Photos Aussies and Kiwi's in Vietnam

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W02 Jack Kirby, Company Sergeant Major, Delta Company 6RAR - the Battle of Long Tan.

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Big Jack got the DCM, it should have been a VC.

Shoalwater Bay, Qld. September 1968. Sergeant (Sgt) John Carter of Benalla, Vic, an M113 armoured personnel carrier (APC) crew commander with B Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC), supporting the 9th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (9RAR), in Exercise Riflebird at Shoalwater Bay. Sgt Carter was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for the role he played in bringing relief to the famous Delta Company of 6RAR at the battle of Long Tan in Vietnam in 1966.

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"At approximately 1800 hours 18 August 1966 Corporal John Carter was the Crew Commander of an armoured personnel carrier of 3 Troop First Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron. This Troop had been given the task of carrying a relieving force of Infantry to assist D Company 6 Battalion Royal Australian Regiment which was in heavy contact with a brigade sized enemy force. Orders were for the carrier Troop to advance with two sections forward. Weather conditions at the time were extremely difficult due to a severe rain storm.

When contact was made with the enemy, Corporal Carter's vehicle was engaged by fire from 57 millimetre recoilless rifle, machine gun and small arms fire. The projectile from the 57 recoilless rifle missed his vehicle and exploded against a rubber tree. Corporal Carter returned fire using his .50 calibre machine gun. The gun jammed. He then grasped the driver's Owen Machine Carbine and without hesitation leapt onto the top of his vehicle and returned fire killing the 57 millimetre recoilless rifle team a fraction after another 57 millimetre recoilless rifle round had been fire. This round exploded and dazed the crew and passengers. Corporal Carter still undeterred continued to fire killing five other enemy.

By his actions Corporal Carter also drew additional fire onto himself enabling the other vehicles of the Troop to advance.

Through the action which was fought at very close range, Corporal Carter showed outstanding courage, initiative and determination. His actions were an inspiration to all his comrades and contributed greatly to the success of the assault by the relief force, the heavy casualties inflicted on the enemy, and immediately afterwards, the relief of D Company, 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment." -

 

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March 1971. Preparing for a lift back to base aboard M113 APC's are diggers from C Company, 2RAR/NZ (ANZAC). They had just completed an operation in the Horseshoe area of Phuoc Tuy Province.

 

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Sappers Mick Weston and Colin Norris rest after the Battle of Binh Ba.

 

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VIETNAM, 1966. AN AUSTRALIAN PATROL, RIFLES AT THE READY, PASSES PEACEFUL VIETNAMESE VILLAGERS IN THEIR BULLOCK CART EN ROUTE TO THE NEARBY VILLAGE OF TAN PHU. THE AUSTRALIANS WERE PATROLLING THEIR AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY TO THE NORTH OF THE BIEN HOA AIR BASE.

Vung Tau, Vietnam. A No.9 Squadron RAAF door-gunner in action with twin-mounted M60 machine-guns. Many members of the ground defence flight at Vung Tau spent six months of their tour with the helicopters in this capacity, an arrangement which utilised their training in weapons handling.

Patrolling through kunai grass, South Vietnam, 1971

 

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Long Khanh Province. June 1971. Soldiers of 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), hitch a ride on a Centurion Mk V/1 tank of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC), during Operation Overlord.

 

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Patrolling through kunai grass, South Vietnam, 1971

Sergeant Frank Cashmore, SASR, from the legendary tractor ambush.

 

[BravoZulu]

Corporal Alan Walter Graham and his wife Raelene on the docks in Adelaide where Cpl Graham is waiting to board HMAS Sydney. Cpl Graham, a regular soldier, is serving with 9th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (9RAR) and his battalion is departing for service in Vietnam. This is the last time both Cpl Graham and his wife will see each other as Cpl Graham was killed in action on 7 January 1969, and his wife Raelene died by her own hand on 8 January 1969, the day after she was notified of her husbands death in Vietnam. They are buried in the same grave at the Stirling North Cemetery, Port Augusta, SA.

