| Accession Number | P04676.100 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Film original negative chromogenic Kodak T400 CN |
| Maker |
Immig, John |
| Place made | East Timor: Dili |
| Date made | 14 January 2000 |
| Conflict |
East Timor, 1999-2013 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: © Australian War Memorial
This item is licensed under CC BY-NC
|
Australian soldiers serving with the Australian-led International Force for East Timor ...
Description
Australian soldiers serving with the Australian-led International Force for East Timor (INTERFET), prepare for practice at the rifle range. Left to right: 2811946 Private (Pte) G L Atkins; 3812084 Gunner (Gnr) C M Hobbs; and 1807546. Pte Atkins is holding an F88 Steyr rifle and an M79 grenade launcher. Following the overwhelming vote for independence by the East Timorese on 30 August 1999 in the United Nations (UN) sponsored referendum, the pro-Indonesian militia launched a campaign of destruction, arson and murder, killing approximately 1500 people and forcing 300 000 others into West Timor as refugees. On 15 September, the UN issued a resolution, calling for a multinational force to restore peace and security and facilitate humanitarian assistance operations. By 20 September 1999, the first coalition force began deploying to East Timor as part of INTERFET.