The tragedy that’s befallen the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC)

If a Shakespearean tragedy had cast the RAAC as MacBeth, it couldn’t have been more appropriate.  The RAAC has recently been cast from the firmament. 

Mobile firepower and shock action, once crucial for success in battle, no longer have pride of place.  

The idea of being cast out from the firmament is reminiscent of God banishing Lucifer and his rebellious angels from Heaven.  Lucifer had become so proud that he wanted to become God-like.  Heaven-forbid that the RAAC should be so vain.  

All the RAAC wants to do, in fact, is promote the essential importance of its two combat roles: close fire support for infantry and intelligence gathering.  

These roles demand two RAAC battle-group headquarters and separate tank and cavalry units in order to make up the land-combat component of 3 Brigade (when coupled with mechanised infantry). 

Chief of Army, however, has deemed this to be an impossibility for Australia’s only armoured brigade.

Some time ago, he (now with a very short tenure remaining) decreed a new ruling order; one which emphasises (amongst other things) artillery’s long-range fires capability.  Where does this leave the RAAC?  

Given that 1st Armoured Regiment has been stripped of its tanks and made a non-combatant; and the 2nd Cavalry Regiment has been given a totally incompatible dual role (close fire support for infantry and intelligence gathering) … the right words are hard to find! Sadly, there seems to be little hope for the future.

Unfortunately, the Armoured Corps hierarchy was powerless to prevent the CA decimating the Corps in this way.

The RAAC no longer has the ability to influence the CA’s decision making. There was a time when Army Chiefs would heed the expert opinion of their RAAC advisors. This time is long past, however.

The RAAC Representative Honorary Colonel had recommended that RHQ 1 Armd Regt be raised in Townsville and the tanks, presently with 2 Cav Regt, be assigned to it. This would ensure the critical element, i.e. separation of tank and reconnaissance units.  It was a proposal made in vain, however. 

The story of Lucifer is interesting.  Why did he and his Angels rebel?  Was it because they had become so frustrated that they felt that they had no choice?  Could it be that members of the RAAC might feel similarly … is it possible that they could rebel also?  

While everybody undoubtedly feels strongly, Lucifer’s demise would make anyone think twice about rebelling. So, what can be done? 

There is always hope … or is there? 

The 1st Armoured Regiment Association delayed protesting about the tanks being stripped from 1 Armd Regt, because they were advised that the “decision to re-role 1st Armoured Regiment, would surely be reviewed and that common sense would undoubtedly prevail”. 

At a time when Australia faces its most perilous strategic situation in generations, one would expect Army’s field force units to be capable of bringing maximum combat power to bear.  

But this isn’t the case. Quite the opposite. 

3 Brigade (Australia’s sole armoured brigade) is short a battle-group headquarters, a tank squadron and a cavalry squadron.

Where’s the common sense in this? 

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

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FILE PHOTO: An Australian M1A2 Abrams SEP v3 fires sabot rounds during a live-fire to confirm the aiming system of the tank and to qualify crews on the new systems at the Puckapunyal Military Area, Victoria, November 2024. Photo by Corporal Michael Currie.

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