Tiger-pie

Fire power to the front. A weary looking gunner moves up toward the point.

Likewise another patrol member checks the route before proceeding.

WO Findlater scopes out the landscape ahead.

Taking a 'breather' and discussing the mission ahead prior to entering an enclosed area.

A Bushmaster provides overwatch as a 'rat line' (Taliban supply route) is patrolled.

A soldier attracts the curiosity of some local children.

No, its an 81mm. I think our paras were the last to use 60's because of the weight saving. The 81 is now standard across the board.

A trail of sparks are left as a round leaves the tube.

Shadows of the surrounding terrain close over the mortar pits later in the day.

Return fire.

Mortar team prepare to return fire afetr a rocket attack.

Range markers are never so obvious because they can be used by the enemy to calculate the distance back to your posistion. A small post painted white on the side facing your position was sometimes used or steel barb wire holders, both being less obvious to enemy observers. Flags were also used to indicate when a trench (or section of trench) had been captured. Might they be range flags for rifle practice? Regards, Johnsy

Well that makes it a bit easier on me, I can at least check that name for you to see if the details fit. I wouldn't rely on what ribbons are worn too much, it isn't uncommon for personnel to not wear their full entitlement on their work uniforms. Usually because they don't want to spend money on getting an additional ribbon, or just can't be arsed. He already has the NM, the long service gong would just be doubling up. Johnsy Edit: Badcock isn't mentioned in the Vietnam tome, the only thing close is P J Badcoe, and he got a VC not an MC, plus he got retired by a Viet Cong MG.

The Admiral works 18 floors above me. Johnsy

Had a look and really couldn't see anyone who fitted. The para wings sort of confuse the issue. 3 RAR weren't a para unit until 1982 when they started training for para ops. Was Shalders your Rear Admiral? Regards, Johnsy

Off to the Gulag with this one! A sense of humour shows individuality, a dangerous thing Comrades... Johnsy

Navy Clearance Divers Petty Officer Troy Eather, Chief Petty Officer Phillip Shirley with engineers Sapper Michael Brennan and Corporal Glen Barton check the remains of an Improvised Explosive Device found by Sapper Brennan during a route clearance.

A massive dust cloud rises as an Improvised Explosive Device is destroyed.

Reconstruction Task Force 4 soldiers move in to secure a cordon around an Improvised Explosive Device.

Afghan tribesmen look on as Reconstruction Task Force 4 soldiers conduct a route search.

I'm glad to say that the Australian War Memorial continues to display original VC's. I'm not sure what security the Kiwis had, but the Valour Room at the AWM is very secure. Regards, Johnsy

Old news for those who have an interest in the subject, nontheless useful for those who haven't researched the subject beyond heresay and urban myth. Regards, Johnsy

Two eucalyptus leaves and a bayonet? Nothing official, might belong to one of those shady para-military organisations, certainly can't see it on ASODs. Regards, Johnsy

I'm not sure. The National Medal indicated 15 years of diligent service by members of the Australian Defence Force, Australian police forces, and fire and ambulance services. That changed in 1982, I have seen many older members and ex-members of the military wearing both the NM and the DFSM. In any case most of the senior officers in Vietnam ended up with DSO's and MBE's and the like, so I suspect that this bloke got promoted to Lieutenant Colonel post Vietnam War, but again I could be wrong. I will have a browse through Vietnam Veterans Honours & Awards - Army and see if anything jumps off the page. Regards, Johnsy

A quick look through 'Vietnam Veterans Honours & Awards - Army by Alexander M Palmer, which doesn't really turn much up, certainly not a direct match. I will have a look through it for you and put some names here to research. You can then search for an additional award of an OAM. The first thing that strikes me as odd is the lack of the long service ribbon, the National Medal being the only one present. Regards, Johnsy