Armouredadvocates



RAAC CORPORATION

OP ORDER BINH BA (OPERATIONHAMMER) 2019

SITUATION

On Friday 6 June 1969, Australians became involved in a battle to free the village of Binh Ba from the clutches of elements of 1Company 1/33 NVA Regiment and medical company and elements of D440 Viet Cong Battalion including their signal platoon. It became one of the most significant battles of the Vietnam conflict and its success resulted in the development of the Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) doctrine. The battle was unique in that it was fought along the lines of conventional warfare (Mc Kay and Nicholas) and in a town, rather than that of guerrilla warfare which characterised Australia’s involvement in Vietnam.

The use of Armour as a combat multiplier in direct support of elements of 5 RAR, along with other support elements from Artillery, Army Aviation, Engineers and RAAF, all combined to defeat a numerically superior force which had turned Bin Ba into a well-defended stronghold. It was on every level, a prefect example of the effectiveness of a Combined Arms operation. The 50th anniversary of the Battle of Binh Ba is to be commemorated at a National Service of Remembrance on

Thursday 6 June, 2019.

For their part, the cavalry fought with tenacity, and their fire power was a significant contributory factor to the comprehensive defeat of the large enemy force. But for the action of the APC crews, who on numerous occasions protected tanks that had sustained damage from the unrelenting rocket attacks, the losses to the tanks and their crews would have been substantially higher. The strategy of having the tanks and APCs operate together proved effective in this house-to-house battle environment. The fire power that both armoured units contributed to the battle was the significant factor.[1]

The presence of armour, particularly the tanks, and the mobility we had to enable us to break out. It was really quite remarkable there were so few casualties and that protection element from armour was very important. If we had been dismounted we would have been bogged down and may even have been overrun. Given the ferocity with which the enemy was attacking the armour and given what we were up against, it gave great testimony to the advantages of armour.[2]

The Battle Honour Binh Ba was awarded to:

1st Armoured Regiment

3rd Cavalry Regiment

The Royal Australian Regiment

(Ceremonial and Protocol Manual, Ch 6,p.6-45)

MISSION

To enable former veterans of B Sqn 3 Cav Regt and B Sqn 1 Armd Regt who took part in the Battle of Binh Ba, to attend the National Service of Remembrance, Reception and Last Post Ceremony, in Canberra, on Thursday 6 June, 2019.

EXECUTION

General Outline

The activity will occur in three phases – Ceremony, Reception and AWM.

Phase 1 - Ceremony

The FUP for the National Service of Remembrance will be immediately in front of the

National Vietnam Memorial on Anzac Parade. There will be no seating immediately in front of the Memorial proper. All VIPs, Official Guests and veterans, will be seated in a large marquee on the scoria median strip in front of the Memorial proper for the duration of the ceremony and will be accompanied by their spouse/partner/carer. In addition to the veterans attending is anticipated that widows and family members of deceased (post-Vietnam) veterans of the battles will also attend the Service.

Phase 2 - Reception

Following the Service, a reception for all veterans and those accompanying them will he held at the AWM on the Western side, adjacent to the Reg Saunders Room. In addition to the veterans attending, is anticipated that widows and family members of deceased (post-Vietnam) veterans of the battles will also attend the reception.

Phase 3 - AWM Last Post Ceremony

Veterans will assemble at the AWM for the holding the Last Post Ceremony.

Timings

Phase 1

1400hrs, Service commences and is expected to conclude at 1500hrs.

Chaplaincy Support

Due to the decreasing number of Vietnam-era Chaplains, the following action will be undertaken:

Chaplain John Tinkler will be approached in the first instance to officiate.

In lieu of Chaplain Tinkler being unavailable, the Principal Chaplain –Army, Chaplain Darren Jaensch is on standby to officiate.

Keynote Speaker

Brig Colin Khan DSO AM (former CO 5 RAR SVN 69-70) will deliver the keynote speech

The Ode and Readings

The Ode will be recited by Brian Bandlett (5 RAR) and a reading will be delivered by

Peter Strudwick MM RAAC.

Wreaths

Wreaths will be laid by Messrs Colin Toll and Chris Heaney on behalf of the veterans of their respective units. The Colours will be positioned on the left flank (Parliament House side) of the attendees so wreath layers will be required to walk past the Colours as they approach the Vietnam Memorial and will be required to pay compliments to the Colours by executing an eyes left.

One wreath per wreath-laying party will be allocated. RAAC wreath layers will carry the official wreath between them and lay it at the Memorial together.

Public Wreath-laying

Consistent with previous practice, this will occur at the invitation and under direction of the MC, once the Catafalque Party has been dismounted.

Pre-service

Prior to the service proper commencing, a short 6-minute document created from AWM footage of the battle will be screened on a large screen erected for televising the entire ceremony.

Broadcasting the Ceremony

The ABC will be broadcasting the ceremony live and streaming it as well.

As timings for the broadcast are critical, it is requested that veterans attending arrive in sufficient time and be seated before the ceremony commences.

