0213994543, 9780213994549

Index, maps, B & W photographs: 220 pages.

Miller covered this period as a journalist, building a wealth of knowledge during years of close association with the British Special Branch and the Army. The book examines the roots of the conflict and tells some absorbing stories of the guerilla warfare that ensued that involved RAR battalions as part of the British Commonwealth forces.

MILLER, H – Menace in Malaya

Harrop, London, 1954

ASIN: B0000CIXBP

Illustrations, maps; 248 pages.

Traces the fortunes of the Malayan Communist Party and the conduct of the Malayan Emergency in its early stages.

MOSS, Tristan and RICHARDSON, Tom (Eds) – Beyond Combat: Australian military activity away from the battlefield

UNSW Press, Sydney, 2018

ISBN: 9781742235905

References and notes; 250 pages.

One chapter by TWOMEY, Christina, titled– Bring the family: Australia’s overseas military communities and regional engagement, 1945-1988, covers the RAAF in Malaysia, and refers to 4 RAR several times, quoting two COs. This is a sociological study rather than one of operations.

POULGRAIN, Greg – The genesis of Konfrontasi- Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, 1945-1965

Crawford House Publishing, Bathurst NSW, 1998

ISBN: 1863331514

Illustrated, maps, bibliography, index; 321 pages

Covers the lead up to and early conduct of Confrontation between Indonesia and Malaysia. RAR are mentioned.

PHAM, PL – East of the Suez:  the British decision to withdraw from Malaysia and Singapore 1964-1968

Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2016

ISBN: 9780199680361

Illustrated, index; 280 pages.

Addresses the political, economic and strategic developments behind the transition of Britain’s core role in SE Asia during the Malayan Emergency and Confrontation. RAR battalions fought alongside and under command of British forces while the forces leading to the Communist Insurgency war 1968-89 built up during this time, in part because of the British decision to withdraw, combined with Communist successes in Vietnam.

RADCLIFFE, Mathew – Kampong Australia: The RAAF at Butterworth

Newfound Publishing, Sydney, 2017.

ISBN: 9781742235141 (pbk)

Index, Referenced Notes, 320 pages.

A general social history of the RAAF service at Butterworth Air Base starting in 1050. While it refers to some of the RAR battalions that served in Malaya and Borneo during the First Malayan Emergency, it is remarkable for its omission of reference to the Rifle Company Butterworth, under whom their internal security of the base depended.

ROWLAND, John – Two Transitions: Indochina 1952-1955, Malaysia 1969-1972

 Griffith University, Brisbane, 1992

ISBN: 0868574473, 9780868574479

Bibliography, 69 pages.

Centre for the Study of Australia-Asia Relations, Division of Asian and International Studies memoire No. 8 in the Australians in Asia series. All RARs provided rifle companies to Malaysia in this period as RCBs, while 1 RAR and 6 RAR served as part of the FESR in-country. Monogram mentions Australian forces’ role in Malaysia at this time.

SHORT, Anthony – In pursuit of mountain rats: the communist insurrection in Malaya  

Cultured Lotus, Singapore, 2000

ISBN 13: 9789819430771

Illustrated, index; 547 pages.

Deals with the Malayan Emergency in which 1, 2 and 3 RAR fought, written from a British perspective. 1 and 4 RAR was also involved in operations in the Thai border area even after the official cessation of hostilities for a further period.

SURHONE, LM, TENNOE MT & HENSSONOW, SF – Operation Claret

Betascript Publishing, 2011

ISBN-10: 6135321196

ISBN-13: 9786135321197

Illustrations, maps, index; 136 pages.

Operation Claret was the codename given to operations conducted July 1964 until July 1966 from East Malaysia (Sarawak and Sabah) across the border in Indonesian Kalimantan during the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation. Their purpose was to seize the initiative and put the Indonesians on the defensive instead of allowing Indonesian forces to be safely based in Kalimantan and attack when and where they chose. However, it was important not to cause the Indonesians to lose face and possibly escalate the conflict, or to enable Indonesia to present evidence of ‘imperialist aggression’ so Claret operations were highly classified and never publicised at the time. 3 and 4 RAR deployed to Borneo.

WANG Gungwu and ONG Wei Chong (Author/Editors) – Voice of Malayan Revolution: The CPM Radio War against Singapore and Malaysia, 1969-1981

  1. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore, 2009 and Select Books

ISBN-10: 9810836384

ISBN-13: 978-9810836382

350 pages.

This book covers the early part of the Second Malaysian Emergency (1968-89) including the Communist Party of Malaysia’s “long march” from the Malayan interior into Southern Thailand. There, the CPM reorganised, reviewed their strategy and bided their time. In 1968, inspired by the Cultural Revolution in Red China and events in Indochina, the CPM sought for a second time to establish a “People’s Republic” in the Malay Peninsula. From 1968 to 1989, the Malaysian security forces and the CPM once again confronted each other in the jungles of the Malaysian-Thai border and elsewhere in what was known as the Second Emergency. In this time all RARs provided troops to Air Base Butterworth on protection of RAAF assets and personnel duties. The most common name was Rifle Company Butterworth.

WEICHONG, Ong – Malaysia’s defeat of armed communism: the Second Emergency 1968-1989

Routledge, London, 2015

ISBN: 978041582088

Maps, index, references; 204 pages

Comprehensive coverage of the Second Malaysian Emergency/Communist Insurgency War in which every RAR deployed multiple company-sized groups known mainly as Rifle Company Butterworth.

 VIETNAM 1962-75

Army Headquarters – The Australian Army in Profile 2008

Defence Publishing Services, Canberra, 2008

ISSN: 14415127

Colour and B & W photographs; 130 pages.

RAR units are named in this annual general publication, with coverage of the Battle for Coral-Balmoral 1968.

ATKINSON, Bruce – Bunfight at Long Tan Aug 2016

ABC, Sydney, 2016

Illustrated, 7 pages.

A written story about a documentary made on the occasion of a revisit to the battlefield where D Coy 6 RAR had fought its epic battle. Shows both sides’ veterans mixing and some images from the time. Paper is accessible at chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://sabben.com/longtantrek/images/BUNFIGHT%20AT%20LONG%20TAN%202016.pdf

BECKETT, Ian – Vietnam from 1945: Conflict in the 20th Century

Gallery Books, New York, 1987

ISBN: 0831791705

Illustrated, index; pages unknown.

General pictorial of the war in Vietnam. Some photographs of Australians.

BLAXLAND, JC – Organising an Army: the Australian Experience 1957-65

Australian National University, Canberra, 1989

Illustrations, maps, references, Appendixes with other Canberra Papers (CP) papers and Working Papers listed; 168 pages.

Canberra Papers (CP) on Strategy and Defence Paper No 50 out of the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, ANU. Examines the structure of the Australian Army including battalions, and the experiment with the pentomic and then pentropic battalions. Examines the battalion structures including those that the RAR adopted and the difficulties in switching from one to another in Australia and then overseas up until the start of the Vietnam War. Accessible online at http://sdsc.bellschool.anu.edu.au/experts-publications/publications/3201/organising-army-australian-experience-1957-1965

BOWMAN, John, S (Editor) – The Vietnam War: Day by Day

Bison Books, New York, 1989

ISBN-10: 086124575X

ISBN-13: 978-0861245758

B&W and colour photographs, index; pages vary with different publishers

A chronology of the long and bitter conflict in Vietnam from the beginnings through to the Saigon evacuation. Refers to the Australian commitment. Generally useful for its imagery and general chronological presentation.

BRADLEY, Neil – Battles of Coral and Balmoral Part 2: Time Spent in Reconnaissance Is Rarely Wasted

Ministry for Culture and Heritage, NZ, 2009

Online paper on the battle which included 1, 2 and 3 RAR over the period 12 May – 6 Jun 68. Accessible at http://www.vietnamwar.govt.nz/memory/battles-coral-and-balmoral-part-2/

BRODIE, Scott – Tilting at Dominoes – Australia & the Vietnam War

Child & Associates, Brookvale NSW,1987

ISBN: 0867770686

Index, illustrations,160 pages.

Multi-perspective social history of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam conflict from the 1950s. Covers the activities of the First Battalion; and the task force in Phuoc Tuy.

BROWNE, Margaret – Australia at war: Vietnam

Hodder & Stoughton, Lane Cove NSW, 1994

ISBN: 0340358319

Black and white and colour photographs, maps; 33 pages.

From the Hodder Australia series this booklet addresses the Vietnam War in which the RAR provided the bulk of the troops.

BUSHBY, RN – Educating an Army: Australian doctrinal development and the operational experience in South Vietnam, 1965-72

Australian National University, Canberra, 1998

ISBN: 9789731527441

11 pages.

Canberra Papers on Strategy and Defence No 126 in the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre series. Examines how the Australian Army met the challenges to its doctrine presented by the Vietnam War, the bulk of the troops being RAR soldiers.

BUTLER, David – The fall of Saigon: scenes from the sudden end of a long war

Mass Market Paperback, New York,1986

ISBN-10: 044012431X

ISBN-13: 978-0440124313

Black & white photographs, maps; 510 pages.

Graphic coverage of the last six weeks of the Vietnam War ending in the fall of Saigon to the North Vietnamese. While all nine RAR battalions of the time had served earlier in the war, some twice, a platoon of RAR soldiers remained to protect the embassy until evacuated in this time.

CABLE, Ross W – An Independent Command: Command and Control of the 1st Australian Task Force in Vietnam

Australian National University, Canberra, 2000

Illustrations, maps, references, Appendixes with other Canberra Papers (CP) papers and Working Papers listed; 108 pages.

Canberra Papers (CP) on Strategy and Defence Paper No 134 out of the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, ANU. Examines the war from a Task Force command perspective. Most TF commanders were RAR by background, as were many of their staff. The 1st ATF comprised two or three RAR battalions as the core force during the war. Paper online at http://sdsc.bellschool.anu.edu.au/experts-publications/publications/3118/independent-command-command-and-control-1st-australian-task

CAIRNS Jim F, MP – Scorched Earth Reborn

Widescope International Publishers, Camberwell VIC, 1976

ISBN: 0 86932 014 9

B & W Photos; 72 pages.

Reviews Vietnam’s history of its struggle for independence, including the savagery of war under foreign occupation up to that point. RARs are mentioned in this treatise.

CAIRNS Jim F, MP – Silence Kills

Vietnam Moratorium Committee, Richmond VIC, 1970

ISBN: none

Timeline, photographs (B & W); 104 pages.

Cairns was arguably the most influential politician with the most to do with organising and conducting the moratoriums against the war in Vietnam, a war decided by politicians but fought by soldiers. RAR’s role in Vietnam is mentioned, and many RAR veterans will relate the both the moratorium marches and their effect on serving soldiers, especially Vietnam veterans.

CAIRNS, JF – The eagle and the lotus: Western intervention in Vietnam from 1847 – 1971

Lansdowne Press, Melbourne, 1969

ISBN-10: 7018016037

ISBN-13: 978-7018016032

Bibliography, index, tables; 253 pages.

While an American-centric publication, it covers the Australian commitment as well from 1962 to 1971.

CAMERON, David W – The Battle of Long Tan: Australia’s Four Hours of Hell in Vietnam

Penguin Random House. Melbourne, 2016

ISBN: 9780670078271

Maps, photos, index; 392 pages.

A third party account of the battle which featured 6 RAR, especially D Coy which fought the great bulk of the battle. Substantial use if made of oral interviews, with solid coverage of the supporting arms and services.

CARHART, Tom – Great battles of the Vietnam war

Bison Books, Greenwich USA,1984

ISBN-10: 0861241592

ISBN-13: 978-0861241590

Colour and black and white photographs, index, maps; 189 pages.

