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In the bleak days of World War II, in 1942, the Japanese forces occupied Sandakan, a town in Borneo, Malaysia. They transformed it into a brutal prison camp for Allied prisoners of war, primarily Australian and British soldiers. These prisoners were initially brought to Sandakan with a singular mission: to construct an airstrip for the Japanese military. This labour-intensive project, undertaken in the sweltering heat and under inhumane conditions, was just the beginning of their ordeal.

By late 1944, as Allied forces made significant advances toward Borneo, the Japanese, fearing an imminent invasion, decided to evacuate the prisoners from Sandakan. Over 2,000 emaciated and disease-ridden prisoners were forced to embark on what would become one of the most tragic and deadly events of the war—the Sandakan Death March.

The prisoners, many of whom had already spent nearly three years in captivity, were compelled to trek over 260 kilometres through Borneo’s unforgiving jungle terrain towards the small town of Ranau. Weak from malnutrition, illness, and the relentless brutality of their captors, they were pushed beyond the limits of human endurance. The march was a horrific test of survival; those too weak to continue were either left to die or executed on the spot. Others, who were suspected of conspiring with the local resistance, met the same grim fate. The bodies of the fallen lined the jungle trail, a haunting testament to the cruelty they endured.

Of the 1,787 Australian soldiers who were forced on this death march, only six survived to see the end of the war. These survivors bore witness to the horrors their comrades faced and carried the burden of their memories. The Sandakan Death March stands as the most devastating atrocity inflicted upon Australian soldiers during any conflict.

Eighty years later, the legacy of those who perished on the Sandakan Death March is honoured and remembered. In a powerful tribute to the fallen, personnel from Rifle Company Butterworth rotation 144 embarked on a four-day journey retracing a portion of the route that the Australian soldiers were forced to take. This sombre pilgrimage allowed them to connect with the past in a deeply personal way.

Captain Luke Gollschewski, the second in command, described the experience as both humbling and confronting. “It was an eye-opening experience,” he said. “The Sandakan Death March is not something that is widely known, nor is it something that the majority of Australians have fully grasped the significance of.”

Reflecting on the experience, Captain Gollschewski emphasized the stark contrast between their journey and the ordeal faced by the prisoners of war. “We only completed a fraction of what they did, and we had water, food, and regular breaks. To reflect upon what they went through, in worse conditions, makes you wonder how they even did it.”

The challenging terrain, with its steep ascents, treacherous descents, and dense jungle, tested the modern soldiers’ endurance and resolve. “You’d be lying to say it wasn’t tough,” Captain Gollschewski admitted. “However, the conditions forced us to reflect upon those who had come before us, and just how deeply they suffered at the hands of occupying forces during World War II.”

Throughout their journey, the soldiers of Rifle Company Butterworth 144 engaged in historical lessons, deepening their understanding of the events that transpired along the death march. They learned not only about the suffering and death that marked the route but also about the indomitable spirit of the Australian soldiers who, even in the face of unimaginable adversity, never ceased to resist.

“It was extremely sad, but in a way, it also highlighted the resilience of Australian soldiers throughout World War II. The stories passed down by the locals of Sabah show that the Australian prisoners never stopped fighting, even in the face of death,” Captain Gollschewski reflected. “Throughout the walk, you felt a range of emotions, from anger at realizing how they suffered, to sadness at thinking about what they went through and what their families had to come to terms with at the end of the war.”

The Sandakan Death March is more than just a tragic chapter in history; it is a stark reminder of the horrors of war and the resilience of the human spirit. The soldiers of Rifle Company Butterworth 144, by retracing the steps of their predecessors, have ensured that the memory of those who suffered and died will not be forgotten. Their journey serves as a poignant tribute to the enduring legacy of the Australian soldiers who endured unimaginable hardships in the name of freedom.

Feature length documentary (1½ Hours) on 77 Squadron RAAF in the Korean War. This video features interviews from the Australians At War Film Archive including James Flemming (ID: 1703); Keith Meggs (ID: 983); Frederick Barnes (ID: 1260); Leslie Reading (ID: 1851); Richard Cresswell (ID: 582); Alan Beck (ID: 1058); Cedric Thomas (ID: 1852); Philip Hamilton-Foster (ID: 1771); John Seaton (ID: 2009); Bill Simmonds (ID: 2563); Colin King (ID: 2046); and Billie Collings (ID: 993) Special thanks to Air Force Association NSW and 77 Squadron Association, WGCDR Paul Simmons (CO 77SQN), WGCDR (Retired) Glen Beck, and John King for funding. Based on the 77 Squadron Association book “Swift to Destroy: An Illustrated History of 77 Squadron RAAF 1942-2012”.

