5 NOV 1950: Korea and the Battle of Pakchon. The 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, successfully assaults and holds crucial hill features overlooking Pakchon in the face of heavy North Korean and Chinese resistance. In November, after the actions of the Broken Bridge and Chongju, the 27th Commonwealth Brigade held position near the town […]
Military History
Landing on New Britain
4 NOV 1944: World War II and troops of the 6th Brigade land at Jacquinot Bay, New Britain. Jacquinot Bay became an important base for Australian operations against the Japanese on New Britain. The first echelon, consisting of the 14th/32nd Battalion and a company of the 1st New Guinea Infantry Battalion, was transported by two […]
Kokoda Airstrip Recaptured
2 NOV 1942: Kokoda airstrip re-occupied by diggers. The capture of Kokoda, New Guinea, and its airstrip on this day in 1942, enabled the Australian advance across the Owen Stanley Range to continue. Kokoda, on the north side of the Owen Stanley Range, was recaptured. It was the most Important strategic gain by Australian troops […]
77SQN Awarded Citation
1 NOV 1951: Korea and No. 77 Squadron, RAAF, is awarded a Republic of South Korea Presidential Citation. No. 77 Squadron was awarded this citation for its early service in Korea as an effective ground-support unit. In the aftermath of World War II the Korean peninsula was divided along the 38th Parallel into North Korea […]
AIF Sails for Egypt
1 NOV 1914: World War I and the First AIF sails. The first Australian and New Zealand contingent sails from Albany, Western Australia, bound for Egypt. Only one in three of those who sailed in the first convoy would return physically unscathed at the end of the First World War. “The arrival of the Australian […]
Army Memorial Open
1 NOV 1989: The Australian National Army Memorial is dedicated today. The memorial commemorates the service of Australians as members of the Australian Army in all wars. The Memorial on ANZAC Parade, commemorates the service of Australian soldiers. Australian soldiers have fought as a national group in conflicts since the Second Boer War in South […]
Gongs and Cartoons
With Remembrance Day just days away and a burgeoning interest in all things ‘Great War’, it’s worth spending a minute on nicknames that are given to campaign medals. During and after World War 1, the commonly-awarded medals didn’t escape the typical Commonwealth military sense of amusement, with popular cartoon characters of the day manifesting themselves […]
Moudros Agreement Signed
30 OCT 1918: World War I and an Armistice is in place with Turkey The Armistice signed with Turkey, is enacted today ending Turkish involvement in the First World War. Australian troops had taken a prominent part in the war against the Ottoman empire, especially on Gallipoli and in Sinai-Palestine. The Armistice of Mudros (Turkish: […]
Battle of Chongju
29-30 OCT 1950: Korea, and the Australians reach Chongju. Australian troops of the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, reach Chongju, the most northerly point of their advance into North Korea. In two days fierce fighting against determined North Korean opposition the Australians clear ,27BDE and the surrounding ridges. After leaving Kujin, the 27th Brigade, led […]
