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BRIEF HISTORY
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AUSTRALIAN FORCES IN VIETNAM
------------------------------
1962 - 1972
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INDEX
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ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION...................................PAGE 1
INTRODUCTION OF BATTALION GROUP......................... 1
TASK FORCE INTRODUCTION................................. 2
RAAF BOMBERS............................................ 2
FORWARD AIR CONTROLLERS................................. 2
R.A.N. CONTRIBUTION..................................... 3
1967 STRENGTH........................................... 3
OCTOBER, 1967, INCREASE................................. 4
COMMANDER, AUSTRALIAN FORCE............................. 4
NEW ZEALANDERS.......................................... 4
BATTLE HIGHLIGHTS....................................... 5
SPECIAL AIR SERVICE SQUADRONS........................... 6
ARMY AVIATION........................................... 6
CIVIL AFFAIRS........................................... 6
TRAINING SOUTH VIETNAMESE FORCES........................ 9
REDUCTION IN FORCE ( 1970 )............................. 10
REDUCTION IN FORCE ( 1971 )............................. 10
AUSTRALIAN ARMY ASSISTANCE GROUP........................ 11
HONOURS AND AWARDS...................................... 11
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS....................................... 12
PRAISE FOR THE EFFORTS OF THE FORCES IN VIETNAM......... 12
CASUALTIES.............................................. 13
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Page 1
ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION
---------------------
Australia's first military contribution to the Vietnam conflict
was a small team of Army officer and warrant officer advisers who arrived in
July, 1962.
These advisers, of whom there were originally 30, joined with
American advisory teams training Vietnamese military forces in training
centres of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam ( ARVN ) mainly in northern
provinces.
Over the years, the Australian team of advisers ( AUSTRALIAN
ARMY TRAINING TEAM VIETNAM - AATTV ) grew to 100 members, all officers or
warrant officers, and then, from 1970, to 222 of all ranks. They were em-
ployed with operational units of the ARVN and Special Forces and in mobile
advisory training teams. These advisers not only helped train South Viet-
namese soldiers, but also led them into battle. Many of the won bravery
awards including four Victoria Crosses - the highest gallantry award for
members of the British Commonwealth armies.
The Royal Australian Air Force made it's first contribution to
the allied effort in Vietnam when, in August 1964, a RAAF transport flight
was established in South Vietnam with three Caribou aircraft.
These Caribous were on a ferry delivery flight from Canada and
were originally scheduled to go to Australia. The crews were informed by cable,
just before they left Canada, that the aircraft were to proceed to Butterworth
and then Vung Tau, where they would form the first portion of RAAF Transport
Flight Vietnam (RTFV).
At the end of August 1964, three more Caribous were sent to Vietnam, where
the unit, working under USAF control, operated over the length and breadth
of the country, mostly in support of the US Special Forces. RTFV was reformed
as No. 35 Squadron on 1 June, 1966; and members of this air transport unit
flew many times into remote airstrips to move Vietnamese civilians and military
units out of dangerous situations and carried out regular services between
Saigon, Nui Dat, and Vung Tau.
INTRODUCTION OF BATTALION GROUP
------------------------------
Following a decision of the Australian Government to increase
it's assistance to the Republic of Vietnam, the 1st Battalion, the Royal
Australian Regiment, together with a logistic support element, arrived
in Vietnam in May-June 1965. Supporting artillery, armoured personnel
carriers, engineers and Army light aircraft arrived in September 1965.
The operational element comprised about 1300 men and was located
at Bien Hoa as part of the United States 173rd Airborne Brigade. Many of
their operations were conducted in War Zone " D ". HQ Australian Army
Force Vietnam ( HQ AAFV ) was located in Saigon and the AATTV remained de-
ployed with the U.S. Advisory Teams.
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TASK FORCE INTRODUCTIONS
------------------------
The 1st Battalion completed it's tour of duty and returned to
Australia in June 1966. At that time there was a substantial increase in
Australia's commitment and the battalion group was replaced by a Task Force
with it's own logistic support. At the same time, HQ AAFV was upgraded to
a joint Australian Headquarters with RAN and RAAF representation.
The two major ground units were called the 1st Australian Task
Force and the 1st Australian Logistic Support Group. The principal infantry
units of the Task Force were the 5th and 6th Battalions, the Royal Austra-
lian Regiment and the 3rd Special Air Service Squadron. The artillery re-
giment contained two Australian batteries and one New Zealand battery.
