Web Links

Includes 'a unique Chevrolet lorry and Breda anti-aircraft gun combination used by Australians during the siege of Tobruk': 8th Battery, 2/3 Aust Lt AA Regt.

Available online in searchable full text.

Philip John Hurst VX5862 served in the Regiment and also in the 2/7th Infantry Battalion. This is a detailed account of his war-time experiences, posted online by his great-nephew who explains that 'He [Phil Hurst] wrote the following document a few years ago for family members. Apparently he then tried to get it published but was not successful. Being interested in military history, I thought it was a good read, so here it is.'

The Pancretan Association's main aim is to sustain and promote moral, cultural and historical traditions as well as the language of the birthland of Crete through the creation and support of social events, celebrations of historic anniversaries, lectures, play performances, exhibitions, dancing performances as well as other educational activities. The 7th Battery of the 2nd / 3rd played a major role in the Battle of Crete in May 1941, and is well qualified to be a participant in the celebrations of historic anniversaries.

May 2011: 'Six Second World War veterans will embark on a journey of remembrance as part of a commemorative mission to mark 70 years since the Battles of Greece and Crete.' The web page includes media releases and speeches, media backgrounder, veterans' biographies, historic images and images of veterans and historical footage.

'...our aims are really quite simply to maintain and support the traditions of the [Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery]. Our membership consists of Gunners, other gunner associations and other interested parties such as historians or persons with an artillery affiliation.'

'You are now entering Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery Webpage. This page will be a dynamic area of interest for all Gunners, who through their relative Associations and the School of Artillery can provide items of interest for all Gunners.'

'This site is published & administered by the Australian Air Defence Artillery Association Incorporated, designed for serving and ex-members of all Australian Air Defence Artillery Units to register their contact details and keep in touch with Regimental news and functions.'

This is a Discussion Forum commemorating the May 1941 Battle for Crete in which the Regiment's 7th Battery participated, with terrible loss of life and men being captured and becoming POWs. The Forum contains, among other things, fascinating images and film from the 2011 70th anniversary of the Battle.

'War-time short film of British soldiers manning Bofors 40 mm anti-aircraft guns on a beach. Fighters dive over them to give them aiming practise and then they practise firing the gun against towed aerial targets.' Also at YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roYQwSqKcO8 .

Mascall-Dare, S 2012, Anzac Day media style guide 2012. This guide has been written and compiled by Sharon Mascall-Dare, an independent researcher based at the University of South Australia. It draws on interviews with more than 30 Anzac Day reporters, broadcasters and commentators across Australia. A highly recommended information source.

A website built by Bill Rudd documenting the experiences of WW2 POWs who escaped captivity in Europe - including five members of the 2/3 Aust Lt AA Regt. And see the valuable Facebook page of Bill Rudd's colleague, historian Katrina Kittel, who is researching the POWs in Italy during World War 2: https://www.facebook.com/KatrinaKittelAuthorResearcher .

The Association operates from Tobruk House, 44 Victoria Avenue, Albert Park, Vic. 3206. 'The Rats of Tobruk Association, Inc, Victoria was formed in September, 1945. The Association was open for those Servicemen who had Served at, and during, the Longest Siege in British Military History - the Siege of Tobruk - 241 Days, between April 10th and December 7th 1941 in WW2 and who were fortunate enough to return to Australia at the end of hostilities. 'Of approximately 14,000 Australians involved in the Siege of Tobruk, 559 KIA, 2450 WIA and 941 POW. "Lest We Forget".'

The Light Anti-Aircraft Memorial is situated at the 16th Air Land Regiment’s Woodside Barracks, in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills. The Memorial consists of a Mk 12 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun (in the deployed position).

The Anti-Aircraft and Air Defence Memorial is situated at the 16th Air Land Regiment’s Woodside Barracks, in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills. The Memorial recognises the sacrifice of Australian Anti-Aircraft and Air Defence gunners who have given their lives in past conflicts whilst serving on anti-aircraft guns and air defence missiles, on radars and in searchlight batteries. The Memorial also recognises those Air Defence Gunners who have deployed in Peace Keeping, Peace Making, Humanitarian Assistance and International Stability missions.

Michael James Bendon is a passionate archaeologist and researcher currently based in Sydney. He dicovered the wreck of a TLC: Tank Landing Craft in Crete. That was the start of a fascinating journey of discovery about these WW2 vesssels and the men who manned them. He has written an important book on the topic.

Many members of the Regiment captured in North Africa and Crete were interred at POW camp no. 57 at Grupignano, Italy, where they suffered great privations. Some escaped into Switzerland. This website commemorates the POW's service, and related matters.

In the opinion of the Association's Research Officer, this is the best website for information about Australia's involvement in the Second World War. Incredibly comprehensive, highly recommended. Do consider purchasing the 'WWII Self Help Research Tool for Australian Military Records' which is available from the site. A really useful resource.

During 2014 the Association provided a submission to the Research Centre of the Australian War Memorial for our website to be included in the National Library of Australia's Pandora archive. The Association is delighted to report that our application was successful: '2nd/3rd Australian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment was selected for preservation by the Australian War Memorial. This title is scheduled to be re-archived regularly...Achived 30 Oct 2014 14:10.'