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Germany’s decision to deport four foreign nationals involved in a disruptive protest at Berlin’s Free University is not only lawful but entirely justified. The individuals—two Irish citizens, one Pole, and an American—are guests in Germany. When they cross the line from peaceful protest into illegal activity, such as masked property damage, they violate not only laws but the public trust afforded to them as non-citizens.

The ongoing criminal proceedings—though still unresolved—do not negate the Immigration Office’s right to act in the nation’s interest. Deportation is not a criminal penalty; it is an administrative tool to protect public order and uphold sovereignty. Every nation has the right to determine who may stay within its borders, particularly when foreign residents engage in politically volatile acts that risk inflaming public sentiment.

The invocation of Staatsräson, Germany’s state doctrine of solidarity with Israel, is not merely symbolic. It reflects a deeply rooted commitment forged in the aftermath of history’s darkest chapter. Foreigners who wilfully challenge this tenet on German soil cannot expect leniency.

These deportations do not threaten free speech—they reinforce accountability. Germany, like any sovereign state, is under no obligation to tolerate activism that undermines its societal cohesion or foreign policy principles. The rule of law must prevail over imported ideological zeal.

For the sake of public order, and in defence of its national values, Germany’s Immigration Office has acted appropriately. The message is clear: respect the host country—or prepare to leave.

ED: The following is my letter to the editor in response to the video “Should ANZAC Day be Cancelled”

Every year on 25 April, Australians pause to honour the bravery, sacrifice, and mateship of our soldiers – the ANZACs – who forged our national character on the battlefields of Gallipoli and beyond. ANZAC Day is more than a commemoration of war; it is a defining symbol of Australian identity and resilience. It binds generations through shared remembrance and respect for those who gave their lives for our freedom.

Yet, disturbingly, there are voices – often from recent immigrant communities or fringe activist groups – calling for ANZAC Day to be abolished or rebranded. This idea is not only untenable, but a direct affront to the values that built this nation. ANZAC Day is not about glorifying conflict. It is about honour, sacrifice, and unity – values that should be embraced, not erased.

Australia’s immigration program has brought great contributions over the decades. But it must be said: the success of our multicultural society depends on cultural cohesion. We cannot continue welcoming large numbers of immigrants who hold values fundamentally opposed to our own – particularly if they show little interest in integration, or worse, seek to alter our institutions, laws, and traditions.

We’ve seen the consequences overseas – in parts of Europe and the UK – where rapid, unfiltered immigration has led to cultural fragmentation, rising tensions, and the erosion of national identity. We must learn from this and act decisively.

Our political leaders, especially in the major parties, continue to push mass immigration to boost GDP statistics and swing votes in marginal seats. But the long-term cost is our way of life. Australians must use their vote to back candidates who support cultural compatibility, lower immigration, and strong national values.

ANZAC Day is a line in the sand. If we allow it to be diluted or cancelled, we signal that nothing is sacred. It’s time to stand up for Australia – its history, its values, and its future.

Fifty years after the conflict in Vietnam, the Australian soldiers who fought still bear the scars – as do their children and grandchildren.

By Alasdair McGregor – 22 April 2025

As the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment began its year-long deployment to South Vietnam in 1965, young Norman John Rowe thought he had the world at his feet. Blessed with a strong tenor voice, ‘Normie’, as the 18-year-old from Melbourne was known, had quit his trainee telephone technician’s job with the Postmaster-General’s Department (PMG) and set out to conquer the entertainment world as a rock-and-roll musician. Stardom came quickly; he enjoyed his first number-one hit in April that year. Normie Rowe had arrived on the music scene, but the lottery of life would soon disrupt the trajectory of his promising career.

CLICK LINK to read this full story

https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/history-culture/2025/04/vietnam-wars-lingering-shadow/

HMAS Hobart, one of the Royal Australian Navy’s advanced guided missile destroyers, has returned to its home port at Fleet Base East in Sydney following a demanding and productive three-month deployment across the Indo-Pacific region.

The warship covered an impressive 21,780 nautical miles during its deployment, which served both strategic and diplomatic purposes. With a crew of over 200 officers and sailors embarked, the mission was focused on bolstering regional security, enhancing international cooperation, and honing essential warfighting skills through a series of multinational exercises and high-level engagements.

Family members and friends assembled at the wharf to welcome their loved ones home. Their anticipation and pride underscored the emotional and personal sacrifices made by the families of service members, who are vital to the operational effectiveness of the Navy.

The deployment featured a range of significant international port visits, including stops in Bali, Singapore, and Subic Bay. These visits were instrumental in reinforcing Australia’s longstanding commitment to maintaining strong defence ties and mutual cooperation throughout the Indo-Pacific. These strategic engagements helped to further solidify Australia’s role as a reliable security partner in the region.

