PART 5 – FOREIGN FORCES’ HISTORIES

This Part contains sources generated by other than Australian authors. Includes authors/agencies that might have been enemies at the time of the applicable conflict.

 

 

GENERAL

 

ENGLISH John A & GUDMUNDSSON Bruce I – A Perspective on Infantry

Praeger Publishers, Westport CT USA, 1994

ISBN: 0030596998

Index, bibliography; 201 pages.

A brief mention of the US Army’s reliance on 1RAR to help train them in Vietnam.

 

GUGELER Russell A – Combat Actions in Korea (1st Edition)

Office of the Chief of Military History US Army, Washington, 1970

Library of Congress No 70-603408

Index; 252 pages. Paperback version published in 2013 by BiblioGov : ISBN-10: 1288574347 and ISBN-13: 978-1288574346

American Official History Series – Army volume; refers to 3 RAR and 27th British Commonwealth Brigade in joint operations with the US forces.

 

SHEFFIELD, G.D. (Editor) – Leadership & Command: The Anglo-

American Experience Since 1861

Brassey’s (UK) Ltd, London, 1997

ISBN ISBN-10: 1402060742

ISBN-13: 978-1857531176

242 pages.

Contains a chapter on US and Allied Leadership and Command in the Korean and Vietnam Wars by Robert O’Neill which has very interesting observations about Australian Army leadership, command and operational philosophy.

 

JAPAN & KOREA 1946-53

 

ALEXANDER, B. – Korea – The Lost War

Arrow Books, 1989

ISBN: 0-09-95652-X

Index; 558 pages.

An American-centric history of the war with references to 27 British Commonwealth Brigade, including reference to the RAR battalions.

 

BATES, P. – Japan and the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces 1946-52

Brasseys, London, 1993

ISBN: 1-85753-000-4

Index; 270 pages.

British-oriented coverage of BCOF and deployments to Korea. Contains multiple references to the RAR battalions.

 

CAREW, Tim – Korea – The Commonwealth at War: The story of the Fighting Commonwealth Regiments 1950-1953

Cassell & Co, London, 1967

Bib ID 964047

Reprinted as The Korean War

Pan Books, London, 1970

ISBN: 0330024744

Index, bibliography; 319 pages.

The three battalions of the Regiment at the time (1, 2 & 3 RAR) are individually mentioned along with other units of the Commonwealth in this British history of the Korean War. Honours and Awards data included.

 

CLARK, Mark – From the Danube to the Yalu

George G Harrap & Coy Ltd, London, 1954

ISBN: Nil

Index; 356 pages.

An American focus on the war, providing an international perspective of the Korean War. Refers to Australian battalions in the British Division which in turn is remarked upon as a fine formation, albeit a small contribution to the total UN effort.

 

DAVIES, George – The Occupation of Japan: The rhetoric and the reality of Anglo-Australasian relations 1939-1952

University of Queensland, St Lucia, 2001

ISBN: 0-7-22-3209-2

Index, bibliography; 391 pages.

NZ author provides a well-documented account of the social engineering that BCOF took part in during its occupation of Japan shortly ofer the surrender. The Australian forces, including the three battalions destined to become 1,2 and 3 RAR, are appropriately positioned in this coverage of the BCOF–based support to the war in Korea.

 

HASTINGS, Max – The Korean War

Michael Joseph Ltd, London, 1987

ISBN: 0-7181-2068-X

Index; 476 pages.

American-centric history of the Korean War with references to the RAR; good supporting data including a chronology, and list of national participants and their major formations.

 

HOYT, Edwin – On to the Yalu

Stein and Day, New York, 1984

ISBN: Nil

Index; 303 pages.

An American history of the Korean War with references to 27 British Commonwealth brigade and the RARs. Good big picture coverage that places RAR’s roel into perspective.

 

JOHNSTON, William – A War of Patrols: Canadian Army Operations in Korea

UBC Press, Vancouver, 2003

ISBN: 0774841060 & 9780774841061

Official Canadian military history series. 448 pages.

Provides Canadian perspectives on the operations of the RAR’s battalions in Korea 1950-53.

