By Alistair Gray
Every year Vietnam Veterans stop on August 18 to remember those who served in the Vietnam War and those who lost their lives in the service of their country. This year has a special significance as we, as a nation, commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s engagement in the war.
On Bribie, local veterans and members of the public met at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, their comrades, mates, family members and friends. During the conflict, Australia lost 523 defence personnel in the service of their country. About 60,000 Australians served in the Vietnam War, with some 3000 wounded. Their service will always be remembered as they hold a special part in the hearts of all Australians, as we give thanks for their service and sacrifice.
Here on Bribie, we have a very strong sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia with about 160 members—all optimised by the excellent Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park. While many veterans remain quietly below the radar, many get together each week for a beer, comradeship, reflection and mutual support on Wednesday afternoons at the RSL. I had hoped to humanise this story with individual reflections which has proven more challenging than I first envisaged. However, one story caught my attention and it was clear that despite the challenge and boredom of war, much fun was also had. For example, each digger was allocated two cans of beer a day as part of their ration. Those on patrol could be away from their base camp for six weeks, retaining their allocation which was duly collected on their return. With that, each soldier had eighty-odd beer cans to immediately consume. It was party time for the returning patrol and you can only imagine what went on.
The Australian Army Training Team was first deployed to Vietnam in August 1962 - 61 years ago. In May 1965, the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), arrived in Vietnam with dated equipment and a different approach to insurgency warfare than the United States and South Vietnamese forces. In 1966, Australia committed the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF), comprised of two battalions (5RAR and 6RAR), sent to the Phuoc Tuy province, based at Nui Dat in South Vietnam.
The establishment of the Australian Logistics Support Group was the lifeblood of the task force's successful operations and was set up at the busy seaport of Vung Tau. They supplied all the goods and services to support the task force's operations. A place for the RAAF units, engineers, ordnance units, transport, intelligence, medical, catering and training was included. Here they would repair worn equipment, provide the transport to get the supplies to where they were needed, along with the loading and unloading of ships and aircraft - all essential in keeping the supply chain moving. They established the 1st Australian Field Hospital at Vung Tau to receive wounded soldiers and service the other medical needs of the troops. Battle-weary troops would also take a few days’ break from the action and tension of the war at Vung Tau, enjoying the beaches and other water sports.
By the end of 1976, 7600 Australian soldiers were serving in Vietnam. The Royal Australian Navy also played an essential part in supply and logistics and the RAAF, with its Hercules and Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopters known as ‘Hueys’, delivered soldiers, ammunition and supplies into combat zones and extracted wounded soldiers to the hospital at Vung Tau. Between 1965 and 1972, 15,381 National Servicemen went to Vietnam under the government's compulsory National Service Scheme. Compulsory registration brought strong opposition to the war, with national protests and demonstrations and by the end of 1971, the Australian Taskforce had been withdrawn.
The impact of the war on many of our soldiers was significant, with many soldiers returning with physical and psychological injuries such as PTSD and long-term mental health issues. Many of the soldiers had been exposed to harsh conditions, enemy combat, guerrilla warfare tactics, mines, booby traps, underground tunnel systems and the effects of chemical warfare. They witnessed the terrible injuries incurred by their mates and the impacts on the civilian population.
Most will have heard of the Battle of Long Tan, one of Australia’s largest engagements with the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. However, have you heard about Operation Bribie? Called the Battle of Ap My An (fought February 17-18, 1967), it was reported as a success for significantly reducing the Viet Cong’s presence in Phouc Tuy Province. Yet, it was also reported as the closest Australia came to a defeat in a major battle in Vietnam. Sadly, seven Australians were killed and 27 wounded in this battle, showing us all how tough it was for the men who served on the front line and the sacrifices made in the Vietnam War.
We shall remember them.
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