Tiger-pie

Why? It is just a bit of black humour, typical of the military. All the best for your next tour Lorenzo.

Were not a colony anymore Jens... We don't use any "UK weapons", unless you call the MP5 or Browning Hi-Power a UK weapon...

Well strictly speaking they are Austrian design, Australian built. They are made under licence at the Lithgow Small Arms Factory in New South Wales. Regards, Johnsy

The "Dolphins" are awarded (earned) I believe well after qualifying for subs. Basically I believe you have to have a good working knowledge of all trade disciplines aboard a boat. I don't know what other Navies do, but in the Aussie Navy you have to do a selection course, know as the 'ENHANCED SELECTION PROCESS' or ESP. This sorts the sh#t from the clay, then they do Intial Training and the Submarine Escape Course. If you get through that then you have to Submarine Sea Qualification (SMSQ). All of the crew has to know what every valve does, from the Seaman Cook to the Commanding Officer. For the Technical branches it can take up to 18 months of classroom and on the job training to get the coverted submariners badge. However mine has butterfly pin fittings, which seemed to creep into British military use in the mid - 70's & which I've never liked as being rather insecure.? I hate those butterfly clips, they dig into your skin to the point that they make you bleed. The ones pictured here look much better. Tony's badge is the bog standard current issue one-used for all dress With the exception of working rig, I think most navies have adopted sew-on badges for their coveralls / work shirts. The Submariners Dolphins were designed by Commander McIntosh RAN (later captain), the submarine project officer in 1965. "The Naval Board accepted the design and production of the dolphins went ahead. On 25 July 1966 the RAN issued Navy Order number 411, which covered who was eligible to wear the submarine badge and how. In 1968 the officers and crew of HMS TRUMP, the last British submarine in the Royal Navy's Fourth Division based in Sydney, were given Australian submarine dolphins to wear for a year. At the end of that year the sailors were asked to fill out a survey. Ninety nine per cent of the crew liked the design and were in favour of wearing the badge. It was not until 1972, having assessed the value of the Australian submarine badge, that the Royal Navy issued a variation on Captain McIntosh's design." From The Trade - June 2005 The origins of Australian Submarine Dolphin badge by Peter Smith Bet that made a few from the Admiralty spray their pink gins, taking inspiration from the 'colonials'. Regards, Johnsy Pictured are from the top: Submariners Badge Submariners Badge-Mess Undress for Senior Sailors and Officers Submariners Badge-Unofficial Lapel Badge Submariners Badge-Cloth, sew on, for working rig. Generally used on the submarine issue black coveralls (black hides the grime)

Does the Service Record have his details of when he served in Europe or embarkation/disembarkation dates? This would go some way to solving the puzzle. Chances are he served over Europe and was never awarded the medal due to his demise. Details, my friend, we need details...(or a scan) Regards, Johnsy

Try this link for the MP44. http://www.swdecor.com/WWII-replica-MP44.htm Regards, Johnsy

Who is more surprised? Major Jim Kmet comes face to face with some of the local animal life while out on patrol.

Soldiers carry a wooden beam across the worksite during construction of a checkpoint.

Commanding Officer Reconstruction Task Force Three Lieutenant Colonel David Wainwright (right) speaks with a local Afghan man about the situation in the Dorafshan region.

A soldier sits in an overwatch position during a short halt from a patrol in the Dorafshan region.

(From R-L) Corporal Jarred (Bingo) Bingham and Private Damien Brown from 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment conduct night routine in the late hours of the afternoon during Reconstruction Task Force Three's Operation Shar Markaz.

An engineering plant vehicle lifts multiple Hesco baskets during the construction of a perimeter wall.

Soldiers from Reconstruction Task Force Three conduct their night routine and prepare to stand-to in their pits whilst an earth mover continues digging other fighting positions of the construction site during Operation Shar Markaz.

An ASLAV Personnel Carrier from 2/14 Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) returns to its dug-in overwatch position during Operation Shar Markaz.

Corporal Damian Woods and Corporal Ty Mcrae from the 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, now serving with Reconstruction Task Force Three in Afghanistan, log information into the Personal Data Assistants carried by all Section Commanders following their return from a patrol.

Two soldiers from Reconstruction Task Force Three document recovered weapons and ammunition found in a hidden weapon cache during a patrol in the Dorafshan area. The weapons were used in an attack on Australian positions the previous night and were cached by the fleeing insurgents.

An up-armored Australian Bulldozer from Reconstruction Task Force Three levels ground in preparation for construction works as during Operation Shar Markaz in the Dorafshan area.

A Mack Truck from Reconstruction Task Force Three sits and waits while a camel train moves through the area. Photo taken during the commencement of Operation Shar Markaz, conducted in the Dorafshan area.

A group of Bushmaster Infantry mobility vehicles break from a hide, and depart on the next leg of a patrol.

Private Aaron John Duffy from the 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment kneels beside a near frozen creek.

A Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicle from Reconstruction Task Force Three heads off across the rugged countryside of the Chora region of Afghanistan.

Fire mission # 2.

I had to resize this image a fair bit, but I didn't want to lose that big mountain and sky, or resize the image using a program as it reduces the quality. So this one is abit skinny. Private Brant Logan (standing) and Private Matthew Zejfert, from the 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment's Mortar Platoon, prepare to fire their 81mm mortar during a fire support mission.

Lieutenant Ben Watson (2nd Battalion Royal Ausralian Regiment), deployed to Afghanistan with Reconstruction Task Force 3, speaks to a local man through the use of an interpreter whilst on patrol in the Chora region of Afghanistan.

Sergeant Lloyd Brandon (2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment) examines a frozen water catchment.