Covers the major battles of the Vietnam War including the Tet Offensive which involved RAR battalions.

CAWTHORNE, Nigel – Vietnam: A war lost & won

Arcturus Publishing Ltd, New York, 2005

ISBN: 9781848376359

Black and white photographs, index, references; 240 pages.

A general US history that includes the Tet Offensive in which RAR troops took part. Useful macro-perspective of the Vietnam war.

CLARK, Pratt John – Vietnam voices: perspectives on the war years 1941-1975

University of Georgia Press, Atlanta, 2008

ISBN: 9780820333694

Black & white photographs, maps, index, bibliography; 712 pages.

A chronological coverage of the Vietnam war presented from multiple perspectives including the NVA and Viet Cong.

COATES, John – Suppressing Insurgency: An Analysis of the Malayan Emergency. 1948 – 1954

Westfield Press, Oxford, 1992

 ISBN: 0813314364, 9780813314365.

References, Index, Illustrated; 223 pages.

Detailed analysis of the cause and conduct of the early years of the first Malayan Emergency into which 1,2 and 3 RAR were then cast.

COLLINS, Carolyn – Save our sons: women, dissent and conscription during the Vietnam War

Monash University Publishing, Melbourne, 2021

ISBN: 9781925835960

Illustrated, index; 360 pages.

This book tells the story of the Save Our Sons movement of Australian women who banded together to oppose conscription during the Vietnam War. In 1965, angered by the Menzies’ government’s decision to conscript young men, a group of Sydney housewives issued a national ‘distress call – SOS – to mothers everywhere’. Their call was answered by women across Australia, who formed groups of their own many cities to protest the conscription and end the so-called ‘lottery of death’.

COOK, Peter – Australia and Vietnam 1965-1972

La Trobe University Press, Melbourne, 1991

ISBN: 1863244085

Illustrated, maps, bibliography, index: 64 pages.

Covers Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War, including conscription, protests against involvement in the war in which all nine RAR battalions served.  Second edition published 2002 entitled: Australia’s Vietnam War in history and memory.

COOPER, Brad – Vietnam: War and peace: an Australian ex-digger’s perspective

Self-published, Australia, 2020

ISBN 10: 0648861503

ISBN13: 9780648861508

237 pages.

This book is an insightful collection of interviews with those who have experienced the horrors of warfare. It is also part diary, part travelogue, and part autobiography by an RAR Vietnam veteran. It examines events over the last two thousand years with an emphasis on military conflict in Vietnam, including the author’s experience there. The time of Australian participation in the ‘American War’ is contrasted with today’s Vietnam with no attempt made to discover who was right or who was wrong.

DAPIN, Mark – Myth-making and memory: Australia, the Vietnam War and National Service

University of NSW, Canberra, 2018

ISBN: N/A

A thesis in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, University of New South Wales, School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Normally on the UNSW website. Copy will be available from the Royal United Services institute-Victoria Library. Dapin’s book by a similar name is based on this thesis.

DAPIN, Mark – Australia’s Vietnam: Myth vs History

Newsouth Publishing, Sydney, 2019

ISBN: 9781742236360

272 pages.

A novellist’s work based on interviews with Australian Vietnam veterans. It asserts that every stage of Australia’s commitment to the Vietnam War has been misunderstood, misinterpreted and shrouded in myth. From army claims that every national serviceman was a volunteer; and the level of alleged atrocities committed by Australian troops; to the belief there were no welcome home parades until the late 1980s and returned soldiers were met by angry protesters.

DAPIN, Mark – The Nasho’s War – Australian national servicemen and Vietnam

Penguin Random House Australia, Sydney, 2014

ISBN: 9780670077052

Notes, Bibliography, References, Index, maps and images; 470 pages.

The author draws on the accounts of over 150 national servicemen from the conscription round starting on 10 March 1965 who then served in Vietnam. Every RAR battalion to serve in Vietnam included national servicemen.

DAVIES, Bruce – An Independent Command? Australia’s Ground Forces in the Vietnam War and Contemporary Memories

in Nathalie Huynh Chau Nguyen, ed., New Perceptions of the Vietnam War: Essays on the War, the South Vietnamese Experience, the Disapora and the Continuing Impact (Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2015). Addresses issues associated with the placement of Australians under foreign command eg 1 RAR with 173rd Airborne Brigade, and AATTV operations.

DAVIES, Bruce – Battle at Ngok Tavak: A Bloody Defeat in South Vietnam, 1968

Allen & Unwin, Crow’s Nest NSW, 2008

ASIN: ‎ B01GTQ8A5U

Illustrated, maps, index; 272 pages.

Published in the United States as Battle at Ngok Tavak: Allied Valor and Defeat in Vietnam. Lubbock: Texas Tech University Press, 2009. Ngok Tavak , a satellite camp to the Special Forces camp at Kham Duc in the western part of Quang Tin province, was held by Mobile Strike Force Company 11 (a mostly Nung force with eight US and three Australian advisors, one an Australian captain) and two 105mm howitzers of Battery D, 2/13 Marines. It was overrun by PAVN forces 10 May 1968. Author served with 1 RAR in Vietnam followed by two tours of duty with the AATTV.

DAVIES, Bruce with McKAY, Gary – Vietnam: The Complete Story of the Australian War

Allen and Unwin, St Leonards NSW, 2012

ISBN: 9781741750287

Index, bibliography; 704 pages.

A strategic analysis written around the fiftieth anniversary, using data and research not available until this time. Covers the background to why the war was fought, the reason and high level nature of Australia’s involvement, the nature of the enemy and their dogged persistence that eventually led to victory following the American withdrawal.

DENNIS, Peter and GREY, Jeffrey The Australian Army and the Vietnam War 1962-1972: the 2000 Chief of Army’s Military History Conference

Army History Unit, Canberra, 2002

ISBN: 0642502676

Illustrations, maps, Index; 304 pages.

Contains multiple papers that between them cover every RAR unit and mentions many individuals.

Department of Veteran’s Affairs – 40th Anniversary of the Battle of Binh Ba Vietnam

Australian Government, Canberra, 2009

ISBN: Nil

References, colour, black and white photos; 40 pages.

Refers to books, articles, interviews, unit diaries other material and includes a map. The first seven pages comprise a Commemorative Service; the remainder contains the story, photos and details of the reference material about the Battle which involved 5 RAR and supporting arms moving to support 6 RAR.

Department of Veterans Affairs – Vietnam: Our War – our Peace

DVA, Canberra, 2006

ISBN: 10: 192070707

ISBN: 13: 9781920720704

Colour and Black and White illustrations/photos; 140 pages.

General coverage of Vietnam War, with the Australian soldiers mostly being RAR members.

DOYLE, Jeff & GREY, Jeffrey (editors) – Australia R & R: Representations and Reinterpretations of Australia’s War in Vietnam

Burning Cities Press, USA, 1991 (multiple other publishers)

ISBN: 0-9628524-3-0

Bibliography; 176 pages.

This publication contains several papers by well- known authors on various aspects of Australian involvement in Vietnam. Includes RAR battalions.

DOYLE, Jeff, GRAY, Jeffrey and PIERCE, Peter – Australia’s Vietnam War

College Station: Texas A&M University Press, Texas, 2002

ISBN: 9781585441376 

Illustrated, index, bibliographical references, maps; 218 pages.

Book written primarily for the American market where the mere mention of Vietnam conjures up images of protest in American streets and tensions so strong they divided a country. Comparatively little is known in America about Australia’s experience The authors cover Australia’s decision to participate in the conflict as part of a collective Western effort to stop Communist expansion, a price paid for assurances of American intervention in the event of an Indonesian attack on Australia. Through an evaluation of the literature arising from Vietnam, the manner in which Australia memorialised its fallen veterans, this book offers insights into the healing process following such conflicts.

DUNN, P M – The first Vietnam War

C Hurst & Coy Publishers, London, 1985

ISBN-10: 0905838874

ISBN-13: 978-0905838878

Illustrations, references, index; 392 pages.

A history of the Vietnam War from a non-American perspective.

EDWARDS, Peter – Australia and the Vietnam War

NewSouth, Sydney, 2014

ISBN: 9781742232744

Illustrated, bibliography, index; 304 pages. A history of Australia during the Vietnam War, including national service and the deployments to that war.

EDWARDS, Peter- A Nation at War: Australian Politics, Society and Diplomacy during the Vietnam War 1965-1975

Allen & Unwin in association with the Australian War Memorial, Sydney, 1997

ISBN: 1864482826

Index, bibliography, 460 pages.

This comprehensive Official History account presents a considered and balanced interpretation of the public debate over Australian involvement in the Vietnam War and includes reference to the commitment/deployment of the battalions of the RAR.

EKINS, Ashley with McNEILL, Ian – Fighting to the Finish, The Australian Army and the Vietnam War 1968-1975

Allen & Unwin Sydney, 2012

ISBN: 978 1 6508 824 2

Index, Bibliography; 1139 pages.

The final volume of the Official History of the Australian Army’s part in the Vietnam War gives the reader a detailed understanding of Australia’s role in the ground war in Vietnam for the period. The army’s successes and frustrations are expertly described and analysed. Factors that commanders had to balance in making decisions, and how the war looked to the young Australians who had to carry those ideas into practice, are presented. Roll of Honour (Jul 68 – Nov 71), Decorations and Battle Honours included.

ENGLISH, Michael – The Battle of Long Khanh 3 RAR Vietnam, 1971

Army Doctrine Centre, Sydney , 1995

ISBN: 0642222266

Maps, photos; 74 pages.

A military publication covering the Battle of Long Khanh involving 3 RAR.

FAIRHEAD, Fred– A Duty Done – A History of The Royal Australian Regiment in the Vietnam War 1965-72

RARA (South Australia) Inc, Adelaide, 2012

ISBN: 978-0-9924704-0-1

Maps, photographs; 192 pages. No Index or Bibliography although in the Preface author acknowledges some sources by name

The book, which covers 55 operations does not summarise the official histories or supplant Battalion histories and other privately written publications which describe specific aspects of the war. It is described as being an understanding of the extent of the RAR’s involvement and the nature of its role and operations in the Vietnam War. Can be downloaded from http://www.radschool.org.au/Books/A%20Duty%20Done.pdf

FAIRHEAD, Fred – Long Tan: A Re-appraisal

Avonmore Books, Kent Town SA, 2019

ISBN: 978-0-6486659-2-2

Photographs, maps, illustrations, references; 49 pages.

This small but highly readable and well-illustrated book provides a fresh perspective of the Battle of Long Tan which involved 6 RAR and supporting arms and services. The references (source material) includes much primary data, namely the actual documents created before, during and immediately after the battle.

FINN, Peter – Vietnam dispatches

Access Press, North Bridge WA, 1998

ISBN: 0864451296

Photographs, illustrations; 99 pages.

The Vietnam War was the first time Australians were conscripted to fight a war on foreign soil, but they did their duty as their forbearers had done. Finn was a reporter for the Perth Sunday Times, sending reports on what the men endured and how they coped to the countrymen back home. Most were RAR members.

FITZSIMMONS, Peter –The battle of Long Tan

Hachette Australia, Sydney, 2022

ISBN:978073364661

Illustrated, Index, 450 pages.

Addresses the Battle of Long Tan, centring on D Coy 6 RAR.

FLEMING, Robert – A jungle too far: Britain and the Vietnam War

National Army Museum UK, online, 2023

A video’d lecture by Fleming on the subject which cover the history of the topic from the end of WW II. Mentions Australian involvement in Malaya and Vietnam to give context to the prime story. 2 RAR is specifically mentioned in the Malayan Emergency as is AATTV and 1 ATF comprising the RARs in the Vietnam component. A very good overview of the build of the conflicts from 1945 when the Japanese surrendered, the French returned, the US involvement bult and what became Vietnam to the end of the war as we the West know it. Britain supplied a Training Team, a little-known fact. Accessible at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soMNBdOajMA

GRANDIN, Bob – Danger close: the Battle of Long Tan as told by the Commanders to Bob Grandin

Allen and Unwin, Crows Nest NSW, 2019

ISBN: 9781760877262

Illustrated; 340 pages.