 

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Corporal Alan Walter Graham and his wife Raelene on the docks in Adelaide where Cpl Graham is waiting to board HMAS Sydney. Cpl Graham, a regular soldier, is serving with 9th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (9RAR) and his battalion is departing for service in Vietnam. This is the last time both Cpl Graham and his wife will see each other as Cpl Graham was killed in action on 7 January 1969, and his wife Raelene died by her own hand on 8 January 1969, the day after she was notified of her husbands death in Vietnam. They are buried in the same grave at the Stirling North Cemetery, Port Augusta, SA.
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May they both + Rest In Peace +

 

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Operation Bribie (17–18 February 1967), also known as the Battle of Ap My An, was fought during the Vietnam War in Phuoc Tuy province between Australian forces from the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR) and two companies of Viet Cong from D445 Battalion, likely reinforced by North Vietnamese regulars. During the night of 16 February the Viet Cong attacked a South Vietnamese Regional Force compound at Lang Phuoc Hai, before withdrawing the following morning after heavy fighting with South Vietnamese forces. Two hours later, a Viet Cong company was reported to have formed a tight perimeter in the rainforest 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) north of Lang Phuoc Hai, near the abandoned hamlet of Ap My An. In response, the Australians deployed a quick reaction force. Anticipating that the Viet Cong would attempt to withdraw, as they had during previous encounters, forces from the 1st Australian Task Force (1 ATF) were inserted to block the likely withdrawal route in the hope of intercepting and destroying them.

An Iroquois helicopter from No 9 Squadron, lands in a paddy field, 15 km south east of the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) Headquarters, to pick up men of the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR)

On the afternoon of 17 February, American UH-1 Iroquois helicopters and M113 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) deployed 6 RAR into the area north-west of Hoi My. Following an airmobile assault into an unsecured landing zone at 13:45, A Company 6 RAR was surprised by a strong, well-sited and dug-in Viet Cong force — which, rather than withdrawing, had likely remained in location in an attempt to ambush any reaction force sent to the area. The Australians were soon contacted by heavy small arms fire, with a third of the lead platoon falling wounded in the initial volleys. A Company subsequently broke contact and withdrew under heavy fire from what appeared to be a Viet Cong base area. Initially believing they were opposed by only a company, 6 RAR subsequently launched a quick attack by two companies. However, unknown to the Australians, the Viet Cong had been reinforced and they now faced a battalion-sized force in well prepared positions.

Viet Cong soldiers, believed to be from D445 Battalion.

At 15:35, supported by air strikes, armour, and fire from A Company, B Company assaulted the position. From the outset, lead elements came under constant Viet Cong sniper fire from the trees, and from previously undetected machine-guns. The assault soon faltered, with steadily increasing casualties as the Viet Cong withstood multiple frontal assaults, including bayonet charges by two separate platoons. Surrounded and receiving fire from all sides, the lead Australian elements from B Company could advance no further against the determined dug-in force; all attempts to regain momentum failed to dislodge the defenders. Initially, the Australians used their APCs to secure the landing zone at the jungle's edge, but when the infantry was in trouble they were dispatched as a relief force. Fighting their way forward, the M113s finally arrived by 18:15 and began loading the most seriously wounded as darkness approached. The Viet Cong subsequently launched two successive counter-attacks, both repulsed by the Australians. During the fighting, one of the APCs was disabled by a recoilless rifle at close range, killing the driver.

By 19:00, after a five-hour battle, B Company broke contact and withdrew into a night harbour near the landing zone with the remainder of the battalion. Mortars, artillery fire and airstrikes covered their withdrawal, then pounded the battlefield into the evening. After a tense night, the Australians returned in the morning to find the Viet Cong had left the area, dragging most of their dead and wounded with them while avoiding a large blocking force. A hard-fought affair at close range, the disciplined Viet Cong force matched the Australians as both sides stood their ground, inflicting heavy casualties on each other, before each fell back. Although 6 RAR ultimately prevailed, the vicious fighting at Ap My An was probably the closest the Australian Army came to a major defeat during the war.

