Photos Aussies and Kiwi's in Vietnam

A.B · Apr 17, 2012

ANZAC Order of Battle Vietnam
Order of Battle - Arrivals & Departures

Note: Unlike the United States, the Australians rotated whole units rather than individuals

DATE: 25-May-65
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: US 173 Bde
UNITS & NOTES: 1st Bn R Austr Rgt

DATE: 21-Jul-65
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: US 173
UNITS & NOTES: NZ 161st Art Bty

DATE: 14-Sep-65
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: US 173 Bde
UNITS & NOTES: 105th Fd Bty RAA, 1st APC Troop (formally 1 Troop, A Squadron, 4th/19th Prince of Wales Light Horse)

DATE: 31-Mar-66
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: US 173 Abn
UNITS & NOTES: 105th Fd Bty RAA

DATE: 01-Apr-66
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: HQ 1st Austr TF; 5th and 6th Bns R Austr Rgt; 1st Fd Regt RAA (- one bty) (note 1); 1st APC Sqn [absorbed 1st Troop]: later A Sqn/3rd Cav; 1st Fd Sqn RAE (- one troop); 3rd SAS Sqn (- one troop)

DATE: ?-Apr-66
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 9th [Helicopter] Sqn RAAF (UH-1) arrived in Apr

DATE: 14-Jun-66
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 1st Bn R Austr Rgt

DATE: 15-Jan-67
ACTION: Status
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 1st APC Sqn redesignated A Sqn/3rd Cav

DATE: 02-Mar-67
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 2nd and 7th Bns R Austr Regt; 4th Fd Regt RAA (- one bty) (note 2); 1st SAS Sqn (- one troop)

DATE: 11-May-67
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: "V" Coy (1st Battalion RNZIR)

DATE: 05-Jul-67
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 5th and 6th Bns R Austr Regt; 1st Fd Regt RAA (- one bty); 3rd SAS Sqn (- one troop)

DATE: 01-Dec-67
ACTION: Status
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 1st Fd Sqn RAE completed

DATE: 12-Dec-67
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 3rd Bn R Austr Regt

DATE: 17-Dec-67
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: "W" Coy (1st Battalion RNZIR) ([formed ANZAC Bn with "V" NZ Inf Coy and an Australian coy] (note 3)

DATE: 19-Jan-68
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 1st Bn R Austr Regt (second tour)

DATE: 29-Jan-68
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 4th Bn R Austr Regt; 12th Fd Regt RAA (- one bty) (note 4); C Sqn/1st Armd Regt; 2nd SAS Sqn (- one troop)

DATE: 18-Feb-68
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 1st SAS Sqn (- one troop)

DATE: 26-Apr-68
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 7th Bn R Austr Regt

DATE: 28-May-68
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 4th Fd Regt RAA (- one bty)

DATE: 18-Jun-68
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 2nd Bn R Austr Regt

DATE: 05-Nov-68
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 9th Bn R Austr Regt

DATE: 05-Dec-68
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 3rd Bn R Austr Regt

DATE: 28-Jan-69
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 5th Bn R Austr Regt (second tour)

DATE: 03-Feb-69
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 3rd SAS Sqn (- one troop) (second tour)

DATE: 10-Feb-69
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: C Sqn/1st Armd Regt

Date: 11-Feb-69
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: B Sqn/1st Armd Regt

DATE: 25-Feb-69
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 1st Fd Regt RAA (second tour) (note 5)

DATE: 28-Feb-69
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 1st Bn R Austr Regt

DATE: 04-Mar-69
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 2nd SAS Sqn (- one troop)

DATE: 11-Mar-69
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 12th Fd Regt RAA (- one bty)

DATE: 07-May-69
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 6th Bn R Austr Regt (second tour)

DATE: 12-May-69
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: A Sqn/3rd Cav

DATE: 13-May-69
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: B Sqn/3rd Cav

DATE: 30-May-69
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 4th Bn R Austr Regt