 

McGIBBON, Ian – New Zealand and the Korean War: Volume I – Politics and Diplomacy

Oxford University Press, Melbourne, 1992

ISBN: 0 19 558253 5

Index, bibliography; 468 pages.

New Zealand was involved militarily in Korea from 1950 to 1957, first as part of the United Nations ‘police action’ to repel North Korea’s invasion of its southern neighbour, and then in a garrison role after the armistice in July 1953. McGibbon’s first volume on the Korean War, published in 1992, sets out the reasons why New Zealand became involved in the fighting in the Korean peninsula.   The RAR is mentioned in outline.

 

McGIBBON, Ian – New Zealand and the Korean War: Volume II – Combat Operations

Oxford University Press, Melbourne, 1996 (with corrections)

ISBN: 0 19 558343

Index, bibliography; 508 pages.

Volume two tells the story of New Zealand’s military and naval operations and describes how a force of civilian volunteers became one of the best artillery regiments in the United Nations forces in Korea. The RAR is mentioned in more detail. Roll of Honour, Honours and Awards included.

 

POULTON, Wilfred – K Force in Korea: A soldier’s Life in the 16th New Zealand Field Regiment

Wilfred Poulton, 2004

ISBN: 0-476-00029-7

Illustrated, 152 pages.

Refers to the RAR battalions to who the gunners provided fire support. One of the many relationships which maintain the ANZAC tradition.

 

THOMPSON, Reginald – Cry Korea

MaDonald and Co, London, 1951

ISBN: Nil

303 pages.

British officer’s memoirs of the first year of the Korena War, referring to the “Australian battalion” (3 RAR) in sufficient detail to place its role in the British divisional structure fighting there at the time.

 

WILLIAMS Jeffery – Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry at Kapyong Korea 1950

Leo Cooper, London, 1972

ISBN: 085052119X

110 pages.

Awarded the United States Presidential Unit Citation in the same action as 3 RAR.

 

 

SOUTH EAST ASIA 1950-current

(includes Malaya, Borneo, Singapore & Malaysia)

 

CHIN Kim Wah – The Defence of Malaysia and Singapore: The transformation of a security system 1957-71

Oxford Press, London, XXX

ISBN: TBA

Index, Reference Notes: x pages.

An examination of the strategic issues and treaties involving toehr countries including Australia. Refers to the Commonwealth forces including RARs to serve in Malaysia, Borneo and Singapore.

 

DICKENS, Peter – SAS The Jungle Frontier: 22 Special Air Service Regiment in the Borneo Campaign, 1963-1966

Arms & Armour Press, London, 1983

ISBN: 0458970905 (Canada) 0853685975

Index, bibliography; 248 pages.

The RAR is mentioned briefly in this campaign where SASR operations were primarily in support of 4 RAR. Most members of the SASR come from, and many return to, the RAR.

 

PUGSLEY, Christopher – From Emergency to Confrontation: The New Zealand Armed Forces in Malaya and Borneo 1949-66

Oxford University Press, Melbourne, 2003

ISBN: 0195584538

Index, Bibliography; 528 pages.

This is the story of two near-forgotten wars that New Zealand fought in South-East Asia between 1949 and 1966. New Zealand’s soldiers, sailors and airmen made a significant contribution to the Commonwealth effort to defeat the communist insurgency in Malaya during the Malayan Emergency between 1949 and 1960. Brief mention of the Regiment is made. Roll of Honour, Honours and Awards included.

 

PENG, Chin – My Side of History

(As told to Ian Ward and Norma Miraflor)

Media Masters Pte Ltd, Singapore, 2003

ISBN: 9810486936

Includes index, bibliographical references, 527 pages.

Chin Peng, the leader of the ongoing communist insurgency in Malaya/Malaysia that started officially in 1948 and only ended in Dec 1989 with the signing of a peace accord, provides his version of the conflict with British Commonwealth and then Malaysian authorities. Provides a very brief mention of 1 RAR’s success against the communist terrorists and may be described as ‘the one that got away’. Chin Peng was later a guest in Australia at a conference.

