Photo: L3Harris Product Gallery.

The VAMPIRE multipurpose weapon system, developed by American defence technology contractor L3Harris, is already proving to be highly effective in Ukraine. This Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletised ISR Rocket Equipment is empowering Ukrainian ground forces by enabling them to pinpoint and eliminate enemy drones while safeguarding against ground threats from adversaries.

According to a public statement released by L3Harris on December 11, the VAMPIRE system boasts advanced reconnaissance and precision strike capabilities, crucial for protecting Ukrainian civilian infrastructure from potential enemy attacks. The system seamlessly integrates a WESCAM MX-10 RSTA targeting sensor with the Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System rocket munitions, ensuring rapid and accurate engagement of targets. Additionally, it incorporates a proximity fuse to enhance lethality against aerial threats.

Earlier this year, L3Harris secured a $40 million agreement with the US Department of Defence for 14 tailored VAMPIRE multipurpose weapon systems. This strategic collaboration aims to assist the Ukrainian military in targeting and neutralizing Russian drones, along with defending against ground threats. The contract allows the prime contractor to install VAMPIRE kits on US-provided vehicles, transforming them into portable missile launchers for battlefield combat support and critical infrastructure defence.

EOS Defence Systems USA, a subsidiary of Australian defence technology firm Electro Optic Systems, played a vital role in the process. Engaged under the US Department of Defence contract, EOS supplied positioning components for the VAMPIRE through an EOS AS-65 gimbal. This technology ensures precise aiming and firing of rockets, missiles, and other payloads, supporting ground-to-ground and ground-to-air delivery when integrated into the VAMPIRE system. The AS-65 is capable of tracking targets and firing a 70-millimeter guided rocket from a four-pack launcher.

 

Richardson Post

Harry Richardson

“ASIO director-General Mike Burgess advised Labor MP Michelle Ananda Rajah that Australia’s pro-Palestine rallies served as an important “pressure release” given a “real risk of a terror attack”, a letter from the back bencher to a local voter has revealed”.

The MP, Michelle Ananda Rajah, further pointed out that social cohesion was “our most valuable national asset” whilst maintaining a completely straight face.

Given the spirit of Christmas and the season of giving, I’m going to donate a little of my time to Mike “ASIO” Burgess and write a more complete briefing for him to share with all Australian MPs in both the Federal and State Parliaments. If you are reading this Mike, feel free to cut and paste without attribution.

Dear Australian MPs,

As you are probably aware, the pro-Palestinian rallies which are currently going ahead around the country are terrifying the Jewish community and alarming traditional Australians.

British descended Aussies still seem to naively believe that migrants will leave behind grievances from the old country which have been festering for millennia.

If we disallowed the rallies, these Palestinian supporters might have more time on their hands as well as more bottled-up anger and hatred.

In my opinion, I think this would be likely to result in terror attacks in Australia.

Almost all of these people were brought into this country by you, our political class, often with enthusiastic support from the organised Jewish community.

I think now might be a good time to ask yourselves, “what the hell were we thinking.”

It’s not as if you weren’t warned. The terror attack at the Munich Olympics happened shortly before you began welcoming in huge numbers of Muslims against the advice of your departments.

But you still just had to go ahead anyway, didn’t you? Even though you knew the voters were dead set against it.

So much for democracy heh? Just spit all over those who voted for you as if you know better. Clearly, you didn’t.

One of, if not the most important function of Government, is to protect your citizens from foreign threats.

The migrants you choose are given Australian citizenship and passports which are extremely difficult to revoke.

Citizenship is then conferred to their descendants and allows full rights of passage in and out of the country (when you aren’t locking us down like prison inmates) and gives political power to each and every newly minted citizen in the form of a vote.

They also give access to our incredibly generous welfare system which is paid for by current taxpayers.

In view of these facts, it is hard to think of a more solemn decision than whether to award citizenship to a foreigner or not.

Get it wrong, and the citizens who vote for you and pay your generous salaries and superannuation are lumbered with the consequences pretty much forever.

I’ve tried to rack my brains to think of the most undesirable migrant it would be possible to find, but try as I might, I can’t think of anyone who could be less desirable that someone who turns out, not only to be a terrorist, but manages to raise children who also want to commit terror attacks on this country.

