An epistle according to the Royal Australian Armoured Corps

Google advises that: “An epistle is a formal, elegant, or long letter. With a capital ‘E’, it refers to the 21 canonical letters written by apostles to early Christian communities in the New Testament of the Bible”. 

One such Epistle advises: “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers”.  

Who might the unbelievers be … adherents to the philosophy that infantry don’t need close fire support?  

Infantry, of course, would consider such a suggestion sacrilegious – fire support is always welcomed, the closer the better!

Who then, would suggest otherwise?  

Surprising as it seems, there would be a few who would nominate the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC).

1st Armoured Regiment, whose role used to be the provision of close fire support for infantry, was stripped of its tanks and made into an experimentation unit.  Some of its tanks have been added to the strength of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, making it a dual-role unit.  

Unfortunately, these roles – close fire support and intelligence gathering – are totally incompatible. 

Previously a regiment of tanks with heritage dating back 75 years, now 1st Armoured Regiment is without even an RAAC role.  

Could it be that the former Chief of Army, and now the new Chief, are correct – close fire support for infantry is no longer needed? 

The British Army traditionally sets standards that influence those of the Australian Army.   

New British Army doctrine has been described as “probably the most important doctrinal shift in British land warfare for a generation”.  

While it’s acknowledged that the fighting in Ukraine has fundamentally changed the character of war, the following quotes suggest that the tank’s role is far from dead in the British Army’s view:

“Ukraine has emphatically demonstrated that reports of the tank’s demise were wildly exaggerated. Properly protected, integrated with drones and supported by electronic warfare, armour remains indispensable, particularly when taking ground. Wars are still won by soldiers occupying territory, not by drones hovering above it.”

Surely the Chief of Army must reinstate 1 Armd Regt to its combat role – allowing its traditions and heritage to be reclaimed.  

The results of doing this will be to reinstate 3 Brigade as a complete armoured brigade, equipped with three battlegroups comprising tanks, armoured combat reconnaissance vehicles, and mechanised infantry fighting vehicles.  (This was the intention of the 2023 Defence Strategic Review).

It doesn’t happen often – but this really would be one of those rare ‘win-win’ situations.

Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Cameron, MC, RAAC (Ret’d)

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