The Task Force was given it's own tactical area of responsibi-
lity in Phuoc Tuy Province, south-east of Saigon and the Task Force head-
quarters was established in a rubber plantation at Nui Dat just north of
the provincial capital Baria, about 35 miles south-west of Saigon.
Number 9 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, an Iroquois
helicopter squadron, was deployed in June 1966, primarily to support the
activities of the Australian Task Force. It's tasks included troop po-
sitioning, resupply and medical evacuation. No.9 Squadron had a close
affiliation with the Task Force; supporting the ground troops in most
of the major battles in which the Australians were involved.
Two squadrons of RAAF Hercules air transports, based in Aus-
tralia, supported Australian operations in Vietnam from 1965. The long
long range transport aircraft were used to carry personnel and cargo and
and for medical evacuation to Australia.
RAAF BOMBERS
------------
The twin-jet Canberra bombers of No.2 Squadron were deployed to
Vietnam in April 1967. They were relocated at Phan Rang Air Base on the
coast, northeast of Saigon, and bombed enemy concentrations and other tar-
gets from the southern tip of Ca Mau to the demilitarized zone between
North and South Vietnam. A number of their bombing tasks were conducted in
the Australian area of responsibility in Phuoc Tuy Province.
The remaining RAAF unit was termed a base support flight. This
flight was formed in July 1966 to enable No.9 Squadron to carry out it's
primary operational tasks.
FORWARD AIR CONTROLLERS ( FACs )
--------------------------------
From 1967, Forward Air Controllers ( FACs ) of the RAAF took a
prominent part in operations. Those pilots flew light aircraft on preca-
rious missions over ground troops, calling in fire and bombing support. Two
RAAF pilots employed in this role were awarded DSOs and many others won DFCs.
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In 1969 No.9 Squadron introduced it's own heavily-armed helicop-
ter "gunships" to give close fire support to Australian troops and to pro-
tect their utility helicopters operating on troop movement and medical
evacuation from forward areas.
NAVY CONTRIBUTION
-----------------
The Royal Australian Navy's guided missile destroyer, HMAS Hobart,
was assigned in March 1967 to duties with the US 7th Fleet in the South China
Sea and in the Gulf of Tonkin.
HMAS Hobart was engaged in bombardments tasks of the coast, dest-
roying Vietcong supply routes and installations. She also spent periods of
duty on Operation Sea Dragon, employed in the destruction of enemy waterborne
logistics craft off the coast of North Vietnam and on numerous occasions was
engaged in battles with enemy coastal batteries. In September 1967 Hobart
was relieved by her sister ship, HMAS Perth, and the two ships alternated
in six monthly tours of duty in the Vietnam area until 1969 when HMAS Bris-
bane and then HMAS Vendetta carried out tours. HMAS Hobart returned to Viet-
nam in March 1970 for her third tour. HMAS Vendetta was the first Australian-
built ship to serve in Vietnamese waters. Both HMAS Hobart and HMAS Perth
were awarded the U.S. Navy Unit Commendation for Vietnam service. HMAS Bris-
bane, the last Australian destroyer to serve in Vietnam left the war zone
in September 1970.
Since February 1967, a team of RAN clearance divers was attached
to US Naval forces operating in South Vietnam engaged in ordnance disposal
and diving tasks. The first team was awarded the ( U.S.) Meritorious Unit
Citation for it's service in Vietnam.
The RAN commitment was further increased in October 1967 when
eight naval helicopter pilots, four observer officers, four air crewman
and 30 ground staff were deployed with the United States 135th Aviation
Company which provided helicopter support to allied forces, including the
Australian Task Force in Vietnam. In addition, eight RAN helicopter pilots
were attached to No.9 Squadron ( RAAF ) in Vung Tau.
The RAN troop transport, HMAS Sydney made several trips each
year to Vietnam with men and equipment to relieve the Australian Military
Forces deployed there and assist later with the withdrawal of the force.
1967 STRENGTH
-------------
The strength of the Force in 1967 was approximately 6300. The
Army element was approximately 5000, with 3500 of these in Task Force area.
