Exercise BEN CAT, Waiouru, 15 September 2012

On Saturday 15 September 2012, 18 retired gunners from the RNZA Association were hosted on the gunline during a live firing exercise by 161 Battery, 16 Field Regiment in Waiouru (just off the Carbuncle Track to be a bit more precise). Exercise BEN CAT was a tactical exercise in support of D Company, 2/1 RNZIR, and was also used by the Regiment and the School of Artillery for assessment of various key appointments in the Battery. This great occasion for the Association members took place 47 years after OPERATION BEN CAT, and nearly to the day (14 September) when 161 Battery received its first operational casualties in VietNam.

'The first major operation for the Battery (in VietNam) was a 14 day deployment named after the town closest to the gun position BEN CAT, over the period 14-28 September 1965. This operation was also a first for 1 RAR . . . . read more . . . .