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Medal, Post 1945, Peacekeeping, Namibia, United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG), 1989-92
Subcollections
Overview
UNTAG was a combined military and civilian force of peacekeepers, military observers, police, and election officials. The force was established to help the United Nations (UN) monitor the peace process and ensure free and fair elections and ensure the independence of Namibia. As part of the UNTAG mission, Australia agreed to send a contingent of approximately 300 engineers and officers for the peacekeeping efforts in Namibia.
Historical information
Australian peacekeepers were some of the first deployed as part of the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) to Namibia in 1989. At the time, Namibia had been occupied by South Africa since 1915. In 1966, the people of Namibia rose up against South African forces to fight for independence. The conflict continued for decades, crossing into neighbouring countries of Angola and Zambia.
UNTAG was a combined military and civilian force of peacekeepers, military observers, police, and election officials. The force was established to help the United Nations (UN) monitor the peace process and ensure free and fair elections and ensure the independence of Namibia.The first UNTAG members arrived on 1 April 1989. At UNTAG's peak, more than 7,500 troops and around 2,000 international civilian and local staff were on the ground.As part of the UNTAG mission, Australia agreed to send a contingent of approximately 300 engineers and officers for the peacekeeping efforts in Namibia.
Details
Details
Registration number
cwa-org-32-54-374
Inscriptions and markings
Each United Nations medal is identical in design, with a unique ribbon to identify the specific mission. The UNTAG medal ribbon is sand with narrow black, yellow, red, green and blue stripes in the centre and UN blue edge
Contextual Information
National Peacekeepers' Day: On 14 September each year, Australia observes National Peacekeeper’s Day, the anniversary of Australia becaming the world's first peacekeepers to deploy into the field, in the Netherlands East Indies in 1947.
International Day of UN Peacekeepers: 29 May is a day of commemoration and acknowledgement of all military, police and civilian personnel who have served as peacekeepers with the UN. Since UN peacekeeping began, more than 4,000 peacekeepers from many countries have lost their lives while performing their duties under the UN flag.
Geotag
-17.901255976947, 15.978369357861
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Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
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Five members of the 17th Construction Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers, part of the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) to Namibia, after an Australia Day medal parade on 26 January 1990. The soldiers are wearing medals on their left breasts, commemorating their service with UNTAG in Namibia. AWM P01754.032.
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