Originally published in 2004 as The Battle of Long Tan, this republished version contains first-hand testimony from many of those who took part in the battle that centred on D Coy 6 RAR on 18 Aug 1966. This edition features a cover image from the movie of the same name.

GRENVILLE, Kenneth – The Saving of South Vietnam

Alpha Books, Sydney, 1972

ISBN: 0855530960

224 pages.

This is the first non-official publication in Australia to set out the case for South Vietnam and to justify the US policy regarding that war. Issues of Australian and other governments in intervening to prevent the Vietcong and the North Vietnamese taking over South Vietnam are addressed. Only in the last two chapters is the RAR mentioned. It has a chapter specially written by Brigadier F.P. Serong.

.

GREY, Jeffrey & DOYLE, Jeff – Vietnam: War, Myth & Memory

Allen & Unwin, St Leonards NSW, 1992

ISBN: 1863733191

Index, bibliographical references,157 pages.

This book examines how and why Australia became involved in the Vietnam War, what Australians thought about it at the time, and how we remember and memorialise our involvement two decades later. It explores what was uniquely Australian about the Vietnam experience, setting it within the comparative context of what the war was like for Americans and New Zealanders. The RAR is not specifically mentioned but the book provides important background to battalion operations.

HALL, RA – Vietnam: Insights Gained, Lessons Lost

A chapter in FRAME T (ed.), The Long Road, Sydney (see this reference under Section 1 General of this database) in which several RARs are mentioned.

HALL, RA and ROSS, A – ‘Landmark’ battles and the myths of Vietnam

 New South Publishing, Sydney, 2012

ISBN: 978174223288

23 pages.

A chapter published In Stockings (ed.), Anzac’s Dirty Dozen: Twelve myths and misconceptions of Australian military history, pages 186-209. Addresses a range of battles by several RAR battalions in Vietnam.

HALL, R and ROSS, A – Lessons from Vietnam – Combined Arms Assault Against Prepared Defences

Land Warfare Studies Centre, Canberra, 2003

ISBN: 0642295832

Footnotes; 78 pages.

This paper comprises pp 27-52 of Working Paper 122 published by the LWSC. It examines operations by RAR in Vietnam against bunker systems. 1 ATF which comprised all RAR is mentioned as is 4 RAR. However, the paper is based on the aggregate of ALL RAR attacks in that war. Accessible at https://researchcentre.army.gov.au/library/land-warfare-studies-centre/breitenfeld-baghdad-perspectives-combined-arms-warfare

HALL, R – Why was 5 RAR stationed at Nui Dat?

In Vietnam Vanguard: the 5th Battalion’s approach to counter-insurgency, ed R Boxall and R O’Neill, ANU Press, Canberra, 2020

Pp 21-43.

A chapter on 5 RAR in this regimental history. Accessible at https://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/n6124/pdf/ch02.pdf

HASTINGS, Max – Vietnam: An Epic Tragedy 1945-1975

Harper Collins Publishers, London, 2018

ISBN: 978-0-00-813298-9

Photographs, maps, Notes, References, Index: 722 pages.

An American-South Vietnamese-centric coverage of the conflict which also refers to the Australian commitment specifically mentioning a range of the RAR and HQ 1st Task Force.

HAWKING, Don – The CMF and the Vietnam War

Military History and Heritage Victoria, online, 2020

An online article which addresses the role played by CMF members in Vietnam during the war. 3 RAR and 7 RAR are mentioned, and it is known that most if not all RARs had CMF members during tours of duty. Author served with 7 RAR in Vietnam. Article is at https://www.mhhv.org.au/the-cmf-and-the-vietnam-war/

HODGES, Ian – The Battle of Fire Support Bases Vietnam 1968 – Coral/Balmoral

Dept of Veterans’ Affairs, Canberra, 2008

ISBN: 9781877007316

B&w and colour photos; 45pp.

 An account of the seminal 1968 battles including RAR units and persons in HQ 1ATF, and supporting units.

HORNER, D.M. – Australian Higher Command in the Vietnam War:

Canberra Papers on Strategy and Defence No. 40

The Australian National University, Canberra, 1986

ISBN: 0867848936

Bibliography,136 pages.

This monograph examines the command structure which existed during the conflict. The RAR is involved through battalions comprising the bulk of the Task Force when its command function is examined.

HORNER, David – Australia’s military history for dummies

Wiley, Milton QLD, 2010

ISBN: 9781742169835

Maps, illustrations, index; 442 pages.

Traces the history of Australia’s involvement in wars from colonial days right through to Afghanistan. Refers to all campaigns/deployments involving the RAR battalions.

HORNER, David with THOMAS, Neil – In Action with the SAS

Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest NSW, 1989, 2002, 2009

ISBN: 9781741755527

Notes, Bibliography, Index; 356 pages.

Author was a member of the RAR. While primarily about the SAS, this book also refers to several RAR units; the basis of all deployed Army forces with whom the SASR has worked during declared wars and other conflicts. This book is an updated edition of an earlier work titled: SAS: Phantoms of the Jungle and contains information not available at that time due to security controls.

HORNER, D.M. – SAS Phantoms of the Jungle: A history of the Australian Special Air Service

Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest NSW, 1989

ISBN: 0 04 520006 8

Black and white photos, Notes, Bibliography, Index; 527 pages.

Author was a member of the RAR. This comprehensive work addresses the Australian SAS’s history, referring appropriately to the RAR battalions with which its sub-units worked in all conflicts. Appendices are provided on awards, active service nominal roll, roll of honour (both operations and training) up to and including Vietnam and 24 Jul 82 respectively.

HORNER, David – Strategic Command, General Sir John Wilton and Australia’s Asian Wars

Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, 2005

ISBN: 0 19 555 282 2

Index, bibliography, 452 pages.

Tells the story of a most important and influential Australian Army officer in the second half of the twentieth century. For eight tumultuous years, firstly as Chief of the General Staff from 1963 to 1966, and then as Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee until 1970, General Sir John Wilton was responsible for the conduct of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

JAMIESON, Mark – Fire Support Base Coral 12 May to 6 Jun 68 – South Vietnam

University of Wollongong, Wollongong, 2014

ISBN: None

Bibliography, maps, black and white and colour, photographs 112 pages.

An Honours thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the award of a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Primarily a story of the fighting by 102 Field Battery, it includes reference to 1 RAR which protected them and in whose support 102 Fd Bty primarily fired.

KATCHER, Phillip – Armies of the Vietnam War 1962-75

Osprey Publishing, London, 1980

ISBN: 10:0850453607

ISBN: 13:9780850453607

Coloured and B &W images, index; 40 pages.

Book 104 in the Men-at-Arms Osprey Series; includes a general coverage all of the armies who fought in Vietnam War. Australian reference, among the allied forces, would probably be RAR men.

KING, GavinCan do: Campbell Newman and the challenge of reform

Common Court Publishing, Ballarat VIC, 2015

ISBN-10: ‎ 1925138658

ISBN-13: 9781925138658

Illustrated; 344 pages.

While Campbell also graduated from Duntroon and served with the Royal Australian Engineers, Newman’s father Kevin had a distinguished career in the RAR, many of the details of which are addressed in this book.

KING, Peter (edited by) – Australia’s Vietnam: Australia in the Second Indo-China war

Allen & Unwin, Sydney, 1983

ISBN: 0868610372

Index, bibliographical references, maps, illustrations, 226 pages.

For ten years Australia was entangled, on the losing side, in a Southeast Asian guerilla War. Several of the battalions are mentioned.

KRAMER, Michael, G – A gracious enemy

Michal Kramer (self-published), Australia, 2019

ISBN-10 : ‎ 107756175X

ISBN-13‏ : ‎ 978-1077561755

Illustrated, notes: 501 pages.

The author served with 1 RAR in 1968-69 in Vietnam. This book tells the story of the three Indo-China wars, including the second tour of duty by 5 RAR in Vietnam.

LAURITZ NE – The Vietnam moratorium

Hawthorn Press, Melbourne, 1970

ISBN: 07260008X

40pages.

Addresses the Vietnam moratorium movement during the Vietnam war.

LEEPSON, Marc – Webster’s new dictionary of the Vietnam War

Diane Pub Co, London, 1999

ISBN-10: 0756757355

ISBN-13: 978-0756757359

Photographs, maps, index; 598 pages.

A comprehensive reference for the Vietnam War. Covers opposing forces including the Australians.

LYLES, Kevin – Vietnam Anzacs

Osprey Publishing, London, 2004

 ISBN: 9781841767024

Index, colour and B & W photos; xx pages.

Book 103 in the Osprey Warrior series, this publication covers the Australian and NZ forces in the Vietnam War.

MADDEN, Michael C – DASHER: the Kevin Wheatley VC story

Big Sky Publishing Company, Newport NSW, 2021

ISBN: 9781922488657

Illustrated, index; 324 pages.

Warrant Officer Class II Kevin ‘Dasher’ Wheatley VC of the RAR was one of the finest soldiers Australia has ever produced. The story of his sacrifice is used by the ADF as a perfect example of valour and mateship to this day. A Victoria Cross recipient in Vietnam, his story is told in this book which was written with firsthand accounts from Dasher’s family and the men who served alongside him. Forwarded by Keith Payne VC and featuring the 2021 investiture of Dasher’s American Silver Star, an award 56 years in the making, this book also investigates other gallantry awards Wheatley qualified for but was never given.

McAULAY, Lex – Bars of Vung Tau

Banner Books, Sydney, 2017

ASIN: B077V214GF

Kindle, 16 pages.

During the war in South Vietnam 1962-72, Vung Tau was a major rest and recuperation site for the US, Australian and New Zealand troops. The book includes a list of bars, hotels and steam baths gathered in 1970 by the relevant Military Police offices for use in their duties. Virtually all RAR veterans will have visited Vung Tau, while 1st Australian Logistics Group, the major logistics support base for the Australians in Vietnam, including some RAR personnel, was also based there.

McAulay, Lex – Blue Lanyard, Green Valley

Banner Books, Maryborough, 2014

ISBN: 978-1-875593-05-7

Index, bibliography; 283 pages.

Covers Operation New Life 65, conducted in part by 1 RAR on its first tour of duty in Vietnam, with the 173rd Airborne Brigade during Nov-Dec 65.

McAULAY, Lex – Paying Our Way: Australian payment for US support in South Vietnam 1962-71

Banner Books, Sydney, TBA

ISBN: Nil

Nil illustrations, References; pages TBA.

Unpublished (as at August 2018) analysis of the cost in resources to Australia for US support during the Vietnam War. Interim paper to be published in Part 16 of this bibliography pending official publication. Australia and the USA in 1962 made a financial agreement by which US support for Australian forces in Vietnam would be paid on a monthly basis by Australia. This account of the amounts paid between 1962-70 details the extent of US support derived from the reports by Australian headquarters in Saigon. Items included were rations and quarters, ammunition, medical support, weapons, air travel (on R&R) and base construction.

McKAY, Gary & STEWART, Elizabeth  – With Healing Hands: The untold story of the Australian civilian surgical teams in Vietnam

Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest NSW, 2007

ISBN: 978 1 74175 0744

Index, notes, photographs, Bibliography; 286 pp.

The story of over 450 surgeons, nurses and other medical specialists who served from 1964-72 to aid civilian casualties. 1 and 6 RAR feature in this book which is also co-authored by wounded RAR veteran.

