In our collection you will encounter military terminology and acronyms. Here you can find out what they mean:

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(Ph)

Photographic Officer (RAF)

P

Peshawar clasp to Australian Service Medal (ASM)

P & PU

Printing and Publication Unit (RAAF)

P 250 Pump

A portable diesel driven pump used for fire main boosting

P A/c

Pilotless Aircraft

P and CCWP

Paints and Chemical Containers Working Party

P of W

Prisoner of War

P&BT

Physical and Bayonet Training

P-2

Neptune, United States Navy aircraft (Vietnam War)

P-3

Orion, United States Navy aircraft (Vietnam War)

P-O

Pilot Officer

PA

Personal Assistant

PA

Port Agency (USA)

PA

Per Annum

PA

Put Away

PA & E

Pacific Architect and Engineers. (An American Civil Firm)

PAAOC

Personnel Assistant to Air Officer Commanding

PAC

Principal Air Chaplain, RAAF

PAC

Prophylatic Ablution Centre

PACMIRS

Pacific Military Intelligence Research Section

PACS

Priority Airfield Construction Squadron

PACUSA

Pacific Air Command, United States Army

PACV

United States Navy patrol cushion vehicle (Vietnam War)

PAD

Passive Air Defence - Measures taken to minimise the effect of air attack. (Second World War)

PAD

Public Administration Division (USAID agency) (Vietnam War)

PAF

Permanent Air Force

PAK

Panzerabwehrkanone – Anti tank gun - German

PAM

Pamphlet

Pancall

A call used to indicate a very urgent message concerning the safety of a ship and/or personnel. It has priority over all communications except distress traffic

PAOCP

Principal Administrative Officers Committee Personnel

PAR

Precision Approach Radar

Para

Parachute/Paratroop

Para

Paragraph

PARALLELOSCOPE

An apparatus to ensure guns are parallel to each other or to a bearing

PAREN

Parenthesis

PARO

Precision approach radar Officer

PATH

Pathology

PAVN

People’s Army of Vietnam (North Vietnam) aka. North Vietnamese Army

pax

Passenger(s) transport aircraft

Paymaster 1st ANZAC Corps

Paymaster, 1st ANZAC Corps [First World War AIF Claims Unit]

Paymaster 1st Aust Div

Paymaster, 1st Australian Division [First World War AIF Claims Unit]

Paymaster 2nd Aust Div

Paymaster, 2nd Australian Division [First World War AIF Claims Unit]

Paymaster 3rd Aust Div

Paymaster, 3rd Australian Division [First World War AIF Claims Unit]

Paymaster 4th Aust Div

Paymaster, 4th Australian Division [First World War AIF Claims Unit]

Paymaster 5th Aust Div

Paymaster, 5th Australian Division [First World War AIF Claims Unit]

Paymaster Aust Corps

Paymaster, Australian Corps [First World War AIF Claims Unit]

PB

Permanent Base [duties] (First World War)

PB

Patrol Boat

PBR

Patrol Boat River - small boats operated by the US and Vietnamese navies (Vietnam War)

PC

Patrol Craft

PC

Pharmacy Corps (USA)

PC

Privy Councilor

PC

Permanent Commission

PCC/I/O

Patrol craft, coastal/inshore/offshore

PCCU

Postal and Courier Communication Unit

PCE(R)

Patrol Craft Escort (Rescue) (USA)

PCF

Swift boat – United States Navy Patrol Craft Fast

PCM

Pulse Code Modulation

PCU

Prone to Capture Unit (UK)

PD

Personnel Depot (RAAF)

PD

Port of Debarkation (USA)

PD

Presumed dead

PD

Period (Fuel Stop)

PD

Point Detonating (Fuse)

PD & RC

Personnel Dispatch and Reception Centre (RAF)

PDC

Personnel Dispersal Centre (RAF)

PDMS

Principal Director Medical Services (First World War)

PDMS MEF

Principal Director of Medical Services, Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces [First World War British Medical Unit]

Pdr

Pounder

PDRC

Personnel Dispatch and Reception Centre (RAF)

PE

Port of Embarkation (USA)

PE

Production Executive

PE

Plastic Explosive

PE

Probable Error

PE

Peace Establishment

PEEP

Early Name for Y5TON Jeep

PEGASUS

Bulk CS dropped from CH-47 aircraft to deny an area to the enemy. (Vietnam War)

PEI

Prince Edward Island (Canada)

PEO

Peace enforcement operation (Peacekeeping)

PEOAMTS

Principal Executive Officer AMTS

PEOPAMP

Principal Executive Officer AMP

PEOPAMSE

Principal Executive Officer AMSE

PEOPLE SNIFFER

A device which detects humans using an electro-chemical process (Vietnam War)

PEP (NEI)

Personnel & equipment pool (RAAF)