Principal army units at that time were the 2nd and 7th Battalion R.A.R., 1st
Special Air Service Squadron, " A " Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Field
Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery and the 1st Field Squadron, Royal Aust-
ralian Engineers. About 40 percent of the Army force was made up of National
Servicemen. The remainder were voluntarily enlisted soldiers.
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OCTOBER 1967 - INCREASE IN FORCES
---------------------------------
In October 1967 the Government announced that Australia's commit-
ment would be increased to more than 8000 including Navy, Army and Air Force
components in the November-December period.
Army units making up this increase were:
* The 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, toge-
ther with combat and logistic support - total of 1200 men.
* A squadron of 50-ton Centurion tanks, crewed and maintai-
ned by a force of 250 men.
* One hundred and twenty five men of all ranks allotted
under the establishments of headquarters and units be-
cause of operational needs in the area.
The 2nd and 7th Battalions and later the 3rd Battalion were rep-
laced in 1968 by the 1st, 4th and 9th Battalions and in 1969 these were re-
placed by the 5th, 6th and 8th Battalions. Thus by the end of 1969, all nine
battalions of the Regiment had served in Vietnam. In all, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd,
4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Battalions served a second tour of duty.
COMMANDER, AUSTRALIAN FORCE VIETNAM
-----------------------------------
The first commander in Vietnam was Brigadier O.D.Jackson and in
April 1966, when the command of the forces was raised to major-general, the
appointment was taken up by Major General K.Mackay. Brigadier Jackson took
command of the Task Force. Major General Mackay was succeeded by Major Gen-
eral D.Vincent in January 1967 and he was succeeded by Major General A.L.Mac
Donald in 1968, Major General R.A.Hay in 1969, Major General C.A.E.Fraser in
1970 and Major General D.B.Dunstan in 1971.
Deputy Commander of the force was an RAAF air commodore. In add-
ition to being Force Deputy Commander, the air commodore was Commander of the
RAAF in Vietnam.
NEW ZEALANDERS
--------------
Integrated with the Australian Task Force units were elements of
New Zealand infantry and; until early 1971, artillery. At any one time, one
of the Australian Battalions had one or two companies of New Zealanders and
bore the title Royal Australian Regiment/New Zealand ( ANZAC ) after it's
battalion numeral. In addition, a number of appointments at the Task Force
and Logistic Support Group were held by New Zealanders. In 1971, the New
Zealand Government decreased it's contribution to one company only of the
Anzac Battalion.
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BATTLE HIGHLIGHTS
-----------------
All battalions have had their share of fighting, but D Company of
the 6th Battalion, on it's first tour in 1966-67, earned the high honour of
being awarded the U.S. Presidential Unit Citation. The award was made for
it's part in the battle of Long Tan, when; on August 18, 1966, the Company
was on sweep operations in a rubber plantation and was attacked by a regi-
ment of North Vietnamese and Vietcong troops.
Although outnumbered by more than 10 to one, the Company held
it's position for more than three hours until a relief force from other com-
panies arrived in armoured personnel carriers. The enemy fled, leaving 245
dead on the battlefield. D Company lost 17 killed in action and 21 wounded.
One soldier of 3rd Troop, 1st Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, was also
killed in action.
In anticipation of the 1968 Tet offensive the major part of the
Tasf Force was deployed into Bien Hoa Province in late January of that year
to cover the approaches to Long Binh, Bien Hoa and Saigon. Some of the hea-
viest fighting by the Task Force took place during the following five weeks
resulting in more than 220 enemy being killed. In Phuoc Tuy Province during
the same period, rapid reaction and the relief of Baria by a company of the
3rd Battalion supported by armoured personnel carriers, after the capture
of the town by Vietcong, did much to cement the relationship of the Austra-
lians with the people of the province.
Other battle highlights were during the May 1968 enemy offensive
near Saigon. The 1st and 3rd Battalions were probing out from two fire sup-
port bases, " Coral " and " Balmoral " in Bien Hoa Province. The support
were elements of 12th Field Regiment and A Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment.
In the early hours of May 13, " Coral " was attacked by rocket,
mortar and small arms fire, followed by a ground attack. Elements of two
North Vietnamese Army Regiments ( 141 and 165 NVA Regts ) were involved.
They were aiming for the guns of the base and the mortar position of the
1st Battalion. One 105mm howitzer and two mortars were damaged, but rapid
reaction by the Australians resulted in 58 enemy being killed and three
detained.