DATE: 18-Nov-69
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 8th Bn R Austr Regt

DATE: 05-Dec-69
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 9th Bn R Austr Regt

DATE: 22-Dec-69
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: B Sqn/1st Armd Regt

DATE: 23-Dec-69
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: A Sqn/1st Armd Regt

DATE: 03-Feb-70
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 1st SAS Sqn (- one troop) (second tour)

DATE: 10-Feb-70
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 7th Bn R Austr Regt (second tour)

DATE: 20-Feb-70
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 3rd SAS Sqn (- one troop)

DATE: 24-Feb-70
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 4th Fd Regt RAA (second tour) (note 6)

DATE: 05-Mar-70
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 5th Bn R Austr Regt

DATE: 28-Apr-70
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 2nd Bn R Austr Regt (second tour)

DATE: 10-May-70
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 1st Fd Regt RAA

DATE: 28-May-70
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION:1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 6th Bn R Austr Regt

DATE: 01-Nov-70
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: "V" NZ Inf Coy withdrawn Nov 1970

DATE: 12-Nov-70
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 8th Bn R Austr Regt

DATE: 16-Dec-70
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: A Sqn/1st Armd Regt

DATE: 17-Dec-70
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: C Sqn/1st Armd Regt (second tour)

DATE: 06-Jan-71
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: B Sqn/3rd Cav

DATE: 07-Jan-71
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: A Sqn/3rd Cav (second tour)

DATE: 27-Jan-71
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 12th Fd Regt RAA (second tour) (note 7)

DATE: 12-Feb-71
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 3rd Bn R Austr Regt (second tour)

DATE: 18-Feb-71
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 2nd SAS Sqn (- one troop) (second tour)

DATE: ("Blanc")
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 1st SAS Sqn (- one troop)

DATE: 01-Mar-71
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: NZ 161st Art Bty withdrawn Mar 1971

DATE: 10-Mar-71
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 7th Bn R Austr Regt

DATE: 18-Mar-71
Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 4th Fd Regt RAA

DATE: 01-May-71
ACTION: Arrival
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 4th Bn R Austr Regt (second tour)

DATE: 04-Jun-71
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 2nd Bn R Austr Regt

DATE: 30-Sep-71
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: C Sqn/1st Armd Regt

DATE: 15-Oct-71
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 2nd SAS Sqn (- one troop)

DATE: 19-Oct-71
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 3rd Bn R Austr Regt

DATE: 18-Nov-71
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 1st Fd Sqn RAE

DATE: 01-Dec-71
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: "W" NZ Inf Coy withdrawn at the end of 1971; 9th [Helicopter] Sqn RAAF withdrew in Dec 1971

DATE: 20-Dec-71
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: 12th Fd Regt RAA

DATE: 12-Mar-72
ACTION: Departure
FORMATION: 1 ATF
UNITS & NOTES: HQ 1st ATF; 4th Bn R Austr Regt; A Sqn/3rd Cav

NOTES
Note 1: 101st and 103rd Field Btys RAA.
Note 2: 106th and 108th Field Btys RAA.
Note 3: Per Stanton, but this “Anzac” Bn not otherwise accounted for. 6th Bn RAR served as the Anzac Bn its second tour (May 1969-May 1970), and the 2nd and 4th Bns RAR may have served in the same capacity during one of their tours.
Note 4: 102nd and 104th Field Btys RAA.
Note 5: Now with 101st and 105th Field Btys RAA.
Note 6: Now with 106th and 107th Field Btys RAA.
Note 7: Now with “A” and 104th Field Btys RAA.

SOURCES
Stanton, Shelby L. Vietnam Order of Battle. Washington, DC: U.S. News Books, 1981.
Weller, Jac. Fire and Movement: Bargain-Basement Warfare in the Far East.
New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1967.

Just wanted to share. T G C! ( = "Take Good Care!" )

Sincerely
A.B

Frisbee · Apr 17, 2012

Hi A.B welc.