PEP-UP

Productivity Enhancement Program-User Participation

PEQ

Parent Equipment

Per

Personnel

PERINTREP

Periodic Intelligence Report

PERMR

Permanent Residence

PERSONAL

Personnel

PERT

Program Evaluation Review Technique

PES

Pulheems Employment Standard

Pet Pk

Petrol Park (Second World War)

Pet Pl

Petroleum Platoon (Vietnam War)

PF

Popular Forces. The PF were locally recruited units employed under the direction of the district chief, normally within their home village (Vietnam War)

pfc

Graduate RAF Flying College

pfc

Private, first class (USA)

PFC/I/O

Fast patrol craft, coastal/inshore/offshore

PFCON

Passed for Consideration

PFM

Fast patrol craft, surface to surface missile (SSM)

PFT

Fast patrol craft, torpedo

PG

Proving Ground (USA)

PGM

Precision Guided Munitions

PH

Photographer

PH

Purple Heart (USA)

Ph D

Doctor of Philosophy

PHARM

Pharmaceutical

PHARMO

Pharmaceutical Officer

PHD

Public Health Division (USAID agency) (Vietnam War)

PHILCAGV

1st Philippines Civil Action Group, Republic of Vietnam (Vietnam War)

PHILO

Philanthropic Organisation

PHM/T

hydrofoil(s), surface to surfac missile/torpedo

PHOTO

Photographic Officer

PHOTO

Photographer

PHOTOINT

Photographic Interpreter

PHR

Photographic Reconnaissance

PHTO

Principal Harbour Transport Officer

PHTO

Principal Hospital Transport Officer (First World War)

PI

Philippine Islands

PI

Photo Interpreter

PI

Pacific Islander

Piastre

Dong – Vietnamese basic unit of currency (Vietnam War)

PIAT

Projector, infantry, anti-tank - An anti tank gun conveyable and workable by one man

PIB

Papuan Infantry Battalion (Second World War)

PICA or Hop Tac

Pacification Intensification of Critical Areas Plan created to deal with critical provinces in South Vietnam. (Vietnam War)

PICAO

Professional International Civil Aviation Organisation

PILE-ON

Rapid and forceful buildup of sufficient units and firepower to neutralise an enemy force (Vietnam War)

PIM

Position and Intended Movement

PIOCC

Province Intelligence and Operations Coordinating Centre (Vietnam War)

Pion

Pioneer (USA)

Pipe

Traditional term used to describe the passing of an order over the ships public broadcast system

PIR

Pacific Islands Regiment (Vietnam War)

Pk

Park

Pk

Pakistan

pl

Platoon (Part of a Battalion)

pl

Phase Line

pl

Platoon

pl

Plain Language

PLA

Port of London Authority

PLANTOP

Plant Operator

Plat

Platoon (USA)

PLB

Personnel Locator Beacon

PLC

Provisional Leadership Committee - Formed 27 Aug 64 by Minh, Khanh and Khiem to control country pending formation to High National Council

PLE

Prudent Limit of Endurance [coastal command anti‑sub patrols]

PLO

Palestine Liberation Organisation

Plot

Radar sighting

Plt Off

Pilot Officer

Pltn

Platoon

PM

Prime Minister's Department

PM

Provost Marshal

PMC

Post Ministerial Conference (Association of Southeast Asian Nations ASEAN)

PMC

President Mess Committee

PME

Port main Engine

PME

Precision Measuring Equipment

PMEL

Precision Measuring Equipment Laboratory

PMEO

Precision Measuring Equipment Officer

PMF

Permanent Military Forces

PMG

Postmaster General

PMG

Provost Marshal General (USA)

PMLO

Principal Military Landing Officer (First World War)

PMNS

Princess Mary's Nursing Service

PMO

Principal Medical Officer (First World War)

PMR

Pay Master

PMRAF

Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Hospital

PMRAFNS

Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service

PMS&T

Professor of Military Science and Tactics (USA)

PN

Publications

PN

Part Number

PNB

Pilot navigator bomb aimer

PNG

Papua New Guinea

PNGVR

Papua New Guinea Volunteer Rifles

PNI

Protect the National Interests

PNR

Principal Naval Representative (RAN point of contact for contractors) Pioneer

Pnr Trg Bn

Pioneer Training Battalion [First World War AIF Engineers Unit]

Pnr/s

Pioneer(s)

PNTO

Principal Naval Transport Officer (First World War)

PO

Petty Officer (RAN)

PO

Pilot Officer (RAAF)

PO

Post Office

POCK

Petty Officer Cook

POD

Port of Discharge

POL

Petrol, oil and lubricants

Pol

Poland

Polit & Econ Int Sums GHQ EEF

Political and Economic Intelligence Summaries, General Headquarters, Egyptian Expeditionary Force [First World War British Headquarters Unit]

Political Int GHQ EEF

Political Intelligence, General Headquarters, Egyptian Expeditionary Force [First World War British Headquarters Unit]

POLRI

Indonesian Police Force (East Timor)

POLWAR

Political warfare

POM

Preparation for Overseas Movement (USA)

POMCUS

Prepositioning of material configured to unit sets

POMTH

Petty Officer Marine Technical Hull [shipwright]

POO

Priority Operational Objective (ABCA)

POR

Personnel Occurrence Report. (was Casualty Returns up to cc.1950)

POREG

Petty Officer Regulator

Port

Portugal

POSN

Position

Post Emergent

Herbicide used to kill plants growing above ground level

POSTO

Petty Officer Stoker

POTSHOT

United States Naval Base, Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia

POW

Prisoner(s) of War

PP

Petrol Point - A forward detachment of a petrol company or park to facilitate the replacement of petrol and oils to units.

