A Copy Of A Letter Given To Many Returning Australian Soldiers

HQ Aust. Army Component

HIRO

JAPAN 3/7/52

TO ALL MEMBERS OF 1 & 3 RARs RETURNING TO AUSTRALIA

ON COMPLETION 0F THEIR HONOURABLE SERVICE IN KOREA

On the eve of your return to AUSTRALIA I want to take this opportunity of saying one or two things to you. I used to go down and see you off and have a few words personally with you, but I found that I was missing a lot of you owing to the variety of ways and times you moved f rom KURE to IWAKUNI, and so I decided to write this letter so that I could reach everyone.

First of all I want to congratulate you on what you have done for your country. Knowing the severity of the Korean winter and the ruthless nature of the enemy you took the firm decision to offer your life for your country, I do not want to labour the point but it is very clear to me that if men like you in a handful of free nations of the world had not been willing to make the great sacrifice you have made, our powerful and insidious enemy would long ago have gained the initiative.

Now after a long period or hard fighting in Korea, despite his enormous initial superiority, he has been taught that his aggression so far has not paid, and he has suffered enormous losses without any gain whatever.

Under cover of the protection of men like you, the free nations of the world have awakened and are hurriedly rearming to meet the foe you have been helping to hold and throw back in KOREA for over two years.

You go back now to your own land, the people of which cannot help but be grateful to you for all you have done and proud of the way you have enhanced the already very high reputation of your country’s by your deeds on the many Korean battlefields.

In conclusion I want to wish you god speed a safe return and a happy future wherever you may go.

LCampbell Brigadier

Commander Australian Army Component in JAPAN and KOREA