I’d like to be kind to you people, I really would. But I just can’t find it in myself to believe that any of you could be that fricking stupid.

For example, how low would your IQ have to be to bring in someone from a different religion and culture, without bothering to check out the beliefs involved in that religion and culture?

Didn’t it occur to you to open up the Koran and have a read?

With the resources of one of the most prosperous nations in the world at your disposal, you couldn’t find anyone to look into the background of Islamic culture before handing out passports to these people like smarties?

Would it have made any difference if you had researched the Islamic religion, I ask myself?

All the information has been out there for a while now. Your departments have been telling you forever what a bad idea it is and yet you still you have your heads shoved where the sun doesn’t shine.

The Islamic religion tells its followers that they can’t go to heaven until the whole world is conquered by Islam.

Until then, they remain buried alive, so to speak, until the day of judgement when the Muslims will kill the last of the Jews and the trees and rocks will grow mouths and call out to the Muslims “Come over here and kill this Jew who is hiding behind me”.

Does that sound like a group of compatible migrants to you? Isn’t it obvious that they will be at least somewhat motivated to engage in violent Jihad when that is the only short cut to the highest level of heaven (the one with all the virgins and young boys “handsome as pearls”).

Even after all of this, you are now importing Palestinians from Gaza without proper vetting. When Denmark let a bunch of Palestinians into their country, almost two thirds of them wound up with a criminal record for God’s sake.

Again, I ask, what the hell are you thinking?

After all, these people have been insisting for the last 70 odd years that they can’t possibly live anywhere else except the parts of Israel that they aren’t in now.

They can’t wander over the border into Egypt which they were part of prior to the 1967 war and they can’t travel the short distance to Jordan which is also an Arab country that is almost indistinguishable in language, religion and culture (and note that both of those countries have refused point blank to take them).

Yet all of a sudden, they can up and fly halfway around the globe to a nation which has a different language, customs, religion and laws and accept citizenship here. They have already told us that we should change because our customs and religion offend them.

Clearly, the whole thing was a sham to justify the war against Israel and the killing and rape of Jews. Obviously, these people have been lying all along to justify genocidal violence encapsulated in the chant “From the River to the Sea”.

I think it is time for you to come clean to the Australian people and own up to why you have committed this crime against your nation.

What was your motivation?

Were you offered incentives like Hawke who got rich after leaving office, quite likely by working for China. Could his lucrative contracts have been a payoff for letting in bulk Chinese nationals?

Or was it juicy blackmail that motivated you? Are there photos of you in compromising positions.

In today’s permissive society, those would have to be pretty bad.

Don’t tell me you were good friends with Jeffrey Epstein?

Whatever the reason, you need to stop importing people who hate our nation enough to commit terror attacks which they have been doing for over 100 years.

Bear in mind that if you don’t stop, then eventually Muslims will be a majority and will be voting you out of office all over the country and not just in Western Sydney and parts of Melbourne.

If that happens, then I’ll be out of a job too and my replacement will not just be on board with the rallies, he’ll be cheering on the terror attacks too.

Yours in sincerely stunned amazement

Mike Burgess

ASIO Director-General

 

Government was right not to send warship.

OLD soldiers never die, they just fade away.

US General Douglas MacArthur repeated this familiar refrain in his 1951 farewell address to Congress, after he had been sacked by President Truman for presumed insubordination, promising he would just fade away.

Republican MacArthur and Democrat Truman, briefly a WWI artillery captain,

were always destined for a tumultuous relationship.

There is an inevitable moment in the life some old soldiers, but not all, when they lose relevance, though few will admit so.

Lost in a world of fuzzy-wuzzies, cold steel and grenades, the fictional Dad’s Army lance-corporal Jack Jones’ far-fetched military suggestions often caused Captain Mainwaring to respond curtly, “I think you’re wandering into the realms of fantasy, Jones.”

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Government was right not to send warship | Australian Defence History, Policy and Veterans Issues (targetsdown.blogspot.com)

‘TWAS Saturday before Xmas and all through the Fort,

Mischief was stirring, who would have thought?