In addition to international ports, the Hobart also made calls at Fleet Base West and the port of Bunbury in Western Australia. While on the western seaboard, the ship participated in complex anti-submarine warfare training activities involving other Royal Australian Navy vessels, as well as aerial assets from the Australian and New Zealander Air Forces. These exercises provided an excellent opportunity to integrate capabilities across services and improve interoperability with allied forces.

Two of the key activities during the deployment were the multinational Exercise Komodo and Exercise La Perouse. Both exercises brought together regional and international maritime forces to collaborate on shared security objectives and maritime coordination. These joint operations are crucial to maintaining a collective commitment to peace and stability in the region.

The crew of Hobart also undertook rigorous training across a range of naval disciplines. These included bridge and engineering watch-keeping, damage control drills, sea-boat handling, aviation operations, and helicopter search and rescue missions. Each training evolution contributed to the professional development of the sailors and reinforced the vital teamwork that underpins naval effectiveness at sea.

While the operational tempo was high, the deployment’s success was also a reflection of the steadfast support from families and friends back home. Their encouragement and resilience are seen as indispensable elements of the Navy’s ability to maintain a capable and ready force.

With the deployment now complete, Hobart will transition into a scheduled maintenance phase. This will provide the crew with a much-needed period of respite, allowing them to recuperate and reconnect with their loved ones. The rest period marks the conclusion of a mission that not only strengthened Australia’s regional defence partnerships but also demonstrated the professionalism and resolve of its naval forces.

Australia must take greater responsibility for its own defence and look to regional partnerships beyond the United States, according to a new report by Strategic Analysis Australia.

The report highlights growing concerns over America’s shifting foreign policy, describing the US as “a less reliable and more demanding” partner. Rather than fostering long-term alliances, Washington increasingly appears to act on immediate self-interest — with recent decisions like halting arms and intelligence support for Ukraine raising doubts about its global commitments.

While US officials continue to promote a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” the report suggests their support for allies in achieving that goal is limited. In response, the report calls for deeper engagement with non-US partners like Japan, South Korea, and India, and a stronger focus on self-reliant defence capabilities.

It also criticises the ballooning cost of the AUKUS submarine program, warning that it risks becoming a de facto fourth branch of the Australian Defence Force. The funding for the program dwarfs that of other services, with the Air Force’s budget reportedly halving in the next two years — despite its transformation into a fifth-generation force.

Strategic Analysis Australia argues that to support broader defence goals — and deflect criticism from future US administrations — Australia must raise its defence spending to at least 3% of GDP within three years.

“We’re planning to add costly nuclear-powered submarines without adequately funding our conventional forces,” said co-founder Michael Shoebridge. “This sends a clear message to Washington: we’re still expecting US taxpayers to underwrite our security.”

In this video, Harris Sultan breaks down how core national traditions—ANZAC Day, Australia Day, Christmas, Easter—are slowly being sidelined, rebranded, or erased in the name of “inclusion” and “diversity.” From schools letting kids opt out of ANZAC Day services to councils going all out for Diwali and Eid, the double standards are impossible to ignore.

Is multiculturalism enriching the West—or replacing it? Why are Britain, Canada, and Australia turning on their own culture?  What happens when a nation forgets its roots and becomes ashamed of its identity?

This isn’t paranoia. It’s policy. It’s social engineering. And it’s happening now.

WATCH to understand the cultural battle we’re in—and why it’s time to stand up for what made this country great.

An ANZAC essay by Year 11 student, Lisa Cartwright 

In the spring of 1918, as the First World War dragged into its fourth year, the German Army launched a massive offensive on the Western Front. Known as Operation Michael, this offensive marked the beginning of the German Spring Offensive, aimed at decisively defeating the Allies before American forces could arrive in full strength. Within this broader campaign, the First and Second Battles of Villers-Bretonneux became critical episodes that helped to decide the fate of the front line in northern France.

Strategic Context

By early 1918, the withdrawal of Russia from the war following the Bolshevik Revolution allowed Germany to transfer over fifty divisions from the Eastern to the Western Front. These reinforcements gave the Germans a brief window of numerical superiority. Their commander sought to use this advantage to break through the Allied lines and capture key transport and communication hubs. The town of Amiens, located in northern France, was one such target. A major railway junction, its loss would have dealt a severe blow to Allied logistics.

Villers-Bretonneux, a small village east of Amiens, stood directly in the path of the German advance. In late March 1918, as German troops pushed westward, Allied forces moved rapidly to defend the approaches to Amiens, including Villers-Bretonneux.

