Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company

06/03/2026

This year the RAAHC is running our WW2 Firepower seminar series, looking at the employment of artillery during the Second World War and the lessons for future conflict. The first seminar is in Melbourne and looks at 'The Road to War'.

Held at the Caulfield RSL, Dr Peter Layton will cover key components of mobilisation and Dr Mark Bailey will present on how Australian industry transformed to wartime manufacturing.

Thursday 19th of March.

Further details and tickets - https://firepowerseminar.com.au/

02/03/2026

Deputy Chief of Army warns ADF has become 'detached' from violent nature of war

The deputy chief of army delivered an excoriating address to a major conference last year, declaring that "managerial and advertising logic and double speak" had "polluted" the profession.
Major General Chris Smith also warned the army had embraced "nonsensical and theoretically implausible concepts" and become "detached" from the inherently violent nature of war.
The speech was given at the Chief of Army's History Conference in November, but recently started to circulate more widely after being uploaded to a YouTube channel run by the army's professional development platform — where it has already drawn praise from several veterans.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv6wQiUu4yo

01/03/2026

The first three Australian-made AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzers made in Victoria.
The vehicles were made at the Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence in Victoria with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles in attendance, alongside other guests including supply chain partners from around the nation.

Joining the three vehicles (Batch 1 consisting of two AS9s and one AS10, made in South Korea) announced in February last year, these new vehicles represent high-technology vehicle manufacturing coming back to the Geelong region.

Aurizn has successfully delivered a critical secure communications capability for Hanwha Defence Australia (HDA) under the Commonwealth’s LAND 8116 Phase 1 program for the Huntsman family of vehicles.

Aurizn partnered with Hanwha Defence Australia to design and integrate a secure communications solution that enables sensitive information to move safely between different onboard networks, ensuring operational information can be shared without compromising security.

15/02/2026

ARTILLERY FIREPOWER SERIES WWII

Following on from the hugely successful RAAHC’s ‘Firepower: Lessons from the Great War Seminar Series’ delivered throughout 2017, the RAAHC is pleased to announce the Artillery Firepower: Lessons from WWII Seminar Series’ to be delivered in 2026.

The 2026 series commences in Melboune on the 19th March 2026, followed by Brisbane on 21st May 2026 then Adelaide on 6th August 2026 and finally Canberra on 14th October 2026.

In the first comments below is a more detailed overview of the Seminars.

To register your interest in attending and for a comprehensive overview, please visit the website below:

Join the Firepower Seminar Series by RAAHC. Explore artillery’s role in WWII and its lessons for today through expert talks and panel discussions across Australia.

06/02/2026

Well done 8/12th Regiment , RAA

The Royal Australian Artillery’s 8th/12th Regiment has made a strong showing of their artillery skills at the Indo-Pacific Best Redleg Competition in Hawaii.

06/02/2026

Sell off of Defence Estate

More than 68 military sites have been identified for complete or partial divestment, as the federal government announces the most significant reform to the Defence estate in the country’s history.

18/01/2026

Change oc command at 16 Regiment ,RAA/

22/12/2025

9th Regiment RAA acknowledges well done duties

28/10/2025

ANZAC GUNNERS AT WORK

28/09/2025

8/12TH Regiment at work in the Philipnes

23/09/2025

COLONEL IAN FRANCIS AHEARN OAM (Retd) - DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL

On the 16th May 2025 the Governor General of Australia awarded Colonel Ian Francis Ahearn OAM (Retd) the Distinguished Service Medal for distinguished leadership in warlike operations as the Gun Position Officer with 102nd Field Battery during the Battle of Fire Support Patrol Base Coral from 12 to 16 May 1968.

The citation read:

"For distinguished leadership in warlike operations as the Gun Position Officer with 102nd Field Battery during the Battle of Fire Support Patrol Base Coral from 12 to 16 May 1968.
Colonel (then Lieutenant) Ahearn led a desperate defensive action to repel a well-prepared and numerically superior enemy at Fire Support Patrol Base Coral on 12 May 1968. His leadership, initiative and actions prevented the enemy completely overrunning the 102nd Field Battery and the likely loss of many more lives. During a subsequent attack on 16 May 1968, he directed staff of the Battery Command Post and under intense enemy fire communicated fire orders to each gun platform to ensure a coordinated defence against the enemy forces. Lieutenant Ahearn’s inspirational leadership, initiative and actions were in keeping with the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force."

Well deserved and long overdue - Congratulations Ian

23/09/2025

4TH REGIMENT, RAA contributes to PNG 50th anniversary