For there was movement in the barracks

As the word had passed around that

The subbies were up to something big,

And all the lads had gathered for the fray.

There was one among them even wilder than the rest,

A captain known by one and all as Mad Carew,

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When the silly season gets that bit sillier… | Australian Defence History, Policy and Veterans Issues (targetsdown.blogspot.com)

Australia’s defence force veterans who have served as firefighters are set to receive dedicated support through the re-establishment of a sub-branch by the RSL, marking the first initiative of its kind in four decades. The renewed NSW Fire Brigades sub-branch aims to provide enhanced assistance to over 400 current and former service personnel employed by Fire and Rescue NSW.

Originally established in the 1920s to aid in repatriation and medical support post-World War I, the sub-branch was disbanded in the 1980s due to insufficient membership. The current initiative recognizes the 405 defence force members, including FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell, who have served in both the military and firefighting roles. Commissioner Fewtrell, an Army Reserve veteran, emphasized the significance of the sub-branch’s support, including access to essential wellbeing services.

Acknowledging the evolving needs of younger veterans from recent military deployments, Mr. Fewtrell stressed the importance of tailored support within a familiar environment. The re-establishment of the sub-branch reflects the commitment of RSL, Australia’s oldest veterans’ charity, to grassroots support and fostering community connections, as stated by RSL NSW President Mick Bainbridge.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the revival of camaraderie and support within Fire and Rescue NSW, Mr. Bainbridge emphasized the shared responsibility among veterans transitioning into careers as first responders. Highlighting the ongoing dedication of these veterans who continue to risk their lives in firefighting roles across the state, he underscored the importance of supporting each other through such transitions.

The announcement follows the RSL’s call for the government to establish an independent body focused on veteran health and wellbeing, a response to the royal commission into veteran suicides. The move signals a renewed commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by veterans and underscores the importance of comprehensive support as they navigate different career paths.

 

 

When we think of Christmas, we often envision presents, decorations, and, most importantly, the festive Christmas dinner. However, the experience of Christmas dinner varied greatly for those enduring the hardships of war. Private Charles Bennett provides insight into the contrasting Christmas dinners in a 1916 English camp through his heartfelt letters home.

In Bennett’s recollection, his Christmas dinner comprised a sumptuous feast including turkey, ham, roast potatoes, peas, parsnips, Christmas pudding, café au lait, apples, oranges, bananas, saffron cakes, and mince pies. It was a celebration marked by abundance and shared joy.

Yet, not all soldiers shared such a fortunate experience. Captain Charles Gatliff, writing to his parents from somewhere in France in 1916, revealed a stark contrast. He lamented the absence of a real Christmas dinner, as parcels from home failed to arrive until the afternoon, leaving only the standard rations. However, the arrival of Christmas puddings brought by fellow officers returning from leave provided a touch of holiday cheer.

Gatliff compared this to a Christmas he spent in South Africa on the back of an open truck, where the meagre fare consisted of only bully beef and biscuits. Lieutenant Lancelot Horniman in 1915 similarly recorded his disdain for the sparse menu, deeming it “awful treatment for Christmas time” despite the relief of being free from Gallipoli.

The Second World War introduced Corporal Joseph Roxburgh’s contrasting experience during Christmas 1941 in Skudai camp, Malaya. His dinner included ham, turkey, baked potatoes, plum pudding, and even a bottle of Tiger beer. However, his fate took a turn as a prisoner of war by February 1942, leading to a stark Christmas dinner in 1944—1 ½ dessert spoons of fried whitebait, 1 dessert spoon of fried towgay, 2 pieces of fried tapioca, ½ baked bringle, 2 dessert spoons of Chinese cabbage, 1 vegetable pasty, 1 tempi cup, ½ pint of browned rice gravy, and one small Chester cake. This meagre meal left many prisoners feeling sick into Boxing Day, and the scarcity of toilet paper resulted in stripped leaves from trees around the camp.

On the home front, Constance McEwen shared her Christmas dinner in a diary to her son, unreachable in a prisoner of war camp. The festive meal included roast fowl, potatoes, pudding, Christmas cake, fruit salad, and cream. Organizations like the Red Cross and the Australian Comforts Funds played a crucial role in enhancing the festivities with care parcels.