McNamara, Robert S – In retrospect: the tragedy and lessons from Vietnam

Random House, New York, 1996

ISBN-10: 0679767495

ISBN-13: 978-0679767497

Illustrations, maps, index; 518 pages.

A retrospective analysis of the Vietnam War from a US perspective.

McNEILL, Ian – To Long Tan: The Australian Army and the Vietnam War 1950-1966

Allen & Unwin in association with the Australian War Memorial 1993

ISBN: 1863732829

Index, bibliography, Honour Roll, Honours and Awards, 614 pages.

An Official History volume that is one of several covering Australia’s involvement in South East Asia conflicts over the period 1948 – 1975. Covers the operations of 1 RAR 1965-66, and 5 RAR and 6 RAR in 1966.

McNEILL, Ian & EKINS, Ashley – On the Offensive: The Australian Army in the Vietnam War 1967-1968

Allen & Unwin in association with the Australian War Memorial 2003

ISBN: 1863733043

Index, bibliography; 650 pages.

This Official History volume shows how the Australian Task Force coped with the difficulties and dangers of operating with only two infantry battalions and limited resources against an elusive and aggressive enemy. Roll of Honour Jan 67-Jun 68 included.

MORTENSEN, KG – Vietnam target for 1972 blitzkrieg

Gerald Griffin Press, St Kilda VIC, 1972

ISBN: 9780855540029

56 pages.

Describes life in Vietnam prior to the attack launched by the North Vietnam Army in April 1972. The Australian commitment had almost entirely ceased at that time with only a small RAR presence being the embassy protection platoon.

MURPHY, John – Harvest of fear: a history of Australia’s Vietnam war

Allen & Unwin, Sydney, 1993

ISBN: 9781863734493

Index, references; 352 pages.

Presents a clear picture of how the war came about, how it was seen from Australia, what the war was like for the Australian soldiers sent there, and why our involvement was the cause of such division at home.

NONE, Val – Disturbing the war: Melbourne catholics and Vietnam

Spectrum, Melbourne, 1998

ISBN: 0867861274

Illustrated, maps, bibliography; 333 pages.

A sociological study of Melbourne catholics, including RAR members, serving in the Vietnam war, the society form which they came and to which they returned.

NOONE, Val – Disturbing the war: Melbourne Catholics and Vietnam

Spectrum, Melbourne, 1993

ISBN-10: 0867861274

ISBN-13: 978-0867861273

Illustrations, maps index, bibliography; 333 pages.

A sociological coverage of one element of Australia’s religious population in Victoria and its opposition to the war in Vietnam. Many RAR veterans will have been affected one way or the other by such action on the home front.

O’NEILL, Robert J – General Giap: Politician & Strategist

Cassell Australia, North Melbourne, 1969

ISBN: 0304933759

ISBN: 9780304933754

Photographs, maps, references; 219 pages.

Study of the life and career of the head of the North Vietnamese armed forces by an Australian veteran of the Vietnam war and military college instructor, himself a member of the RAR. Giap of course led the enemy against whom Australians fought in the war.

PAGE, Tim – Another Vietnam: Pictures of the war from the other side

National Geographic Books, New York, 2002

ISBN-10: 0792264657

ISBN-13: 978-0792264651

Illustrated, index; 242 pages.

Australian journalist covers the Vietnam war from both sides in this visual history.

PAGE, Tim – Nam

Thames & Hudson, New York, 1995

ISBN-10: 9780500272800

ISBN-13: 978-0500272800

Photographs, index; 112 pages.

Page was arguably the most famous photographer of the Vietnam war. His images played a profound effect on the world’s perspective of the Vietnam War and they show to a degree what the Australian forces also faced. Useful visual background to understanding the RAR’s role in the war.

PAGE, Tim – The Mindful Moment

Thames & Hudson, New York, 2001

ISBN: 10:05000542422

ISBN: 13:978050542422

Colour and Black and White illustrations, 239 pages.

A strongly image-oriented coverage of conflicts in Indochina, including the Vietnam War, where Page worked as a war correspondent during the time RAR members served there. He was wounded four times and is known to some RAR members.

PEMBERTON, Gregory – All the way: Australia’s road to Vietnam

Allen & Unwin, Sydney, 1984

ISBN 10: 0049940090

ISBN 13: 97800049940093

Illustrated, index, bibliography; 411 pages.

A general history of Australia’s role in the Vietnam war and the period leading up to the deployments of the main forces based on RARs. Some RARs are mentioned.

PERRETT Bryan – A History of Jungle Warfare from the earliest days to the battlefields of Vietnam

Patrick Stevens Pty Ltd, Barnsley UK, 1990

ISBN: not identified

Black and white photographs, index, maps, diagrams; 208 pages.

Covers 6 RAR in the Battle of Long Tan.

PIERCE, Peter, GREY, Jeffrey & DOYLE, Jeff (edited by) – Vietnam Days Australia and the impact of Vietnam

Penguin Books Australia Ltd, Victoria, 1991

ISBN: 0140123040

Illustrations, Maps, Index; 323 pages.

A re-assessment of the myths, history and culture of Australia’s longest war in which the RAR battalions formed the bulk of the Australian ground forces deployed.

PIKE, Douglas – PAVN: People’s Army of Vietnam

Presidio Press, Novato California,1986

ISBN-10 : ‎ 0891412433

ISBN-13 : ‎ 978-0891412434

The People’s Army of Vietnam is described in 1986 as probably the most astounding military phenomenon of our lifetime. The author states that since the fall of Saigon in 1975, PAVN quadrupled in size and is today the third largest military force in the world, bigger than the U.S. Army. In this study Pike addresses in detail the question of how a small, underdeveloped, poverty-ridden country could create such an impressive military machine. He discusses too how the Vietnamese Communists developed a new kind of war with an underlying strategy “for which there is no known countermeasure.” This Army grew form and included those against whom the RAR battalions fought in Vietnam.

PIKE, Douglas – Viet Cong: the organization and technique of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam

MIT Press, USA, 1967

ISBN: 9780262160148

490 pages.

This is the first extensive study of the Viet Cong. Based on some 800 documents captured in battle and on interviews with 100 ex-Viet Cong, much of the primary source material is reproduced, and all of it is interpreted in the light of the author’s broad knowledge of Vietnam and its people. Written at the time RAR battalions were engaged in combat with such forces.

PODHORETZ, Norman – Why we were in Vietnam

Simon & Schuster, New York, 1982

ISBN-10: 0671445782

ISBN-13: 978-0671445782

Illustrated, index; 240 pages.

A US-centric history about the war in Vietnam.

REINBERG, Linda – In the field: The language of the Vietnam War

Facts on file, New York, 1991

ISBN: 9780816022144

Illustrations, index; 268 pages.

A dictionary of acronyms, nicknames, brand names, technical terms and other word variations including slang coined during the Vietnam War by its combatants. RAR members will relate to most, even though most are Americanisms.

ROSS, Andrew Dr – Mine warfare – 1st Australian Task Force’s struggle for South Vietnam

Big Sky Publishing Company, Newport NSW , 2021

ISBN: 9781922488268

Illustrated, maps, index; 160 pages.

Supported by statistical analyses of operational research data, this book details the complex tactics adopted by 1ATF to eventually defeat the Viet Cong mine campaign, and how enemy forces were reduced to a negligible military presence in Phuoc Tuy Province. All RAR troops faced the danger of mines, with both sides using them to deadly effect. One of the Australian Army Combat Support series.

ROSS, Andrew, HALL Robert and GRIFFIN Amy – The Search for Tactical Success in Vietnam: An analysis of Australian Task Force Operations

Australian Cambridge University Press, Port Melbourne VIC, 2015

ISBN: 959.7043394 R823

References, Index, original maps, charts; 302 pages.

From 1966 to 1971 the 1st Australian Task Force fought in the war in South Vietnam. Troops from Australia and NZ were the best trained and prepared for the counterinsurgency warfare conducted. This book sheds new light on this campaign by examining the thousands of small-scale battles in which the Task Force and its RAR battalions engaged. The authors present a study of their tactics and achievements in Phuoc Tuy Province. Original maps throughout the text help illustrate how those tactics were employed.

RUSSELL, Lee E – Armies of the Vietnam War (2)

Osprey Publishing, London, 1983

ISBN: 10: 08504551486

ISBN: 13: 9780850455144

Colour & black and white images, Index; 40 pages.

Book 143 of the Men at Arms Osprey Series. Covers all combatants’ armies in the Vietnam War.

SEXTON, Michael – War for the asking: Australia’s Vietnam secrets

Penguin, Ringwood VIC, 1981

ISBN: 0140059091

Bibliography, index; 212 pages.

An analysis of why and how Australia entered the war in Vietnam, including reference to classified information that the Australian Government preferred not be made available to the general public.

SCOTT, Stuart – Charlie don’t Surf but Aussies Do: Taking time out from the Vietnam War

Watson Ferguson, Salisbury QLD, 2009

ISBN: 9780646497083 (pbk)

Colour photos, 96 pages.

Tall tales and true from the Peter Badcoe VC Club 1st Australian Logistic Support Group, located at Back Beach Vung Tau in South Vietnam. The RAR is not specifically mentioned, but the majority of troops using the facility were members of the RAR on leave aka Rest and Convalescence; sometimes at the same time as enemy personnel.

SEXTON, Michael-  War for the asking: how Australia invited itself to Vietnam

New Holland Publishers, Sydney, 2002

ISBN: 1864367601

Black and white photographs, index; 240 pages.

Sexton goes behind the diplomatic and political scenes to demonstrate how the Menzies Government manipulated the political climate so that key decisions regarding Australia’s involvement were made without prior Parliamentary or Press debate. Drawing on documents from the period, Sexton shows that Australia had volunteered the use of combat troops some time before the April 1965 announcement of 1 RAR battalion group deployment.

SHADDOCK, John – Foxhound: Australian Infantry on Operations South Vietnam

Hippo Books, Rosebury NSW, 1997

ISBN: 0 646 30594 8

Maps, Glossary; 239 pages.

An account of Australian operations against the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese units. Details the hardships encountered by the soldiers fighting a counter-guerrilla war, choosing tactics and matching wits against a foe they seldom saw face to face.

SIBNARAYAN, Ray – Vietnam: seen from East and West: an international symposium

F Praeger, New York, 1966

ASIN: B00RWCPQU

Index, bibliography, notes on authors; 192 pages.

Record of an examination of the Vietnam War from both East and West perspectives, at an early stage of the war. Useful for a wider perspective as Australian commitment at this time was still in its second year for RAR units.

SMITH, Terry – Training the Bodes: Australian Army advisers training Cambodian Infantry Battalions – A postscript to the Vietnam War

Big Sky Publishing, Newport NSW, 2011, reprint 2016

ISBN: 9781921941016 (hbk.)

Index, black and white photos, endnotes, nominal roll, maps, awards; 215 pages.

A small group of Australian officers and NCOs as part of the AATTV helped train 27 Cambodian Army Infantry Battalions during the Vietnam War in 1972.  Many men of that Team were members of the RAR.

STEPHENS, David & BROMOWSKI, Alison – The Honest History Book: Australia is more than Anzac and always has been

Newsouth Publishing, Sydney, 2017

ISBN: 9781742235264 (paperback)

Index, notes; 344 pages.

Comprises twenty chapters by that number of authors who discuss myth and fact surrounding the phenomena ‘ANZAC’. RAR units in Vietnam are involved in that discussion.

TATE, Don – Crucible: the Australians in action in Vietnam

SOS Printing, Sydney, 2022

ISBN: 9780645316513

Illustrated, bibliography, index; 196 pages.

A range of Vietnam battles/incidents involving most RARs in Vietnam. Covered in a chronological order.