I see you found your way to this site. Hope you can help Natalie. Pop in to the introduce yourself thread and let the members know a bit about yourself.

Bill

A.B · Apr 18, 2012

Sir!

Thank You for welcoming me!

Did post on "introduce"-section, today. Noted in other sections and post-threads, that there are handles I recognize from other forums....

Am attempting to assist Natalie in her search. Unfortunatly, a "seperate company" attached to an entire Division, often is a somewhat tricky search.... It is my experience that such companys, not seldomly tend to ley on Divisional assn websites, rather than create their own such. Have however found 3 names for the company, but do not know wether they actually knew her father or not. Also have a 4th name to "go on", but that name is for the companys "administrative parent unit in RVN" (which was the 26th GSG of the 1st Log Cmd), and not within the 101st. Yet, he might perhaps also be of further help? Worth "a further check" at least.... I just have to get my info in a more presentable order first though, before sharing it with Natalie. Especially since I assume she is "less than familiar" with military terminology.... Just do not want to dump a load of "military cryptic shortenings" in her lap, and say "here you go"..... I really do whish to help her with this. This time of the year is however a rather hectic such for me, with fileing of yeary tax-report and other things, so it all goes a little slower than normal for me. But I am trying, and working on it, as rapidly as I can and things permitt me to.

In order to turn back more to the subject of this particular post-thread though.... I trying to "re-locate" 2 webpages, also including casualty-listings for ANZAC's in Viet Nam. I know I have the links "somewhere" in my linkscollection.... Just have to find out more exactly w-h-e-r-e in it all, those 2 specific links are located..... Things are in a bit of a mess right now.

T G C!

Sincerely
A.B

Bombardier · Dec 16, 2013

Just found this thread again, brilliant stuff I love to read about this kind of history.
Come straight from the horses mouth so to speak.

Bombardier · Mar 20, 2018

@Mil-Stevo has started an album about Diggers in Vietnam

Here are the four photos he has uploaded so far

BravoZulu · Mar 20, 2018

From the time of the arrival of the first members of the Team in 1962 almost 60,000 Australians, including ground troops and air force and navy personnel, served in Vietnam; 521 died as a result of the war and over 3,000 were wounded. The war was the cause of the greatest social and political dissent in Australia since the conscription referendums of the First World War. Many draft resisters, conscientious objectors, and protesters were fined or gaoled, while some soldiers met a hostile reception on their return home.
https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/event/vietnam

BravoZulu · Mar 20, 2018

Vung Tau, Vietnam: door-gunner from No. 9 Squadron, RAAF, using twin-mounted M60 machine-guns.

AWM
P01951.007

Phuoc Tuy province, South Vietnam, November 1966: 6RAR soldiers follow an armoured personnel carrier (APC) during Operation Ingham, a "search and destroy" mission.

AWM
P01404.028

Vietnam, 1966: Australians patrol near the village of Tan Phu, near Bien Hoa Air Base.
AWM
CUN/66/0161/VN

BravoZulu · Mar 20, 2018

Troops from 6RAR return to Nui Dat from Long Tan. C36488

Vietnam, 1969. Australian soldiers from Nui Dat boarding a RAAF Caribou to return to Australia. C1260526

BravoZulu · Apr 21, 2018

A song by a band called "Redgum" from the 80's that became the unofficial national anthem to all service personnel, especially Vietnam vets.

Also called "A walk in the light green" which refers to the light green colour of the cleared areas and light vegetation on a topographical map which was the most feared areas in Vietnam, long sight lines and little cover

It's one of those songs that makes me weep everytime I hear it

Lyrics:
I Was Only 19 (A Walk in the Light Green)
John Schumann: Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd

Mum and Dad and Denny saw the passing out parade at Puckapunyal,
(it was long march from cadets).
The Sixth Battalion was the next to tour and it was me who drew the card…
We did Canungra and Shoalwater before we left.

