'Memory of Japan and Korea' cigarette case: Private Harry McDonald Kammermann, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment

Sewn leather zippered cigarette case with a impressed design on the leather of the main islands of Japan with the Korean peninsula opposite, with a depiction of Mount Fuji above North Korea, and a depiction of bunch of pink and white chrysanthemums at the bottom right. The chief cities of both Japan (Sapporo, Otaru, Muroran, (unidentified), Tokyo, Yokohama, Yokosuka, Hiroshima, Sasebo and Okinawa) and South Korea (Pusan and Seoul) and North Korea (Pyongyang) are shown, as well as the 38th parallel. The leather is coloured (red for Japan, blue for South Korea and yellow for North Korea); the city names are in white, as is the title 'Memory of Japan & Korea'. The construction of the case is sewn.

Once the case is filled, a cigarette can be obtained by opening a leather flap at the top of the case. A packet can be inserted via the zipper; an empty packet of Lucky Strike cigarettes is presently inside the case.

Souvenir cigarette case purchased by Harry McDonald Kammerman while he was on leave in Japan.

Kammerman was born in Wudinna, South Australia on 9 March 1930. He served as a private with the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (2 RAR) under service number 4/400189, arriving in Iwakuni, Japan on 7 January 1953 on a commercial Qantas flight. Passing through Hong Kong immigration, he had filled out the Purpose of Visit as 'Entertainment of Communist troops at Chosen'.

Kammermann trained at Kure with 2 RAR until March, then embarked on the transport ‘New Australia’ from Kobe to Pusan in South Korea where the battalion boarded a train to Camp Casey at Tongduchon, relieving 1 RAR. After improving the defences of the Kansas Line, the Commonwealth Division returned to the Jamestown Line in early April, 2 RAR relieved the Royal Fusiliers on Hill 189 on 5 May. With 3 RAR in position on Hill 355, they remained in these positions for six weeks, 2 RAR quickly taking part in the aggressive patrols that were a nightly feature and gaining respect for the Chinese soldiers facing them.

Private Kammermann kept a diary during his time in Korea (see PR85/269) on the defence of Hills 189, 159 and 210. The diary includes mention of the fighting and wire patrols in which he participated, the presence of the Chinese propaganda speakers broadcasting speeches and (western) music, the risk of snipers and the constant danger of the Chinese mortars and artillery.

In early July, the 28th Brigade (of which 2 and 3 RAR were a part) took over the defences of The Hook, immediately to the west of the Samichon River. These positions were under heavy night attacks and bombardments during the month of May and June, leading up to the major Chinese night assault on their defences on 24 July which were conducted to attempt to move the line south preceding the signing of the armistice on 27 July 1953. However, 2 RAR held their positions and the Chinese suffered great losses. Private Kammerman witnessed and participated in 2 RAR defence of the Hook, and left vivid descriptions of the fighting there in his diary.

After the news of the armistice 2 RAR remained in Korea, and Kammermann spent some days in January 1954 in Japan before returning to Australia. He was discharged from service on 17 February 1954.