Australians deployed on the United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda (UNAMIR) with four M113A1 vehicles: three M113A1 APC and one M113A1 Repair Fitters vehicle. All three vehicles were painted white overall, with the letters "UN" prominently displayed.

The Australian Service Contingents (ASC) consisted of Medical Company, Rifle Company, and a Headquarters/Operational Support Company. The three APCs formed part of Rifle Company, while the Repair Fitters vehicle was attached to Operational Support Company. During the period of Australian Service Contingent 1 (ASC1) the vehicles were manned by crews from B Sqn 3/4 Cav Regt. The AFV crews for ASC2, which deployed to Rwanda in early 1995, were drawn from 5/7RAR(Mech). The Fitters Track was manned by a RAEME Sergeant Crew Commander and a RAEME Craftsman driver-mechanic. The APCs were collectively crewed by a Sergeant and two Corporal Crew Commanders, and three Private Driver/Signallers

Armoured vehicle usage during UNAMIR-1 (ASC1) included regular patrolling through Kigali and the immediate surrounding countryside, and convoy escort work. However, with the re-establishment of a semblance of local authority, the presence of foreign armoured vehicles patrolling was considered to be too confrontational, and the practice was stopped early during the period of ASC2s deployment. The armoured vehicles thereafter remained within the Australian compound as part of the ready reaction force. One of the APCs was reacted to the front gate of the Australian compound at least once, where its presence - combined with the loud cocking of the .50 cal. MG - persuaded the RPA that discretion was the better part of valour! Later in the deployment, one of the APCs was fitted out as an armoured ambulance for emergency purposes, and painted with medical insignia. However, it was not required and, like the other APCs, remained within the Australian compound .

At the completion of the deployment to Rwanda, the four armoured vehicles were loaded onto civilian trucks and transported across country to a port on the coast, from where they were transhipped back to Australia.

Although the deployment to Rwanda was the first time that Australian armoured vehicles had served in the all-white livery of the UN, this was not the first time that the majority of these vehicles had served on an operational deployment overseas. So, of the several hundred M113A1 family of vehicles on the Australian inventory, which ones served in Rwanda, and what are their histories?

The most effective way to track a particular vehicle is by its Army Registration Number, or "ARN". This is a unique number assigned to a vehicle when it is first taken on charge by the Australian Army, and remains with the vehicle for its entire service life. It is often prominently displayed on the exterior. The three APCs that deployed to Rwanda were ARNs 134192, 134348 and 134500 while the Repair Fitters vehicle was ARN 18903.

APC 134192

This is APC entered service in late 1965, and by late 1966 had deployed to South Vietnam with 1 APC Squadron. It carried the call sign 40A (four zero alpha) during the early part of this deployment, and call sign 21 during the later stages. By March 1969, 134192 had covered just under 10,000 miles, and was returned to Australia for a much-needed rebuild. Following completion of the rebuild, the vehicle spent an extended period at the School of Armour, before undergoing a second rebuild at Bandiana during the early 1990s. In late 1994, it was issued to B Sqn 3/4 Cav Regt for service with UNAMIR in Rwanda. After returning to Australia at the end of that deployment, the vehicle continued serving with B Sqn 3/4 Cav Regt in Townsville. With the commencement of Operation Warden in East Timor, 134192 was trucked overland from Townsville to Darwin and embarked on HMAS Jervis Bay, leaving Darwin on 13 October 1999 with the lead elements of the Squadron group, and landing in Dili, East Timor, the next morning. The vehicle was the Troop Leader’s APC of 2 Troop with c/s 20A, and was dubbed "Bare Back" by the crew. 134192 was used extensively for patrol and security duties, and spent New Year at a vehicle check point at Aidabalatan. The departure of B Sqn 3/4 Cav Regt from East Timor saw 134192, along with a number of other armoured vehicles from the Squadron, left in Dili. These were subsequently crewed by the relieving Troop from 2/14 Light Horse Regiment (QMI), and, at the time of writing, are still serving in East Timor as part of UNTAET.

Postscript: APC 134192 was recognised by the Australian War Memorial as a vehicle with multiple overseas deployments and a significant operational history. The Chief of Army has agreed that, upon its return to Australia, 134192 would be transferred to the AWM for long term preservation.

APC 134348

This APC entered service with the Australian Army about 1970, and was sent to South Vietnam shortly afterwards. As call sign 39J, it spent the remainder of 1970 and all of 1971 on operations in South Vietnam, covering nearly 8000 miles during this period. After its return to Australia and a rebuild, it was issued to B Sqn 3 Cav Regt. It was again rebuilt during the late 1980s and sent into storage at Bandiana, before being issued to B Sqn 3/4 Cav Regt in 1994 for service in Rwanda with UNAMIR. Following its return to Australia, it again went into storage and has more recently been used for development work related to the future upgrade of the M113A1 fleet to M113(AS)3 standard.

APC 34500

This vehicle entered service in late 1969, and was sent to 1^st Armd Regt in late 1970. In 1976, it was relocated to the Engineering Development Establishment (EDE) at Maribyrnong and Monegeeta in Victoria, as a trials vehicle, then returned to 1^st Armd Regt at Puckapunyal. It was rebuilt at Bandiana during the early 1980s, then again in the early 1990s before being sent into storage. It was issued to B Sqn 3/4 Cav Regt during 1994 for service in Rwanda. After returning to Australia in late 1995, the vehicle continued serving with B Sqn 3/4 Cav Regt. It was deployed to East Timor on Operation Warden as call sign 81, returning to Townsville with the Unit when they departed East Timor.

18903

This M113A1 Repair Fitters vehicle entered service with the Australian Army in the late 1970s, and was issued to 4 Cav Regt, then B Sqn 3/4 Cav Regt until transferred to 2/14 Light Horse Regt (QMI) in 1986. By 1989, the vehicle was ready for a complete rebuild, which was carried out at Bandiana during 1990. Following the completion of the rebuild, 18903 was sent into storage until issued to B Sqn 3/4 Cav Regt in April 1991. It was deployed to Somalia with the Unit in 1993, carrying the call sign 28A, before being transferred to ASC1 in Rwanda for UNAMIR. Information suggests that the vehicle was directly transferred to Rwanda from Somalia, though this has not yet been confirmed. At the conclusion of the UNAMIR deployment, 18903 was returned to Australia, and is currently serving with 3 BASB.

Acknowledgements: The author gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Major Craig Burn, Capt Steve Wilson, and Cpl Jason Logue in the compilation of this article.