The First Battle of Villers-Bretonneux (30 March – 5 April 1918)

As Operation Michael unfolded, German forces launched repeated attacks against Allied positions around Villers-Bretonneux. The defence was manned by a combination of British and newly arrived Australian units. Among them was the 9th Australian Infantry Brigade, rushed south from Belgium to reinforce the thinly held line.

On 30 March, German troops attacked near the village of Le Hamel, with limited gains. Further attempts around Hangard Wood succeeded in capturing ground, prompting additional Allied counter-attacks. The French First Army, positioned to the south, was also pressured but managed to regain some of the lost territory.

By early April, Villers-Bretonneux was held by a line comprising British and Australian troops. On 4 April, a concerted German effort almost succeeded in breaching the Allied defences. The British 14th Division was forced to withdraw under pressure from the German 228th Division, which created a gap near Le Hamel. The Germans advanced to within 400 metres of Villers-Bretonneux.

In response, the acting commander of the Australian 9th Brigade ordered a counter-attack late in the day. Several Australian battalions, supported by British troops and cavalry, launched a swift offensive that drove the German attackers back beyond the village, halting their advance toward Amiens. This counter-stroke effectively marked the end of the First Battle of Villers-Bretonneux.

Aftermath and Analysis

Though costly, the battle was a tactical success for the Allies. It marked the final thrust of Operation Michael in the Amiens sector. Unable to break through the reinforced line, the Germans were forced to shift their focus to other sectors. The strategic intent of capturing Amiens had been frustrated, in large part due to the staunch resistance around Villers-Bretonneux.

The Australian 9th Brigade suffered approximately 2,400 casualties from an initial strength of 3,500. German casualties are estimated to have ranged between 8,000 and 10,000 for the regiments engaged. The British 18th Division also endured heavy losses but captured hundreds of German prisoners.

The Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux (24–27 April 1918)

The respite was short-lived. In late April, the Germans launched a renewed offensive to capture Villers-Bretonneux and threaten Amiens once more. In the days leading up to the assault, German forces used chemical weapons, including mustard gas, which caused over a thousand casualties among Australian troops.

On 24 April, German infantry, supported by tanks, launched a major assault that breached Allied lines. Villers-Bretonneux fell into German hands. Notably, this engagement saw the first tank-versus-tank battle in history. Three British Mark IV tanks encountered three German A7V tanks. The outcome was mixed: two British “female” tanks, armed only with machine-guns, were driven off, while the lone “male” tank, equipped with heavier guns, succeeded in disabling the lead German tank, forcing the others to retreat.

After the fall of Villers-Bretonneux, Allied forces prepared a counter-attack. Two Australian brigades and a British brigade were selected for a night-time operation to envelop and retake the town. The attack was launched at 10:00 p.m. on 24 April. Despite fierce machine-gun resistance and mounting casualties, the attackers managed to encircle the town.

By dawn on 25 April—coincidentally, the anniversary of the Gallipoli landings—Allied troops had recaptured Villers-Bretonneux. British forces, attacking from the north, suffered considerable losses but played a vital role in isolating the town. The success of this operation secured the eastern approaches to Amiens for the remainder of the war.

Role of the Moroccan Division

On 26 April, a Moroccan division of the French army joined the action, launching an offensive south of Villers-Bretonneux. Their intervention proved decisive in stabilising the front. Though this French contribution is less known in popular Australian accounts, it was crucial. The Moroccan division helped to relieve Australian units and push the German line further east.

Operational difficulties arose from differences in tactics and coordination between the French and Australian forces, particularly in defending newly won positions and conducting troop relief. Nevertheless, the combined effort of British, Australian, and French forces resulted in a significant defensive success.

Legacy and Conclusion

The twin battles of Villers-Bretonneux were among the most important engagements of the German Spring Offensive. They preserved Allied control of Amiens, a vital logistical hub. The First Battle saw a determined stand that thwarted the initial German breakthrough, while the Second Battle featured one of the most effective and audacious counter-attacks of the war.

These engagements were marked by innovation—such as the use of tanks on both sides—and by determined infantry action in the face of overwhelming odds. The successful recapture of Villers-Bretonneux came at a high cost: Australian, British, and French forces suffered more than 15,000 casualties between them. German losses were similarly severe.

The battles also forged lasting bonds between the town and the Australian nation. To this day, Villers-Bretonneux honours the memory of those who fought and died there, symbolising the enduring legacy of shared sacrifice in the First World War.

The Battles of Bullecourt, fought in April and May 1917, were two savage and costly engagements on the Western Front during the First World War. These actions formed part of the larger Allied push to penetrate the German Hindenburg Line — a formidable system of defences consisting of deep trenches, reinforced dugouts, fortified pillboxes, and dense belts of barbed wire, all carefully protected by around 140 kilometres of interlocking machine-gun positions.