THURGAR, Jack & CROTHERS, Richard – Australia Vietnam forces national memorial:  a photographic history of the dedication weekend

RW Crothers & Associates, Higgins ACT, 1992

ISBN: 0646124420

Colour and B & W photographs; 160 pages.

Photographic record of the opening of the memorial in ANZAC Avenue on 3 Oct 92. Most Australian casualties in the Vietnam War were RAR.

 TIETZEN, Kate – They were hard nuts:  The Australians in Vietnam, 1962-1972 – A focus on the American failure to make maximum use of the Australians’ counterinsurgency tactics in South Vietnam

Clemson University, North Carolina USA, 2014

Bibliography, 26 pages. A research paper which refers to several of the RARs and 1 ATF in the Vietnam. Several cited authors in the paper’s bibliography are well known RA members. Accessible online using the paper’s title. Start athttps://www.google.com/search?q=tietzen%2C+kate+-+they+were+hard+nuts%3A+the+australians+in+vietnam%2C+1962-1972+-+a+focus+on+the+american+failure+to+make+maximum+use+of+the+australians%E2%80%99+counterinsurgency+tactics+in+south+vietnam&rlz=1C1GCEA_en-GBAU942AU942&oq=&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCQgAEEUYOxjCAzIJCAAQRRg7GMIDMgkIARBFGDsYwgMyCQgCEEUYOxjCAzIJCAMQRRg7GMIDMgkIBBBFGDsYwgMyCQgFEEUYOxjCAzIJCAYQRRg7GMIDMgkIBxBFGDsYwgPSAQkyMzAxajBqMTWoAgiwAgE&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

TOMPKINS, Phil – Ruff puff: a ‘MAT’ team leader’s story of Vietnam

Self-published, 2011

ISBN-10: 1460913671

ISBN-13: 978-1460913673

291 pages.

Story about the US Military Advisory Teams (MAT) by an Australian veteran who served with one.

TRACEY, Michael – Australians in Vietnam: An account of the War in Vietnam and the 30th Anniversary Commemorations of the Battle of Long Tan

Australian Army History Unit. Canberra, 1996

ISBN: 10: 0642259046

ISBN: 13: 9780642259042

B & W illustrations; 85 pages.

A general account of the war in Vietnam. Shows and mentions RAR troops.

WATT, Sir Allan – Vietnam, an Australian analysis

FW Cheshire, Melbourne, 1968

ISBN: None

Index, bibliography, appendices; 177 pages.

Published by the Australian Institute of International Affairs, this extended paper provides an analysis of the Australian involvement early in the war in Vietnam.

WILKINS, David S, OAM – Anatomy of a bunker battle – an action replay from the Hat Dich in South Vietnam

RUSI NSW, Sydney, 2023

ISBN: Nil

Illustrated, maps, glossary; 27 pages.

On of the RUSI’s Javelin online publication series, this monograph address the battle of Hat Dich.  Fought on 31 Jul 69, this battle centredon7 Platoon C Coy 5 RAR during Operation Camden. Accessible at https://www.rusinsw.org.au/Monographs/Monograph9.pdf

WILKINS, David, OAM –The Battle of Binh Ba Revisited – from the histories of both sides

Self-published, 2019

Author is the former Adjutant, 5RAR, 1968-69 tour of duty in Vietnam. Paper addresses the battle from the perspective of both sides. Located at http://www.5rar.asn.au/pdf/Battle-of-Binh-Ba-Revisited.pdf

WILLIAMS, Jean R (collector) and  MORRIS, Jill (Editor)– Homecoming: images of Vietnam

Homecoming Publications, Nambour QLD, 1991

ISBN-10: 0646041363

ISBN-13: 978-0646041360

Colour and B & W photographs, index; 79 pages.

Includes many images of RAR personnel during the Vietnam war.

WIRTZ, JJ – The Tet offensive: Intelligence failure in war

Cornell University Press, Chicago, 1991

ISBN-10: 0801482097

ISBN-13: 978-0801482090

Illustrations, index; 272 pages.

A US evaluation of the Tet Offensive in 1968 during the Vietnam War, major battles which involved 3, 5 and 7 RAR.

 

PEACEKEEPING & PEACEMAKING OPERATIONS

(Somalia 1992-93, Rwanda 1994-95, Cambodia 1994-95, Papua New Guinea 1946 to 1975, East Timor 1999-2012, Bougainville 1994, The Solomon Islands 2000 -2008, all remaining deployments not covered by UN or above (Rhodesia, Uganda)

ADAMS, Rebecca (Ed) – Peace on Bougainville: Truce Monitoring Group Gudpela Nius Bilong Peace
Victoria University Press, Melbourne, 2001
ISBN 0-86473-408-5.
Index, illustrated, 192 pages.
On 20 November 1997 unarmed monitors from New Zealand, Australia, Vanuatu and Fiji deployed to Bougainville as part of the Truce Monitoring Force. ADF component included RAR members.

ANDERSON, David – The UN’s Role in Former Yugoslavia: the Failure of the Middle Way

Department of the Parliamentary Library, Canberra, 1995

ISSN: 13211579

Maps, endnotes; 25 pages.

Research Paper No 15, 1995-96 provides a Parliament of Australia-focused coverage of the UN deployment known as UNPROFOR in Croatia, and in Bosnia and Herzegovin during the Yugoslav Wars 1992-1995. Among the 1,200 Observers were RAR members. Also available online at https://www.aph.gov.au/binaries/library/pubs/rp/1995-96/96rp15.pdf

Anonymous – Assignment – East Timor

Townsville Bulletin, Townsville, 2005

ISBN: N/A

Illustrated; 46 pages

An interesting pictorial expose of the Australian Townsville based soldiers deployed to East Timor over time, many of whom were RAR.

BALLARD, John R – Triumph of self-determination: Operation Stabilise and the United Nations Peacekeeping in East Timor

Praeger Security International, Westport USA, 2008

ISBN: 13: 9780313348419

Index, glossary, maps, bibliography, B & W photographs; 221 pages.

Provides an insight to the struggle for independence on East Timor from 1999 to 2006. The RAR features in this work which is based on first person accounts, declassified documents and other secondary sources.

BEASLEY, Kent (Major) – Information Operations during Operation Stabilise in East Timor

Australian Army Land Warfare Studies Centre, Canberra, 2005

ISBN: 06422295727

74 pages.

Working Paper 120, 2005. Addresses information support operations to the INTERFET during Operation Stabilise. Accessible at http://timorlestepastandpresent.weebly.com/uploads/3/0/4/5/30456864/operation_stabilise_in_east_timor_major_jent_beasley.pdf

BLAXLAND, John (Ed) – East Timor Intervention: A retrospective on INTERFET

Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 2015.

ISBN: 9790522869088

Illustrated, maps, chart, references, index; 329 pages.

A series of chapters which examine the major INTERFET operation stating in 1999 which involved most of the RAR battalions.

BLAXLAND, John – Information-era Manouvre: The Australian-led Mission to East Timor

Land Warfare Studies Centre, Canberra, 2002

ISBN: 0 642 29566 2

References. Both a published monogram and available online in downloadable format; length varies with format.

Working Paper No 118 of the LWSC series, this book addresses the changing nature of warfare experienced in East Timor which reflected a radical change form Australia’s previous experiences, especially from an information perspective. Some RAR units are mentioned.

BLAXLAND, John – Lessons learned for Interfet’s first ten days

Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 2015

Chapter 9 of the book titled BLAXLAND, John (Ed) – Timor Intervention: A retrospective in Interfet. Covers the initial stages of the Australian involvement in East Timor.

BLAXLAND, John (Ed) – Timor Intervention: A retrospective in Interfet

Melbourne University Press, Carlton VIC, 2015

ISBN-10 : ‎ 0522867766

ISBN-13‏ : ‎ 978-0522867763

Illustrated, maps, references; 348 pages.

A collection of chapters by different authors which cover the war in East Timor in which most RARs deployed over time.  In September 1999 the editor was the lead intelligence staff officer on Headquarters 3rd Brigade, the principal Australian land force formation that deployed to East Timor as part of the intervention.

BOU, Jean, BREEN, Bob, HORNER, David, PRATTEN, Garth & de VOGEL, Miesie – The limits of peacekeeping: Australian peacekeeping in internal conflicts, 1993–2006

Cambridge University Press, Port Melbourne VIC, 2018

ISBN-10: 1107101964

ISBN-13: 978-1107101968 ISBN: 9781107101968

Index, references, illustrations; 720 pages. ISBN: 9781107101968ISBN: 9781107101968ISBN: 9781107101968

Volume 4 of The Official History of Peacekeeping, Humanitarian and Post–Cold War Operations, a joint project of the Australian War Memorial and the Australian National University produced under the general editorship of Professor David Horner as Australian Official Historian. Covers peacekeeping missions from 1993 onwards including, Somalia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Haiti, Eritrea, Guatemala, Sierra Leone. Refers to several RAR including 1 RAR, 2 RAR, 2/4 RAR and others, and many RAR individuals.

BREEN, Bob – Australian Force Somalia 1992-1993

Australian Army History Unit, Canberra, 2022

ISBN: 9781922615183

Illustrated, maps, index, references, end notes; 184 pages.

No 31 in the Australian Army Campaign Series, this book covers the deployment to Somalia, the bulk of the troops being 1 RAR. It contains many lessons learned from the unforgiving school of trial and error in this peace enforcement operation.

BREEN, Bob – Chasing bandits in the badlands

Big Sky Publishing, Newport NSW, 2023

ISBN: 9781922625183

Illustrated, index, 264 pages.

Subtitled ‘Australian soldiers adjusting attitude in Somalia 1993, this book addresses the 1 RAR battalion group deployed to Somalia in 1993.

BREEN, Bob – Lessons learned from INTERFET’s first ten days

In BLAXLAND, John (Ed) – East Timor Intervention: A retrospective on INTERFET

Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 2015.

ISBN: 9790522869088

A chapter at pp 157-167 which mentions 2 RAR and 3 RAR in this time period.

BREEN, Bob – Struggling for Self-Reliance: Four Case Studies in Australian Regional Force Projection in the Late 1980s and the 1990s

ANU Press, Canberra.2008

ISBN: 9781921536083

Bibliography, Notes; 231 pp.

Also known as Canberra Papers on Strategy and Defence No. 171 this book covers four deployments including Operation Morris Dance (Fiji), Operations Lagoon and Bel Isi (both Bougainville), and Operation Warden (East Timor). Most RARs are extensively referred to.

BREEN, Bob – The Good Neighbour: Australian peace support operations in the Pacific Islands, 1980-2006. Volume 5. Official History of peacekeeping, humanitarian and post-cold war operations

Cambridge University Press, Port Melbourne VIC, 2016

ISBN: 9781107019713 (hbk)

Bibliography, Index, Maps, images, Appendices; 500 pp.

This book is the fifth in the new Official History of Australian Peacekeeping, Humanitarian and Post-Cold War Operations series. It explores the Australian efforts to support peace in the Pacific Islands from 1980 to 2006. Covers Bougainville and Solomon Islands deployments. All RAR units/sub-units and many individual RAR members included.

BREEN, Bob and McCAULEY, Greg – The World Looking Over Their Shoulder – Australian Strategic Corporals on Operations in Somalia and East Timor

Land Warfare Studies Centre, Canberra, 2008

ISBN: 978064 2296856 (pbk)

Study Paper No 314, Bibliography: 193 pages.

Addresses the importance of junior NCOs, particularly from the RAR, who served in Somalia and East Timor, and by inference elsewhere now and into the future as modern media covers these front liners in real time, sometimes across the world, giving their decisions unprecedented exposure.

CHURCH, Sophie – A Vintage Class: Royal Military College Duntroon 1958-61

HistorySmiths, Melbourne, 2022

ISBN: 978-0-6489574-4-7

Illustrated, index, graduate list; 184 pages.