 

WELLER, Jac – Fire and Movement: Bargain Basement Warfare in the Far East

Thomas Y Crowell Coy, New York, 1967

Bid ID: 538702

ISBN: nil

Maps, bibliography; 268 pages.

Contains a chapter on the Australian and New Zealand armies with observations on their organisation, equipments, training and tactical philosophies for operations in South East Asia where the RAR battalions operated. There is also a chapter on the British Army in Malaya and Malaysia.

 

 

VIETNAM 1962-75

 

BOWMAN, John S (General Editor) – The World Almanac of the Vietnam War

Ballintine Books, New York, 1986

ISBN: 0345337263 (Ballantine : pbk.)

ISBN:0886872723 (Pharos Books : pbk.)

Index, bibliography, 512 pages.

A comprehensive daily chronology, presenting the sequence of events with thoughtful commentary and puts Australian (including RAR) involvement within that chronology.

 

CHANNON, James B. & RUSSILL, George A. (Complier/Editor) 173rd Airborne Brigade (USA) The First Three Years: A Pictorial History of the 173rd Airborne Brigade

Brigade Information Office, Saigon, 1968

ISBN: Nil

110 pages.

Contains of pictures including Australian soldiers. It was presented to each member of 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment at Xmas 1965. This knowledge from veterans indicates that a later official edition was printed in 1968, funded by the 9th chapter of the 173rd Airborne BDE Association.

 

HALL, Claire – No Front Line: Inside Stories of New Zealand’s Vietnam War

Penguin NZ, 2014

ISBN: 9780143571889

Illustrated; 304 pages.

A series of stories of New Zealand veterans of the Vietnam War, many of whom served with RAR battalions, or in operational support of their ANZAC colleagues. RAR units mentioned.

 

SOUTER, G & J – The Vietnam War Experience

Carlton Books, USA, 2008

ISBN-10: 1844420574

ISBN-13: 978-1844420575

Index, audio CD; 64 pages.

This US book brings to life the experiences of ordinary soldiers on both sides of the Vietnam conflict in which the RAR participated, at the same time putting their stories into a global and political context. Contains rare facsimiles of actual documents.

 

STANTON, Shelby L – Vietnam Order of Battle

Galahad Books, New York, 1986

ISBN: 0891937005

Index, bibliography; 396 pages.

Contains a chapter on Australian and NZ Orders of Battle in the campaign. This is the complete illustrated reference to the US Army and Allied ground forces in Vietnam. A data source that is encyclopedic in scope and astonishing detail.

 

WIEST, Andrew (Editor) – Rolling Thunder in a Gentle Land: The Vietnam War

Osprey Publishing Ltd UK, 2006

ISBN 9781846930206 184603020X (hbk)

336 pages, index, bibliography

A wide-ranging perspective on the Vietnam War with one chapter providing the Australian and New Zealand experience. Later 316 page edition in 2013 (ISBN-10: 1782001875; ISBN-13: 978-1782001874).

 

WOODRUFF, Mark W. – Unheralded Victory: Who Won the Vietnam War?

Harper Collins Publishers, 2000

ISBN-10: 0004725190

ISBN-13: 978-0004725192

Index, bibliographical references; 360 pages.

Although primarily an American analysis of why the war was lost it is also applicable to research on Australia’s role and on its perspective as to whether the war was “lost” while Australian forces were so deployed. The RAR operations are mentioned throughout.

 

 

 

PEACE KEEPING & PEACE MAKING OPERATIONS

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

 

Nil entry

 

IRAQ 2003-09 and 2014–ongoing

 

Nil entry

 

AFGHANISTAN 2006-ongoing

 

McNAB, Chris – The Barrett Rifle: Sniping and anti-materiel rifles in the War on Terror

Osprey Publishing, Oxford, 2016

ISBN: 978 1 4728 1101 1

Index, bibliography; 80 pages.

Includes 2 Commando Regiment’s longest sniping hit in history (p 53). See also Wahlert and Linwood (One Shot Kills) in Part 1. Soldiers and their commanding officer interviewed by the Registrar were/had been RAR members, and worked with RAR counterparts in Afghanistan.

 

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)

 

 

Nil entry