Captain Reuben (Ben) Bowd of the 10th Force Support Battalion in Townsville has recently embarked on a project sponsored by the Army History Unit (AHU) to research and publish a book on two of Australia’s most successful and unique peace support operations.

The achievements and experiences of those involved in Operation BELISI, the Peace Monitoring Group (PMG) in Bougainville, and Operation ANODE, the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), will be permanently remembered through this publication which is intended to become a primary reference for information on these operations.

Other operations including Operation LAGOON, Operation PLUMBOB and Operation TREK will also be covered.

It is anticipated that the book will be completed by mid-2005.

The publication’s title is proposed to be Doves Over the Pacific: In Pursuit of Peace in Bougainville and the Solomon Islands, and will promote public awareness of the collective achievements of both operations.

A broad subject area will be covered including the history behind each deployment, daily routine and lifestyle and more specific functions ranging from medical and logistic support to chaplaincy.

Of particular interest, a nominal roll of all participants (including non-Australian contingents), will be included as an appendix.

CAPT Bowd served as a Logistics Plans Officer in the final rotation of the PMG (June-August 2003) and deployed in command of the Logistic Support Troop during the second rotation of personnel Operation ANODE (November 2003- March 2004).

His first hand experiences of the operations will significantly contribute to the value of the final product.

CAPT Bowd has previously written a book sponsored by the AHU on a little known but vital intelligence agency that was central to the allied victory against Japan during the Second World War.

The book, entitled A Basis For Victory: The Allied Geographical Section, 1942-46, is shortly to be published by the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University with Foreword by Chief of Defence Force, General Peter Cosgrove.

General submissions for inclusion are welcomed, as too are any photographs and other illustrations that contributors may consider noteworthy.

Inquires and submissions can be made electronically to reuben.bowd@defence.gov.au.

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