Why bother campaigning for 1 Armd Regt to be returned to a combat role?

…the answer is easy.

Those responsible can’t be allowed to continue detracting from 1st Armoured Regiment’s hard-fought heritage.

A unit with 75 years’ service crewing tanks, deserves to continue in its role for the next 75 years – or at least until tanks are declared obsolete.

1 Armd Regt has always exceeded expectations. For many years it was responsible for training all RAAC recruits; as well as selecting and training NCOs for postings, not only within the unit, but for other positions as well.

Indeed, the majority of APC crew commanders at the Battle of Long Tan, were trained by 1 Armd Regt.

The following statement was very apt at the time: “The general efficiency of the RAAC depends in no small measure on the success achieved by the Regiment in the many tasks allocated to it”.

1 Armd Regt became eligible to carry a Standard because it was a tank regiment, the equivalent to what had once been a heavy cavalry regiment (i.e. dragoon guards) in the British Army. Carried by nobility and high-ranking knights, it was the largest of the flags flown by armies in the Middle Ages.

The Regiment’s Standard was presented by His Royal Highness Prince Charles in 1981, making it the only unit within the Australian Army to be so honoured. (A new Standard was presented by the Governor-General 20 years later).

The Standard is emblazoned with three battle-honours from Vietnam (the limit used to be two, but the author successfully lobbied to have this changed).

The Streamer of the Unit Citation for Gallantry is attached at the top of the Standard.

Having been stripped of its tanks, however, the criteria for parading with the Standard, no longer exists. (The Chief of the Defence Force, among others, is happy to forego history and tradition and have it retained, nonetheless.)

But what’s behind all this? What brings former crewmen together whenever an opportunity arises?

There’s a driving force … a timeless bonding that few can adequately describe; camaraderie and comradeship, together with affinity and rapport. Generations drawn together by the same unifying spirit. There is an inseparability between the experiences of the past and the esprit-de-corps that existed at the time; one that doesn’t diminish. A true brotherhood from Churchill to Centurion to Leopard to M1A1 to M1A2.

The Chief of Army has said that: “Putting Australian soldiers on the ground and in harm’s way, remains the ultimate expression of our nation’s will and resolve”. 1st Armoured Regiment was a proud benchmark in this respect for 75 years. But, just two years ago, that responsibility was passed to others, unilaterally.

What is the future for a 1st Armoured Regiment which is no longer in harm’s way and can no longer strive to be the ultimate expression of our nation’s will and resolve? Can it ever be the same, even with new responsibilities in other fields as a non-combatant? Of course not.

The role of the RAAC involves closing with and engaging the enemy. The unit ethos, esprit-de-corps, heritage, tank-craft and skills built up by 1st Armoured Regiment over 75 years, have been completely lost, now that it is no longer a combatant.

The efforts one makes to have 1 Armd Regt returned to combat status are not for one’s-self, but for them, i.e. all those whom one had the honour to serve with, no matter the time or place.

As a Regiment, everyone worked together to hone their skills and professionalism: jockeying back off a hill; ensuring every round destroyed the target; maintaining radio watch; attacking with vigour; making a ‘brew’, and the like.

If former members were to do the same now, maybe enough attention would be drawn to the extent of the injustice involved, that others will take notice.

If that happens, who knows what might follow?

Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Cameron, MC, RAAC (Ret’d)

 

FILE PHOTO (November 2018): The Standard of the 1st Armoured Regiment is marched onto parade.

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