United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG)

Collection relating to the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG) service of the Second Australian Contingent, Iran, 1989.

Wallet 1 of 1 - Consists of a bound manuscript, entitled 'UNIIMOG 2: The Fair Dinkums', created in 1991 and relating to the service of the 18 Australian Army officers in the Second Australian Contingent deployed with UNIIMOG from February to November 1989. The manuscript is split into four parts: People; Mission; Stories; and FDNLs. The first section includes a nominal roll of personnel in the contingent, photographs, and brief recollections from the men on their time with UNIIMOG. Mission details the background to and establishment of UNIIMOG and includes exerts from Time magazine and journal articles relating to the organisation, as well as copies of policy directives, briefs and instructions circulated to the Australian contingent and UNIIMOG in 1989. Section three, Stories, includes diary excerpts from one of the officers who served as an observer near Khorramshar. He writes of patrols, living conditions, recreation, tensions, and cease fire violations, such as the use of artillery, recoilless rifles and the threat posed by a tank in one incident. Stories also features recounts of leave to Cyprus and Gallipoli (for Anzac Day), a collection of poems, and recounts of service with UNIIMOG by Major Mike Callen and Captain Jim Kilsby. The final section, FDNLs, collects copies of the regular "Fair Dinkum Newsletter" that was compiled by and circulated to members of the Australian contingent. The newsletters, intended to be written in a humorous way, include details on recent news and events, sporting results, and news from home, such as political matters and issues concerning the Australian Defence Force.