1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment


caption=Badge of the Royal Australian Regiment
country=Australia
allegiance=
type=Line Infantry
branch=Army
dates=12 October 1945–present
specialization=Light Infantry
command_structure=3 Brigade
size=
current_commander=
garrison=Townsville
ceremonial_chief=HM The Queen (Australian Infantry Corps)
ceremonial_chief_label=Colonel-in-Chief
nickname=Big Blue One
motto=Duty First
colors=
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_label=Unit Colour Patch
march="Waltzing Matilda"
mascot=Shetland Pony "Septimus"
battles=Korean War
Malaysia
Vietnam War
Iraqi War
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=

1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is one of seven battalions that make up the Royal Australian Regiment, formed in late 1945 the battalion is now based in Townsville, and forms part of the Australian 3rd Brigade.

History

With the conclusion of the war in the Pacific in 1945, Australia was committed to provide troops for occupation duties in Japan. This commitment lead to the formation of the 34th Australian Infantry Brigade. The brigade was made up of three battalions; the 65th, 66th and 67th Australian Infantry Battalions. On the 12th of October 1945 the 65th Battalion, later the 1st Battalion was formed out of 7th Division at Balikpapan and quickly sailed to Morotai. By the middle of June 1946 the brigade arrived in Japan to take part in the occupation.

In line with the formative plan to raise an Interim Army, the battalions were re-designated as of the Australian Regiment in 1948, and in 1949 received the prefix "Royal", becoming the Royal Australian Regiment . First Battalion was initially settled in at Ingleburn, later moved to Enoggera and Holsworthy and is now based at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville.

Occupation of Japan

Under an agreement signed between the Allied nations, Australia would contribute troops towards the occupation of Japan. By the middle of June 1946 the brigade was in place, with the 65th Battalion located at Fukuyama/Onomichi, 150km South of Osaka. The battalion participated in the search and destruction of wartime materials. The operation was a dangerous one, the area was honeycombed with caves and tunnels and large quantities of explosives, ammunition and poison gas were discovered.

In April 1946 the battalion took part in the surveillance of Japanese elections. The battalion also kept a close watch on a number of repatriation centres in the area.

The battalion was renamed 1st Battalion of the Australian Regiment in 1948 and in 1949 received the prefix "Royal", becoming the Royal Australian Regiment. 1RAR left Japan at the end of 1948, all Australian troops left Japan in 1951 with the signing of the San Francisco Treaty.

Korea

1RAR was in Australia when the Korean War began in 1950, having returned from Japan at the end of 1948. The battalion, brought to strength with volunteers from 2RAR, arrived in South Korea on 6 April, joining the 28th Brigade on 1 June.

In July 1952 1RAR was detached to the 29th Brigade, relieving other battalions on Hills 159, 210 and 355. It took part in general patrolling along the Jamestown line, which involved securing defences, repairing minefield fences, and undertaking reconnaissance of enemy positions to gather information on them. Other major operations that 1RAR took part in usually aimed at capturing a prisoner or destroying enemy defences. Operation Blaze was 1RAR's first major action. It involved a raid on Hill 227 to capture a prisoner. Although it failed in its objective, the operation did give the brigade important experience against a strong enemy.

On the night of 13-14 September a fighting patrol from 1RAR encountered the enemy, and it captured its first prisoner. In early December 1RAR took over defences on Hill 355. The position had been poorly maintained and it took 1RAR ten days and 50 casualties to secure the area and regain control of the approaches. The battalion also supported the Royal Fusiliers in Operation Beat Up by launching a diversionary attack on Hill 227.

The last action 1RAR engaged in during the war was Operation Fauna. The purpose of the operation was to capture a prisoner and destroy enemy defences. It did not achieve its main objective, but did succeed in destroying the enemy position code-named Flora. On 21 March 1953, 1RAR was relieved by 2RAR at Camp Casey, near Tongduchon, and returned to Australia later that month. The battalion returned to Korea in April 1954, and was involved in training and border patrols. In March 1956, 1RAR ceased its operations in Korea and returned to Australia.