Phase 2

Binh Ba veterans and spouses/partners/carers and widows and family members of deceased veterans of the battles move to the AWM Precinct for afternoon tea.

1500hrs afternoon tea commences.

1615hrs, reception concludes.

Phase 3

1500-1615hrs, non-allocated time for all at the AWM.

1600-1615hrs – Veterans and others are to asked to take their place in the Commemorative Area for the Last Post ceremony by NLT 1615hrs. This has become necessary as 150 school children will also be attending and space is limited. The ceremony usually concludes NLT 1715.

Wreaths

Wreaths for this ceremony will be laid by:

Lt Col Colin Toll RAAC (Ret’d) - former CO of 1st Armoured Regt, representing veterans of

B Sqn 1st Armoured Regt.

Maj Ray De Vere MC OAM RAAC (Ret’d), Troop Leader of 3 Troop at the battle, representing veterans of B Sqn 3 Cav Regt.

Mr Noel Mc Laughlin OAM, Chairman RAAC Corporation

Wreath layers are required to report to the Front Desk in the Orientation Gallery by

NLT 1620hrs in order to write their tributes on their individual cards and receive a briefing by AWM staff as to the conduct of the ceremony. The tribute cards will be kept in perpetuity.

Grouping/Tasks

Groupings

3 Cav (Vietnam) Assn and 1 AR Assn are independent of each other in gathering names for attendance and disseminating information to their eligible veteran members.

VIP Guests:

• Lt Col Colin Toll RAAC (Ret’d) representing B Sqn 1st Armoured Regt (to lay wreath)

• Maj Ray De Vere MC OAM RAAC (Ret’d) representing B Sqn 3 Cav Regt – 3 Troop Leader at the battle.

• Mr Chris Heaney B Sqn 3 Cav Regt (to lay wreath)

and have been accorded the honour of VIP status and will take their place in the VIP seating with their spouses/partners at the National Vietnam Memorial.

Official Guests: The following RAAC senior serving members are official guests along with their spouses:

• Brigadier Christopher Mills AM - Head of Corps

• WO1 Derek Simpson - Corps RSM

• CO 1st Armoured Regt – LTCOL John Holloway

• RSM 1st Armoured Regt – WO1 Andrew Donnelly

• OC B Sqn Ist Armoured Regt

• SSM B Sqn – (Ensign)

• OC B Sqn 3/4 Cav Regt – MAJ Thomas Johnson

• SSM B Sqn 3/4 Cav Regt – WO2 Beau St Leon (Ensign).

ADMIN and LOGISTICS

ADMIN

Climate

Canberra will be quite cold. Veterans and those accompanying them should dress appropriately.

Dress

Dress for veterans attending will be lounge suit, medals and beret.

For serving members, as per Dress Manual.

Tickets

There will be no tickets for this event DVA is relying on Unit representatives requested to provide as accurate as possible, numbers of those attending the ceremony and reception.

Eligibility to attend post-Service function

This activity is not open to the public. It is for Binh Ba veterans, their spouses/partners and families of those RAAC and other Binh Ba veterans who have died post-the battle, VIPs, Official Guests.

It is vital that numbers are as accurate as unit reps can get them in order that catering is adequate for all attendees at the afternoon tea. Numbers are to be sent direct to DVA to:

Robert.hamon@.au

cc michelle.cuningham@.au and paul.richardson@.au

Parking

Veterans and others using own transport will be at the AWM –parking limit of 4 hours applies.

Paid parking is located at the southern end of Anzac Parade at Anzac Park West and Anzac Park East. URLs for parking information on both are below





A copy of the map is at Attachment A.

NCA has been informed of the ceremony and residences in the area will also be notified.

Traffic and pedestrian Marshals will be on hand to direct pedestrians and also monitor VIP arrivals and departures.

LOGISTICS

First Aid

First aid support will be available the venue for the duration of the Service. An ambulance will be

on-site.

Toilet facilities

Portaloos will also be on-site at the Service venue.

Refreshments

A coffee van will be available.

Dietary Requirements

Arrangements have been mate to cater for gluten-free and vegetarian diets at the post-service reception.

RAAC Support

Material support for the Service has been generously provided by the Corps through the School of Armour. This takes the form of:

• The parading of the Standard and Guidon of 1st Armoured Regt and 3rd Cavalry Regt.

ADF Support

The RMC Band will be providing the music.

The Federation Guard will provide members for Catafalque Party, Door Orderlies, Wreath Orderlies and Flag Orderlies.

Rehearsals for ADF participants will take place on Wednesday afternoon, 5/6/19.

Colour Party

The Corps has provided the Standard and Guidon of 1st Armoured Regt and the 3rd Cavalry Regt and 4th Cavalry Regt, for parading at the Service. The Colours being paraded will have on them recently approved (2017) and newly emblazoned Battle Honours; viz

• 1st Armoured Regt Standard:

Battle Honour “Coral-Balmoral”

• 3rd Cavalry Regt Guidon:

Battle Honours “Bien Hoa”, “Binh Ba” and “Hat Dich.”

