Aspects of Australia’s involvement in Vietnam

• In Dec 1964 Menzies committed Aus troops to the US, but the S.V gov did want them.

• To get over this US diplomats INVITED Aus into the war.

• 29th April 1965 SV gov Requested Aus to send troops.

• Menzies told parliament of the request and troops were sent immediately

• Menzies deception did not become public until 10 years later, showing he connected himself to the US rather than look after Aus interests.

• At it’s height there were 8000 serving troops at one time, by the time it was over 43000 had served and 504 were killed.

• In 1964 Prime Minister Menzies introduced Conscription in hope to increase army numbers to 37,000 in 3 years.

• Once you had reached 21 men had to register for National Service

• Your birthday would be drawn out of a barrel similar to a lotto draw

• When your number was drawn you had to do 2 years in the army.

Military Action

Training Civic Action

Phuoc Tuy

Numbers

Australia in Vietnam

AATT attached to the US 173 Airborne Division trained SV Forces in Jungle Warfare, signals and engineering 1962

Military action = S&D, rarely involved with full-scale battle – Long Tan Aug 1966.

= health, education, admin & building works

Based at Nui Dat. Responsible for dealing with VC. VC = didn’t like to fight Aussies

Increased from 800 in 1965 to 6300 in 67 to 8300 in 68 & by 1971 there was over 43,000 had served in Vietnam

Australian Huey helicopter