Step back in time this summer with our early Service Newspapers, which capture the spirit of Australia’s armed forces and the society they served. 

Defence is funding the digitisation of these historic editions in Trove, giving every Australian the chance to explore the collection.

Army News Thursday 19 April 1984

Excerpt from a story called ‘Reliving memories of Gallipoli’. Army (National: 1980 - 2024), 19 April, p. 2.

"Well done, Anzac. You are sticking it splendidly. 29 Division has made good progress; French Division is now landing to support it and an Indian Brigade is on the sea and will join Anzac on arrival." 

That was the message sent from General Headquarters by General Ian Hamilton to the troops who had landed on Gallipoli at a place later to be known as Anzac Cove.

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Army News Thursday 26 January 1984           

Excerpt from a story called 'Masking the tears during NBC exercise'. Army (National: 1980 - 2024), 26 January, p. 5.

Holsworthy: Being short of breath was nothing new for the soldiers of B Company, 4 Battalion, The Royal New South Wales Regiment, but it took on another dimension recently.

Gasping for fresh air, they took part in nuclear/biological and chemical training, reports [Army News’ unit correspondent] Army's UC, Lieutenant Peter Morse.

Called Shortbreath, it included a continuous training circuit/live firing serials, a company advance to contact with a company assault, and training activities during and after exposure to CS gas in a specially constructed chamber.

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Army News Thursday 24 January 1985

Excerpt from a story called 'Battling on the bushfire front'. Army (National: 1980 - 2024), 24 January, p. 1.

Melbourne: Nearly 500 soldiers, sailors and airmen were rushed to trouble spots throughout Victoria as widespread bushfires threatened homes and townships.

In the Mt Buffalo National Park, 40 soldiers from Albury-Wodonga based units battled blazes while another 60 beat back the flames near Myrtleford and Bright where the fires were burning on a 20-kilometre front.

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Army News - Thursday 10 January 1985

Excerpt from a story called 'Commando’s raid on 'Melbourne''. Army (National: 1980 - 2024), 10 January, p. 6.

A team of highly trained and heavily equipped soldiers parachuted into Sydney Harbour with one thought in mind: destroy HMAS Melbourne.

Australian Navy's former flagship lay helpless as commandos and a Navy clearance diver set about the task of placing explosive charges on her hull beneath the water line.

The underwater attack was all part of the diver continuation training conducted by the commandos in Sydney Harbour.

The exercise started 400 metres above the water in a Royal Australian Air Force Hercules from which soldiers from 1 Commando Company, based at Georges Heights, and 2 Commando Company, based at Williamstown in Victoria, leapt into the water about two kilometres outside Sydney Heads.

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