5 Platoon, B Company 6 RAR prior to Operation Bribie. Half the platoon became casualties during the fighting.

In the aftermath of the operation Hanoi declared that the Viet Cong had won a decisive victory, claiming to have inflicted heavy losses on the Australians. The Australian higher command also claimed a major triumph, a view later reflected by Graham who believed that the Viet Cong had "got a thrashing". While in total just eight Viet Cong bodies had been recovered from the battlefield, many more had obviously been removed and later Australian intelligence reports assessed Viet Cong losses as between 50 and 70 killed, with many fresh graves later found on the withdrawal route. Indeed as a result of the fighting D445 Battalion was unable to mount a full battalion operation for the remainder of 1967, while their losses were increasingly filled by North Vietnamese. Yet the Australians had also suffered heavy casualties, and both sides had matched each other in bravery and determination. The fighting had cost 6 RAR seven killed and 27 wounded, while the cavalry also lost one killed and one wounded, and an APC destroyed. The Viet Cong had proven themselves able to withstand multiple Australian assaults, as well as heavy mortar, artillery, and aerial bombardment, before both sides fell back with their casualties

 

[BravoZulu]

A Viet Cong defector, lying on the ground, smokes a cigarette given to him by a 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR), soldier while his wounds are dressed by Sergeant Ron Allan of Townsville, Qld (left back), and Private John Pettigrove of Blackburn South, Vic, during Operation Coburg. The North Vietnamese prisoner gave himself up following the ambush of a jungle track by a platoon of the battalion. Note his hands are bound together.

 

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Informal outdoor portrait of, left to right, Private (Pte) Keith Gillies, 1730903 Pte Kevin Desmond Branch and 1731040 Pte Douglas Javing Salveron during National Service training at Kapooka. Pte Gillies was later assigned to the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and served in Australia. Privates Branch and Salveron served with D Company, 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) in Vietnam. Both were at the Battle of Long Tan, where Pte Salveron was killed in action on 18 August 1966, aged 21. Douglas Salveron was the son of Clarissa and Francisco J Salveron, and was named after General Douglas Macarthur. His Filippino father served as an aide de camp to General Macarthur during the Second World War. (See P10631.002) for a portrait of Douglas Salveron's parents and their story.

 

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Major Harry Smith, CSM Jack Kirby and Sergeant Bob Buick take part in a medal ribbon parade in January 1967.

 

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Informal portrait of 20 year old television cameraman Gordon Cameron Sharp who was called up as part of the first national service ballot in March 1965. He underwent officer training at Scheyville and was posted to Vietnam with the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) in June 1966. On 18 August 1966, 2781465 2nd Lieutenant Sharp was in command of 11 Platoon, D Company when they encountered a large enemy force in the Long Tan rubber plantation. Sharp's platoon was pinned down by the intense fire and suffered several casualties. Despite this, he continued to direct his men and call for artillery support. Visibility was hampered by the monsoonal rain and when he raised himself from the ground to better observe his position and direct gunfire, he was shot and killed. Gordon Sharp was the only Australian officer killed in the battle. His body was returned to Tamworth for burial.

 

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2781465 2nd Lieutenant Gordon Cameron Sharp, 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment in his dress uniform standing with his father. A 20 year old television cameraman Gordon Sharp was called up as part of the first national service ballot in March 1965. He underwent officer training at Scheyville and was posted to Vietnam with the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) in June 1966. On 18 August 1966, 2781465 2nd Lieutenant Sharp was in command of 11 Platoon, D Company when they encountered a large enemy force in the Long Tan rubber plantation. Sharp's platoon was pinned down by the intense fire and suffered several casualties. Despite this, he continued to direct his men and call for artillery support. Visibility was hampered by the monsoonal rain and when he raised himself from the ground to better observe his position and direct gunfire, he was shot and killed. Gordon Sharp was the only Australian officer killed in the battle. His body was returned to Tamworth for burial.