In the First World War, Australian soldiers cherished the Christmas Billie, a parcel issued in December 1915 containing a plum pudding to be shared between two soldiers. Families back in Australia assembled these billies, and their contents, featured in soldiers’ diaries and letters, varied but often included sweets, cigarettes, chocolates, tinned pastries, a pipe, tobacco, playing cards, and other sundry items.

Lieutenant George Allardyce’s letter to his father described the contents of his Billie, while Lieutenant Donald Armstrong detailed another variation. These parcels, sent out by the Red Cross and Australian Comforts Fund, added a special touch to Christmas dinner for many soldiers, turning an ordinary meal into a festive occasion.

For Corporal Joseph Roxburgh and his fellow prisoners during the Second World War, saving items from their comforts parcel allowed them to enjoy a Christmas feast in their first year in the camp. Regardless of the circumstances, Australian soldiers emphasized the importance of the Christmas spirit and the act of celebration, valuing the camaraderie and shared festivities over the specifics of the meal or the location.

Picture: Members of C Section, 7th Australian Field Ambulance, unpacking their Christmas billies outside their tent lines at Lemnos Island. Each billy has a kangaroo symbol on the side. Identified, left to right: 3809 Private (Pte) Joseph Henry Williams, Pte W G Lake, 3776 Lance Corporal Crosby Hurburgh.

Beautiful Christmas song sung by this amazing young girl … hope you enjoy.

Lucy Thomas, born on February 21, 2004, in the picturesque town of Wigan, Lancashire, England, is a 19-year-old British singer and a rising star in the music industry. As a Piscean, she brings both creativity and emotion to her craft, captivating audiences with her melodic voice and genuine passion for music.

Standing at approximately 5 feet 4 inches, Lucy possesses an enchanting presence that complements her musical prowess. With striking blue eyes and flowing brunette hair, she is a captivating figure both on and off the stage.

With boundless enthusiasm and a commitment to her craft, Lucy Thomas promises a captivating journey in the world of music. Her versatility and love for creating meaningful musical experiences mark her as a rising star to watch in the dynamic and ever-evolving music industry. As she continues to explore new horizons and push artistic boundaries, Lucy’s journey is one that music enthusiasts around the world eagerly anticipate.

 

Amidst the tumultuous backdrop of World War II, Robert James Clarendon Whittle emerged as a symbol of unwavering courage and commitment. Born on July 10, 1914, in Brisbane, Australia, his destiny took a pivotal turn when he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in April 1940. Prior to his military service, Whittle had worked as a chemist in Murwillumbah, showcasing his versatility and intellectual acumen.

The exigencies of war led Whittle to undergo rigorous training before being deployed to the Middle East. On May 5, 1941, he found himself assigned to the 250 Squadron (RAF), where he swiftly demonstrated exceptional prowess as a fighter pilot. By mid-December of that year, his combat record was nothing short of remarkable – 9 aircraft destroyed, 1 shared destroyed, 2 probables, and 2 damaged.

Whittle’s exceptional service did not go unnoticed. His courage and skill in the face of adversity earned him the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM). The citation accompanying the award painted a vivid portrait of his character, emphasizing instances where he walked twenty miles through the night after being shot down, only to rejoin his squadron the next day. Even when wounded, Whittle displayed resilience by resuming operational flying within a mere two days, ultimately accounting for at least seven enemy aircraft.

His wartime odyssey took him briefly to the 730 Training Unit before returning to Australia in April 1942. In early 1943, Whittle joined the 86 Squadron, stationed in Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. His ascendancy continued as he was promoted to Flight Leader in September, later assuming the role of Commanding Officer on December 17. His final feats included downing a Zeke and sharing in the destruction of a Betty near Cape Valsch, bringing his total kills to an impressive 14.

After departing from active duty in June 1944, Whittle transitioned to a role as an instructor until his honourable discharge on December 4, 1945. Post-war, he returned to his pre-enlistment profession as a pharmacist. In 1946, he played a pivotal role in establishing the local Aero Club, imparting his aviation knowledge as an instructor.

