10 The First Deployment of Australian Ground Forces
Description
This article is from the Vietnam FAQ, by Brian Ross, John R. Tegtmeier, Edwin E. Moise, Frank Vaughan, John Tegtmeier with numerous contributions by others.
10 The First Deployment of Australian Ground Forces
In April 1965, consistent with President Johnson's deployment of
US Marines to protect airforce bases in Vietnam, Prime Minister Robert
Menzies announced his intention to send 1 Battalion, Royal Australian
Regiment (1 RAR) to assist in the defence of American bases. 1 RAR was
restructured into a tropic warfare organisation, similar to that
employed by the American army and was to serve under the US 173rd
Airborne Brigade (Separate) (US 173 Abn Bde)defending Bien Hoa
airforce base.(8) Initially it was intended that 1 RAR would only be
used in defence of the base but by December offensive operations had
begun in conjunction with 173 Abn Bde.(9) During 1 RAR's tour of duty,
22 major operations were conducted, usually within 10-20 miles from
Bien Hoa.
Like the AATTV, significant problems were encountered in
operating with US forces. These were compounded by poor equipment,
including WWll Owen machine guns and boots, and no decent preparation
before embarkation.(10) The operational problems they encountered will
be discussed below, suffice to say here that they were not
sufficiently resolved until 1 ATF was established with its relative
independence. Despite these limitations, however, the Australian
regiment was successfully integrated into the 173rd Abn Bde until it's
tour of duty was completed in June 1966.
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