Malaysia

In response to the Malayan Communist Party's push to convert Malaya into a Communist state and increasing civil unrest the British Commonwealth Far East Strategic Reserve was established, with Australia contributing a rotating battalion group. On 20 September 1959, the Battalion embarked on MV FLAMINIA for Malaya. After arriving at Singapore the battalion trained at Kota Tinggi and moved to base camps at Kuala Kangsar, Sungei Siput, Lasah, Lintang and Grik. The battalion began operations on 16 November 1959 in the Thai/Malay border area in Perak known as 'Operation Bamboo'. The battalion saw very little action during the Malayan Emergency, the battalion left Penang for Sydney on the 29 October 1961.

The battalion returned to Malaysia in early 1969, after two major exercises, 'Jumping Wallaby' and 'Sheer Hell', the unit withdrew from Malaysia, joining the Selarang garrison in Singapore in December 1969. The unit remained in Singapore until July 1971 when it returned to Lavarack Barracks in Townsville.

Vietnam

In March 1965 1RAR was warned about a possible deployment to South Vietnam and after rapid preparation departed by charter aircraft and HMAS Sydney. The battalion arrived at Bien Hoa air base in June and was placed under command of the 173rd Airborne Brigade.

On 25 June and 26 June 1965 the battalion carried out the first of many operations against the Viet Cong and afterwards in conjunction with the remainder of the brigade conducted operations in such well known areas as 'Ben Cat', 'War Zone D', 'The Iron Triangle' and other VC areas. New Year's Day 1966 saw the battalion on operation 'Marauder' then operation 'Crimp' where it was the first unit to air assault into the 'Ho Bo Woods'. It was later found that the battalion had actually landed on the top of the underground HQ of the VC Military Region 4. A large stockpile of weapons and some 100,000 pages of documents were found in the tunnel complex which was the deepest and most elaborate found up to that time.

1RAR continued operations until April 1966, after a visit from Prime Minister Harold Holt on Anzac Day the battalion began to prepare for the return to Australia. The battalion's first tour of Vietnam resulted in 128 VC KIA and the battalion's own losses at 23 KIA and 130 wounded.

In 1968 after intensive training 1RAR returned to Vietnam for their second tour of duty. The battalion arrived at Nui Dat on 9 April 1968 to relieve 7 RAR. In May 1RAR begun operations, after two small operations the battalion relocated to Fire Support Base Coral. On 15 May, Coral was attacked by the 141 NVA Regiment. Fierce fighting by the gunners of 102 Fd Bty and 1 RAR repelled the attack, the Battle of Coral produced 162 VC KIA. During the rest of their second tour the battalion took part in several small operations and took part in multiple`other tasks including; village cordon and searches, convoy escort, FSPB protection, land clearing protection. The battalion returned home and marched through Sydney on 28 February 1969. During its tour, 1 RAR had accounted for 276 VC KIA, and the destruction of numerous bunker complexes and caches, for the loss of 31 KIA and 165 WIA.

Fiji

On 21 May 1987, 1 RAR received orders for deployment during the Fiji crisis for Operation Morris Dance. B Coy, under command of MAJ B.A.R. Scott, was flown onto Norfolk Island and embarked on HMAS "Tobruk". Cross decking then occurred between other RAN Ships. As B Coy was not called on to assist the evacuation of Australian Nationals and Expatriates, shipboard routines continued until 3 June 87 when B Coy returned to Coral Lines at Townsville.

Bougainville

The Bougainville Copper Mine during 1988/89(?) was causing enough attention in Australia that the Australian Government placed 2/4 RAR on standby for a short notice deployment to the fractured isle. A significant number of soldiers from 1 RAR bolstered 2/4 RAR for the possible deployment. This deployment did not occur, however.

omalia

On 17 December 1992 the battalion was warned for duty in Somalia in support of Operation Restore Hope (designated Operation Solace). The battalion group was deployed to Somalia by HMAS Tobruk, HMAS Jervis Bay and charter aircraft, leaving behind a small rear party. The battalion group concentrated in Mogadishu and deployed to Humanitarian Relief Sector Baidoa in the Southern Central region of Somalia. The battalion took part in seven major operations during its deployment. On 17 Feb 93, the Battalion had its first of 11 contacts with Somali gunmen. These in conjunction with cordon and searches and some 1100 foot patrols resulted in seven gunmen KIA, four WIA and 70 Somali handed to the Auxiliary Security Forces. In addition, the battalion confiscated 935 weapons of various types and ensured the safe delivery of 8311 tonnes of humanitarian relief supplies. On 14 May 1993, the battalion handed responsibility for the Humanitarian Relief Sector to the French element of the United Nations Force. 1 RAR returned to Australia on 22 May 1993 and marched through Townsville, Queensland.

olomon Islands

During a battalion defensive exercise at High Range Training Area in 2000, elements of 1 RAR (CO Tac and C Coy) were recalled back to Coral Lines to assist with evacuation operations out of the Solomon Islands. OP Plumbob ensued but the battalion group did not leave HMAS "Manoora".

