1 Cdo celebrates 50th anniversary

Celebration: Maj-Gen Mike Hindmarsh launches the book Strike Swiftly. Photo by Michael Brooke

By Michael Brooke

1 CDO Regt celebrated the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Australian commandos on October 8 with a freedom of entry parade and a book launch.

The regiment exercised its right of freedom of entry to Mosman in Sydney for only the second time.

After the parade, Commander Special Operations Maj-Gen Michael Hindmarsh launched the book Strike Swiftly – The Australian Commando Story at HMAS Penguin, which will be the new base for 1 Cdo Coy.

Maj-Gen Hindmarsh said the book – written by Peter Collins, a former honorary colonel of 1 Cdo Regt – was special because it commemorated the 50th anniversary of the raising of 1 and 2 Cdo Coys, the oldest units within the Australian Special Forces Command.

“It’s not every day that a commander has the honour of launching a unit history book, particularly one of this calibre,” he said.

He said while most “unit histories tend to be dry accounts of structures, with bland facts and figures, Strike Swiftly is a far more valuable chronicle that harnesses the heart and soul of that which sets aside Special Forces units – their soldiers”.

“Strike Swiftly is a fitting tribute to 1 Cdo Regt, which has proven its commitment and loyalty to serving the nation over a 50-year span,” he said.

The author said the book was “a labour of love and something he had wanted to do to help the regiment celebrate the golden jubilee”.

“Strike Swiftly gives an insight into a close-knit unit of highly trained individuals with extraordinary skills and tells the inspirational story of commando service in Australia,” Mr Collins said.

He said Strike Swiftly recounted the fascinating history of a special band of brothers (and sisters, too, these days). It includes an honour roll of everyone who was or is a commando.

The guests at the golden jubilee celebration included Deputy Chief of Army Maj-Gen Ian Gordon, 1 Cdo Regt honorary colonel Brig Philip McNarama, current CO Lt-Col John Gould and three former commanders of 1 Cdo Regt.

Copies of the book can be ordered from the publisher, The Watermark Press on (02) 6385 1111 or watermark.boorowa@bigpond.com