And Townsville lined the footpath as we marched down to the quay;
This clipping from the paper shows us young and strong and clean;
And there's me in my slouch hat, with my SLR and greens…
God help me, I was only nineteen.

From Vung Tau riding Chinooks to the dust at Nui Dat,
I'd been in and out of choppers now for months.
But we made our tents a home, VB and pin-ups on the lockers,
and an Asian orange sunset through the scrub.

And can you tell me, doctor, why I still can't get to sleep?
And night time's just a jungle dark and a barking M16?
And what's this rash that comes and goes, can you tell me what it means?
God help me, I was only nineteen.

A four week operation, when each step could mean your last one on two legs:
it was a war within yourself.
But you wouldn't let your mates down 'til they had you dusted off,
so you closed your eyes and thought about something else.

Then someone yelled out "Contact"', and the bloke behind me swore.
We hooked in there for hours, then a God almighty roar;
Frankie kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon: -
God help me, he was going home in June.

I can still see Frankie, drinking tinnies in the Grand Hotel
on a thirty-six hour rec. leave in Vung Tau.
And I can still hear Frankie lying screaming in the jungle.
'Till the morphine came and killed the bloody row

And the Anzac legends didn't mention mud and blood and tears,
and stories that my father told me never seemed quite real
I caught some pieces in my back that I didn't even feel…
God help me, I was only nineteen.

And can you tell me, doctor, why I still can't get to sleep?
And why the Channel Seven chopper chills me to my feet?
And what's this rash that comes and goes, can you tell me what it means?
God help me,
I was only nineteen.

http://www.schumann.com.au/john/lyrics.html

Bombardier · Apr 21, 2018

Cool mate, I have been watching this thread with a keen interest.
I like everything Vietnam War and its good to learn about our Ozzy cousins involvement

I have been doing a lot of tweaking and such at the backend of the site over the last few days and will hopefully making MilitaryPhotoHost.Com live soon, when all that is done I'm gonna do a bit of digging into this subject.

BravoZulu · Apr 21, 2018

Various

January 1970 Colonel Naughton, Commanding Officer of 1 Australian Field Hospital (left), Sister Pam West and Mary Gaynor, Australian Red Cross (ARC), checking a wounded patient in hospital. The man is lying on a hospital bed with his leg elevated. Source: Australian War Memorial.

A group of unidentified Australian infantry from 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) waiting in a United States Army UH-1D or UH-1H Iroquois helicopter, prior to lift off for Operation Bribie. Source: Australian War Memorial.

Malaya. c. 1960. Members of B Company, 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), preparing to be transported by US Marine helicopters to HMS Bulwark. The Battalion had been on a joint exercise with British and American forces. In the left foreground is 28324 Corporal Brian E. Betts holding a Self Loading Rifle (SLR). In the right foreground is Private Arthur J. Robertson, later killed in South Vietnam while serving with the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV). Source: Australia War Memorial (Donor B. Betts).

Troops of 1st Australian Armoured Regiment in front of Australian Centurion tank receive briefing at Vung Tau. 1968. Source: Australian War Memorial.

1966 photo of Royal Australian Artillery prepared to fire a 105mm Howitzer. Source: Australian War Memorial.

Troops from 7RAR dash from a United States Army Iroquois helicopter, one of 20 that dropped the battalion at the landing zone, to launch Operation Lismore, their first major mission against the Viet Cong. From left: Private (Pte) Ken Aspinal, Pte Jozsef Csorba and Pte Peter Gates from the Fire Assault Platoon, Support Company. Peter Gates described the operation in a letter to his family. Source: Australian War Memorial - GIL/67/0377/VN.

Australian civilian nurses, including Marita Mucahy (sitting in the front passenger's seat) seated in an United States (US) Army Hughes OH-6A helicopter en route to the Australian Task Force Base at Nui Dat. More than 450 civilian medical and surgical staff volunteered to work in hospitals in Vietnam to instruct and teach Vietnamese medical and paramedical personnel and provide medical aid to everyone who required it. Source: Australian War Memorial.