Again, in the early hours of May 16, " Coral " was attacked with
a heavy rocket and mortar barrage, followed by an estimated battalion-sized
attack against the defences of the base. The enemy were stopped on the wire
defences. 34 North Vietnamese soldiers were killed and one detained.
Between May 17-22, patrols from both battalions were active and
in contacts killed 18 of the enemy.
Tanks of C Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment, moved up to the fire
support bases and became dominant factors in the battles of " Coral " and
" Balmoral ".
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At " Balmoral ", 3rd Battalion came under heavy rocket and mortar
attack early on May 26, followed by a ground attack by North Vietnamese
troops. Six communists were killed and large quantities of arms, ammunition,
rockets and launchers were recovered by the clearing patrols.
At the same time, " Coral " received it's fourth rocket and
mortar attack.
On May 28, both bases were again the targets for heavy mortar and
rocket attacks. At " Balmoral " the attack was supported by ground assault.
With artillery and helicopter gunship support, the battalions killed a
further 46 enemy and seven more were detained.
On May 30, a company of the 1st Battalion patrolling out from
it's base was pinned down by an estimated company of North Vietnamese hol-
ding a well prepared and defended bunker system. Tanks and armoured per-
sonnel carriers were called in and attacked the bunker system despite hea-
vy rocket fire. Twenty-nine enemy were killed and 16 claimed as possible
kills.
On June 5 and 6 the Task Force elements returned to base at Nui
Dat. Total Australian battle casualties during the period was 26 killed and
110 wounded.
SPECIAL AIR SERVICE SQUADRONS
-----------------------------
Special Air Service squadrons were most successful in their re-
connaissance missions in support of the Task Force. RAAF helicopter crews
of No.9 Squadron, working in support of the S.A.S. operations, formed the
closest interservice link yet seen between Army and RAAF.
In December 1969, the 3rd S.A.S. Squadron conducted an operatio-
nal parachute descent in the east of Phuoc Tuy Province. It was the first
operational parachute descent by Australian soldiers since the assault on
Nadzab, New Guinea, in 1943.
The 2nd S.A.S. Squadron, the last to serve in Vietnam, returned
to Australia in October 1971.
ARMY AVIATION
-------------
The Vietnam war is the first in which Army Aviation units have
been deployed overseas in an operational area. Since September 1965, 161st
( Independent ) Reconnaissance Flight in Vietnam increased it's aircraft
strength from two helicopters and two fixed-wing aircraft to six helicop-
ters and four fixed-wing aircraft.
CIVIL AFFAIRS
-------------
Aid to the South Vietnamese people of Phuoc Tuy Province was a
vital aspect of the work of the 1st Australian Task Force since it took over
it's operational role in the province in 1966. However, in mid-1967 a unit
was formed and despatched to Vietnam as part of the Task Force with the pri-
mary aim of assisting the people of the province. It was titled the 1st Aus-
tralian Civil Affairs unit.
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In the months which followed, planning and supervision of projects
were the main task for the unit. By December 1969, projects were larger and
big steps had been taken to improve the living conditions of the people.
In 1968, the civic aid budget was $150,000 and this increased to
$230,000 in 1970. Nearly $174,000 of this was to be spent on Phuoc Tuy Pro-
vince and included 55 projects ranging from classroom construction to the
establishment of a concrete products industry at Long Toan.
Early in 1970, the Civil Affairs unit began it's biggest building
project to that time - the construction of a 12 room school at Bau Pram.
Village development works normally involved villagers in their
own projects by providing them with technical advice, labour assistance and
materials that were in short supply. Great care was taken not to attempt to
lead or dominate the villagers who selected and planned their own projects
as part of the Vietnamese Village Self Development Plan.
Assistance to local economy was a feature of civic action work
and many of the projects in the province were carried out by local contract
with supervision provided by the C.A. unit. All units of the Task Force also
were responsible for the construction, maintenance and welfare projects. In
October 1969, a joint venture began at Baria Hospital on a major renovations
and building programme. In this programme, the 17th Construction Squadron
, Royal Australian Engineers, was allotted the task of building kitchens, di-
ning rooms, toilets and showers, a water supply, a sewerage system, road
works and landscaping.
