Bikie Wars - Brothers in Arms

Based on the book by Sandra Harvey and Lindsay Simpson, this Screentime production for Network Ten called "Bikie Wars - Brothers in Arms" is the story behind one of the most infamous confrontations in Australian "bikie" history.

The "Milperra Massacre" as it became known, happened on Father's Day in 1984, at the Viking Tavern, Milperra (near Bankstown in Sydney).

The two bike clubs involved were the Commancheros and the Bandidos, and the battle at Milperra made news headlines around the world.

On the day, Police responded to the incident after receiving reports that "a man" had gone berserk with a rifle at the motorcycle swap meet being held at the tavern, and that "a few shots" had been fired.

More than 200 police arrived eventually, but the fighting continued for another 10 minutes after the first responders attended before they were able to stop it.

Four Comancheros died from shotgun wounds while two Bandidos died from .357 magnum bullets. A 14-year-old bystander, Leanne Walters, was also killed after being hit in the face by a stray .357 bullet. A further 28 people were wounded, with 20 requiring hospitalisation.

This made for TV show, screening on the TEN Network in May, 2012, looks like it is going to be another slick production from the team who brought us the "Underbelly" series.

In the miniseries, the key players are:

The Bandidos:

Snoddy (President of the Bandidos); Caeser; Chopper; Shadow; Bull; Davo; Junior; Roo; Lard.

The Comancheros:

Jock (Supreme Commander of the Comancheros); Foggy; Leroy; Kiddo; Snow; Kraut; Sunshine; Dog; Sparra.

Footnote

Years after Milperra, I met "Junior" (Mark). He was one of the most amazing artists, but a really quiet, and private sort of guy. I had the privilege of visiting his home on a number of occasions, where the walls were adorned with his own artwork - some going back to his High School days.

But his later artworks were simply astounding. His attention to detail was verging on the superfluous. So much so, one piece could take months to complete.

I recall him showing me a baby portrait he did for a friend, and when he showed me the photo he had to work from, the painting looked more lifelike than the photo!

In "Bikie Wars - Brothers in Arms", Mark ("Junior") is played by Sam Parsonson. The description of his character is "An artist, Junior is soft and sensitive. He is the biker that if he were a relation, you'd do everything to get him out of the club. He doesn't belong there."

Knowing Mark, that description sums him up very well.



On an Apple product and can't see the video above? Click here.

"Bikie Wars - Brothers in Arms" is set to premiere on Network TEN on Tuesday May 15 at 8:30pm. Read more at the official Channel TEN website.

Further reading

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