MORE INFORMATION’:

No. 77 Squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) played a significant role in the Korean War, becoming one of the most recognized and celebrated units of the conflict. Here’s a more detailed look at their involvement:

Initial Deployment and Early Missions

When the Korean War broke out in June 1950, No. 77 Squadron was based in Iwakuni, Japan, as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force. The squadron was initially equipped with P-51D Mustang fighters, which had been used during World War II. Upon the North Korean invasion of South Korea, 77 Squadron was rapidly deployed to assist United Nations (UN) forces.

• First Combat Missions: On 2 July 1950, No. 77 Squadron became the first RAAF unit to see action in Korea. Their initial missions involved ground attack operations, close air support, and escort duties. The squadron’s Mustangs were particularly effective in attacking North Korean ground forces, supply lines, and infrastructure, disrupting the enemy’s advance.

Transition to Jet Aircraft

As the war progressed and the North Koreans began to receive more sophisticated aircraft from the Soviet Union, the squadron’s Mustangs became increasingly outclassed. In response, No. 77 Squadron transitioned to Gloster Meteor jets in April 1951, making them the first RAAF unit to operate jet fighters in combat.

• Jet Operations: The Gloster Meteors were primarily used for air-to-ground operations, but they also engaged in air-to-air combat. However, they were soon outclassed by the faster and more manoeuvrable MiG-15s flown by the North Koreans and Chinese. This led to a shift in the squadron’s role from air superiority to ground attack missions.

Significant Engagements

• MiG Alley: The squadron’s pilots saw action in the notorious “MiG Alley,” an area near the Chinese border where UN and communist aircraft frequently clashed. While the Meteors were at a disadvantage against the MiGs, the squadron managed to shoot down several enemy aircraft.
• Battle of Sunchon: One of the most famous engagements involving 77 Squadron occurred on 1 December 1951, during the Battle of Sunchon. Four Meteors were lost in a dogfight with MiG-15s, highlighting the challenges faced by the squadron in air combat. Despite the losses, the pilots displayed exceptional bravery and skill.

Close Air Support and Ground Attack

For much of the war, 77 Squadron focused on close air support and interdiction missions. They played a crucial role in supporting ground troops, attacking enemy positions, and disrupting supply lines. Their operations were instrumental in several key battles, including the defence of the Pusan Perimeter and the Inchon Landing.

Casualties and Achievements

The squadron suffered significant losses during the war, with a total of 41 pilots killed and 7 taken as prisoners of war. Despite these losses, No. 77 Squadron was credited with destroying numerous enemy vehicles, trains, and infrastructure targets. The squadron’s achievements earned them a reputation for professionalism and effectiveness, and they were highly respected by their UN allies.

End of the War and Legacy

No. 77 Squadron remained in Korea until the armistice in July 1953. By the end of the war, they had flown over 18,872 sorties, dropping nearly 10,000 tons of bombs and firing over a million rounds of ammunition. Their contribution to the Korean War was significant, and their efforts were recognized with multiple awards and commendations, including the US Presidential Unit Citation.

The squadron’s involvement in the Korean War marked a significant chapter in the history of the RAAF, demonstrating Australia’s commitment to international security and its ability to adapt to new forms of aerial warfare. No. 77 Squadron’s legacy continues to be honoured in both Australia and South Korea.

Immediate Nuclear Action Threatened Belarusian President Aleksander Lukashenko has issued a stark warning regarding potential border incursions by Ukrainian forces. He asserted that Belarus would resort to nuclear weapons without hesitation if the borders of the Union State, which includes Russia and Belarus, are breached. Lukashenko made these remarks during an interview with the Russian TV channel Rossiya, emphasizing the immediacy and seriousness of Belarus’ potential response.

This is not the first time Lukashenko has threatened to use nuclear weapons. In July, as tensions escalated along Belarus’ northern border with Ukraine, he made similar statements, vowing to prevent any clashes at the border and protect Belarusian territory at all costs.

Despite his harsh rhetoric, Lukashenko also called for an end to the ongoing conflict. He urged for peace talks, arguing that the war serves no purpose for the people of Ukraine, Russia, or Belarus. He placed blame on the Biden administration whom he accused of wanting to prolong the conflict.