Graduates to Infantry from the Duntroon graduating class of 1961 served in Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam, Malaysia and other deployments including United Nations, as individuals or as members of RAR units and sub-units.  

CONNERY, David – Crisis policymaking: Australia and the East Timor crisis of 1999 (2010 Ed)

ANU Press, Canberra, 2010

ISBN: 9781921666568

Bibliography; 192 pages.

Canberra Papers on Strategy and Defence No 176, this publication addresses the 1999 background to Australia’s eventual involvement in and lead of the INTERFET deployment involving RARs.

Control: Stories of Australian peacekeeping and humanitarian operations

Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Canberra, 2019

ISBN: 9780648282464

Illustrated, 56 pages.

Since 1947, over 30,000 Australians, many of them RAR units, sub-units and individuals. This book provides an overview of those operations with specific interest stories. Available in book form, and also accessible at https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/sites/default/files/docs/control-2019.pdf

CONQUEST, Gary & O-Brien, Paul, CSC – The Australian Somalia Journal 1992-1994

Self-published, Canberra, 2023

ISBN: Not yet known

Illustrated; 592 pages.

This publication includes input from a range of Australian and NZ troops working during Operation Iguana (UNOSOM) and Operation SOLACE which involved the 1 RAR Battalion Group. conducted as part of ASC UNOSOM (Operation Iguana). The operation involved the NZDF Supply Platoons and the 1 RAR Battalion Group (Operation SOLACE) from 1992 to 1994 in Somalia. These units ensured food reached the Somali people during a ravaging famine, despite the Somali warlords who held their own people to ransom for food and water.

COTTON, James S – East Timor, Australia and the regional order: Intervention and its aftermath in Southeast Asia

Routledge Curzon, New York, 2004

ISBN: 978041542984

References, index; 206 pages.

This book explains the exceptional nature of the East Timor intervention of 1999 by INTERFET which comprised several RAR battalions.
Australian complicity in the Indonesian occupation of East Timor was a major factor in the persistence of Indonesian rule in the territory for twenty-five years despite international censure and an unremitting campaign against the independence movement. This work reviews the reasons for that history of complicity, and explains the extraordinary change of policy that led ultimately to the occupation of the territory by the Australian-led INTERFET coalition.

DENNIS, Peter & GREY, Jeffrey (editors) – Battles Near and Far: A Century of Overseas Deployment

Australian Army History Unit, Canberra, 2005

ISBN: 0975766902

Bibliographical references, 287 pages.

Records the proceedings of the 2004 Chief of Army’s History Conference, providing background information about the Australian Army deployments to Somalia 1993-4, Bougainville 1994, East Timor 1999-on and Iraq 2003-on.

East Timor in transition 1998-2000: An Australian policy challenge

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Canberra, 2001

ISBN: 0642399468 (paperback)
            064239945X (hardback)

Illustrated; 312 pages.

Includes coverage of the INTERFET operations that included most RARs.

FARRELL, John Hunter – Peace Makers: INTERFET’s liberation of East Timor: Day one in Dili to the border and the Enclave

Fullbore Magazines, Rocklea, 2000

ISBN: 064639424X

96 pages.

Covers the INTERFET operations in East Timor, including the battalions deployed in that time.

FRY, G & LLOYD, David (Photographs) – Rwanda: The Australian Contingent 1994 – 1995

Directorate of Army Public Relations, Department of Defence, Canberra 1996

ISBN: 0642234795

Includes Index, 85 pages.

This pictorial history of Australia’s United Nations Contingent to Rwanda brings together the work of five photographers – David Lloyd, Angela Blakely, George Gittoes, CPL Geoff Fox and Robyn White.

GREENLEES, Don – Deliverance: the inside story of East Timor’s fight for freedom

Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest NSW, 2002

ISBN: 9781865083674

Illustrated, maps, index, bibliography; 375 pages.

Cover the struggle for independence by East Timor before and during the INTERFET invention that included all RAR battalions of the time.

HORNER, David – Australia and the New World Order: from Peacekeeping to Peace Enforcement 1988-1991 Volume II

Cambridge University Press, Melbourne, 2011

ISBN: 9780521765879

Bibliographical references, Index, B & W and colour photographs, maps; 601 pages.

This volume is part of the Official History of Australian Peacekeeping, Humanitarian and Post-Cold War Operations, and features RAR participation throughout this time.

HORNER, D – Deploying and Sustaining INTERFET in East Timor in 1999

Chapter published in Peter Dennis and Jeffrey Grey (ed.), Raise, Train and Sustain: Delivering Land Combat Power, Australian Military History Publications, Loftus, NSW, 2010 pp. 204-229. Addresses the issues associated with the deployment to East Timor involving 2, 3 and 5/7 RAR in that year.

HORNER, D & CONNOR, J. – The Good International Citizen: Australian Peacekeeping in Asia, Africa and Europe 1991-1993 (Volume III)

Cambridge University Press, Port Melbourne, 2014

ISBN: 978-1-107-02162-4

Index, Bibliography, maps, chronology, appendices; approx 590 pages.

Official History of Australian Peacekeeping, Humanitarian and Post-Cold War Operations) (Volume 3). Explores Australia’s involvement in six overseas missions in the years following the end of the Gulf War: Cambodia (1991–99); Western Sahara (1991–94); the former Yugoslavia (1992–2004); Iraq (1991); Maritime Interception Force operations (1991–99); and the contribution to the inspection of weapons of mass destruction facilities in Iraq (1991–99). These missions reflected the increasing complexity of peacekeeping, as it overlapped with enforcement of sanctions, weapons inspections, humanitarian aid, election monitoring and peace enforcement. Refers to many RAR units and individuals.

HOY, David – Target Timor: An account of East Timor

Self-published, Meringandan QLD, 1999

ISBN: 0646380494

Colour and B & W photographs, maps, index; 114 pages.

A predicative analysis of the political and other factors underlying the situation in East Timor into which the RAR battalions and others deployed over the ensuing years.

KILCULLEN, David – Counter Insurgency

Scribe Publications, Melbourne, 2010

ISBN: 9781921640346

Index, Notes, Black and white photographs; 251 pages.

A treatise on the topic from an international perspective. Includes a chapter on the Australian experience in East Timor, and mentions several RAR battalions in the lead up and implementation of the INTERFET operations, focussing on 2 RAR where and with whom the author served. Also covers other conflicts including Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan to address the topic.

KILCULLEN, David – Out of the Mountains: The Coming Age of the Urban Guerrilla

Scribe Publications, Melbourne, 2013

ISBN: 9781922070678 (pbk)

Index, Notes; 342 pages.

The author builds on his previous two books, and refers in this one to his experiences with 2RAR in East Timor.

KILCULLEN, David – The Accidental Guerrilla: Fighting Small Wars in the Midst of a Big One

Oxford University Press, New York, 2009

ISBN: 978 0 19 536834 5

Index, Notes, Black and white photographs, maps; 346 pages.

A seminal work on counter-guerrilla warfare in the 21st Century. One chapter addresses the issue in the context of the East Timor experience where a range of RAR personnel, and 2RAR, 3RAR and 5/7RAR are mentioned. The author served in East Timor and later the Middle East. Issues discussed for Iraq and Afghanistan were also faced by RAR troops and other components of the Australian Army.

LONDEY, Peter – Other People’s Wars – A History of Australian Peacekeeping

Allen & Unwin, Sydney, 2004

ISBN: 1865086517

Index, bibliography, 312 pages.

Every Australian peacekeeping operation to 2004 is here, with incisive accounts of the causes of the conflict, the aims of the multinational intervention, the Australian contribution, and the story of what happened.

LONDEY, Peter, CRAWLEY Rhys and HORNER, David – The long search for peace: observer missions and beyond: 1947–2006

Cambridge University Press, Port Melbourne VIC, 2019

ISBN-10: 1108482988

ISBN-13: 978-1108482981

Index, references, illustrations; 940 pages.

Volume 1 of The Official History of Peacekeeping, Humanitarian and Post–Cold War Operations, a joint project of the Australian War Memorial and the Australian National University produced under the general editorship of Professor David Horner as Australian Official Historian. Covers peacekeeping missions that began between 1947 and 1987, including Indonesia, Kashmir, the Middle East, the Congo, Cyprus, and Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. Mentions many RAR personnel.

LONDEY, P, CRAWLEY, R & HORNE, D – The only show in town: Commonwealth Military Training Team- Uganda, 1982-84

Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2019

ISBN: Unknown

Chapter in The Long Search for Peace: Observer Missions and Beyond, 1947-2006 (pp 690-714). Address the Australian contribution to the Training Team. Summary is online at https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/long-search-for-peace/only-show-in-town/4906F96C7091AF9B3E5560E85EADD11F

MANIATY, Tony – Shooting Balibo: Blood and memory in East Timor

Penguin, Camberwell VIC, 2012

ISBN: 9781742285269 

Illustrations, maps, index; 310 pages.

Coverage of aspects of the deployment to East Timor including to Balibo where some RAR sub-units rotated. Author was there in 1975 when journalists were executed.

O’HALLORAN, Kevin – Rwanda: UNAMIR 1994/5

Big Sky Publishing, Sydney, 2012

ISBN: 9781921941481

Colour and B & W photographs, maps; 160 pages.

In 1994, an orgy of killing swept across Rwanda with around one million men, women and children perishing. To alleviate the suffering and restore order, Australian UN peacekeepers including 2 and 2/4 RAR were sent to Rwanda under a United Nations’ mandate. On 22 April 1995, at a displaced persons’ camp in Kibeho, over 4,000 unarmed men, women and children died at the hands of the Rwandan Patriotic Army. Constrained by UN peacekeeping Rules of Engagement, these Australians could only watch helplessly and try to assist the wounded.

O’REILLY, Ciaron – Remembering forgetting

Otford Press, Miranda UAST, 2001

ISBN10: 1876928301

ISBN13: 9781876928308

128 pages.

A good background to the lead up to the East Timor operations in 1999 on which RAR battalions took part.

Records of Australian contingents to United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda II (UNAMIR II)
Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 1995         

This source contains the records of the Australian contingents to United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda II (UNAMIR II) – Commander’s Diaries from 25 Jul 94 to 30 Jul 95, with extra diaries kept by other staff officers added. Elements of the force were from 2/4 RAR and 2 RAR. Accessible at https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C2132713

RYAN, Allen – Primary responsibilities and risks: Australian Defence Force participation in the International Force East Timor (Monogram)

Land Warfare Studies Centre, Canberra, 2000

ISBN: 0642295417

Illustrated, maps, bibliography; 146 pages.

Study Paper No 304 covers the deployment of INTERFET on 20 Sep 99 as an important step in international peace enforcement. By the time prime operations were concluded in Feb 00, INTERFET was regarded as arguably the most successful example of a peace mission ever conducted on behalf of the UN. Also accessible at https://researchcentre.army.gov.au/sites/default/files/sp304_primary_responsibilities_and_primary_risks-alan_ryan.pdf

STOCKINGS, Craig – Born of fire and ash: Australian operations in response to the East Timor crisis 1999-2000

UNSW Press, Sydney, 2022

ISBN: 9781742236230

Illustrated, maps, bibliography, index; 919 pages.

A major work completed in conjunction with the Australian War Memorial. Volume 1 of the sixth series of Australian Official Histories, this volume covers the East Timor deployments over the period 1999-2000.

THOMPSON, Alan – Never let the bastards get you down

Self-published, Hawker ACT, 2002

ISBN: 0646418734

Illustrated, Index, Nominal Roll; 205 pages.

Record of the Duntroon class to graduate in 1960 and cadet life in the late 1950s. Is regarded by Duntroon graduates as typical of the period 1955-1965. Graduates served in Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam, Malaysia and other deployments including United Nations, as individuals or as members of RAR units and sub-units.  

