Military history of Australia during the Vietnam War
Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War began as a small
commitment of 30 military advisors in 1962, and increased over the
following decade to a peak of 7,672 Australian troops deployed in
South Vietnam or in support of Australian forces there. The Vietnam
War was the longest and most controversial war Australia has ever
fought. Although initially enjoying broad support due to concerns
about the spread of communism in Southeast Asia, as Australia’s
military involvement increased a vocal anti-war movement developed.
To a large extent this focused upon conscription, which had been an
issue in Australia dating back to the First World War; however,
considerable portions of society were opposed to the war on
political and moral grounds.
The withdrawal of Australia’s forces from South Vietnam began in
November 1970 when 8 RAR completed its tour
of duty and was not replaced. A phased withdrawal followed, and by
11 January 1973 Australian involvement in hostilities in Vietnam
had ceased. Nevertheless, Australian troops from the Australian
Embassy Platoon remained deployed in the country until 1 July
1973,[2] and Australian forces were deployed briefly in April 1975,
during the Fall of Saigon, to evacuate personnel from the
Australian embassy. Approximately 60,000 Australians served in the
war; 521 were killed and more than 3,000 were wounded.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_o…
Vietnam War 1962–75
Australia’s military involvement in the Vietnam War was the
longest in duration of any war in Australia’s history.
The arrival of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV)
in South Vietnam during July and August 1962 was the beginning of
Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. Australia’s
participation in the war was formally declared at an end when the
Governor-General issued a proclamation on 11 January 1973. The only
combat troops remaining in Vietnam were a platoon guarding the
Australian embassy in Saigon, which was withdrawn in June 1973.
The Australian commitment consisted predominantly of army
personnel, but significant numbers of air force and navy personnel
and some civilians also took part.
http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/vietnam.asp
Australian War Memorial
http://www.awm.gov.au/
