Gents,

My name is Mike Cecil, and I research and write books on Australian military history (see, for example 'Mud and Dust: Australian Army Vehicles and Artillery In Vietnam'published by AWM 2009).

I'm looking for some help in relation to the Infantry-Tank cooperation training that 5RAR conducted in 1968 prior to the second tour. It is my understanding that this was done with tanks crewed by 1/15th Royal New South Wales Lancers.

My questions are:
(1) where did the training take place?
(2) What dates/over what period?
(3) How many tanks were available/took part?
(4) Does anyone recall one of the tanks becoming submurged in a creek or dam? If so, what details can you remember, please?

Thanks gents, all and every reply much appreciated.

Regards

Mike Cecil

Mike,
Unfortunately my memory of the detail on this is vague, but it may be mentioned in 5 RAR's 1968 Training Directives. I had a complete copy which I donated to the AWM in Canberra many years ago. The AWM reference for them is PR85/297 and apparently the collection is held at the Mitchell Annex of the AWM. You could access these and search through the index quite easily. Each trg directive usually covered a single topic.
Good hunting.
Dave

Dave,

Thanks for the info: I'll chase those references down and see what they provide.

Much appreciated.

Mike

I can just remember clinging terrified to the turret of a centurian tank as it careered through the scrub somewhere outside Holesworthy I think.

Jump up and we will give you a ride they said! Bloody Armoured. No respect for the elite infantry men that we were!

Al.