In addition to civil aid projects in Phuoc Tuy Province, members
of No.2 Squadron, RAAF at Phan Rang; until the time of their return to Aus-
tralia, carried out projects in their local area and, in Saigon, members of
the Force Headquarters gave extensive assistance to orphanages.
WINDMILLS
---------
Australian-manufactured windmills were installed in 13 villages
and hamlets in Phuoc Tuy Province. Apart from the work involved in sinking
a bore for the windmill, piping was laid to provide a number of water points
in the villages and hamlets. Consequently, the villagers were able to draw
water from taps at a number of points in the village compared with the old
practice of using one central well. In addition, several village water sup-
ply systems were modified and pumps and wells provided for others.
Major projects in which the Army was involved were the construc-
tion of 600 houses for Vietnamese soldiers and their families at 13 different
sites throughout the province, the rebuilding and resurfacing of Route 2, the
main highway which runs north-south through the province and the construc-
of a 120 foot steel and concrete bridge over the Song Rai river on Route 23
between the provincial towns of Dat Do and Xuyon Moc.
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The Civil Affairs Unit was active with agricultural improvements
and results showed an upward trend in rice quality, chicken breeding, arti-
ficial insemination ( pigs ) and sorghum production.
On the medical side, Australian doctors and dentists performed
medcaps and dentcaps for several years. These were phased out as local
doctors became more capable of taking over the responsibility.
Small dispensaries were constructed in several villages and
constant repairs and improvements were made in Phuoc Tuy's main hospital
in Baria. In June 1971 major renovations and buildings were completed. The-
se included a new toilet block and septic system for the medical ward and
the addition of an annex to the maternity ward.
From mid 1968, more than 60 classrooms were built and in June of
1971 stage one of the Dat Do high school was completed. It provided Dat Do
with a new school consisting of three classrooms, a science block and li-
brary.
Maintenance of school equipment and furniture and the provision of
toilet blocks was carried out on a continuous basis.
Australian assistance to the province took many forms apart from
the projects already mentioned. Market buildings, community centres, sporting
facilities, village offices and the provision of electricity were some of
the other forms of assistance provided by a variety of units.
Apprentice Training Scheme
--------------------------
From early 1970, 17th Construction Squadron undertook the training
of Vietnamese youth in the trades of plant operator, plant fitter, electrical
wireman, bricklayer and carpenter. On graduation, the apprentices were pre-
sented with a tool kit appropriate to their trade and assistance was given in
placing them in a suitable job with a civilian contractor.
Assistance from Australia
-------------------------
Many organizations and individuals in Australia offered to raise
funds and goods to supplement the Army's civic effort and donors were encou-
raged to support three organizations with which the Army dealt most. These
were the Returned Services League, which conducted Operation " New Life Viet-
nam ", organized appeals for surplus household goods and arranged shipment
through the Army, the Defend Australia Committee, which appealed for cash
and goods and the Australian Vietnamese Civil Aid Project which appealed for
cash donations and education projects.
From cash donations three class-rooms were built at both the Baria
High School and An Ngai Primary School, a science block and library building
at the Baria High School, provision for roadwork machinery at the ARVN War
Veteran's Rehabilitation Centre as well as the purchase of school equipment
and baby foods. Goods donated and distributed included simple farm machinery
, baby foods, baby's and children's clothing and toys for orphanages, cooking
utensils, clothing, food, toys, and sewing machines for refugees and social
welfare organizations.
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Youth Work
----------
The Task Force also supported the South Vietnamese Government's
youth and sports programme. Boy Scout troops were established in Dat Do and
Hoa Long and every week-end up to 10 sporting teams from the Task Force pla-
yed civil and Vietnamese military teams throughout the province.
Education
---------
Apart from the work being carried out in the construction and repair
of school rooms, English was taught to 800 high school students and public
servants. The library established at the Baria High School was the first of
it's kind in the country and these facilities have now been extended to three
other high schools in the province and the Vietnamese are establishing simi-
lar libraries throughout South Vietnam.
TRAINING SOUTH VIETNAMESE FORCES
--------------------------------
Although training of Vietnamese units has been a prime task for
members of the Australian Army Training Team, troops of the Australian Task
Force have expended considerable effort in training ARVN units in Phuoc Tuy
Province.