WEHNER, Monica & DENOON, Donald, (Eds) – Without a gun: Australians’ experience monitoring peace in Bouganville 1997-2001

Pandanus Books, Canberra, 2001

ISBN: 9781740760133

Illustrations, maps, index; 220 pages.

RAR personnel served in command and support roles in this unarmed peacekeeping deployment, and were supported primarily from Townsville-based RAR units on standby to support them.

ZAALBERG, TWB – Soldiers and Civil War: Supporting or Substituting Civil Authorities in Modern Peace Operations

Amsterdam University Press, Amsterdam, 2006

ISBN: 90 5356792 5

Bibliography, Notes, Index; 528 pages.

Chapter 7 of this book covers Australian and others’ involvement in Somalia 1992-3 which included the 1 RAR Battalion Group and Force HQ including RAR members in Operation Restore Hope.

       

MANIATY, Tony – Shooting Balibo: Blood and memory in East Timor

Penguin, Camberwell VIC, 2012

ISBN: 9781742285269 

Illustrations, maps, index; 310 pages.

Coverage of aspects of the deployment to East Timor including to Balibo where some RAR sub-units rotated. Author was there in 1975 when journalists were executed.

    

                                                                                                                          

IRAQ 2003-09 and 2014–ongoing

BLAXLAND, John, FIELDING, Marcus and GELLERFY, Thea (Editors) – Niche Wars: Australia in Afghanistan and Iraq 2001-2014

ANU Press, Canberra, 2020

ISBN: 9781760464028 (print)

ISBN: 9781760464035 (online)

Bibliography, images, maps, figures; 377 pages.

This publication examines Australia’s experience on military operations from 2001 to 2014 in Afghanistan and Iraq. RARs deployed in both wars either as the main component of battle groups or provided combat teams, and individuals in other roles during this time, under a range of titles.

 DOI: http://doi.org/10.22459/NW.2020. Online version accessible at https://press.anu.edu.au/publications/niche-wars

FIELDING, Marcus – Concluding Australia’s military commitment in Iraq

Military History and Heritage Victoria, online, 2011

An article which provides the author’s perspectives of the end of the war. 20,000 ADF personnel which involved many RAR troops served as part of Operations Falconer and Catalyst. A “Welcome Home Parade” was conducted on 21 November 2009 in Canberra. Article is at https://www.mhhv.org.au/concluding-australias-military-commitment-in-iraq/

FIELDING, Marcus – The war in Iraq- a personal perspective

Military History and Heritage Victoria, online, 2013

An article which provides the author’s perspectives of the war which involved many RAR troops. A high-level overview that allows the reader to put into perspective the (still emerging) unit/sub-unit level histories, and any official histories.

HORNER, David – The Gulf commitment: Australia’s first Australian Defence Force war

Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 1992

ISBN-10: 0522845118

ISBN 13: 9780522845112

Illustrations, maps, references, index; 248 pages.

This book addresses the First Gulf War where the Australian deployment was truly ADF in nature. RAR units did not get a direct role but this book outlines the impact that conflict had on defining future roles and capabilities such that all future deployments occurred with fresh thinking and preparation, including for the RAR units to later train and deploy.

MALIK, Mohan J – The Gulf War: Australia’s role and Asian-Pacific responses

Australian National University, Canberra, 1992 

ISBN: 073151369X

 

Bibliography, 152 pages.

Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Research School of Pacific Studies (Canberra Paper (CP) No. 91). While the RAR did not deploy any units to this war during the period 1991-2 (a small unit under command of LTCOL David Ross (RAR) took part later in a humanitarian disaster support role with the Kurdish people) all units geared up for the possibility as did support agencies such as the 1st Recruit Training Battalion and Infantry School when general possible mobilisation was planned. This paper is important in that it sets the scene for the later Invasion of Iraq in 2003 which led to sustained and repeated tours of duty by RAR led or RAR-embedded units/sub-units, the SECDETs and then the ‘training’ tole of Operation OKRA and others. The second war and the RAR deployments are better understood having read Malik’s paper. Available at http://sdsc.bellschool.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/publications/attachments/2016-03/090_The_Gulf_War__Australias_role_and_Asian-Pacific_responses_%28Canberra_papers_on_strategy_anddefence%29_J._Mohan_Malik_134p_073151369X.pdf

McKELEY, Ben – Mosul: Inside Australia’s secret war against ISIS

Hachette Australia, 2020

ISBN-10: 0733645410

ISBN-13: 9780733645419

Illustrations, Notes; 352 pages.

Primarily about the battle for Mosul in the Iraq War that included elements of 2 Commando Regiment (ex 4 RAR (Commando)). Author was embedded with the ADF in East Timor and Iraq, and also worked independently in Afghanistan.

The war in Iraq: ADF operations in the Middle East in 2003

Department of Defence

Unreferenced 40-page publication with Foreword by Minister for Defence

An early and undated publication that provides an overview of Operations Bastille, Falconer and Catalyst, and mentions platoons from 4 RAR (CDO) and 2 RAR, the latter forming the Baghdad Security Detachment. Accessible at https://www.defence.gov.au/publications/lessons.pdf

War in the sandpit: Perspectives and lessons from Australia’s War in Afghanistan and Iraq 2001-2014

Military History and Heritage Victoria supported by ANU and RSL Australia

Proceedings and records of a two-day seminar held at Monash Centre, Gallipoli Barracks Brisbane 12-13 May 2017 hosted by COL M Fielding. All RARs contributed to both wars. See further detail at  https://www.mhhv.org.au/war-in-the-sand-pit-wisp17/

AFGHANISTAN 2006-2021

ALI, Tariq – The forty year war in Afghanistan and its predictable outcome

Verso Books, New York, 2021

ISBN: 9781839768224

Illustrated; 272 pages.

A coverage of the last forty years of conflict in Afghanistan including the time the RARs served there. Components of the Australian deployment groups in which they served are mentioned.

Australia’s engagement in Afghanistan: interim report

 Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, 2022

Parliament of Australia commissioned this report. All RARs contributed during the war in Afghanistan, especially from 2006-2021 as members of RTF and MRTF, and in individual roles on other entities. Interim report is accessible at https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Foreign_Affairs_Defence_and_Trade/Afghanistanengagement/Interim_Report

BACZOCHA, George (Editor) – The Great Game and Task Force Uruzgan

Journal of the Royal Australian Armoured Corp Association (NSW Branch) Inc, Sydney, 2013

ABN: 49709547198

Unknown author. Coverage of the Battle of Chora by Mentoring Task Force 1 (MTF1). Built on 6 RAR, MTF1 fought this battle in Uruzgan during which the first VC to an RAR member since Vietnam was awarded. Published in Armour March 2013, Issue No 467 and also available at http://www.raacansw.com.au/Documents/Newsletters/Armour_March_2013.pdf

BLAXLAND, John, FIELDING, Marcus and GELLERFY, Thea (Editors) – Niche Wars: Australia in Afghanistan and Iraq 2001-2014

ANU Press, Canberra, 2020

ISBN: 9781760464028 (print)

ISBN: 9781760464035 (online)

Bibliography, images, maps, figures; 377 pages.

This publication examines Australia’s experience on military operations from 2001 to 2014 in Afghanistan and Iraq. RARs deployed in both wars either as the main component of battle groups or provided combat teams, and individuals in other roles during this time, under a range of titles.

 DOI: http://doi.org/10.22459/NW.2020. Online version accessible at https://press.anu.edu.au/publications/niche-wars

CONNELLY, Peter – Counterinsurgency in Uruzgan 2009

Land Warfare Studies Centre, Canberra, 2011

ISBN: 9780642297433

ISSN: 1442-8547

Maps, illustrated, index, references; 80 pages.

Study Paper No. 321

The Second Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF-2) deployed to Uruzgan, South Afghanistan, in May 2009 with the short-term aim of providing security for the Afghan national elections, and the strategic goal of developing the capacity of the 4th Brigade of the Afghan National Army (ANA) to conduct counterinsurgency operations. The battle group formed at 1 RAR in Townsville during March 2009. MRTF-2 entered Afghanistan in the middle of a very active ‘fighting season’ in the face of an evolving threat from the Taliban and had a strong impact on the progress of the counterinsurgency within Uruzgan. MRTF-2’s approach was to dominate the threat, poised for decisive close combat, while maximising its influence on the people and the environment, with the objective of supporting and preparing the ANA to conduct the counterinsurgency independently. Accessible at https://bellschool.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/publications/attachments/2017-11/study_paper_321_-_coin_in_uruzgan_2009_-_connolly.pdf

CONNERY, David, CRAN David and EVERED David – Conducting Counterinsurgency: Reconstruction Task Force 4 in Afghanistan

Big Sky Publishing, Sydney, 2012

ISBN: 9781921941771

Colour and B & W photographs, maps; 188 pages.

 Reconstruction Task Force 4 (RTF4) deployed to Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, in 2008 as part of Operation Slipper – Australia’s military contribution to the war in Afghanistan. Including 8/9 RAR troops, RTF4’s mission was ‘to help bring stability and security to the Afghan people through projects that support good governance and stable communities’. Their work primarily involved construction of bases for Afghan and Coalition forces, and smaller engineering tasks. This book uses the experiences of officers and soldiers from RTF4 to illustrate the principles of counterinsurgency operations conducted by the contemporary Australian Army in its fight against the Taliban.

CROMPVOETS, Samantha – Blood lust, trust and blame

Monash University Publishing, Melbourne, 2021

ISBN: 9781922464613

Index; 96 pages.

Author was commissioned by the Department of Defence in 2015 to provide a report on special forces culture in the ADF following allegations of war crimes in Afghanistan. This small book focuses on the Special Operations Task Group.

KILCULLEN, David and MILLS, Greg – The Ledger: Accounting for failure in Afghanistan

Hurst, London, 2021

ISBN-10 : ‎ 1787386953

ISBN-13 : ‎ 978-1787386952

Bibliography, 368 pages

Both authors hold doctorates and both served in Afghanistan. Provides a detailed and clear appraisal of the outcomes of the most recent war in Afghanistan from a Western perspective, a war that is not over because the West, including Australian forces, have left. All RARs provided different sized contingents to the various force groups from 2005-2021.

MASTERS, Chris – Flawed hero: Truth, lies and war crimes

Allen and Unwin, Sydney, 2023

ISBN: 9781761069819

Map, illustrated, notes; 592 pp.

A book which examines the case of VC winner Ben Roberts-Smith who also served with 3 RAR. Masters was a war correspondent embedded for a time with the Special Forces in Afghanistan.

MASTERS, Chris – No Front Line: Australia’s Special Forces at War

Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest NSW, 2017

ISBN: 9781760111144

Index; Notes, 400 pages.

Coverage of Special Forces (SF) operations over ten years in Afghanistan including 4 RAR (Cdo) which morphed in 2 Commando Regiment. Most of the soldiers referred to were RAR members by background before converting to SF.

MACCALLION, Gregory – National versus human security – Australian and Canadian military interventions (online Chap 4 – Afghanistan)

In this online product extract from the complete book, Chapter 4 is titled Australians in Afghanistan – Securing ANZUS by reconstructing a province. This chapter mentions most of the Australian RTF, MTF and MRTFs which all were based on, or included, RAR battalion/company groups. Accessible at https://books.google.com.au/books?id=-8aqDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT182&lpg=PT182&dq=Special+Forces+Task+Group+-+Rotation+Three&source=bl&ots=E1p92Vy0bu&sig=ACfU3U2HXuhvmRsoFM72PURbe4hhz4cCVQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjZkqbu6-npAhV0yTgGHZejBIIQ6AEwBnoECAgQAQ#v=onepage&q=Special%20Forces%20Task%20Group%20-%20Rotation%20Three&f=false 

See Section 1 of this Bibliography for the full book reference; full book covers Somalia and Afghanistan.

