When I designed the ver 4 list I had a few things in mind based on more modern paratroop deployable forces in the Australian army. 102 field battery which supported 3RAR Paratroop Batallion, which had their own Mortar Platoon, supported by Hueys, and other Helicopters which were later replaced by Black Hawks and Tiger Giunships. Recon Platoon 4RAR led by just a corporal for some time, was disbanded after contraversy, and they were nicknamed the Grey Ghosts. Only recently they were vindicated and their Platoon was recognised. They would perform automated ambushes, long range recon, and call in artillery fire and air strikes on VC targets. Also using the Forgeworld made Elysian produced minis as an example to base some of the core force, and then add in the other elements the 3rd edition list had, I tried to both round out and balance the force.
102nd Battery The 102nd Field Battery was formed in 1957 at Holsworthy Barracks, Sydney, as part of the 1st Field Regiment.
The battery served during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation between May and August 1965. While in Malaysia, the battery provided fire support during the Kesang River incursion by Indonesian forces. While serving in North Borneo, equipped with L5 Pack Howitzers, the battery provided defensive support to the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, as well as Ghurkha, and British Battalions undertaking operations; it also fire support for secret Claret operations in Indonesian territory.
On 18 April 1966, the battery was transferred to the 12th Field Regiment with the 104th Field Battery. Arriving in Vietnam as part of Australia's commitment to the Vietnam War in March 1968, replacing the 106th Field Battery and was equipped with the 105mm M2A2 Howitzer. On the night of 12 May 1968, while at Fire Support Base Coral, a M2A2 howitzer was captured by North Vietnamese troops who temporarily overran part of the base; however, the gun was recaptured shortly afterwards. The 102nd Field Battery was replaced in February 1969, and returned to Australia. During its tour of duty, the battery had been positioned at 30 different Fire Support Bases, fired 60,000 rounds and received the following decorations: 1 MM, 2 MID, 1 MBE and 1 BEM.
The battery became part of the 8th/12th Medium Regiment in November 1973 and in 1983, after being re-equipped with the M198 155mm howitzer, was redesignated 102nd Medium Battery before being disbanded in 1987.
3RAR Parachute role, 1983–2011
A move to Holsworthy Barracks, Sydney, contemplated since returning from operations in South Vietnam, was conducted at the end of 1981. On 1 December 1983, the battalion assumed responsibility for the Australian Army's conventional parachute capability (previously, D Company 6 RAR had maintained an airborne company).[24][25][26] In 1985, the battalion was granted permission to wear the dull Cherry beret, common to all parachute units worldwide, and to wear parachute wings identical to those worn by the 1st Australian Parachute Battalion during the Second World War.
From 1989, 3 RAR formed the main combat elements of the Parachute Battalion Group, which also included an engineer troop from 1st Field Squadron, signals detachment from 104th Signal Squadron, artillery fire support from 'A' Field Battery, 8th/12th Regiment and medical support from the 1st Parachute Surgical Team.[24][11][27] One of three rifle companies was designated as the Parachute Company Group and maintained at high readiness for three months with another company rotated into the role.[24] The regiment's Reconnaissance Platoon had a medium range pathfinder role trained in free-fall parachuting, including High Altitude Parachute Operations (HAPO), supported by the Special Air Service Regiment in a long range pathfinder role.[24]
The 1st Parachute Surgical Team was raised in January 1989 to provide Level II and limited Level III medical support modelled on a British unit from the Falklands War.[28] In 1995, 105-mm L119 Hamel guns were air dropped for the first time for 'A' Field Battery.[29][24][30]
I wish you well with the version 5 list.
_________________ 6mm wargaming is just like 25mm wargaming with more units fitting on the same size table. Thus bigger games to get lost in and avoid the hassles of everyday living, and offerings for the dice gods.
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