Units from 18th ARNV Division have been re-trained in six-week
periods. Each unit concluded the training with a one-week operation under
the control of the Task Force Commander. By February 1970, five battalions
and one company had been trained under this scheme. Operational commitments
in Cambodia for 18th Division in 1970 caused the scheme to lapse.
In addition, a training scheme called the Bushman's Scouts program-
me, was in operation. In this programme, former Vietcong worked with forward
elements of Australian infantry units during operations after they had recei-
ved basic training.
In mid-1970, Mobile Advisory Training teams were introduced to help
prepare Vietnamese provincial soldiers for increased responsibility on the
withdrawal of allied forces. The teams lived and worked with Vietnamese com-
panies in compounds scattered all over Phuoc Tuy Province.
A Jungle Warfare Training Centre was established on the site occu-
pied by the 8th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, after that unit re-
turned to Australia in November 1970.
Run by 23 Australian advisors, the Centre gave particular attention
to instruction in the methods of jungle warfare which had been developed by
Australian forces. The Centre had students from all over Vietnam, with each
military region providing a set number of students for each six-week course
designed to train company and platoon commanders.
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This centre is part of the Vietnamese Central Training Command. The
Australian contribution has been to train the Vietnamese instructors in the
first instance and to continue to guide and advise them in training techni-
ques.
The Centre moved from Nui Dat to the National Training Centre at
Van Kiep, on the outskirts of Baria, in mid-October.
REDUCTION IN FORCE ( 1970 )
---------------------------
United States' forces began to withdraw in 1969, with the South
Vietnamese forces assuming more responsibility for national defence.Follo-
wing an announcement of further U.S. withdrawals in April 1970, the then
Australian Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton, announced that Australian
forces would be reduced by one battalion and some support troops.
The 8th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, which completed it's
tour of duty in November 1970, was withdrawn without replacement.
REDUCTION IN FORCE ( 1971 )
---------------------------
On March 30, 1971, the new Prime Minister, Mr. McMahon, announced,
inter alia, that.......due to the satisfactory progress towards the objecti-
ve of establishing the circumstances in which South Vietnam could determine
it's own future, the Government had decided that further reductions of the
Australian forces in Vietnam were feasible and desirable.
The reduction was made gradually over a period of four to six
months commencing in May 1971. Spread over the three Services it had the
effect of reducing the total Australian personnel by about 1000 men. The
force remaining comprised 6000 men compared with a peak of 8000 in 1968-70.
Those withdrawn were:
* Selected combat and supporting forces of the Army task force,
including the tank squadron, totalling about 650 men;
* Royal Australian Navy personnel, about 45 in number, serving
with the United States Assault Helicopter Company;
* The RAN Clearance Diving Team ( clearance of underwater explo-
sives ) of 6 personnel;
* No.2 Canberra Bomber Squadron involving 280 men; some aircraft
of the Caribou transport squadron and about 44 men.
" Out by Christmas "
--------------------
The Prime Minister announced on the 18th August 1971 that the bulk
of Australia's combat troops would be withdrawn by Christmas 1971. Planning
and preparation, both in Australia and Vietnam proceeded rapidly to handle
the immense task of bringing home the thousands of men and varieties of
equipment, as well as handing over to the Vietnamese forces the responsibi-
lities of the !st Australian Task Force.
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The 3rd Battalion, R.A.R., arriving home in October 1971 and early
in November 1971, the remaining elements of the 1st Australian Task Force
moved from their base in Nui Dat to the coastal logistic base at Vung Tau.
The last remaining major combat unit to leave Vietnam - the 4th
Battalion, R.A.R. - arrived back in Australia on 17th December 1971. They
arrived on board the RAN fast transport, HMAS Sydney, with the 104th Field
Artillery Battery and airmen and helicopters of No.9 Squadron, RAAF.
Remaining elements were to come home by the early months of 1972
after the preparation and packing of stores for return to Australia or for
hand over to the South Vietnamese authorities.
AUSTRALIAN ARMY ASSISTANCE GROUP
--------------------------------
On December 9, 1971, the Minister for Defence announced that in
consultation with the Vietnamese Government, Australia was to provide a 150
man Australian Army Assistance Group, including 30 instructors assigned to
the training of Cambodians in Vietnam. The Group would include elements to
assist in training at the Jungle Warfare Training Centre at it's new loca-
tion at Van Kiep in Phuoc Tuy Province and to assist in advising and training
Territorial Forces in Phuoc Tuy Province.
