Tiger-pie

Mr Alfred Tesorieo's home was broken into and he was bashed by one possibly two assailants. The 86 year old veteran would like his medals that were stolen with other items back. If any of you see them come up for sale on u-pay, or through any other vendor, please bring it to the notice of the authorities. "Today, Mr Tesoriero, walking with a stick and with his arm in a sling as a result of the invasion, had a message for the men who robbed him. He said: "They are of no value to you, mate. Just pass them back to the rightful owner. "They mean a lot to me because each medal represents a period of service," Mr Tesoriero, nicknamed 'Tesso' and 'The Fish' during the war, added. After marching with the bar of medals on Anzac Day, he had covered them with a handkerchief and packed them in a drawer "where they stay for 12 months until I use them again". 'The Fish' said they were a part of his life. Mr Tesoriero was in the army from 1941 to 1946 and fought for 18 months in New Guinea, and 18 months in Bougainville." For any Aussie collectors who should stumble across them, you can contact: Anyone with information, particulary pawnbrokers where the medals may have been onsold, is asked to contact Burwood detectives on 9745 8499 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Police have offered anonimity for anyone with further information. Service Record Name TESORIERO, ALFRED Service Australian Army Service Number NX192119 (N222863) Date of Birth 1 Aug 1920 Place of Birth SYDNEY, NSW Date of Enlistment 15 May 1941 Locality on Enlistment RANDWICK, NSW Place of Enlistment IN THE FIELD, NSW Next of Kin TESORIERO, GAETANO Date of Discharge 2 Apr 1946 Rank Gunner Posting at Discharge 4 FIELD REGIMENT WW2 Honours and Gallantry None for display Prisoner of War No Regards; Johnsy

SLIGHTLY The Greek goverment awarded my uncle with two service medals, the War Medal 1940-41 and the War Medal 1941-45. I'm not sure that he was entitled to the second one as he fought on the Greek mainland then on Crete where he was captured in 1941. Regardless, he was awarded both, though having read up on it, I'm not sure why. Regards; Johnsy

Hi all, The last of the Fremantle Patrol boats paid off last week, thus ending their 25 year career and the use of the 40/60 Bofor in the RAN (and ADF) after having been bought into service from circa 1939 with the Australian military. They were built here by various firms, most notable being General Motors-Holden. Most that I have worked on were dated 1943-44, though the newest ordnance I have ever seen was 1953. The mounts (the bit the bang-stick [ordnance] sits on), were of course much younger. The RAN started using hydraulic powered mounts in the early sixies, before that they were either hand-draulic or electrically driven. The mounts went through various style changes until they settled on a final design in the early seventies, and these were refurbished every 5 years. They have been on all types of Aussie ships, both merchant and naval. Their decline from the main fleet in recent history started when they were removed from HMAS Success and Tobruk, the Freo's being the last class they were used on. It is hard to believe they are gone, of the 19 years I have served in the RAN, I spent nearly 12 years of that time working in, on or around them, from training young "gunbusters" (weapons techs), workshop overhauls to actually firing them. They made for a great light-show at night, especially when the self-destruct fuse detonated. Regards; Johnsy

Crikey!! All I wanted was some info, it wasn't meant to start the "Sh#t-fight at the Baltic Corral". Regards; Johnsy

Very interesting items, and nice pieces of workmanship to boot. Alas, as a mariner the possibility of myself or my shipmates getting one would be slim at most, if they were still issued. The longest I have ever been without alchohol since I started (legally) drinking was 55 days 15 hours, can't recall how many minutes. Cheers; Johnsy

I'm not sure that infinite is correct, I would recognise these symbols and what they meant if I was suddenly transported back in time. Modern badges are a reflection of these, and really it is advancement in technology that has changed the symbols to reflect said change. There sure seems to be plenty of them around though, so much for tradition and the Admirality being afraid of change !!! Regards; Johnsy

Which brings us to the term "beenie", as in "been a man" i.e. chicks with dicks, sluts with nuts etc. I think that this is a purely modern Aussie naval slang word, I have never heard it used anywhere else. I did in fact horrify an American women when I was in Hi. many years ago, she was selling some sort of stuffed toy, a collectors item I am led to believe, called Beanies. I took great delight in explaining what the term meant in Aussie slang. She was selling stickers which proclaimed "I Love Beanies", so I bought some, and giggling like a child stuck them to the locker doors (after your rack, the only personal space you have onboard) of those I had an slanging match with in recent times. Regards; Johnsy

