1 Armd Regt’s Service is Remembered; But, is it Valued?

As part of his ANZAC Day address for 2025, the Chief of Army, Lt Gen Simon Stuart, AO, DSC, said “We reflect on what has been made possible by generations of sacrifice … Today we fulfil our promise to remember them”.

Members of 1st Armoured Regiment who served in Vietnam (1968-1971) were one of the generations whose sacrifice, both at the time and afterwards, is remembered.

Their service might have been remembered, but was it valued?

It seems not, given that the CA has stripped the unit of its tanks and made it a non-combatant, destroying the heritage and traditions its members had built up over 75 years.

Reflecting on this, I realised that it was time to seek a face-to-face meeting with the Chief of Army. I’ll keep going with my letters in ‘CONTACT’, but at the same time, find out if a meeting is possible. (I posted my letter to the CA’s Chief of Staff, asking for this, on 21 July.)

If I was able to explain the way veterans felt; describe their feelings of being gutted and betrayed; maybe there’d be some sympathy and understanding. Just possibly, this could lead to some information sharing with 1 Armd Regt veterans.

At this stage the CA, although he’s been asked directly, has not explained why 1 Armd Regt was chosen to be stripped of its tanks; nor whether or not its new role is a permanent one (as far as current planning is concerned).

If it’s not permanent, how long is it for and what’s the plan to return the unit to combat duties? If it is permanent, are the elements missing from 3 Brigade (tank squadron, cavalry squadron, and battle group HQ) also permanent, or is it intended to replace these?

At one stage, it was thought that Combat Experimentation Group (CXG) role would only last until sufficient housing was available in Townsville; now it’s realised that the CA himself is the main driver of the unit’s new role (though whether or not he is under pressure from the Government or the Department to this end, is unclear).

If a meeting is granted, the CA will also be asked about the secrecy surrounding the intentions for 1 Armd Regt and why no alternatives to 1 Armd Regt were considered when it was chosen to be the CXG.

The CA was quoted recently as saying that “Talisman Sabre would demonstrate to the nation, the region and Australia’s partners that the Australian Army’s future was fighting on the beaches, rivers, coastal waters and archipelagos of the Indo-Pacific”. Surely this sets an artificial limit on the war-fighting capability that Australia needs?

Maybe, however, it explains why the combat power of 3 (Armoured) Brigade has been reduced as it has (?).

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

 

FILE PHOTO (November 2024): Veterans of the 1st Armoured Regiment during the Cambrai Parade at Edinburgh Defence Precinct. Photo by Corporal Adam Quinn.

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