This Part contains works of fiction or part-fiction that are considered suitable for inclusion in that they illustrate RAR operations and attributes.
GENERAL
MANSFORD, George – The Mad Galahs
George Mansford 1999
ISBN: 0646380044
346 pages.
The author enlisted as a private and retired 40 years later as a brigadier. Half of his service was spent in the battalions of the RAR. The Mad Galahs weaves historical fact into a stirring tale of Australian Infantrymen at war generally in Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam.
PARRY, Bill – A Walk Through Life
Winston Oliver Parry 2001
ISBN: 0957951302
200 pages.
The story of Jack Rand a soldier of 35 years, based on the author’s experience in the RAR.
JAPAN AND KOREA 1946-53
COURTNEY, Bryce – Brother Fish
Penguin Books Australia Ltd, Melbourne, 2004
ISBN: 0670042080
842 pages.
The story of a 3 RAR soldier captured in Korea who survives
internment with the help of an black American serviceman fellow-captive. Their bond of friendship survives beyond the war and captivity together, and later in a white Australia (Tasmania) where the two are re-united after the war.
SOUTH EAST ASIA 1950-current
(includes Malaya, Borneo, Singapore & Malaysia)
Nil entry
VIETNAM 1962-75
CARROL, John – Token Soldiers
Wildgrass Books, Boronia VIC, 1983
ISBN: 090806909X
261 pages.
The myths of heroism and glory are made from pain, futility and death. This is
the side of war – the only real side, which soldiers have as memories, wounds
and lasting bitterness.
COTTONE, David – Vietnam… Viet-Bloody-Nam
P.I.E. Books, Chelmer QLD, 2015
ISBN: 9780992529314 (pbk)
270 pages.
A novel about two friends – one a volunteer and the other a conscript, who serve together in Vietnam. The author explores the various experiences and tolls that the Vietnam war in particular took, including how many of the returning soldiers were treated at the time.
COURTNEY, Bryce – Smokey Joe’s Café
Penguin Books Australia Ltd, Ringwood VIC, 2001
ISBN: 014029807X
Glossary; 237 pages.
A fictional account of the remnants of a platoon that fought at Long Tan and their exploits on their return to Australia to save a young girl from death.
DENNIS, DJ – A Day at a Time: a Vietnam Diary
University of Queensland Press, St Lucia, 1992
ISBN: 0702224421
Map, photos;161 pages.
The story of one day at war. It is based on interviews and D.J Dennis’s own wartime diary. It tells of young men fighting an unpopular war, pitting their high-spirited indifference against fate and military authority.
FRAZER, Michael – Nasho
Aries Imprint, Melbourne, 1984
ISBN: 0959269924
Glossary; 296 pages.
The author was a National Serviceman between 1969-1971 and during that time he spent 253 days in Vietnam.
KRASNOFF, Stan – Freefall
USQ Press, Toowoomba QLD, 1992
ISBN: 094941459X
Glossary, maps; 189 pages.
The wives and children of Vietnam veterans may find in these pages some idea of the trauma their husbands and fathers faced in Vietnam, and some
explanation of why so many veterans who left Australia as typical young men, were somehow different men upon return after their Vietnam experience.
McAULAY, Lex – When The Buffalo Fight
Century Hutchinson Australia Pty Ltd, Sydney, 1980
ISBN: 0091690218
236 pages, glossary
Fiction based on fact. The story is based on author’s service with 1RAR in South Vietnam during 1965-1966. Multiple editions.
McKENNA, T. P. – Vietnam: We Fought and Served: what price courage,
valour and honour?
Seaview Press Henley Beach SA, 2000
ISBN:1740080726
Short stories set in South Vietnam involving the Australians.
NAGLE, William – The Odd Angry Shot
Angus & Robertson, Sydney, 1975
ISBN: 0207131538 (hbk) 0207131546(pbk)
98 pages.
This is the author’s account of his participation as a professional soldier in a
discredited war (Vietnam).
RYAN, Merv J – Vietnam Conscript
Access Press, Northbridge WA, 1992
ISBN: 0949795674
261 pages.
The author served in the Vietnam conflict and has drawn on his knowledge and experience to present this powerful story of two young men, one militant and aggressive, the other basically a pacifist, who are conscripted and sent to fight in the jungle.
SABBEN, Dave – Through Enemy Eyes
Allen & Unwin Australia, Sydney, 2005
ISBN: 1741145619
Index, maps, bibliography; 380 pages.
Based on detailed research by Dave Sabben, one of the 6 RAR Australian platoon commanders in the Battle of Long Tan. A fictionalised account
of the events leading up to the battle as seen through VC and NVA eyes.
PEACE KEEPING & PEACE MAKING OPERATIONS
(Somalia 1992-93, Rwanda 1994-95, Cambodia 1994-95, Papua New Guinea 1946 to 1975, East Timor 1999-2012, Bougainville 1994, The Solomon Islands 2000 -2008, all remaining deployments not covered by UN or above (Rhodesia, Uganda)
Nil entry
IRAQ 2003-09 and 2014–ongoing
Nil entry
AFGHANISTAN 2006-ongoing
Nil entry
HUMANITARIAN/DEFENCE AID TO THE CIVIL COMMUNITY
(Civilian Humanitarian Disaster ops (incl Darwin 1975 and other cyclones and floods, overseas eg PNG, Indian Ocean, and lately, Border Operations, and DACC (non-disaster) eg Olympics and Commonwealth Games and other government support eg APEC, G20)
Nil entry
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