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More plates. These would appear to be pre-WW2. I'm not exactly sure where I got these images from. Regards; Johnsy

Is the bird third from the right the one that takes blood... Regards; Johnsy

Has already taken delivery of the Globemasters, they are now part of 36 Sqn. I watched them doing touch and goes from my office at Campbell Park when I was based in Canberra late last year. Very impressive seeing them flying toward you. Below is a photoshop image of one of the 36 Sqn. C-17's. With regards to the Abrams, there is no rolling stock to get them to Darwin, but this is a mute point at this time as they are doing their work-ups at Pucker, and will be moved to Darwin by sea. Regards; Johnsy

This signal (unclassified) was realeased on the 20-Apr-07 SUBJ: LAST FCPB OPERATIONAL PATROL 1. TODAY HMAS IPSWICH WILL BERTH AT HMAS CAIRNS AND OUTCHOP FROM JTF 639 AND IN DOING SO BRINGS TO A CLOSE A 27 YEAR OPERATIONAL COMMITMENT BY THE FREMANTLES TO AUSTRALIAS MARITIME SECURITY. THE FREMANTLES HAVE CONTRIBUTED IN A WIDE VARIETY OF WAYS FROM PATROLS OF THE BASS STRAIT OIL RIGS IN OFTEN ATROCIOUS WEATHER CONDITIONS TO LONG DAYS ON WATCH ACROSS NORTHERN AUSTRALIA. IN THIS THEY HAVE PROVED A MAINSTAY OF AUSTRALIA'S OFFSHORE MARITIME SECURITY AND EARNED A REPUTATION AS HARDWORKING AND CAN DO VESSELS AND CREWS. AS A FORMER FREMANTLE CO AND THE LAST OPERATIONAL COMMANDER OF THE FREMANTLES I HAVE VALUED AND RELIED ON THEIR COMMITMENT TO OP RESOLUTE TO THE VERY LAST. 2. IPSWICH SECURING TODAY REPRESENTS THE END OF AN ERA BUT WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE TRADITIONS AND CHARACTER OF THE PATROL BOAT SAILOR WILL CONTINUE ON IN THE ARMIDALE'S. 3. MATTHEW CHAP 25 VERSE 21. Regards; Johnsy

Yes, I saw the same program on the weekend. Had the black stencilled kangaroo on the hull and turret. You will note from the photos previously posted that the finished version has red kangaroos on a box/fitting on the forward section of the hull. Very interesting doco, I was very impressed with the method used for shot-peening the hull to remove paint and corrosion. Regards; Johnsy

From the Kiwis Royal Warrant: 3. Design of Bars The Bars to the Awards shall, - (a) For the New Zealand Cross, the New Zealand Bravery Star, and the New Zealand Bravery Decoration, be of silver, oblong in shape, and bearing two New Zealand fern fronds. (b) For the New Zealand Bravery Medal, be of bronze, oblong in shape, and bearing two New Zealand fern fronds. The description appears to be the same, and knowing all government's penny pinching ways, I can't imagine that they would strike a completely different bar for the Antartica Medal. Regards; Johnsy

Couldn't find one of a bravery award, but here is an example of the Antarctica Medal with bar. Regards; Johnsy

I wasn't talking about anyone else, just us. "Hello Laurence. I am not sure about those two photos you posted. The top one is an altered version of the second picture. I assume you were making a joke which has been lost on me." With regards to the short barrel Leo, it would be a low velocity bunker/building buster. The Germans pioneered the idea back in the 40's when they encountered the need in the East. I'm not sure if Stalingrad was the catalyst, or earlier urban confrontations. The Stug was used in that capacity with great effect, and the myraid of hybrid self-propelled guns with large calibre ordnance. Regards; Johnsy

Of course, it didn't even register that the bloke on the right is wearing the Estonian national flag on his upper arm. I think that the badge on the men either side of the Naval officer is an Infantry abzeichen. Here are some close-ups, they are the best I could do as the resolution wasn't very good to start with. I may have a better image, if I can find it I will post better images.

I posted this under 1939 Iron Crosses, but it would have been more appropriate here. It is an recent shot (perhaps two or three years old) of some vets, I belive that they are Latvian. Can anyone confirm that from their other awards? Regards; Johnsy

Could the lettering indicate another branch or section? Could the background colour indicate the arm of service? Regards; Johnsy

On the firing range.

Trials at Puckapunyal army training area.

Tank Recovery Vehicle