British troops arrive in North Queensland DPR/TV/691

The British landing ship 'Sir Lancelot' arrived at Port Alma, near Rockhampton, at the weekend, after a 10-day trip from Singapore, carrying 400 troops of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry. Troops lined the rails of the 5,600-ton vessel for a glimpse of the Queensland port... for most their first Australian visit. They are bound for the Australian Army's Shoalwater Bay Training Area, about 60 miles north of Rockhampton, to take part in "Exercise Piping Shrike", with the South Australian based 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment. About 200 troops of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry had already arrived in Australia, and the latest arrivals brought the total to more than 600. They were met by the Exercise Director, Major-General Mackay, who is Commander of 1st Australian Division, based in Sydney. Major-General Mackay was formerly the Australian Commander in Vietnam. "Piping Shrike" is designed to train members of Australia's 3rd Battalion and supporting units in limited warefare in a South-East Asian setting with the British troops acting as a controlled enemy. After loading the troops, vehicles and stores, three Sioux helicopters, were flown directly from the ship to Manifold in Shoalwater Bay area. Located at the southern end of the rugged Clinton Peninsula, Manifold is the base for "Exercise Piping Shrike". After the departure of the helicopters, a convoy of more than 40 vehicles moved off to the exercise area.