McKELVEY, Ben – Find fix Finish

HarperCollins Publishers, Sydney, 2022

ISBN: 9781460760765

Illustrated, 397 pages.

Addresses Australian special forces operations in Afghanistan including 4 RAR (Cdo) and individuals who were previously RAR members.

McKENZIE, Nick – Crossing the line: the inside story of murder, lies and a fallen hero

Hachette Australia, Sydney, 2023

ISBN: 9780733650437

Illustrated, Notes to the chapters/Endnotes; 454 pages.

The story of CPL Ben Roberts-Smith, VC, MG and others involved in the alleged atrocities by special forces in Afghanistan. Many of these individuals, including Roberts-Smith, who served with 3 RAR, spent part of their earlier service in RAR battalions before serving with the SASR. Some of this is referred to in the book.

MIDDLETON, Karen – An unwinnable war – Australia in Afghanistan

Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 2011

ISBN: 9780522857665

Index, maps, illustrated; 304 pages.

A coverage of the factors leading to Australia’s commitment of troops into Afghanistan, written after a decade of such service that included contingents from most RARs.

NEVILLE, Leigh – Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan

Osprey Publishing, London, 2008

ISBN: 978-1-84603-310-0

Colour photographs, index; 64 pages.

Book No 163 in the Osprey series, this one cover Special Forces in Afghanistan in which 4 RAR (Cdo) took a part serving with the SASR.

O’BALANCE, Edgar – Afghan wars: battles in a hostile land, 1839 to present

Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2004

ISBN 10‏ : ‎ 0195799879

ISBN 13‏ : ‎ 978-0195799873

Illustrated, bibliography; 278 pages.

A military history perspective of the history of Afghanistan for the subject period. Australian forces including RAR elements had started to deploy at the time of publication.

Official history of Australian operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Australian Peacekeeping operations in East Timor

Wikipedia

This site provides a progress report on the sorry saga of the dragged out production of the fifth series of official histories covering Iraq, Afghanistan and East Timor, all attracting RAR unit/sub-unit deployments. While th Australian War Memorial set these products in place, extensive political interjection has been ongoing which delays their production. Further, some planned volumes may be further split due to the volume of material. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Official_History_of_Australian_Operations_in_Iraq_and_Afghanistan,_and_Australian_Peacekeeping_Operations_in_East_Timor

RAMAGE, Gary & McPHEDRAN, Ian – Afghanistan: Australia’s War (check 1 or 15)

Harper Collins, Sydney, 2014

ISBN-10: 0732299136

ISBN-13: 978-0732299132

Many of the photos are of RAR troops although these are not identified in the captions, being a generalized photographic cover of the war. The Honour Roll does identify individuals by their unit.

Submission by the RAR Association (Corps Ptd) – Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee – Inquiry into Australia’s Engagement in Afghanistan

Royal Australian Regiment Association (Corps Ltd), Adelaide, 2022

ISBN: Nil

RARA submission into this Inquiry. Submission No 75. Click on that number and the paper is downloaded. Accessible at https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Foreign_Affairs_Defence_and_Trade/Afghanistanengagement/Submissions

War in the sandpit: Perspectives and lessons from Australia’s War in Afghanistan and Iraq 2001-2014

Military History and Heritage Victoria supported by ANU and RSL Australia

Proceedings and records of a two-day seminar held at Monash Centre, Gallipoli Barracks Brisbane 12-13 May 2017 hosted by COL M Fielding. All RARs contributed to both wars. See further detail at  https://www.mhhv.org.au/war-in-the-sand-pit-wisp17/

WILLACY, Mark – Rogue Forces: An explosive insiders’ account of Australian SAS war crimes in Afghanistan

Simon and Shuster, Sydney, 2021

ISBN: 9781761101786

Illustrations, end notes; 406 pages.

Promoted as ‘an explosive insiders’ account of Australian SAS war crimes in Afghanistan’, this book addresses the alleged conduct of some SAS troops. While most of the photos are redacted and individuals named truncated per Special Forces’ practice, some of the individuals mentioned will have been RAR members before selection for the SASR, a process itself covered in the book.

HUMANITARIAN/DEFENCE AID TO THE CIVIL COMMUNITY

(Civilian Humanitarian Disaster ops (incl Darwin 1975 and other cyclones and floods, overseas eg PNG, Indian Ocean, and lately, Border Operations, and DACC (non-disaster) eg Olympics and Commonwealth Games and other government support eg APEC, G20)

BARRETT, Richard – Contesting the Neutral Space: A Thematic Analysis of Military Humanitarianism

Land Warfare Studies Centre, Canberra, 2010

ISBN: 9780642297235

Working Paper 137; 37 pages.

Author is an RAR veteran of Somalia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Iraq. The paper addresses the insurgents’/terrorists’ increasing targeting of humanitarian aid workers, a problem faced by many RAR troops from Somalia onwards. The paper analyses how military contributions to humanitarian crises have influence the nature of the ;neutral’ space in the RAR’s and others’ deployments.

BULLARD, Steven – In their time of need: Australian overseas emergency relief operations, 1918–2006

Cambridge University Press, Port Melbourne VIC, 2017

ISBN: 9781108225441

Index, references, illustrations; 577 pages. ISBN: 9781107101968ISBN: 9781107101968ISBN: 9781107101968

Volume 4 of The Official History of Peacekeeping, Humanitarian and Post–Cold War Operations, a joint project of the Australian War Memorial and the Australian National University produced under the general editorship of Professor David Horner as Australian Official Historian.. Cover overseas emergency relief operations, including Papua New Guinea, Sumatra, Pakistan, Iran, and various Pacific nations. Several HQ and sun-units of RARs were deployed and they and individual RAR members are mentioned.

LOUYS, Guillaume – Aceh: the Australian Defence Force’s Tsunami Relief Mission

New Holland Publishers, Frenchs Forest NSW, 2005

ISBN: 9781741104004

Colour images, index; 228 pages.

A Photographic Record by The Royal Australian Navy  of the HMAS Kanimbla’s relief mission to Tsunami devastated Aceh.

It documents the tour of duty from embarkation, the arrival at ravaged Aceh, providing support and leadership to the grieved communities and the tragedy of the Sea Hawk helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Australian personnel. RAR individuals served in this continent.

McKAY, Gary – Tracy: the storm that wiped out Darwin on Christmas Day 1994

Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest NSW, 2001

ISBN: 978 1 74114 449 9

Index; 244 pages.

Author served in the ADF response to Cyclone Tracy in 1975. He recounts the major disaster through the experiences of survivors and other data sources. Field Force Group Darwin, the Army response in the aftermath, included 5/7 RAR and then 6 RAR, plus individual RAR members. This response remains the largest ADF humanitarian disaster recovery operation in Australia’s history.

Operation Gold – ADF support to the Sydney 2000 Games

Department of Defence, Canberra, 2000

ISBN: N/A

135 pages.

A pictorial history of the ADF soldiers including RAR members involved in supporting the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Includes a full list of ADF members involved.

STRETTON, Alan – The Furious Days

Sun Books, Melbourne, 1976

ISBN: 0 7251 0248 9

207 pages.

An account of the Cyclone Tracy Darwin disaster where Stretton exercised supreme command over Darwin’s 45,00 inhabitants for six days until he handed over to others, including the Darwin Reconstruction Authority. RAR members, including Stretton himself, are mentioned. Curiously, no mention is made in his chapter on 1975 reflections of the deployment of many troops including two entire battalions – 5/7 RAR and 6 RAR, as the backbone of the reconstruction efforts that saw those battalions and other units/sub-units served there for almost six month after in the largest humanitarian disaster operation ever mounted with ADF assistance.

SMITH, Andrew – Domestic Event Support Operations (DESO)

Centre for Technology and National Security Policy, National Defense University, USA, 2012

ISBN: N/A

Bibliography; 55pages.

A study of DESO in the context of the ADF’s role in Defence Force Aid to the Civil Community, where RAR members took part, some in formed units, others as individuals. Three case studies are examined:

  1. Operation GOLD – 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sydney (4 RAR provided a response company)
  2. Operation GUARDIAN II – 2002 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in  Brisbane
  3. Operation ACOLYTE – 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne

Paper is accessible at file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/701713.pdf

WESLEY, Michael – Helpem Fren: Australia and the regional assistance mission to Solomon Islands 2003-2017

Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 2023

ISBN: 9780522879056

Illustrated, Index, Bibliography; 272 pages.

In 2003 Australia conceived, financed and led a Pacific-wide intervention into Solomon Islands to prevent the collapse of that state. The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) was to remain there for fourteen years, involving thousands of soldiers, police and public servants from Australia and across the Pacific. It was remarkably successful in an age of disastrous interventions. And yet, by the time it was withdrawn, RAMSI had largely vanished from the Australian public’s mind Helpem Fren is the first comprehensive history of Australia and the RAMSI intervention. RAR sub-units and individuals were involved.

WHITTAKER, Richard – Australia’s natural disasters

New Holland Publishers, Australia, 2005

ISBN: 9781877069048

Illustrated; 239 pages.

A coverage of Australia’s major natural disasters including Cyclone Tracy in the aftermath of which 5/7 RAR and 6 RAR served with relief operations during 1974-5, and others in which RAR deployments also occurred during relief measures taken.

FUTURE/NEXT

BABBAGE, Ross, AM –The Next Major War: can the US and its Allies win against China

Cambria Press, New York, 2023.

ISBN: 9781621966708

Illustrated incl colour charts, Index, references; 300 pages.

The risk of major war between China and the United States and its allies has risen substantially in recent years. The most likely flashpoint is a clash over the future of Taiwan. The leaderships of the two sides are at loggerheads—their posturing has become more confrontational, and their preparations for major war are accelerating. Deterring and, if necessary, fighting and winning such a conflict is now a first priority for America and its allies. This book takes a  wide-ranging and in-depth look at the demands such a war would make on the US alliance. Drawing on several years of research on Chinese and American planning, it describes the rather different types of war the two sides are planning to fight. One side is focusing primarily on military preparations. The other is preparing not only its military but also much of its economy, its society, and its political system to endure and ultimately prevail in such a war. This book, by its very nature, will help inform both policy and grass roots level movement towards preparing the nation including the RAR units of the future for the ‘next war’.

HAMMETT, J – We were soldiers once: the decline of the Royal Australian Infantry Corps?

In Australian Army Journal, Vol V, Number 1, pp 39-50. Accessible at https://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/0817_journal.pdf

HORNER, David (Editor) – Reshaping the Australian Army: Challenges for the 1990s

Australian National University, Canberra, 1991

ISBN: 0731511921

Bibliography, index; 282 pages.

Published through the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Research School of Pacific Studies in the Canberra Papers on Strategy and Defence as Paper No 77. This paper includes references to the various RAR battalions which form the basis of the Australian Army, placing into context how the Army evolves during the ‘long peace’.

LOVELL, David W and BAKER, Deane-Peter (Eds) – The Strategic Corporal Revisited: Challenges Facing Combatants in 21st Century Warfare

UCT Press, Online, 2017

ISBN: 9781775822202

Index, illustrated; 224 pages.

While an international coverage, this book refers to Australian junior NCOs in East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq in front line appointments, meaning RAR units along with others.

MOLAN, Jim (MAJGEN Retd) – Danger on our doorstep: Could Australia go to war with China?

Harper Collins, Melbourne, 2022

ISBN: 9781460762608

Illustrated, bibliography, Index; 304 pages.

An unsettling assessment of how and when war with China might break out and the consequences for the world. Should this happen it will involve all of the RARs. Published and released on 3 Aug 22.

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