Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force Part V

OTHER AUSTRALIAN MILITARY BRANCHES ACTIVE

Royal Australian Navy (RAN)  

The first naval contingent active in Vietnam was Clearance Diving Team 3 which was deployed in February 1967. The long coast of Vietnam was a perfect area for the placement of mines and this 6-man team's first mission was in connection with the Inshore Undersea Warfare Group 1 stationed at Cam Ranh Bay. The team operated in Vung Tau where it was assigned to assist with harbor defense, EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), harbor patrols and port command during Operation Stabledoor (1967-1970). Often CDT3 also helped with clearing debris and recovering enemy ammunition in the rivers.

PBR ( Patrol Boat River) Australian and South
Vietnam naval personnel
Photo Credit: Tony Ey
[www.vietnam-war.commemoration.gov.au]

The largest RAN contribution to the Vietnam War was the deployment of Australian Adams Class guided missile destroyers to Vietnam. There were three ships in this group, HMAS Brisbane, HMAS Perth,  HMAS Vendetta, and HMS Hobart. All but Brisbane- which did 2 tours- were active in 3 tours. This destroyer group was attached to the US 7th Fleet at Subic Bay, Philippines in 1967 and rotated until 1971.

Royal Australian Navy
Destroyer Group
(l-r), Brisbane, Hobart, Perth.

The aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney which had been converted to a troop/supply ship was nicknamed  the "Vung Tau Ferry".

There were also helicopters and pilots sent by the RAN 
in support of the US 135th Aviation Company at Vung Tau and RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam (RANFHV) was used for troop insertion and armed support. Finally, the RAN supplied pilots as part of the No. 9 Squadron RAAF at Nui Dat.

2,800 RAN personnel served during the war in Vietnam. A combined total of 8 officers and sailors lost their lives while 50 were reported injured. We remember them and all who served.

Vietnam Veterans of Australia/RAN (link)




ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE (RAAF)

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) had been operating in Vietnam mainly as supply and assistance to 1RAR via the elements of No. 35 Squadron (Transport) since 1964. Flying the fixed wing Caribou Aircraft (link)

No. 9 Squadron (Helicopters) were deployed for support, troop movement and medevac operations. 

It was, in April 1967, when 8 of ten Canberra Bombers with No. 2 Squadron arrived in Vietnam. 300 RAAF personnel were under the command of USAF 35th Tactical Fighter Wing.

Close Up Canberra Bomber A84-238 RAAF

(video)

The full complement of No. 2 Squadron RAAF at Phan Rang
just before returning to Oz on 4 June 1971
[www.adf-gallery.com/au/gallery/2-squadron/PO1366]

Somewhere in the neighborhood of 800 RAAF personnel were deployed at the height of Australian involvement in the Vietnam War- all from three squadrons. The Canberra Bomber squadron was the first to head home in March 1971 followed by the rest in August. Six RAAF personnel were killed in action, 8 died non-combat related deaths while 30 were wounded in action and 30 suffered non-combat injuries.

A84-238 Canberra Bomber/RAAF


Welcome Home members of RAAF and RAN Vietnam
Rest in Peace to all who fell.
We remember.

Vietnam Units 1962 - 1972 Australian War Memorial (link)

            

  

Australia's Increasing Involvement In the War

1964 SEES THE LARGEST ESCALATION

As mentioned in a previous post, the AATTV (Australian Army Training Team Vietnam), a contingent of 30 men arrived in Vietnam with the objective of training ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam) in the use of weapons, jungle warfare, tactics and strategy. Meanwhile, Australian troops were also engaged in battles in both Borneo and Malaysia (1963-66). 

The threat of the spread of communism in Southeast Asia had become a worry for countries in the region; and the economic losses that would be incurred should communist interests overcome were far more than the allies were willing to incur.

It was in 1964 that the Australian support began to grow- at least from Canberra and the military. Additionally, up until this time, AATTV personnel were prohibited from engaging in operations with those they had trained; this, it is said, created a stressful scenario for those folks and eventually, due to circumstances, were forced to engage regardless. By the end of their tour, the AATTV unit would become the most highly decorated in the war.

A member of AATTV, Capt. Peter Shilston, confirming by radio
that the village he is about to search with South Vietnam troops
has been properly cordoned off.
[AWM FAI/79-0/0595/VN]

In August of 1964 the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) would send a "flight" of Canadian-built deHavilland Caribou, a tough, stocky utility STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) aircraft. Designated CV-2 and  later C-7 by the US Air Force, the stocky aircraft, with its upswept tail was capable of maneuvering on short runways. The Caribou saw intense duty during the Vietnam War, used by both the US and Australia. The aircraft could carry 32 troops, two jeeps or other light vehicles. It's tail gate allowed for paratroopers' use as well. The RAAF retired its last Caribou, A4-140 on 27 November 2009. It was donated to the Australian War Museum.

By the end of 1964 there would be 200 military personnel in Vietnam - including en engineer and surgical team as well as a larger AATTV team. In November 1964 conscription by ballot began and by April 1965 after some pressure by the Johnson administration, which had deployed US Marines to defend air bases, Prime Minister Robert Menzies announces he will send 1 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) to assist in defense of American bases. The 1RAR served under the US  173rd Airborne Brigade defending Bien Hoa AFB.

In May 1965 the first combat force of 1,100 Australian soldiers were deployed to the Republic of South Vietnam.

ENTER NEW ZEALAND

It would be in July 1965 that New Zealand would send 120 soldiers from the 161st Battery, Royal New Zealand Army (RNZA). These gunners were equipped with L5 pack howitzers. L5 Pack Howitzer (link) RNZA personnel and their equipment were based at Bien Hoa air base and provided support to the American 173rd Airborne Brigade under whose operational control they were placed. Along with the gunners came a detachment of engineers who withdrew back to New Zealand soon as they had complete the task of setting up for the gunners. Clearly, New Zealand was very reluctant to go all in with their allies in Vietnam, being still engaged in confrontation in Malaysia.

Although the mission of the 1RAR was, initially, to serve in defense of the air base- by the end of 1965, Australian troops were participating in offensive actions with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Most of these sorties were confined to areas within a 20 mile range of Bien Hoa. It was clearly a struggle for the single-minded, seasoned Diggers (a term Australian soldiers used to describe themselves) to remain under the command of the American MACV out of Saigon. Different tactical strategies, outdated weapons and gear, and some other issues caused the troops and their commanders to chafe. By March 1966 Canberra would announce its plan to establish an independent Australian Task Force (1ATF).

(to be continued)

Attributions: Some information take from "Australia's Military Involvement in the Vietnam War" by Brian Ross