Were there Aussies in the Vietnam War? That’s a question many Australians have asked. But this article aims to answer more general questions about the war, including why Australian soldiers fought and died. Find out what the Vietcong feared most, and how many Australian soldiers were killed. Then you can learn about the history of this great conflict! Listed below are some of the most interesting facts about the war, and why Australian soldiers fought.
Why did the Aussies fight in Vietnam?
In the year 1962, the Australian government committed 60,000 troops to the Vietnam War. Their participation was motivated by two factors: fear of communist expansion in Asia and a desire to align themselves with the United States. In the period after the First World War, Australia had heavily relied on Britain as a ally in the war, but the events of World War II reduced Australian reliance on Britain as the Japanese began their advance close to Australian shores.
The Australians were outnumbered by two to one by the Communists. When they stormed Firebase Coral-Balmoral in 1968, they attacked a base by launching a mortar barrage in an attempt to lure ANZAC troops from their base. Instead, the 1ATF found a formidable force in the making. But it didn’t last long. When the Viet Cong forces finally did take refuge in the town, they faced a swathe of Australian troops.
Who did the Vietcong fear the most?
As a military officer, you may be wondering who the Vietcong feared most. You might think of soldiers. However, these men weren’t the only ones who feared the Viet Cong. Several other men were killed during the conflict, and there is no single answer to the question of who was the greatest threat. For example, in one campaign, the Viet Cong feared Cpt. Thornton and Staff Sgt. Pedro Rejo-Ruiz. The Viet Cong also hid snakes in soldiers’ packs and tied them to trees with their tails.
It was difficult for U.S. soldiers in Vietnam because their surroundings were so unfamiliar. The American soldiers, who were expected to be greeted by villagers and farmers as heroes, faced a unique and dangerous situation. The South Vietnamese villagers and farmers viewed them with suspicion and hostility. Indeed, some even assisted the Viet Cong guerillas. And even when they were defeated, they were still vulnerable to their attacks.
What was the most feared unit in the Vietnam War?
One of the most dangerous units of the Vietnam War was the North Vietnamese Army’s sappers. The 66th Regiment of the People’s Army of Vietnam was the largest enemy unit, with 50 members of its assault force approaching a small U.S. encampment in Quang Tin province in northern South Vietnam. The defenders of Fire Support Base Mary Ann were 231 Americans of the 196th Light Infantry Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division, and 22 South Vietnamese soldiers.
In the early days of the Vietnam War, the Viet Cong and NVA were divided into sapper units. Sapper assaults normally preceded a regular NVA or Viet Cong attack. Occasionally, sapper units joined a conventional infantry assault. They usually provided support by breaching a defensive line or creating a gap for the regular infantry to advance. In the course of a conventional battle, sapper sappers could be depleted further, leaving only a few members.
How many Australian soldiers died in Vietnam?
How many Australian soldiers died in Vietnam? In the conflict that lasted over four years, Australia lost 521 service personnel and wounded more than 3,000 more. This figure is the lowest among the three allied nations, but it is still alarming. However, these losses aren’t surprising – many of the Australian soldiers who died were not combat veterans. Their deaths were a direct result of enemy action, including ambushes, rockets and grenades. They were outnumbered and were chased through jungle by Viet Cong forces. As they were caught, they called for helicopter extractions. Within 30 minutes, the helicopters arrived. But sadly, their lives were cut short.
The last Australian soldier listed as missing in action was Lance Corporal John Francis Gillespie. He served with the 8 Field Ambulance and was an air-based medic. His remains were recovered in February 2004 and positively identified as Lance Corporal Gillespie in December 2007. He was also repatriated to Australia in December. Another Australian serviceman, Private Fisher, was found dead in southern Vietnam in August 2008 and was declared missing in action in October of the same year. In addition to these two RAAF airmen, three Australians died in Vietnam.
How many Aussies died in Vietnam War?
