By
CMDR Stu Wheeler
 |
|
Anzac’s
WEEO, CMDRLili Bradley presents an inscribed casing to the
West Australian Maritime Museum.
|
On
March 21 2003 HMAS Anzac was tasked to provide Naval Gunfire Support
to the ground forces on the Al Faw peninsula and became the first
Australian warship to engage in naval gunfire support for over
three decades.
As a poignant and evocative reminder of this historic event and
to provide a lasting record of Anzac’s involvement in the
conflict with Iraq, a number of brass casings were presented to
the Australian War Memorial, the Western Australian Maritime Museum
and the Fleet Base West Historical Collection.
Anzac’s WEEO, CMDR Lili Bradley and the ship’s Gunnery
Officer, LCDR Ivan Ingham, made the presentations. As the shell
was handed over to Mr Vic Jeffery of the Fleet Base West Historic
Collection LCDR Ingham said:
“Over three days Anzac conducted seven fire missions, pounding
Iraqi bunkers, destroying artillery pieces and key military installations
on the battle-scared Al Faw peninsula. She continued to provide
fire support to the Royal Marines as they fought their way through
Iraqi forces, seizing the small township of Al Faw and the deep
water port of Umm Qasr.”
In a small ceremony held in the new Western Australian Maritime
Museum Fremantle, CMDR Lili Bradley said, “The land-based
Royal Marine spotter confirmed the extraordinary accuracy and
effectiveness of Anzac’s Five inch (127mm) gun as he reported
on several occasions, ‘good shooting, the target has been
successfully engaged with great effect and accuracy.’ ”