The SSM B Sqn 1AR and SSM B Sqn 3/4 Cav, will probably will be present as the Ensigns for the Regiment’s Standard and 3 Cav Regt Guidon. On advice from the Corps RSM, the 4 Cav Regt Guidon is to be paraded as well. The unit title mandates the parading of the 4 Cav Regt Guidon in company with the 3 Cav Regt Guidon.

Static Display

Support for the APC to be made available for a static display, has been received.

Doubts exist as to the availability of a Centurion Tank due to very strict requirements by the NCA for an AFV of this size and weight (previously discussed for the 40th anniversary). The final decision as to whether a tank is permitted for a static display will rest with the Corps RSM, the School of Armour and the RSM Ceremonial – ADF in consultation with each other, and with the NCA, and AHQ - Army Commitments

Colours at Afternoon Tea

Support for having the Colours present to enable veterans to have photos taken with them has been received. The Colours will be positioned in the Reg Saunders Room on static display and will be available for up to 40 minutes only, prior to their removal for the last Post Ceremony.

Stands for Colours

Due to a lack of these items in Canberra, Corps/Unit RSMs are requested to make available, their stands to hold the Colours while static in the Reg Saunders Room. WO 1 Moore is the POC for this matter.

Unit Colours for the Dinner

The discretion rests absolutely with the Corps/Unit RSMs, as to whether or not (unit and other commitments), they will permit the Colours to be marched in and placed on static display.

March-past

There will be no march-past.

Orders of Service Booklets

These will be printed and available on the day.

Meet and Greet RAAC Veterans

It is anticipated that RAAC veterans (Tank and Cav), will gather at the Canberra Rex for an informal meet and greet at 1700 on the evening of Wednesday 5/6/19.

Post-activity O-Groups

The RV for the day’s post-AWM O Group is the Great Room at the Canberra Rex Hotel,

150 Northbourne Avenue Braddon, (02 6248 5311) and has been booked by Mr Chris Heaney for this purpose. Veterans from both C Sqn 1st Armoured Regt and A Sqn 3 Cav Regt, are invited to attend this location for the O-Group.

O-Group Timings, etc

1. 1845 for a 1900 start;

2. Drinks will be available from 19:00;

3. Entrees to be served from 19:30;

4. Main course will be alternate table drop;

5. Drinks will be available on the tables, table staff will circulate taking orders or from the bar in the room set aside for attendees;

6. A range of beer, red and white wine, sparkling wine, soft drinks and tea and coffee will be supplied.

Dress

Dress for attendees is collar and tie/suits and Medals and Evening Dress.

Miniatures may be worn by those who have them.

Corp/Unit Tables

Discussions between Chris Heaney and the Rex have resulted in the following being used to identify tables by using coloured serviettes; viz

1. B Sqn 3 Cav - Yellow/Gold;

2. B Sqn 1AR - Green

3. B Coy5 RAR - Blue

4. D Coy 5 RAR - Red;

5. Various Blues for 9 Sqn/161 Recce and 1 Field Sqn

COMMAND and SIG

Command

The Commonwealth, as represented by DVA’s Domestic Commemorations staff, has overall carriage and management of the entire Service and Reception and has liaised with the AWM for the Last Post Ceremony.

Sig

POC for information regarding accommodation at the Canberra Rex, is Mr Chris Heaney on

0400372536.

POC for RAAC support is WO1 Derek Simpson Corps RSM (primary), and Maj Greg Hooper CSM, SO2 HOC Cell School of Armour (Secondary), on behalf of the Corps.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The efforts of Colin Toll, David Hay Dallas Burrage, Chris Heaney and Peter Rosemond is gratefully acknowledged. Their assistance in doing the heavy lifting and peter’s guidance and advice has been invaluable. A thousand thanks to you.

FINAL WORD

“It is not a reunion, not a celebration, but a time for deep reflection of what life is all about and what those young blokes gave up to do their duty as lawfully directed by our elected government.” (Colonel Gerry Mc Cormack RAAC, (Ret’d) C Sqn 1AR 1968, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Battles of Coral-Balmoral).

Noel Mc Laughlin OAM MBA

Chairman

RAAC Corporation

DISTRIBUTIONLIST

RSM Ceremonial - ADF

RSM RAAC for info and to fwd to participating RAAC units

SO2 HOC Cell

1st Armoured Regt Assn

3rd Cavalry Regt (Vietnam) Assn

105 Fd Bty RAA

RSM RAE

1 Fd Sqn Assn

5 RAR Assn

161 Recce Flt Assn

9 Sqn Assn

DVA Ceremonial

AWM Last Post Ceremony

ATTACHMENT A

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[1] Anderson, P., 2002, When the Scorpion Stings: The History of the 3rd Cavalry Regt Vietnam 19665-1972, Allen and Unwin, Crows Nest NSW, 318pp. at pp.177-178.

[2] Mc Kay, G., and Nicholas, G., 2001, Jungle Tracks: Australian Armour in Vietnam, Allen and Unwin, Crows Nest, NSW, 325pp. citing from an interview with Murray Blake MC, Taringa, Qld,

14 March 2000, at p.213.

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