Cambodia, 1974. Australian cameraman Neil Davis, wounded by a mortar blast which nearly blew off his right leg, arriving at an aid post on a stretcher. Davis was given a transfusion directly from a green coconut which saved his life.Source: Australian War Memorial.

October 1966: 5th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (5RAR), battalion command post near Nui Thi Vi, established in the jungle during field operations. The post was built by digging two parallel slit trenches in the ground and using the earth in between as a table. A tent could then be placed low over the top of the post to provide protection from the weather. Note the three radios in use. Source: Australian War Memorial.

Members of Headquarters, A Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (5RAR), rest while preparing a cup of tea in the jungle during an operation to clear the road to Xuyen Moc.Source: Australian War Memorial.

November 1971. The crew of this M113A1 Fire Support Vehicle, with the call sign four one (41) and named 'BEWITCHED', is on guard duty to cover the withdrawal of Australian forces from Nui Dat back to Vung Tau. Source: Australian War Memorial.

https://www.9now.com.au/love-child/...-06/real-photos-of-the-australians-in-vietnam

BravoZulu · May 7, 2018

Various

Personnel and aircraft of RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam arrive in South Vietnam in August 1964

**Gotta love the shorts**

HMAS Hobart refueling from a United States Navy tanker while operating off Vietnam in 1967

_refuels_HMAS_Hobart_%28D39%29_off_Vietnam_in_1967.webp

Australian soldiers shortly after arriving at Tan Son Nhut Airport

A No. 2 Squadron Canberra bomber operating over South Vietnam in 1970

An Australian soldier armed with an M60 machine gun

Members of an Australian civic action team confer with Vietnamese village officials on plans for local improvements

The Vietnam Forces National Memorial, Canberra

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_of_Australia_during_the_Vietnam_War

BravoZulu · May 7, 2018

Various
Australian soldiers with Chinese made SKS rifle.

RAAF Airfield Defence Guards waiting to leave Nui Dat and begin a patrol. Although stationed at Vung Tau, Airfield Defence Guards often took part in night-time patrols around the Australian Task Force base at Nui Dat

An Australian soldier holds up an M16 with attached starlight scope.

BravoZulu · May 7, 2018

Various

Australian SAS captain Peter Shilston as Mike Force company commander

3RAR (Royal Australian Regiment ) soldier, 1971

Bombardier · May 10, 2018

They made good use of the used Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS) containers I see Mil-smile01

Great photos mate

Bombardier · May 10, 2018

digrar · Apr 13, 2019

Bombardier said:
5 Platoon, B Company, 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment

Mil-Stevo

Mar 15, 2018

1

bell uh1 helicopter diggers in vietnam military photographer operation ulmarra royal australian regiment vietnam war

Probably the most iconic image of the war for Australian troops. I actually played footy against the kids of one of the blokes in the back, Ian Jury.

BravoZulu said:

This one recently popped up on facebook, one of his kids told us that he was the Platoon Sergeant and the civvy photographer had just said something to the effect of "Oi digger" in a fairly loud voice (certainly much louder than the whispers that RAR diggers adopt in the field). So that is the look of a man who is barely winning the battle to not kill a civvy.

digrar · Apr 13, 2019

Matzos said:
There is talk in some military history circles that the British SAS also saw action.

Individuals from 22SAS may have managed to sneak into Vietnam while on overseas exchange postings, with quite a lot of subterfuge and deception to make sure Hereford didn't ever find out, but no sub units deployed there.

Marsch · Apr 15, 2019

BravoZulu said:
Australian SAS captain Peter Shilston as Mike Force company commander

Are you sure about that MF thing? An other photo showing him in Tigerstripes has a caption saying he's an Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) adviser.

digrar · Apr 16, 2019

MIKE Force - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

AATTV diggers led Mike Force units.

Photos Aussies and Kiwi's in Vietnam

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