PPA

Popski's Private Army (No 1 Long Range Demolition Squadron)

PPCM

Permanent President Courts Martial

PPH

Petroleum Pipehead

PPI

Plan and position indicator [radar]

PPI

Plan Position Indicator

PPM

Pulse Position Modulation

PPO

Provisioning Programming Officer

PPS

Pulses Per Second

PR

Public Relations

PR

Parent Regiment/Corps (Peacekeeping)

PRA

Paymaster Rear Admiral

PRA

People’s Revolutionary Army (official title of Viet Cong fighting forces)

PRADMIN

Printer (Administrative)

PRBBIND

Printer (Bookbinder)

PRC

Peace Research Centre

PRC

People’s Republic of China

PRCHT

Parachute

PRCOMP

Printer (Compositor)

PREC

Precedence

PREP

Prepare

PRES

Presbyterian

PRF

Pulse Recurrence Frequency

PRH

Petrol railhead

PRI

Priority

Priest

ASP gun minus turret and innards, used like the Kangaroo

PRIM

Primary

PRLCAMOP

Printer (Litho Camera Operator)

PRLINOP

Printer (Linotype Operators)

PRLMACH

Printer (Letterpress Machinist)

Pro

Provost

PRO

Public Relations Officer

Pro Unit

Provost Unit (Military Police)

PROC

Proceed

PROJ

Project

PROJ

Projectile

Project TINE

Reinforcement of 1st Brigade (East Timor)

PROM

Promote

PROMACH

Printer (Offset Machinist)

PROMONOP

Printer (Monotype Operator)

PROV

Provisional

PRP

Petrol Refilling Point

PRP

Photo Reconnaissance Pilots

PRPLMKR

Printer (Platemaker Photo Litho)

PRPRFRDR

Printer (Proofreader)

PRU

Photo Reconnaissance Unit (RAAF)

PRU

Provincial Reconnaissance Unit (Vietnam War)

Psa

Graduate RAF Staff College

PSA

Province Senior Advisor

psa(a)

Graduate RAAF Staff College

PSASSES12

Personnel Selection Assessor 12

PSB

Police Special Branch

psc

Denotes an Officer who has passed through the Naval Staff College. (Source: Australian Navy List, 1941)

psc

Passed Staff College: graduate of the Military or Naval Staff College

PSC

Principal surface combatants

PSDF

Popular Self Defence Forces

PSL

Paymaster Sub‑Lieutenant

PSL

Permanent Supernumerary List

PSO

Personal Services Organisation

PSO

Public Service Officer

PSO

Primary Standardisation Office

PSP

Pierced Steel Planking

PSR

Point of Safe Return

PSS

Printing and Stationery Service

PSSESES6

Personnel Selection Assessor 6

PSTO

Principal Sea Transport Officer

PSY

Psychology

PSYOPS

Psychological Operations (Vietnam War)

PSYWAR

Psychological Warfare

PT

Physical Training

Pt

Point

PTA

Pilotless Target Aircraft

PTBL

Portable

PTC

Personnel Transit Centre (RAF)

PTC

Physical Training Corps

PTC

Primary Training Centre

PTD

Part time Duty

Pte

Private (Equivalent to a Gunner, Driver, Sapper or Signaller)

PTF

Patrol Boat

PTI

Physical Training Instructor

PTL

Patrol

PTO

Port Transportation Officer

PTSD

Post traumatic stress syndrome

PTTB

President Trade Test Board

PTU

Paratroops Training Unit (RAAF)

PU

Printing Unit (RAAF)

PU

Permanently Unfit [for general service] (First World War)

PUB

Publish

PUO

Pyrexia of uncertain origin (First World War)

PUP

Pull Up Point

PW

Prisoner(s) of War

PW & I

Prisoners of War and Internees

PWBD

Prisoner of War,believed deceased

PWC

Post War Credit

PWCIU

Prisoners of War Contact and Inquiry Unit

PWLH

Prince of Wales's Light Horse (AMF) (Vietnam War)

PWO

Principal Warfare Officer

PWR

Post War Reconstruction

PWSS

Port Warning Signal Station

PWV

The Prince of Wales' Volunteers (South Lancashire)

PX

Post Exchange (Vietnam)

PZ

Pick up Zone

PZKPFW

Panzerkampfwagen – Tank (German), often shortened to just ‘Panzer’