Photos Aussies and Kiwi's in Vietnam

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Nui Dat, Vietnam. 1967-08. Members of the Signal Troop of 4th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (RAA), were avid fans of the American television comedy series F Troop. The gunners built their own stockade around their headquarters, similar to the one in the series. Gunner Garry (Gus) Reach of Orange, NSW, stands guard under the sign at the entrance to Fort Harmful.

 

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Nui Dat, Vietnam. 1967-08. Members of the Signal Troop of 4th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (RAA), were avid fans of the American television comedy series F Troop. The gunners built their own stockade around their headquarters, similar to the one in the series. Gunner T. (Tassie) Harlow of Huonville, Tas, leaning against a tree while he stands guard at the entrance to Fort Harmful, play-acting for the camera.

 

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Nui Dat, South Vietnam. August 1970. A former Bank of NSW staff member, Trooper Ron McKendrick of Albury, NSW, a Centurion tank operator with A Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment, based at the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) base, checks with his driver over the radio before going out on an operation.

 

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Nui Dat, South Vietnam. April 1970. Protestant Chaplain General G. E. H. Vertigan of Preston, Vic, unveils a memorial to the fallen comrades of the 1st Field Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers, during his four-day Easter visit to the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) base.

 

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The RAN fleet band is making a musical tour of Australian bases in South Vietnam. Here servicemen from Parkes, NSW, meet up in Vietnam, probably at the 1st Australian Task Force base at Nui Dat. R58551 Leading Musician Ralph Herbert Daines (left), listens while Lieutenant (Lt) Keith Bleechmore attempts to play the saxophone. Lt Bleechmore had previously worked at the Parkes Ambulance Station.

 

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An Airborne Personnel Detector Mk3, colloquially known as a "People Sniffer". Installed in Iroquois helicopters of No. 9 Squadron RAAF, the device was able to detect by scent the presence of humans on the ground beneath the aircraft, as it flew at treetop level.

 

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View of the internal mechanism of an Airborne Personnel Detector Mk3, known colloquially as a "People Sniffer". Installed in Iroquois helicopters of No. 9 Squadron RAAF, the device was able to detect by scent the presence of humans on the ground beneath the aircraft, as it flew at treetop level.

 

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South Vietnam. c. 1967-01. An 8-inch mobile howitzer of the 183rd US Artillery Unit on the road from Bien Hoa to Nui Dat. Nicknamed 'Long Tom', the tracked vehicle is carrying sandbags for protection on its front. It is being escorted by armoured personnel carriers (APCs) of 1APC Squadron (not in view).

 

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Nui Dat, South Vietnam, c. 1970. A sign outside the headquarters of 2 RAR/NZ "Anzac Battalion", the composite battalion formed from 2 Battalion Royal Australian Regiment and men from the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. Note the RAR crest on the left and the New Zealand crest, featuring a kiwi on the right.

 

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Nui Dat, South Vietnam. 1 September 1967. Soldiers and band at the 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR) birthday party at Support Company. Identified, back to camera is Lance Corporal Reg Parker, Tracking Team, Fire Assault Platoon, Support Company. Side on is Private Jim Moloney, Mortar Platoon, Support Company. The banner over the saloon refers to Porky's People. In the foreground the message on the drum reads, '1 can a day keeps the RSM away'.

 

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1967. F4950002 Superintendent Marie C. Hunter (later Boyle), Australian Red Cross (ARC), relaxing in a hammock outside one of the Unit's tents in the medical area. She is wearing a jungle green field uniform, worn by Red Cross personnel when visiting forward areas.

 

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1967. Major Michael F. Boyle, Commanding Officer of 8 Field Ambulance, relaxing in a hammock outside one of the Unit's tents in the medical area. Commandant Janice Webb (later Hilton), Australian Red Cross (ARC), is sitting on a sandbag levee. She is wearing a jungle green field uniform worn by Red Cross personnel when visiting forward areas.

 

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Wilva Ghersi, left and F4950002 Commandant Marie C. Hunter, right, (later Boyle), Australian Red Cross (ARC), sitting on sandbag levees outside the 8 Field Ambulance. The women are wearing jungle green uniforms worn by Red Cross personnel when visiting forward areas.

 

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1969. Along the road from Nui Dat to Fire Support Base (FSB) Avenger. To protect road convoys, mine clearing tasks were regularly carried out by soldiers of 9 Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (9RAR). This road, designated as National Route Two, was the main provincial road which passed through the Long Green. Features of the Long Hai hills are visible in the background.

 

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1969. Along the road from Nui Dat to Fire Support Base (FSB) Avenger. To protect road convoys, mine clearing tasks were regularly carried out by soldiers of 9 Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (9RAR). This road, designated as National Route Two, was the main provincial road which passed through the Long Green. Features of the Long Hai hills are visible in the background.

 

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Nui Dat, South Vietnam. 1970-01. 2791546 Private (Pte) Robert James Mahaffey, ration clerk with Headquarters Company at the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF), loads a truck with stores. Pte Mahaffey was a relief officer at the Mayfield Branch of the Bank of NSW before he entered national service in 1969-01.

 

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Nui Dat, Vietnam. 1967-10. Corporal Gavin Alberd of Mackay, Qld (left), 2nd Lieutenant Jim Slavin of Bathurst, Vic (centre), and Corporal Andrew Snedden, all members of 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR), reading a Viet Cong propaganda pamphlet while on Operation Ainslie.

 

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Nui Dat, Vietnam. 1967-10. Corporal Gavin Alberd of Mackay, Qld (left), 2nd Lieutenant Jim Slavin of Bathurst, NSW (centre), and Corporal Viktor Neimanis of Mosman Park, WA, all members of 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR). The soldiers are reading a pamphlet asking Allied forces to defect to the Viet Cong cause. The propaganda pamphlet was found after the Viet Cong had fled from the battalion during Operation Ainslie.

 

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Nui Dat, Vietnam. 1967-10. While on tour visiting Australian units in Phuoc Tuy Province, the Controller of Army Pay Accounts, Mr A. M. Turpin of Glenroy, Vic (right), gave some expert advice at a pay parade held by 4th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artiller (RAA). Bombardier David Suhr of Wacol, Qld (left), and Lance Bombardier T. Lawler of Boorowa, NSW, have a query answered by Mr Turpin.

 

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Nui Dat, South Vietnam. 1967-12. Members of the Australian Army Intelligence Corps (AAIC) celebrated their corps' 60th birthday with a barbeque at the Task Force base. Seen here chatting under the shade of rubber trees are, left to right: Sergeant Nguyen Thanh Dam, an interpreter working with the Australians, Sergeant Rod Ely of Preston, Vic, Sergeant Nguyen The, another interpreter and 16625 Corporal Des Wraight of Brunswick Heads, NSW.