Australian Army Journal
  

The Australian Army Journal provides the primary forum for Army's professional discourse. The Journal, in addition to facilitating debate within the Australian Army, also raises the quality and intellectual rigor of that debate by adhering to a strict and demanding standard of quality.

This publication is well respected internationally, and gives Army's people an opportunity to reach out to their colleagues in the Army, the Australian Defence Force and military personnel the world over.

This entire edition is devoted to the issue of culture.

View online or download the "Australian Army Journal".

St Barbara's Day NSW
Open Invitation

St Barbara's Day QLD
Open Invitation

Did You Know?

Did You Know:   The lanyard, worn today by the Military on a number of items of dress, was originally used by gunners and it was worn on the left shoulder. The cord, which was approximately four feet (1.2 meters) in length, carried a jack-knife. The knife had a blade and a spike; the blade was used for cutting-loose horses which became entangled in picket-line head and heel ropes, and the spike was used for the removal of stones from the horses' hooves. An ammunition fuze key was also attached to the lanyard. The lanyard was worn on the left shoulder with the knife and key tucked into the left breast pocket. Later the lanyard was shortened in length and bleached white to match the white bandolier worn by gunners, and in 1920 it was moved to the left shoulder. Today the lanyard is worn by all corps/regiments, in their relevant colours; however, Gunners still wear the lanyard in its original colour, white.  

National Library of Australia

The website of the Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company will from 26 September 2013 be periodically digitally captured by the National Library of Australia for both eternal archiving and general access to the website.

The National Library of Australia aims to build a comprehensive collection of Australian publications to ensure that Australians have access to their documentary heritage now and in the future.

PANDORA, Australia's Web Archive, was set up by the Library in 1996 to enable the archiving and provision of long-term access to online Australian publications. Since then we have been identifying and archiving online publications that meet our collecting scope and priorities. Additional information about PANDORA and access to archived titles can be found on the Library's server at: http://pandora.nla.gov.au/index.html

Webmaster Update

The RAAHC is embarking on a major project within the website to list the all the past and present Commanding Officers (CO's), Regimental Sergeant-Majors (RSM's) and Master Gunners (MG's) of all past and present Artillery units inclusive of a biography where available.  In addition to this we will also be listing those who were appointed RSM of a non corps unit yet never held this position within an Artillery unit.   To kick the project off we have now opened up for public viewing the RSM's section of the website.   To date the most comprehensive of these is both the School of Artillery and 16th Air Land Regiment with the other to follow shortly. To view the project to date visit the website, look inside "Moments in History" and select "Regimental Sergeant-Majors".

Therefore if you have been a CO an RSM or MG your input will be greatly appreciated by way of a biography and photograph for use within these sections of the website and your assistance to get the word out there to as many past incumbents of these positions will be considered invaluable.   All contributions should be sent to the Webmaster.

Having read the article immediately above, you will be aware that your contribution will be captured by the National Library of Australia and forevermore made available to the nation for future generations.

Your attention is drawn to the column on the left hand side of Airburst which now includes 3 permanent additions which are a link to the Army Newspaper and the Australian Army Journal as well as the QR code for our website for those wanting to track us down via their smart phone..

The website continues to grow.  A video on the 18 Pounder Update has been added and is accessible via the link on the Home Page immediately below the photo of the 18 Pounder.  A great way to stay in touch with those on the ground rebuilding the 18 Pounder.

The Obituary Resource section continues to grow thanks to Peter Bruce.  The Obituary Resource section will become a significant asset to those historians and researchers over time investigating those who served our corps.   Anyone with information of the passing of one of our colleagues or an obituary should contact Peter Bruce.

The Today's Gunline section of the website also continues to grow and a good example of this is the 8/12 Regiment.   All units regular or reserve are encouraged to take ownership of their respective unit within Today's Gunline with regards the content and layout.  I will endeavour to achieve whatever it is you desire for your particular unit area.   For more information either contact myself, Webmaster or Ian Ahearn.

Honorary Membership

Congratulations to Mr Alan Smith on being presented with his Honorary Membership of the Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company by the Chair, Major General (Retd) Tim Ford AO.

For  eight years Alan was the driving force behind the RAAHC Historical Journal "Cannonball". He was involved in fifty issues of "Cannonball" as a contributor, Assistant Editor and hen from December 2004 to April 2014 as the Editor.   During that time he has contributed his own research, sought input from many Gunners and other sources and cajoled and encouraged others in the Gunner community to submit their contributions.  He has also been a benefactor to the RAAHC financially contributing to several issues of Cannonball.

In addition Alan has assisted the Regiment over the years in recording the history of the RAA.   He has been most active through editing several RAA biographies and publishing two excellent manuscripts, in 2008 his first titled "Gunners in Borneo - Artillery during confrontation 1962 - 1966" and last year an excellent book on our Locators titled "Do Unto Others - Counter Bombardment in Australia's Military Campaigns".

Well done, thank you and and congratulations Alan on your Honorary Membership of the Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company.