It was to include a small group of engineering personnel, who would
be needed at the J.W.T.C. at Van Kiep, and a headquarters and supporting ele-
ment. The Minister said none of the element would have a combatant role and
would remain in Vietnam so long as it had a contribution to make.
The first commander of the A.A.A.G., Brigadier I.A.Geddes, was ap-
pointed in December 1971.
HONOURS AND AWARDS
------------------
In addition to the United States Presidential Unit Citation awarded
to D Company of the 6th Battalion for the battle of Long Tan in 1966, a num-
ber of unit awards were made to Australian units by both the American and
South Vietnamese Governments.
A United States' Navy Unit Commendation was awarded to HMAS Hobart
for her service in Vietnam between March and September 1967 and to HMAS Perth
for her service from September 1967 to April 1968. Later, a United States'
Meritorious Unit Commendation was awarded to HMAS Perth for service from
September 1968 to March 1969.
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United States' Meritorious Unit Commendations were also awarded to
the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam ( AATTV ), which served there from
1962 and to an Australian Navy Clearance Diving Team for it's service in
Vietnam from February to July 1967.
In 1971, approval was given by Her Majesty the Queen for the accep-
tance of Vietnamese Unit Citations by the 8th Battalion, Royal Australian
Regiment, and No.2 Squadron RAAF for Vietnam service. The 8th Battalion was
awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation for it's service
from November 1969 to October 1970 and particularly in respect of operations
in the Long Hai Hills. The Vietnamese Unit Citation, the Gallantry Cross with
Palm, was awarded to the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. USAF, and it's units
which included No.2 Squadron RAAF for it's service in Vietnam from 1968 to
October 1970.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
-----------------
Of about 50,000 Australians who have served in Vietnam more than
1000 won awards for their services.
Among the awards for gallantry were four Victoria Crosses to mem-
bers of the Australian Army Training Team ( WO2 Kevin WHEATLEY - post. 13 No-
vember 1965 ), ( Major Peter BADCOE - post. February-April 1967 ), ( WO2
Rayene SIMPSON, DCM - May 1969 ), ( WO2 Keith PAYNE - May 1969 ).
Five awards of the CB ( Companion of the Order of the Bath ) were
among those for distinguished service and there were 601 Mentioned in Despat-
ches for either gallantry or distinguished service.
There were six awards made for non-operational gallantry, including
three George Medals.
PRAISE FOR THE EFFORT OF THE FORCES IN VIETNAM
----------------------------------------------
In the House of Representatives on November 25, 1971, the Minister
for Defence, Mr. David Fairbairn, said that the men and women of the three
Services carried out their assignments in Vietnam in the best tradition of
the Australian Armed Forces. They had added lustre to a great record.
Referring to the efforts of Australian troops in Phuoc Tuy Provin-
ce, he said: " Today our troops are withdrawing and leaving behind a diffe-
rent Vietnam from the one they went into. It is one where physical security
has been vastly improved. Very much more land is under cultivation, and some
of the latest yielding varieties of crops are being grown. Much of the land
is now owned by local " tillers of the soil " instead of the previous land-
lords.
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New roads have been built and today the people can travel these
roads with greater freedom from harassment and illegal tax gatherers than
ever before in the past decade. Hospitals, water supplies and schools have
been improved and other important public utilities upgraded. These are real
achievements largely made possible by Australian servicemen. Our force in
Vietnam has added significantly to a better life for the people in our for-
mer area of responsibility ".
CASUALTIES
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Casualties suffered by Australian forces in Vietnam have been:
* Killed in action: 423 ( including 4 RAAF, 4 RAN )
* Wounded in action: 2398 ( including 30 RAAF, 20 RAN )
* Missing: 2 RAAF (see "NOTE:" below)
* Non-battle casualty deaths: 71 ( including 8 RAAF, 4 RAN )
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United States Commander, General Westmoreland said of the Australian troops:
"I HAVE NEVER SEEN A FINER GROUP OF MEN. I HAVE NEVER FOUGHT WITH A FINER
GROUP OF SOLDIERS."
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As these stats are from the *official* DOD files, they need to be informed of this for action.
Deanna
1998
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