Australia's Role in the Vietnam War
The Vietnam War fell between 1962-1975. From what was known to be around 50,000-60,000. Australians serving in Vietnam, there were 521 documented deaths and over 3,000 of the troops were wounded. The conflict centred on the political and philosophical concepts of communism and capitalism. South Vietnam’s politicians sided with other government’s plans to stop the rise of communism in Asia and Europe.
The two nations going to war were North and South Vietnam. Anti-communist nations and members of the South East Asia Treaty Organization aided South Vietnam. The countries involved in the treaty included the US, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Khmer Republic, Republic of China (Taiwan) and Kingdom of Laos. Communist allies of North Vietnam contained the People’s Republic of China, Soviet Union, Khmer Rouge, Pathet Lao (Laotian Communists) and North Korea.
In 1961 and 1962 South Vietnam’s leader, Ngo Dinh Diem continually asked for support to the nation’s security. Australia answered by sending 30 military advisers, of who arrived in July 1962. In 1964 the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) then sent Caribou transports to the town of Vung Tau. By the start of 1965, it was clear that South Vietnam couldn’t take control of the communist rioters and the North Vietnamese. At this point the United States launched a huge escalation of the Vietnam War. At the end of 1965 the US sent 200 000 troops to battle. The US also found support from other countries, including Australia. As a response, in June 1965, Australia created the first battalion; the Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR).
By March 1966 the government broadcasted the message that a taskforce was planned to replace 1RAR. The force was made up from support services and two battalions, involving a RAAF team of Iroquois helicopters, to be established at Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province. Collectively, there happened to be nine RAR battalions working in the taskforce at one point. The highest number of Australian troops was estimated to have been around 8,500. In 1967, a third RAAF squad made up of Canberra jet bombers and destroyers of the Royal Australian Navy joined US troops of the North Vietnamese coastline.
Come August 1966, when a company of 6RAR engaged in war near long tan. After 3 hours of fighting the Australian forces seemed to be losing due to the opposition’s larger numbers, when unexpectedly, the Viet Cong withdrew. 18 Australians were killed and 24 were wounded.
1968 began with an attack by the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army. It occurred during the Vietnamese lunar New Year holiday period, known as Tet. The timing and grand scale came as a complete surprise, taking in towns, cities and military instillations in South Vietnam. While “Tet Offensive” ended in a military defeat of communists, it was a victory for propaganda.
In 1969 anti-war protests were increasing in Australia. Opposition to the war grew, as more people believed the battle wouldn’t end in victory. Some protests grew violent and the US government created the term “Vietnamisation,”meaning that there would be a slow withdrawal of US forces, leaving the South Vietnamese left to fight their own battles.
By late 1970 Australia also began to decrease its military in Vietnam. The withdrawal of air forces and troops continued through 1971 and the last Australian battalion left in 7 November. In December 1972 they became the last of the troops to arrive home. Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War come to an end when on the 11th January 1973, the Governor-General presented a declaration.
In 1975 the communists launched an attack in South Vietnam. This was the last battle and signalled the end of the Vietnam War. The outcome of the war was that North Vietnam led to victory and converted South Vietnam to communism.
The two nations going to war were North and South Vietnam. Anti-communist nations and members of the South East Asia Treaty Organization aided South Vietnam. The countries involved in the treaty included the US, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Khmer Republic, Republic of China (Taiwan) and Kingdom of Laos. Communist allies of North Vietnam contained the People’s Republic of China, Soviet Union, Khmer Rouge, Pathet Lao (Laotian Communists) and North Korea.
In 1961 and 1962 South Vietnam’s leader, Ngo Dinh Diem continually asked for support to the nation’s security. Australia answered by sending 30 military advisers, of who arrived in July 1962. In 1964 the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) then sent Caribou transports to the town of Vung Tau. By the start of 1965, it was clear that South Vietnam couldn’t take control of the communist rioters and the North Vietnamese. At this point the United States launched a huge escalation of the Vietnam War. At the end of 1965 the US sent 200 000 troops to battle. The US also found support from other countries, including Australia. As a response, in June 1965, Australia created the first battalion; the Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR).
By March 1966 the government broadcasted the message that a taskforce was planned to replace 1RAR. The force was made up from support services and two battalions, involving a RAAF team of Iroquois helicopters, to be established at Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province. Collectively, there happened to be nine RAR battalions working in the taskforce at one point. The highest number of Australian troops was estimated to have been around 8,500. In 1967, a third RAAF squad made up of Canberra jet bombers and destroyers of the Royal Australian Navy joined US troops of the North Vietnamese coastline.
Come August 1966, when a company of 6RAR engaged in war near long tan. After 3 hours of fighting the Australian forces seemed to be losing due to the opposition’s larger numbers, when unexpectedly, the Viet Cong withdrew. 18 Australians were killed and 24 were wounded.
1968 began with an attack by the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army. It occurred during the Vietnamese lunar New Year holiday period, known as Tet. The timing and grand scale came as a complete surprise, taking in towns, cities and military instillations in South Vietnam. While “Tet Offensive” ended in a military defeat of communists, it was a victory for propaganda.
In 1969 anti-war protests were increasing in Australia. Opposition to the war grew, as more people believed the battle wouldn’t end in victory. Some protests grew violent and the US government created the term “Vietnamisation,”meaning that there would be a slow withdrawal of US forces, leaving the South Vietnamese left to fight their own battles.
By late 1970 Australia also began to decrease its military in Vietnam. The withdrawal of air forces and troops continued through 1971 and the last Australian battalion left in 7 November. In December 1972 they became the last of the troops to arrive home. Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War come to an end when on the 11th January 1973, the Governor-General presented a declaration.
In 1975 the communists launched an attack in South Vietnam. This was the last battle and signalled the end of the Vietnam War. The outcome of the war was that North Vietnam led to victory and converted South Vietnam to communism.