 

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Informal group portrait of four members of 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) holding a framed pin up girl portrait. Identified is 2781465 2nd Lieutenant Gordon Cameron Sharp, (left) Major Harry Smith (second from left) and 2LT Geoff Kendall (far right). 20 year old television cameraman Gordon Cameron Sharp was called up as part of the first national service ballot in March 1965. He underwent officer training at Scheyville and was posted to Vietnam with the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) in June 1966. On 18 August 1966, 2781465 2nd Lieutenant Sharp was in command of 11 Platoon, D Company when they encountered a large enemy force in the Long Tan rubber plantation. Sharp's platoon was pinned down by the intense fire and suffered several casualties. Despite this, he continued to direct his men and call for artillery support. Visibility was hampered by the monsoonal rain and when he raised himself from the ground to better observe his position and direct gunfire, he was shot and killed. Gordon Sharp was the only Australian officer killed in the battle. His body was returned to Tamworth for burial

 

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Nui Dat, Vietnam, 1966. Three members of D Company, Headquarters Company, 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), resting around a sand bagged wall outside a tent in D Company lines. Left to right: 1730924 Private Phillip Rodney Dixon, 1411132 Private Robin Langdon (Pom) Rencher, 2781750 Private Russell Victor Perandis. All three served in the Battle of Long Tan. (Donor R. Rencher)

 

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VIETNAM, 1966 - 67. CORPORAL PHILLIP DOBSON, ROYAL AUSTRALIAN ARMY MEDICAL CORPS WITH D COMPANY, 6TH BATTALION, ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT.

 

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Cpl Phil 'Doc' Dobson, company medic, Delta Company 6RAR - Battle of Long Tan.

 

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Informal group portrait of four men in civilian clothes, possibly all members of 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR). Identified is Tony Hall (left) (possibly 1730951 Private Anthony Brett Hall) and 2781465 2nd Lieutenant Gordon Cameron Sharp, (second from left); the others are unidentified. 20 year old television cameraman Gordon Cameron Sharp was called up as part of the first national service ballot in March 1965. He underwent officer training at Scheyville and was posted to Vietnam with the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) in June 1966. On 18 August 1966, 2781465 2nd Lieutenant Sharp was in command of 11 Platoon, D Company when they encountered a large enemy force in the Long Tan rubber plantation. Sharp's platoon was pinned down by the intense fire and suffered several casualties. Despite this, he continued to direct his men and call for artillery support. Visibility was hampered by the monsoonal rain and when he raised himself from the ground to better observe his position and direct gunfire, he was shot and killed. Gordon Sharp was the only Australian officer killed in the battle. His body was returned to Tamworth for burial.Photograph relating to 2781465 2nd Lieutenant Gordon Cameron Sharp, 6 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment

 

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Three members of 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR). Identified is Laurie Muller (left) 25632 Major Brian William McFarlane commanding officer of C Company, and 2781465 2nd Lieutenant Gordon Cameron Sharp. 20 year old television cameraman Gordon Sharp was called up as part of the first national service ballot in March 1965. He underwent officer training at Scheyville and was posted to Vietnam with the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) in June 1966. On 18 August 1966, 2781465 2nd Lieutenant Sharp was in command of 11 Platoon, D Company when they encountered a large enemy force in the Long Tan rubber plantation. Sharp's platoon was pinned down by the intense fire and suffered several casualties. Despite this, he continued to direct his men and call for artillery support. Visibility was hampered by the monsoonal rain and when he raised himself from the ground to better observe his position and direct gunfire, he was shot and killed. Gordon Sharp was the only Australian officer killed in the battle. His body was returned to Tamworth for burial.Photograph relating to 2781465 2nd Lieutenant Gordon Cameron Sharp, 6 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment