3 Telecommunications Unit
On the 3rd of October 1946, memorandum number 1081 was issued stating that No 3 Telecommunications Unit (3TU) was to be formed. It went on to say 3TU was to be established on the 15th of October as the eventual replacement for the eight Wireless Telegraphy Units in active service during World War II.
Recruitment was sought from the Telegraphist mustering with the first two members being posted to 3TU in October 1946. Following specialist training, on the evening shift of the 6th of September, 3TU became Operational.
Since that time, 3TU was operational 24 hours a day for 44 years. At all times, the members of 3TU were patiently, quietly and effectively conducted business. The contributions the members of 3TU have made to Australia's security were significant if unheralded.
From the infancy of 3TU in 1947, the unit underwent a number of cosmetic changes to what was perceived to be a welcoming home to Signals Operators. The members of 3TU always relished the country club atmosphere which was possibly the greatest contributing factor to the very high morale and esprit de corps constantly enjoyed at this unit.
3TU remained one of the favoured working environments in the RAAF until its closure on 1st December 1991.
The closing signal was sent with the following words:
One final thought:
O! Would kind heav'n reverse my fate,
Give me to quit a life I hate
To flow'ry fields I soon would fly:
Let others stay - to cheat and lye.
(Mary Barber "To a Lady: Who Invited the Author into the Country - Dublin 1728)
ZKJ2 - I am closing down.
RAAF Unit, Hong Kong
Extract from letter by Sqn Ldr (Retired) Merv Collins
Most Australians would be unaware that a RAAF unit operated continuously in Hong Kong for some 35 years from October 1949 to January 1985 - almost certainly the longest period of overseas service by any unit in the history of the Australian Defence Force. Because of the Top Secret' nature of its signals intelligence operations the unit remained virtually anonymous throughout with its value or merit unrecognised by official mention, award or veterans'entitlements.
From about 1950, the unit variously was titled No 1 (B) Squadron Detachment A (1 Sqn was based in Singapore), Base Squadron Butterworth Detachment A and, from November 1976, RAAF Unit Hong Kong. In Hong Kong itself most members were attached to 367 Signals Unit (RAF) based initially at Kai Tak on the mainland and, from 1951, at Little Sai Wan on the uninhabited remote part of the island.
Until about 1957 members travelled to Hong Kong via Singapore in Service aircraft - many spending considerable time in Singapore awaiting onmovement.
Numbers of the RAAF unit ranged from 6-10 men in the first few years to 70 plus from about 1957 into the late 1970s, and much smaller numbers thereafter. Most members were provided by the parent unit, 3 Telecommunication Unit, Pearce WA, many after specialist intelligence training at Defence Signals Bureau (now Defence Signals Division). DSB/DSD was the operational tasking authority throughout and the unit addressed all operational Sigint matters to them and not to RAAF authorities - hence the sanitised and incomplete record of unit achievements in the RAAF 'Concise' histories. This probably explains the lack of recognition by the RAAF of unit personnel or their endeavours.
Personnel were unaccompanied in the early years with postings of about 12 months but families were permitted in 1957 with tours of duty extended to about 2 and a half years. Because of shortages of Sigint personnel at the parent unit in Australia many men did three and more tours of duty. Over this very long period, the unit helped provide DSB/DSD with timely intelligence on China's intentions, troop and aircraft positions and movements, and the locations and capabilities of radar and other electronic facilities. Such information would have been of particular value to the Australian Government during the Korean War, the Cold War and the many periods of international tensions arising from the long term bombardment of some Taiwan islands by the Chinese Army.
For much of this time, the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong was under threat of Chinese incursion, and civil riots and disturbances, mainly between Chinese Communists and Nationalists, were common resulting in many deaths and injuries and unsettling speculation as to China's plans.
Unit personnel were vulnerable during unrest as they worked day and night shifts around the clock in many remote areas of the colony including Little Sai Wan and a mountain top station at Tai Mo Shan in the New Territories. Some also were very close to the border at Ping Shan in radio direction finding huts in rice fields - and living under very primitive field conditions for over 30 years at Sek Kong with British Anny/Ghurka units.