East Timor - 2000-01

On 25 October 2000 1 RAR Group took over the role of the Australian Battalion of UNTAET from 6 RAR. 1 RAR assumed control over 1500 km² of East Timor. The battalion's mission was to provide security to the people of East Timor so that civil infrastructure and government systems could be re-established under the guidance of the UN in order to help the East Timorese transition to an independent nation. Actions taken by the battalion resulted in one Militia KIA and one friendly WIA.

East Timor - 2003

The Battalion deployed on its second tour of East Timor in May 2003. The battalion assumed the role from 5/7 RAR.

olomon Islands 2004-05

On Christmas Eve 2004, following the shooting death of Australian Protective Services Officer Adam Dunning, 1 RAR was ordered to deploy the Ready Company Group (RCG), based on Battalion HQ (Tac) and A Coy, 1 RAR to the Solomon Islands. This was achieved within 18 hours of being ordered to deploy. Calm was quickly restored to the Solomon Islands, and the RCG returned to Australia in late January 2005.

Iraq

Based in Baghdad throughout 2006 under the command of MAJ Malcolm Wells DH, the B Coy soldiers were members of Secdet 8 tasked to provide protection and escort for Australian government personnel working in the Australian Embassy in Baghdad. Secdet 8 consisted of 109 infantry soldiers from the Big Blue One.

East Timor - 2006

In May 2006 elements of 1 RAR returned to East Timor following a resurgence in civil unrest. "A" Company 1 RAR deployed from Townsville in mid-May on HMAS Manoora, flying into Dili by Blackhawk on 27 May. A Company conducted sustained security, stability and public order operations in Dili for approximately two months. Operation CHINDIT saw the company conduct airmobile operations to Manatuto and Baucau to conduct further security operations, before returning to Australia in August.

In September 2006 further violence flared in Dili which resulted in the deployment of B Company 1 RAR to East Timor to reinforce the efforts of the Battle Group already in country. B Company took up a blocking position in the hills behind Dili, operating mostly in and around Gleno. The Platoons of B Company were often required to conduct Air Mobile Operations to other parts of the country.

olomon Islands

In April 2006 riots flared in the capital Honiara after a non-favourable Prime Minister was appointed. The head quarters from 1 RAR and D Company were deployed to assist the RAMSI to control the violence. D Company spent a majority of their time providing stability to the China Town region which was almost completely destroyed during the riots. Once the security situation had improved in the capital, the Task Force began sending patrols to the regional areas of the country. Some of the more remote communities had not seen an Australian patrol for almost two years.

Tonga

On 18 November 2006, a platoon from A Company were deployed to Tonga as a result of violence and break down of order in the capital city, Nuku Alofa. The platoon conducted security operations in conjunction with the Tongan Defence Services for two weeks prior to returning to Australia. [http://www.defence.gov.au/tongarelief/default.cfm]

Afghanistan

Early 2007, 1 RAR D Coy deployed to Afghanistan.

Iraq

Early 2007, 1 RAR A Coy deployed to Iraq.

East Timor - 2007

Early 2007, 1 RAR Bn HQ's along with B and C Coy's deployed to East Timor.

Current composition

1 RAR currently consists of:

* Battalion Headquarters
* 4 Rifle Companies (A, B, C and D)
* Support Company
* Administration Company

1RAR also features its own Battalion Band, which consists of Australian Army Band Corps (AABC) Musicians providing general and ceremonial support functions.

Alliances

*GBR - Grenadier Guards

References

*en icon [http://www.army.gov.au/1rar/index.htm Official Regimental website]
*en icon [http://www.awm.gov.au Australian War Memorial]