DSTL Media

Picture: AUKUS AI enabled drones to reduce enemy target identification time (US DoD)

Australia, alongside the UK and the US, has successfully trialled advanced artificial intelligence (AI) enabled uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other autonomous technologies, aiming to reduce the time needed to identify enemy targets. This collaborative effort marks a significant step forward in the AUKUS partnership’s focus on enhancing military capabilities through cutting-edge technology.

The trial is part of the broader AUKUS Resilient and Autonomous Artificial Intelligence Technologies (RAAIT) initiative, a key component of the trilateral security pact. The UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) announced today that the exercise represented “the first use of autonomy and AI sensing systems in a real-time military environment,” highlighting its significance in modern warfare.

Although the announcement was made today, the trial took place earlier this year during the US-hosted multinational Project Convergence Capstone 4 technology experimentation exercise. During this exercise, drones from Australia, the UK, and the US operated together in the same airspace, guided by an AUKUS AI team that retrained and deployed AI onto these platforms. The AI-enabled UAVs demonstrated their potential by allowing human operators to efficiently “locate, disable, and destroy targets on the ground.”

The successful trial underscored the progress made by the AUKUS partners in integrating AI and autonomous systems, showcasing the “seamless exchange of data and control” across technologies from the three nations. This development aligns with the broader objectives of AUKUS Pillar II, which focuses on advanced technologies such as AI, hypersonic missiles, and quantum computing, separate from the primary focus of Pillar I on nuclear-powered submarines for Australia.

As these AI and autonomous capabilities continue to be refined, they are expected to be incorporated into national platforms, providing the military with a quicker response to current and future threats. Although no specific timeframe has been provided, the trial builds on previous demonstrations, including a successful AI swarm test in Wiltshire, England, last year. During that test, a collection of AUKUS “AI-enabled assets” worked together as a swarm to detect and track targets, paving the way for future advancements in autonomous military technologies.

#1           A taxi passenger tapped the driver on the shoulder to ask him a question.
The driver screamed, lost control of the car, nearly hit a bus, went up on the footpath, and stopped inches from a shop window.
For a second, everything was quiet in the cab. Then the driver said, “Look, mate, don’t ever do that again. You scared the living daylights out of me!”
The passenger apologized and said, “I didn’t realize that a little tap would scare you so much.”
The driver replied, “Sorry, it’s not really your fault. Today is my first day as a cab driver — I’ve been driving a funeral van for the last 25 years.”

#2           A wife got so mad at her husband she packed his bags and told him to get out. As he walked to the door she yelled, “I hope you die a long, slow, painful death.”
He turned around and said, “So, you want me to stay?”

#3           Putin is held hostage by a terrorist. A Russian truckdriver stops at the back of a long queue on the motorway. He sees a policeman walking down the line of stopped cars to briefly talk to the drivers. As the policeman approaches the truck, the truckdriver rolls down his window and asks, “What’s going on?”
Policeman: “A terrorist is holding Putin hostage in a car. He’s demanding 10 million rubles, or he’ll douse Putin in petrol and set him on fire. So we’re asking drivers for donations.”
Driver: “Oh, ok. How much do people donate on average.”
Policeman: “About a gallon.”

#4           A New York attorney representing a wealthy art collector called his client and said to him, “Saul, I have some good news and I have some bad news.”
The art collector replied, “I’ve had an awful day; let’s hear the good news first.”
The attorney said, “Well, I met with your wife today, and she informed me that she invested $5,000 in two pictures that she thinks will bring a minimum of $15-20 million. I think she could be right.”
Saul replied enthusiastically, “Well done! My wife is a brilliant businesswoman! You’ve just made my day. Now I know I can handle the bad news. What is it?”
The attorney replied, “The pictures are of you with your secretary.”

#5           A man was driving down the road when a policeman stopped him. The officer looked in the back of the man’s truck and said, “Why are these penguins in your truck?”
The man replied, “These are my penguins. They belong to me.”
“You need to take them to the zoo,” the policeman said.
The next day, the officer saw the same guy driving down the road. He pulled him over again. He saw the penguins were still in the truck, but they were wearing sunglasses this time. “I thought I told you to take these penguins to the zoo!”, the officer said.
“I did,” the man replied. “And today I’m taking them to the beach.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton strongly opposes the idea of Australia accepting Palestinians from the Gaza war zone, citing significant national security concerns. Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Dutton has raised alarm over the potential arrival of individuals with possible ties to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.

