In early 1970, 8 RAR (Royal Australian Regiment) embarked on Operation Hammersley, a critical reconnaissance mission in the Long Hải area of Vietnam. Commencing on February 10th and lasting until March 9th, the operation proved to be a significant chapter in the battalion’s history.

The primary objective of Operation Hammersley was the capture of a substantial bunker complex held by the Vietcong (VC). On February 18th, after the VC defenders withdrew following air raids, 8 RAR successfully seized the complex. For their achievements, the battalion was honoured with the South Vietnamese Government’s Meritorious Unit Commendation, including the Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.

During the operation, 8 RAR engaged in patrols and ambushes, effectively disrupting VC troop movements. The success of these operations contributed to the accolades awarded to the battalion. However, the tour was not without sacrifices, as by October 1970, 8 RAR had lost 18 men and had 108 wounded.

Operation Hammersley commenced as a routine security operation, with C Company, 8 RAR, supported by a troop of M113A1 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC), Centurion tanks, and a mortar section from 8 RAR’s Support Company. The operation aimed to protect 17 Construction Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers, at a quarry in the western foothills of the Long Hai hills.

Second Lieutenant Peter Lauder’s courageous leadership during an ambush on February 15th led to the successful capture of a company-sized Viet Cong group, earning him the Military Cross. Despite subsequent attempts to engage the D445 Battalion, the Australians faced challenges, including delayed B-52 bombings and frustration over missed opportunities.

C Company, 8 RAR, mounted in M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers, led an advance on the bunker system on February 18th. However, they encountered fierce resistance, resulting in casualties and the loss of an APC. The wait for B-52s allowed the D445 Battalion to escape, leaving the Australians frustrated at the missed opportunity.

Despite three unsuccessful attacks, the Australians continued the operation, calling in airstrikes and B-52 bombings. However, the D445 Battalion managed to escape, leaving the Australians with regret. The frustration persisted as mine incidents occurred, causing casualties among the Australians.

On February 28th, tragedy struck when Sergeant Bill Hoban’s platoon encountered a mine. Seven men, including Hoban, were killed, and 13 others were wounded. A subsequent incident involving a RAAF Iroquois helicopter triggered another mine, resulting in additional casualties.

The operation continued with further incidents, including a booby trap that wounded seven Australians on March 6th. Operation Hammersley concluded on March 9th, marking a costly but impactful campaign for the 1st Australian Task Force. Despite suffering losses, the task force inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy, with significant captures of weapons, ammunition, and materiel.

Operation Hammersley stands as a testament to the challenges faced by 8 RAR in their efforts to pacify Phuoc Tuy and engage the enemy in the Long Hải region during the Vietnam War.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) published the Serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members who have served since 1985 suicide monitoring: 1997 to 2021 report.

Commissioned by DVA, the AIHW has delivered this report on the incidence of suicide among current and ex-serving ADF personnel to improve our understanding of this complex issue. This is the sixth yearly update to this study.

The death by suicide of any veteran or Defence member is a tragedy deeply felt by the veteran community and all Australians.

Sadly, between 1997 and 2021, there were 1,677 certified deaths by suicide among members with ADF service since 1 January 1985.  Suicide rates among different cohorts are broadly consistent with previous years’ reporting.

We acknowledge that these statistics represent human lives – current and ex-serving ADF personnel who have died by suicide and families, friends and loved ones who are impacted by these deaths.

We will continue to focus on providing critical services to all veterans who need support.

The important ongoing work of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide remains critical to deeper understanding and addressing the unacceptable rates of deaths by suicide in our Defence and veteran community.

Help is available.  There are a range of services and supports available to those who need it. All current and former serving members of the ADF who have completed one day of full-time service (and some reservists) are eligible for fully-funded mental health treatment through the Non-Liability Health Care program. Proof that your condition is related to military service isn’t required to access treatment.

Veterans can access health treatment for 20 of the most commonly claimed physical conditions while their health claim is being considered, and immediate financial assistance is available to eligible veterans submitting a mental health claim through The Veteran Payment.

If you’re a veteran or their immediate family member or know someone in the veteran community struggling with their mental health, please encourage them to reach out for support.

