20 OCT 1900: The China Wars and the New South Wales naval contingent enters Peking. New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia sent naval contingents as part of a British empire force deployed against anti-western Chinese secret societies. During the nineteenth century the major European powers compelled the reluctant Chinese Empire to start trading with […]
Military History
War Widow’s Guild Founded
19 OCT 1945: The War Widow’s Guild of Australia was founded on this day. The guild’s first president was Mrs Jessie Vasey, widow of Major General G.A. Vasey. It is still an active organisation today. Major General Vasey was killed in an aircraft accident near Cairns while returning to operational service. The War Widows’ Guild […]
HMAS Perth Attacked
18 OCT 1967: Viet Nam and DDG 38 HMAS Perth is hit by a shore-based gun. Perth is struck by return fire near Cape Lai, Viet Nam, while on the United States 7th Fleet ‘gunline.’ This was the only occasion on which an Australian warship suffered casualties from enemy fire during the Viet Nam War. […]
HMAS Geelong Sunk
18 OCT 1944: World War II and HMAS Geelong is sunk. HMAS Geelong was one of four corvettes lost during the Second World War. Geelong was laid down by HMA Naval Dockyard at Williamstown, Victoria on 16 October 1940. She was launched on 22 April 1941 by the wife of Lord Winston Dugan, then Governor […]
Battle of Templeton’s Crossing
15 OCT 1942: World War II sees more fighting at Templeton’s crossing. Australia’s 25th Brigade, 7th Division, drive Japanese attackers back from Templeton’s crossing. Templeton’s Crossing was the name given to the first point where the Kokoda Track, outward bound from Port Moresby, crossed Eora Creek. It was named in remembrance of Captain Sam Templeton […]
Australia Commits to GWOT
17 OCT 2001: The Global War on Terror, and Prime Minister John Howard makes the announcement on Australia’s commitment to the War of Terrorism, as Operation Slipper. After the terrorist attacks against the United States on 11 September 2001, Australia joined the US-led International Coalition against Terrorism (the Coalition) by committing military assets and personnel […]
Battle of Sariwon, Korea
17 OCT 1950: Korea, and the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment is in action at Sariwon. In a bold bluff, the battalion’s second-in-command, Major Ferguson, convinces at least 1,500 North Korean soldiers to surrender at Sariwon during confused fighting. The Battle of Sariwon took place on 17 October 1950 during the United Nations (UN) […]
RANHFV EMUs Deploy
16 OCT 1967: Viet Nam and Royal Australian Navy Helicopters deploy to Viet Nam. An RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam (RANHFV ’67) joins the US Army’s 135th Aviation Company EMU at Vung Tau, supporting American troops in South Vietnam. The EMU (Experimental Military Unit) was formed around the US Army’s 135th Assault Helicopter Company. The 135th […]
HMAS Adelaide Arrives
14 OCT 1927: HMAS Adelaide arrives at the British Solomon Islands Protectorate as part of the British punitive expedition to quell the Malaita Massacre. The Royal Australian Navy operated as part of a British empire force in one of the first instances in which Australian forces intervened in regional affairs. The Malaita massacre inflicted a […]
HMAS Brisbane Returns
13 OCT 1969: Viet Nam, and HMAS Brisbane returns to Sydney. This was the end of the Brisbane’s first deployment to Vietnam. Brisbane was the second vessel of that name to serve in the Royal Australian Navy. She was the third of the RAN’s American-built “Charles F. Adams” class guided-missiles destroyers. (The other two were […]
