RAA Liaison Letter 2024 - 2025 Edition

RAA Liaison Letter – 2024 / 2025 Edition 81 together into a coherent story with the authors doing a wonderful job of capturing the context, challenges, lessons, achievements and successes. In an increasingly complicated World, the Artillery is again rising in prominence with the RAA taking carriage of more capable air defence systems, longer-range guns and missiles and increasingly sophisticated aerial vehicles, sensors and communications systems. Our Gunners could once again be called upon to use these capabilities in conflict. Consequently, the need for the Gunner to be a master-craftsman who can balance the art and science of war remains as essential today as it was 140 years ago when the NSW Defence Enquiry Commission noted ‘the fully instructed artilleryman is in reality an artisan of high order, and time, habit and systematic teaching are necessary to make him thoroughly competent’ (p.14). Today’s practitioners can draw a great deal from this book as they look to the future. Action! Action! Action! is a great read – well done Nick, Paul and the RAAHC – Target Round! Reviewed by Brigadier Phil Winter AM, CSC, ADC; CEO RSL Australia Many years ago as a subaltern I recall thinking ‘if only there was one single source of truth for the story of the Royal Australian Artillery’ so we could piece together the history of the Regiment in Australia’s many operational conflicts and tasks, and to also understand why some equipment were used, and how those capabilities fitted into the wider Army and joint efforts in Defence. Now we have this outstanding new book to answer those questions. I have been lucky enough to observe the great progress of this vital book and earnestly congratulate all involved for the hard work and diligence to deliver this superb product. The task of simplifying the massive amounts of data and personal stories from over a century and a half of Guner service to the nation is no mean feat. The outcome is a highly readable and well-planned history of The Royal Regiment, and a huge vote of thanks must go to our authors and planning team – no doubt this book will have pride of place on the bookshelves of all Gunners. Reviewed by Major General Tim Ford AO (Retd) As the Manager of the Sir Roden Cutler VC Artillery Research Centre, I am delighted that the RAAHC has produced this excellent publication which so aptly describes the creation, evolution and campaigns of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery (RAA) for over 150 years. This is the best summary of the proud history of the Regiment that I have encountered in my more than 50 years as a Gunner. It will be of immense assistance to the Research Assistants at the Cutler Research Centre in initiating their responses to the many requests we receive for information on Australian artillery, and its units, equipment, individuals and heritage since colonial times. The authors have achieved a good balance throughout the book with a logical and comprehensive progression of the history of the RAA expressed in simple language with all the many technical and tactical terms associated with gunnery clearly explained. I commend the structure of the book with some 17 chapters describing the various phases and campaigns that have built the Regiments’ history. Each chapter has a concise introduction, well supported by relevant maps and photographs from Australian War Memorial collection and other reliable sources. These are supplemented by colourful boxes explaining various aspects of artillery tactics and technology, plus vignettes about Artillery Commanders and gunner personalities. The layout ends with a comprehensive list of appendices tabling data on artillery structures over the years, significant dates and artillery terms. There is no doubt in my mind that Action! Action! Action! (the cry to respond to a call for fire support) has certainly achieved its aim of being a “Gunners’ Friend”. This is a book that every Australian Gunner will want to have in their personal library, as well as one well sought by the military enthusiast. Reviewed by Emeritus Professor David Horner AM; Australian National University This new book, published under the auspices of the Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company, is in the style of the Australian Army History Unit’s successful campaign series. It is lavishly illustrated with photographs and maps, has ‘breakout’ pieces on prominent artillery personalities, and sections on artillery tactics and technology. Substantial appendixes cover artillery organisations over a hundred years. Written by two experienced gunners, Lieutenant