In 1965, the US started an escalation in the Vietnam war, committing 200,000 soldiers to the conflict. It sought support from other friendly countries in the region. The Australian Army was one of the major allies of South Vietnam and fought in the war. Its 1st Battalion used twin-mounted M60 machine guns. The country lost thousands of its soldiers in the war. The country’s participation was highly controversial and resulted in a strong anti-war movement.
The First Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment is the first Australian combat unit to enter the war in Vietnam. The 1RAR were the first Australians recorded as missing in action in the war. They helped the South Vietnamese armed forces fight the Viet Cong and NVA. During the war, President Lyndon B. Johnson called on other nations to help the U.S. effort. As a result, Australia sent a large combat force to Vietnam.
How good were Australians in Vietnam?
In August 1966, the Australians took part in the Battle of Long Tan. They played an important role, as Australian artillery provided a crucial support force. Australian troops were more comfortable operating in large groups than under Malayan-style commands. They were better able to apply counterinsurgency tactics and large-unit operations. Australians fought in the midst of the communists and defeated them in the process.
The military involvement of Australia in the Vietnam War lasted from 1965 to December 1971. At its peak, its combat forces numbered around 8,300 men. As the war progressed, anti-war sentiments increased, and continued through the troop withdrawals in 1970 and 1971. Anti-war sentiment waned after the Peace Treaty, and it was only after the war ended that Australia began to assess the war’s effects.
The deaths of Australian soldiers during the war are comparatively small – 521 perished in combat, compared to the 2.5 million killed by the Vietcong. Yet the sacrifices of the Australians in the Vietnam War should not be underestimated. Many servicemen returned home from the war with reports of mistreatment and deprivation. The Australians’ contribution was vital in helping the war-torn nation recover from the horrors of the conflict.
Did the Vietcong fear the Australian?
In August 1966, the Viet Cong attacked a small Australian task force at Nui Dat. Outnumbered by two to one, the Vietnamese Communists hoped to draw out ANZAC forces by using mortar fire. However, after a short firefight, 120 Australians managed to clear the mortars and find 2,000 NVA troops. In the end, the Viet Cong fled east.
At one time, all nine battalions of the RAR served in the taskforce. The Australian force reached its peak of 8,500 troops. Meanwhile, the Royal Australian Air Force sent its third squadron. And the Royal Australian Navy deployed destroyers to patrol the coast of North Vietnam. It also contributed a clearance diving team and a helicopter detachment. These actions contributed to the Allied forces’ progress in the war.
The war’s media coverage of the Viet Cong further heightened Australians’ fears of communism. The Australian media largely portrayed the Vietnamese as threatening a nation and their way of life. However, many Australians knew very little about the Viet Cong. Even if Australian troops wrote home and sent home letters, phone calls were difficult. Some of them even recorded messages on audio tapes. In addition to the Australian military, magazines from other nations were published in Australia, bringing different information about the conflict to the general public. This may have affected Australians’ perceptions of the war.
How many Australians were POW in Vietnam?
The number of Australians who were missing in action during the Vietnam War is staggering. More than 500 Australian soldiers served in the war. Six were initially listed as missing in action – presumed dead – or killed in action. They are presumed dead because they have no known grave. These six Australian servicemen remain unaccounted for. The numbers are not the end of the story, though. For now, they will forever remain unidentified.
The first Australian combat unit to be reported as missing in action was the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australia Regiment. In March 1965, this unit was one of the first Australians to be recorded as missing in action. These soldiers were part of Operation Hump, a five-day search-and-destroy operation in War Zone D. The first Australian combat unit to go missing in action was the 1RAR, which had many members who were POW.
This is the first set-piece engagement of the war for the RAR. Two RAR servicemen are reported killed and five are missing. Their bodies were only discovered 40 years later. Another two Australians who died in the war, Warrant Officer Class Two Kevin Arthur Wheatley and Sergeant Michael McDonough, are listed as presumed dead in action or Body Not Recovered. Both of them served in the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, and were first arrived in Vietnam in May 1965.
About The Author
Mindy Vu is a part time shoe model and professional mum. She loves to cook and has been proclaimed the best cook in the world by her friends and family. She adores her pet dog Twinkie, and is happily married to her books.