In early 1917, the German Army undertook a strategic withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line. This move shortened their front line, allowing them to concentrate forces and resources while occupying an extensively prepared defensive position. Among the key strongpoints absorbed into this line was the village of Bullecourt, situated in northern France. Its location made it a prime target for Allied attacks aiming to breach the line and threaten German control of the region.

The First Battle of Bullecourt began on 11 April 1917. The assault was led by the 4th Australian Division, supported by British forces from the 62nd Division. Rather than relying on a preliminary artillery bombardment to destroy enemy defences and suppress resistance, the plan called for a novel approach. A dozen tanks were tasked with clearing paths through the wire and neutralising German strongpoints, providing cover for the advancing infantry.

However, this plan proved deeply flawed. Tanks at this stage of the war were experimental and unreliable. Many broke down before reaching the front lines, while others were destroyed by enemy fire. Without the expected mechanical support and lacking the cover typically provided by a preparatory artillery barrage, the infantry were exposed to intense machine-gun and artillery fire as they crossed no man’s land.

Despite these dire conditions, the attacking troops advanced with determination. Some even managed to break into the German trenches and engage in fierce hand-to-hand fighting. But without adequate support or reinforcement, they were gradually pushed back by relentless German counterattacks. After less than ten hours of combat, the assault collapsed. The result was catastrophic. Over 3,000 Australians were killed or wounded, and more than 1,100 were taken prisoner — the largest number of Australians captured in a single engagement during the war. The failure left deep scars on the morale of the Australian and British forces involved.

Undeterred by the first disaster, the British high command planned a renewed offensive against Bullecourt one month later. The Second Battle of Bullecourt began on 3 May 1917 and continued for over two weeks. This time, a more conventional approach was adopted, with artillery playing a significant role in the preparation and execution of the attack. The infantry, again led by Australian divisions alongside British units, faced stubborn resistance from the well-entrenched German defenders.

Fighting was intense and often close-quarters, as the attackers clawed their way through belts of wire, shell craters, and interlinked trench systems. The weather, terrain, and German defensive tactics made progress painfully slow and costly. Despite the heavy losses, the attacking forces eventually succeeded in capturing and holding key sections of the German line around Bullecourt.

The Second Battle, while achieving its immediate objectives, came at a staggering cost. Combined casualties were estimated to exceed 7,000, with the Australians again bearing a significant portion of the toll. The gains were modest, and the battle became a symbol of the grim arithmetic of attritional warfare that defined the Western Front.

Today, the name Bullecourt stands as a solemn reminder of the brutal reality of war. The courage, endurance, and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought there continue to shape the way Australians remember their wartime heritage. These battles, marked by flawed strategy and immense bravery, offer enduring lessons on the importance of leadership, planning, and the terrible cost of war. Their legacy is a commitment to remembrance and the ongoing pursuit of peace.

This year marks a poignant milestone: the 110th anniversary of the Anzac landings at Gallipoli during the First World War.

As Anzac Day approaches, DVA staff are making the final arrangements at commemorative sites around the world – in particular, at Gallipoli in Türkiye, Villers-Bretonneux in France, the Bomana War Cemetery and Isurava Memorial in Papua New Guinea, Hellfire Pass in Thailand, and the Sandakan Memorial Park in Malaysia.

The commemorative program for the Australian War Memorial (AWM) in Canberra includes a Dawn service which begins at 5.30am. For details about the itinerary program, visit the Anzac Day page on the AWM website. The service will be telecast live on ABC TV and streamed via ABC iView.

The RSL and other ex-service organisations, as well as state and territory governments, are also organising Anzac Day services across the country. You can find out about local services by contacting your local RSL sub-branch or visiting the Anzac Day page on the RSL Australia website.

Several Australian War Cemeteries and Gardens of Remembrance hold Anzac Day services. Please check the Commemorations page on the DVA website for up-to-date information.

If you are planning a commemorative service, or commemorating Anzac Day at home, our digital kitbag of printable materials can help. The kitbag includes speeches, orders of service, commemorative music playlists, craft activities and more. To download these resources, visit the Anzac Day Kitbag page on the Anzac Portal.

Anyone planning to attend the Gallipoli or Villers-Bretonneux services must register for a free attendance pass by visiting commemorations.teg.com.au. The international Dawn Services will also be broadcast live on the ABC on Anzac Day and will be made available on iView.

More information about Anzac Day overseas services is available on the Anzac Day page of the DVA website.

The National Dawn Service, Australian War Memorial (AWM), Canberra, 2019. Courtesy: AWM