• Defence personnel can contact their local health centre, the All Hours Support Line on 1800 628 036 or the Defence Member and Family Helpline on 1800 624 608.
• Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling Service provides free and confidential mental health support available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for veterans and their immediate families on 1800 011 046.

The report can be accessed by visiting the AIHW website.

The gravity of the military veteran crisis has been underscored by the chair of the royal commission into veteran suicides, Commissioner Nick Kaldas, who has urgently called for immediate action. Recent figures, unveiled by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare on Tuesday, have revealed a staggering 1677 suicides among serving personnel, veterans, and reservists between 1997 and 2021. Disturbingly, this data only captures suicides from July 1985 onward, highlighting the severity of the issue.

The report brings to light alarming statistics, revealing that veteran women are twice as likely to die by suicide compared to the general female Australian population, irrespective of whether they served permanently or in the reserves. Men who enlisted in the permanent forces face a 42% higher likelihood of suicide than the national average. However, those who exclusively served in the reserves do not exhibit an increased likelihood of suicide.

Of the recorded 1677 suicide deaths, 1542 were men and 135 were women, painting a grim picture of the challenges faced by both genders within the veteran community. Commissioner Nick Kaldas responded to these harrowing figures by emphasizing the need for urgent action. He declared, “This report reinforces that we are dealing with a national crisis. I urge the government and its agencies to work with us to achieve better outcomes for serving and ex-serving ADF members, and their families.”

In response to the crisis, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh announced a substantial funding injection of almost $17 million for veteran and family services. Minister Keogh emphasized the imperative outlined by the royal commission into defence and veteran suicide, stating, “There is no time to waste in improving services and supports to the veteran community.” The allocated funds are intended to support larger projects that can be swiftly implemented to provide essential services to veterans and their families where they are most needed.

As the royal commission progresses, a final public hearing is scheduled to take place in Sydney in March. During this hearing, senior defence leaders are expected to present evidence, shedding light on potential systemic issues and contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the factors leading to veteran suicides. The outcomes of this royal commission have far-reaching implications, not only for the immediate implementation of effective support services but also for fostering a broader societal awareness of the challenges faced by military veterans and the imperative to address them urgently.

A highly decorated Russian general, Lt. Gen. Vladimir Sviridov, known for publicly criticizing President Vladimir Putin’s management of the air force, has been found dead in mysterious circumstances alongside his wife. The 68-year-old former commander of Russia’s 6th Army of the Air Force and Air Defence, who held the position from 2005 to 2009, was discovered lifeless in bed at his home in the village of Adzhievsky in the Stavropol region.

The bodies of Lt. Gen. Vladimir Sviridov and his 72-year-old wife, Tatiana, had reportedly been in their home for about a week before their discovery. Authorities found no signs of violence at the scene, and measurements taken by gas service workers revealed no excess concentration of harmful substances.

The cause of their deaths remains unknown, but a thorough inspection of the gas appliances in the house indicated a malfunction in a key valve during a recent power outage in the village. This suggests the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning, leading to the couple likely passing away in their sleep. The Investigative Committee of Russia is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

Lt. Gen. Sviridov had been removed from his commanding position over a decade ago after consistently criticizing the state of the Russian air force. In a 2007 interview with the Russian magazine Take Off, he expressed dissatisfaction with pilot training, highlighting the insufficient flight hours for combat readiness. Sviridov lamented the appointment of inadequately trained officers and the enrollment of subpar pilots into military academies, asserting that such practices were unprecedented.

The sudden and unexpected demise of the former commander has left those who knew him in disbelief. Major Gen. Vladimir Popov, an acquaintance, expressed sorrow over the circumstances of Sviridov’s death, describing it as an “absurd” end for someone of his rank and stature.

Notably, the string of suspicious deaths among individuals critical of President Putin has raised concerns. Since the onset of the war in Ukraine, there have been instances of untimely deaths, including the recent suspicious plane crash of Wagner Group mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, who had led a mutiny against Russia’s military brass. Critics argue that such incidents contribute to a growing list of businessmen, political opponents, and journalists facing untimely fates or close calls since Putin assumed power in 1999.

ED: I recognised many faces in this video.