- Passchendale.
The ANZAC force participating in this attack were 3 and 4 Australian
Divisions and the NZ Division. In their sector they faced wire 30 yards
deep and thick, glutinous mud in the valley bottom. The front line commanders
had asked to abort the attack but Haig and Plummer refused. The uncut
wire and the inability of the artillery to support the infantry and
the flooding of the valley bottom prevented the advance. In spite of
their efforts the ANZAC's could only advance 100 yards. Haig in his
dispatches wrote: '...certain strong points and fortified forms were
captured by 1 and 2 ANZAC Corps on this day, and were incorporated in
our line.' In reality the ANZAC's had captured 30 yards of barbed wire
and some mud holes. Thereafter the Australians were uncomplimentary
to Haig and his staff. The only high point of the day was that a patrol
of the 3rd Division managed to enter the pulverised remains of Passchendale
village. The position was deserted. However the appalling conditions
of the approaches meant that it was not until November before the pulverised
village finally fell completely to the Canadians.
- The battle honour
Passchendale was awarded for actions on this
day and in the period 26 Oct - 10 Nov 17.
- On this day the
dead and wounded choked aid posts in the Raevebeek Valley. CPL W A Murray
gave up his place in a queue waiting for stretcher bearers. He was never
heard of again.
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- 25
Bde Gp began attack on Japanese positions in the vicinity of Templeton's
Crossing on the Kokoda Track, in PNG.
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1945
- 65 Aust Inf Bn
raised for service in the BCOF, Japan. The unit later became 1 RAR.
1 RAR birthday is celebrated on this day. The personnel for the new
unit came largely from 2/2 Pioneer Bn.
1948
- 1 RAAPC Unit birthday,
subsequently part of Army Financial Services Unit.
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1954
- 3 RAR embarked
on the New Australia at Pusan, Korea for its return to Australia.
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1961
- 2 RAR embarked
for Malaya.
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1965
- A 1 RAR patrol
led by CPL L Waring was given the task of locating an enemy machinegun
position that had been harassing Allied helicopter operations. Following
an elusive trail his section caught the enemy unawares and in the ensuing
quick attack captured the enemy machine gun, killed two enemy and forced
the rest to flee. CPL Waring was awarded the
Military Medal.
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1974
- 1 RAR granted freedom
of entry to Normanton, QLD.
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