A scion of the Whittle family, Bob maintained a profound connection to Murwillumbah. His 50-year tenure in the Rotary Club, including a term as President, underscored his commitment to community service. His association with the Tweed River Historical Society, later becoming the Murwillumbah Historical Society, was instrumental, earning him a Life Membership.

Educated at Brisbane Grammar School and qualified from Brisbane Pharmacy College, Bob Whittle’s dedication extended beyond the realms of war and professional life. He and his wife Frances raised five children in Murwillumbah. His contributions were further recognized by Tweed Shire Council, which named its light aircraft landing strip the Bob Whittle Airfield in acknowledgment of his meritorious service.

Today, the Murwillumbah Museum stands as a living testament to Bob Whittle’s passion for preserving the history of the Tweed. His selfless years of devotion and keen interest in the region’s early history have left an indelible mark, shaping the community’s understanding of its past. Bob’s legacy lives on, not only through the records of his wartime heroics but also in the cultural and historical fabric of Murwillumbah. His life, marked by bravery, resilience, and dedication, serves as an enduring inspiration for generations to come.

ED: I’m proud to tell you that the Late Bob Whittle was my uncle … he will never be forgotten. Ray

Picture: 1952. 032542 Pilot Officer Bill Simmonds of No. 77 Squadron RAAF, in his Gloster Meteor aircraft

On the historic date of May 8, 1952, Pilot Officer W.H. (‘Bill’) Simmonds etched his name into the annals of aviation history by achieving the sole fully confirmed Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) victory over a Communist MiG-15 during the Korean War. Engaged in a pivotal mission, Simmonds, part of a formidable flight comprising four Meteors from No 77 Squadron, found themselves tasked with safeguarding US bombers executing the largest single attack of the conflict thus far. The target: a strategically significant supply depot situated at Sunan, which has since transformed into the modern site of Pyongyang airport.

The intense battle unfolded when a squadron of MiG-15s, the formidable adversary of the Korean War skies, ambushed the formation from the rear. Amidst the chaos and the thunderous roar of jet engines, Simmonds demonstrated exceptional skill and composure as he swiftly positioned his Meteor onto the tail of one of the MiGs, the enemy aircraft passing perilously close—less than 10 meters below. In a daring and precise manoeuvre, Simmonds unleashed a sustained burst of cannon fire upon his target, the deafening roar of the weaponry echoing through the skies.

The dramatic engagement culminated in a spectacular result, as two other RAAF pilots in the flight attested to witnessing the enemy pilot ejecting from his spiralling MiG just before it crashed into the earth below. This triumphant encounter marked a significant milestone for the Australian contingent, adding to the tally of five MiGs reported downed by Australian pilots during the entirety of the war. Notably, this particular event stood out as the singular occasion where no doubt lingered regarding the validity of the claim—Simmonds had unequivocally secured a victory for the RAAF against the formidable MiG-15, exemplifying courage and skill in the tumultuous skies over Korea.

The Red Sea is currently facing heightened security measures as the United Kingdom deploys its Royal Navy destroyer, HMS Diamond, to participate in Operation Prosperity Guardian. This mission aims to safeguard the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, ensuring the protection of international trade and countering illicit activities occurring in the region’s international waters.

The escalation in security measures comes in response to recent incidents in the Red Sea, triggered by Houthi attacks on international shipping. Reports indicate that ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial systems have been employed in targeting ships, leading major operators to suspend their operations in the affected area.

HMS Diamond, recognized as the Royal Navy’s “most advanced” warship, has been tasked with patrolling alongside three US destroyers, with an additional French warship currently positioned in the same region. In a notable achievement, HMS Diamond successfully intercepted a suspected attack drone.

Highlighting the significance of the shipping lanes in the Red Sea, the UK Ministry of Defence emphasized that approximately 50 large merchant ships traverse the Bab el-Mandeb daily, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The Ministry expressed concern over the illegal attacks on these vital routes, labelling them as an unacceptable threat to the global economy, jeopardizing regional security, and potentially causing an increase in fuel prices.

UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps emphasized the international nature of the problem, asserting that these attacks require a collaborative, global solution.