The Atomic Age
Above: ARN 169041 after the nuclear blast. When first observed by a survey party, 60 minutes after the blast, the engine was not running, but investigations later ascertained that it had simply run out of fuel a few minutes after the blast. Rear deck cover latches were broken off and deck plates thrown open onto the rear of the turret. Track guards are also visibly bent.
The atomic bombs that ended World War II gave birth to the Atomic Age and while Australia was not an Atomic power, its major allies were. A British nuclear test program was conducted in Australia at Emu Field and Maralinga in South Australia, and the Monte Bello Islands off the north-west Australian coast from 1952 to 1957. The program included both the detonation of 12 nuclear fission devices and a wide range of ‘minor trials’; that is, tests of weapons’ components, safety tests of weapons and tests of neutron initiators. In addition to participating in British Nuclear Testing in Australia, RAEME was also involved in the development of guided weapons systems at Woomera, South Australia. RAEME soldiers also worked on missile systems such as Malkara, Bloodhound, Thunderbird, and Long Tom as well as maintaining Radar Anti-Aircraft No. 3 Mark 7 and Plotting tables; and telecommunication systems. During December 1953, the Corps was tasked with recovering a Mark 3 Centurion tank, Army Registration Number (ARN) 169041, from the Woomera nuclear test zone. The tank had been a part of Operation TOTEM, when test blasts were conducted, on 15 and 27 October 1953, in remote areas to the north of Woomera. While the primary focus of these tests was the atomic weapons, there was also the opportunity to measure blast effects on various types of military equipment including the Centurion tank. Three days after the tests the tank was driven toward Woomera under its own power. Unfortunately, some 130 miles short of Woomera, the engine threw a connecting rod through the side of the crankcase and expired.
Above: Tied to the tank is the evidence of tyre blow-outs on the overloaded trailer.
The ‘dead’ tank was recovered in mid-December by a RAEME crew using a Rogers’ Brothers M9 trailer, rated to carry only 40.12 tons.47 After experiencing a number of tyre blow-outs, the recovery crew arrived at Woomera on Christmas Eve. Interestingly, with respect to the contemporary notion of duty of care’, the RAEME recovery crew was not briefed concerning radiation hazards. Nor were they issued with any protective equipment. This absence of concern for the RAEME soldiers was not extended to Centurion tanks. ARN 169041 was decontaminated during early 1954, and this was conducted in preparation for a return journey to Puckapunyal that did not begin until May that year. The return trip was by road to the port of Whyalla, then by ship to Melbourne, and finally by rail to Dysart Siding - opened during World War II to serve Puckapunyal and other Army camps in the area. A final short journey was by road transporter from Dysart Siding to Puckapunyal where it arrived about 21 July 1954. Once ARN 169041 arrived at Puckapunyal concerns were raised about the degree of radioactive contamination so the Commonwealth X-Ray and Radium Laboratory tested it on 26 July 1954. The results led the testing officer to conclude that the tank was not severely contaminated, but the turret ring was to be tested again once the turret was lifted off, which was successfully carried out.
RAEME continued a close relationship with this vehicle. By 11 September 1956 a new main engine had been installed and 169041, less its turret, became 1 Armoured Regiment’s tow tug, a role retained until 1958 when it was returned to RAEME’s care for base overhaul. A subsequent upgrade to Mk5 standard during 1960 preceded storage before the tank was re-issued to 1 Armoured Regiment. During late 1962, 169041 underwent a further base overhaul. The next move for ARN 169041 was deployment to South Vietnam with B Squadron, 1 Armoured Regiment where it became involved in considerable warfighting as call sign 24C.
Above: ARN 169041 in its restored condition.
During its active service life ARN 169041 covered almost 2500 miles on operations in Vietnam and by the end of 1969 was ready for yet another rebuild. Withdrawn from the Regiment during January 1970, 169041 spent its final days in South Vietnam at 2nd Advance Ordnance Depot, Vung Tau, awaiting shipment to Australia. Once repatriated to and rebuilt in Australia, ARN 169041 was again re-issued to 1 Armoured Regiment. At the time of writing, May 2014, 169041 is ‘holding ground’ at Robertson Barracks, Palmerston, Northern Territory, home of 1 Armoured Regiment. Throughout the life of this Main Battle Tank, RAEME recovered it as a radioactive ‘crock’, returned it to a functional asset, and rebuilt/overhauled it to battle worthy condition on several occasions. This is an excellent example of the Corps of RAEME meeting its equipment management and maintenance responsibilities.
The above article is an extract from the Corps History Book 'With Skill and Fighting - Craftsmen of the Australian Army 1942 - 2014'
Featured