Married personnel suffered extra stress with worries about wives and children during the many typhoons which caused heavy loss of life and infrastructure damage with subsequent extreme water shortages and most insanitary conditions. Riots and disturbances also were a major concern.
The writer served twice in Hong Kong: 1953-54, and 1959-1962 as the Officer Commanding. Here are some recollections. During the Korean War, the Chinese Navy were especially aggressive to Hong Kong-Macau shipping and British patrol boats - with at least two Alerts in Hong Kong in 1953 for intelligence personnel to prepare for imminent evacuation.
Major riots and civil disturbances were also common and some RAAF NCOs, including the writer, were trained in riot control and seconded to riot control squads commanded by British Army officers.
Some of those who served in Hong Kong at the time have also told me that. in the 1963 riots, curfews were declared and children escorted to and from school by armed guards.
In 1960-62 two very powerful typhoons, 'Wanda' and 'Alice' hit the colony with extremely numerous casualties and infrastructure damage: 27 ocean going vessels were driven ashore - one even cut the Hong Kong-China rail line! Fortunately, RAAF family units suffered only minor damage, mainly smashed windows and flooding of units - and very apprehensive women and children!
Also in 1961-1962 the border area was flooded for long periods with many thousands of Chinese 'refugees' massed along the border and attempting to cross into Hong Kong. The massive influx threatened to overwhelm the Colony's capacity to cope and many media reports and editorials speculated whether this was a deliberate ploy by the Chinese Government to provide an excuse for Chinese intervention. In any event, the colony's military forces and Sigint units were on high alert for possible incursions. RAAF operators in the New Territories were specially vulnerable.
Service in Hong Kong, despite its superficial attractiveness, was no less stressful and subject to hostile actions than many other 'Operational Conditions' areas which have qualified for the full range of VEA benefits and Awards such as the AASM/ASM. Certainly no other group of servicemen can lay claim to such lengthy periods of overseas service.
The RAAF 'listening post' in Hong Kong would have yielded invaluable intelligence throughout its years of service, significantly enhancing Australia's understanding of China's strategy, tactics and intentions over a very long period.
Governor Generals Banner
The presentation of the Governor-General's Banner to No 3 Telecommunications Unit (8th March 1991) honours the unit's distinguished service since its formation in October 1946. The honour is one that is shared by many men and women of the Royal Australian Air Force who have served with the unit during the 44 years of its activity.
The Governor-General's Banner is awarded to those units whose loyalty and distinguished service warrant recognition through the award of a ceremonial flag. Normally that service must be sustained for a period of greater than 25 years. It may also be awarded to especially outstanding service over a shorter period. The Banner is the non-operational equivalent of the Squadron Standards which are awarded to the operational flying squardrons of the RAAF. Award of the banner requires the personal approval of the Governor-General.
Throughout its period of service, No 3 Telecommunications Unit has been a very important and most effective part of the Defence Communications Network and the Air Operations Communication System. It has also provided specialist communications services of the highest quality to the Australian Defence Force and the Department of Defence. Within the Defence communications community. No 3 Telecommunications Unit is highly regarded for the professional expertise and its innovative approach to problem solving.
I congratulate all members, past and present, of the unit for a job well done. The award of the Governor-General's Banner is a well-deserved and highly appropriate way of recognizing nearly 45 years of excellent service to the RAAF, and the ADF, and the Australian Nation.
Forward to the official program of the Presentation of the Governor-General's Banner given by Air Marshal, RG Funnell, Chief of Air Staff
The Governor-General's Banner for 3 Telecommunications Unit is of blue silk and features the Governor-General's Pennant in the top left corner, wattle sprays in the other corners and the Unit Badge surrounded by the Southern Cross in the centre. The Banner is fringed and tasselled in blue and gold, and is hung on a staff surmounted by an eagle.
The Badge of 3 Telecommunications Unit incorporates a terrestial globe surmounted by three smoke rings. The smoke rings represent the earliest method of signalling known to Australia, the rings, three in number, represent the number of the unit and the globe r epresents the unit's operations in signalling over the entire world. The unit motto, the word 'DJINNANG' is an Aboriginal word meaning to see, to look or to observe.