Dutton firmly stated, “I don’t think people should be coming in from that war zone at all at the moment. It’s not prudent to do so, and I think it puts our national security at risk.” He emphasized that bringing in people from a conflict area without thorough checks by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) could expose Australia to heightened risks.

He questioned the government’s approach, expressing disbelief that they would consider allowing individuals from such a volatile region without robust verification processes in place. “Hamas is a listed terrorist organization,” Dutton pointed out, “and they’ve just committed an atrocity against the Jewish people—the biggest attack on people of Jewish faith since the Holocaust.”

Highlighting the potential dangers, Dutton argued that even a small percentage of individuals with sympathies towards Hamas could pose a serious threat to Australia’s safety. “You bring 3,000 people in, let’s say 99 percent are good. If 1 percent, 30 people, are questionable or sympathisers with a listed terrorist organisation, how on earth is that in our country’s best interests?” he asked.

Dutton insisted that Australia should halt the intake of individuals from war zones until proper security checks are ensured, emphasizing that the current approach by the government is irresponsible and risks the nation’s security. He stressed the importance of conducting thorough checks, akin to those done in the past with extensive intelligence support, which he believes are lacking in the current situation.

The Battle of Long Tan, fought on August 18, 1966, was a significant engagement during the Vietnam War, involving the Australian Army. It occurred in a rubber plantation near Long Tan, South Vietnam, and pitted 108 soldiers of Delta Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), against a vastly superior force of Viet Cong and North Vietnamese troops, estimated at 2,000 to 2,500.

The battle began when Delta Company was ambushed while patrolling the plantation. Despite being outnumbered and surrounded, the Australians held their ground, relying on artillery support and their discipline. The weather added to the chaos, as torrential rain reduced visibility and made communication difficult.

The Australians suffered 18 dead and 24 wounded but managed to inflict heavy casualties on the enemy, with over 245 Viet Cong bodies found in the aftermath. The victory at Long Tan became a defining moment for Australia in the Vietnam War, symbolizing the bravery and resilience of its soldiers.

The battle is commemorated annually in Australia on Vietnam Veterans Day, serving as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served in the conflict and the harsh realities of war.

Taliban’s Parade Marks Anniversary of US Withdrawal

Three years after the chaotic withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan, the Taliban marked the occasion with a grand parade at Bagram Airfield, a former US military base. The event featured Taliban soldiers marching with American-made machine guns and vehicles, including a vast array of military equipment estimated to be worth around $7 billion, left behind during the hasty US exit.

The parade, a stark display of the Taliban’s newfound power, saw pickup trucks filled with armed men driving through the streets of Kabul. Senior Taliban officials attended the celebration, though the group’s Supreme Leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, was notably absent.

The Controversial US Withdrawal

The Biden administration’s decision to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan in August 2021 faced intense global criticism. The rapid collapse of the Afghan government and the swift takeover by the Taliban sparked chaos and despair, leading to a hurried and dangerous evacuation. During the evacuation process, a suicide bombing at the Kabul airport claimed the lives of 183 people, including 13 US service members, adding to the tragedy.

The withdrawal also left behind hundreds of American citizens and thousands of Afghan allies, many of whom had supported US efforts during the 20-year conflict. The decision to withdraw under such circumstances continues to be a point of contention in the US and abroad.

Taliban’s Bold Claims of Governance

During the parade and subsequent speeches, Taliban leaders made bold claims regarding their governance and achievements over the past three years. They boasted of their success in strengthening Islamic law across Afghanistan and providing “peace and security” to the war-torn nation. Deputy Prime Minister Maulvi Abdul Kabir emphasized the Taliban’s commitment to unity and non-interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.

However, these claims have been met with skepticism and criticism. US Army veteran Bill Roggio, among others, dismissed the Taliban’s assertions as mere propaganda, highlighting the ongoing issues and hardships faced by the Afghan population under Taliban rule.

Afghanistan’s Struggles Under Taliban Rule

Despite the celebratory parade, Afghanistan remains in a dire state. Millions of people are teetering on the brink of starvation, with the country’s economy in shambles. Unemployment is rampant, and the Taliban’s oppressive policies, including banning girls and women from attending school beyond the sixth grade, have drawn widespread condemnation.

The Taliban’s primary focus appears to be on maintaining their control over the country and enforcing a strict interpretation of Sharia law, rather than addressing the humanitarian and economic crises plaguing Afghanistan. As the Taliban celebrates their hold on power, the future of Afghanistan remains uncertain, with its people bearing the brunt of the ongoing challenges.