AUSTRALIAN ORDER OF BATTLE



Royal Australian Navy – Full List of Ships Tour Dates

HMAS Brisbane

2 Tours: 20 Mar 1969 -13 Oct 1969, Mar 1971-15 Oct 1971

Together with other Australian destroyers, HMAS Brisbane provided Naval Gunfire Support (NGFS) along the South Vietnamese coast. Her second deployment was the last combat tour of a RAN destroyer.

HMAS Perth

3 Tours:  2 Sep 1967 – 10 Apr 1968, 14 Sep 1968 – 20 Apr 1969, 14 Sep 1970 – 8 Apr 1971
On 18 Oct 1967, during her first deployment, Perth was hit by an artillery shell which   penetrated one deck. In her six-month deployment HMAS Perth came under fire four   times and was the only Australian ship hit by enemy fire.

HMAS Hobart

3 Tours:  7 Mar 1967 – 27 Sep 1967, 22 Mar 1968 -11 Oct 1968, 6 Mar 1970 -17 Oct 1970

Between 1967 and 1971, Australian destroyers were attached to the United States Seventh fleet   for six-month tours of duty. HMAS Hobart was the first Australian destroyer   deployed. During her second deployment to Vietnam, Hobart was accidentally attacked by US aircraft. The ship was damaged and two Australians were killed.   During her second deployment Hobart was under fire on three occasions. The deployment was mainly involved in NGFS in support of a joint Australian/ARVN sweep between the Long Hai hills and the coastline.

HMAS Vendetta

15 Sep 1969   -11 Apr 1970

HMAS Vendetta was the only Australian-built warship to serve in Vietnam and was the first Australian Daring Class destroyer to see active service. During her one deployment, Vendetta steamed 39,558 miles and fired more than 13,000 shells.

Clearance Diving Team 3

6 Feb 1967 – 11 Apr 1971

In early 1967 a team of one officer and five sailors known as Clearance Diving Team 3 formed for service in Vietnam. The team was assigned to Vung Tau Harbour defence   between Feb 67 and Aug 70, and was then stationed at Da Nang until Apr 71 when   the unit was withdrawn from Vietnam. Eight contingents saw service in Vietnam.

RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam

16 Oct 1967 – 14 Jun 1971

On 16 Oct 67 eight RAN helicopter pilots and support staff joined the US Army 135th Assault Helicopter Company in Vietnam. The RAN contingents served with the Americans till 1971. The RAN pilots flew their last mission on 8 Jun 71 and the experiment of a mixed Australian Navy and American Army helicopter unit had been successful.

RAN Detachment 9 Squadron RAAF

Jun 1966 – May 1969

The RAN Detachment of 9 Squadron RAAF comprised eight Fleet Air Arm pilots operating in direct support of the 1st Australian Task Force. Australian Force Logistic Support All three Australian services provided logistic support to Australian forces in Vietnam.

HMAS Sydney

May 1965 -11 Mar 1972

The troop transport HMAS Sydney was the first RAN ship to have operational service in   Vietnam. She completed 22 voyages in 7 years.

Also serving with HMAS Sydney were:

Detachment of 725 Squadron (8 April 1967 – 19 June 1967) and
Detachment of 817 Squadron (1 December 1967 – 16 February 1968,  26March 1968  –  26 April 1968, 18 May 1968 – 16 June 1968 and circa 28 October 1968 – 6 December 1968)

HMAS Jeparit

9 Jun 1966 -15   Mar 1972

Formerly the Australian National Line cargo ship – MV Jeparit. She completed 43 voyages to Vietnam carrying military supplies and civil aid cargoes. She was commissioned into the RAN on  11 Dec 1969 and paid off on 15 Mar 1972.

HMAS Boonaroo

May 1966

Formerly the Australian National Line cargo ship – MV Boonaroo, was commissioned into the RAN 1 Mar 1967 and paid off 8 May l967. She completed 2 voyages to Vietnam.

RAN Medical Officers

Thirteen RAN RANR and RANVR served in Vietnam. Some served on the Australian destroyers and others with the 1st Australian Field Hospital and with the US Army and Naval Hospitals.

RAN Chaplains

Fleet Chaplains attended to the spiritual needs of RAN, and allied servicemen in Vietnam.

Royal Australian Army

Australian Force Vietnam (AFV)

Headquarters Australian Army Force Vietnam
Headquarters Army Assistance Group Vietnam
Australian Embassy Guard Platoon
Defence and Employment Platoon
Field Operations Research Section
Headquarters Australian Force Vietnam Cash Office
Australian Civil Affairs Unit
Postal Unit

The function of Headquarters was the administrative command of all Australian forces in Vietnam. Initially, it was headquarters for Army units. From May l966, as the other services assumed an operational role in Vietnam, it included both Navy and RAAF components. The total strength was approximately 250.

1 Australian Task Force (1 ATF)

Headquarters 1 Australian Task Force
Detachment 1 Division Cash Office
Detachment Australian Force Vietnam Cash Office
Provost Section 1 Provost Company
Australian Force Vietnam Provost Unit
1 Australian Reinforcement Unit (1 ARU)
Defence and Employment Platoon
1 Psychological Operations Unit

HQ 1 ATF commanded the Task Force. The Task Force included infantry battalions, an artillery regiment, an armoured squadron, a cavalry squadron, and other supporting arms and services. Approximately 200 staff at Headquarters planned and controlled operations. HQ 1 ATF was located at Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy Province between Apr 1966 and Dec 1971.

Australian Logistic Support Company

This unit was a part of the 1 RAR Group that deployed to Vietnam on 25 May 1965 and it was redesignated as 1 ALSG on 6 April 1966 .  See next entry for information about 1 ALSG.

1 Australian Logistic Support Group (1 ALSG)

Australian Logistic Support Company Headquarters
1 Australian Logistic Support Group
2 Detachment Australian Force Vietnam
Cash Office
Detachment 1 Division Postal Unit
Detachment 1 Comm Z Postal Unit
Detachment 5 ASCO Unit
Headquarters 2 Australian Force Canteen Unit (AFCU)
Detachment 2 AFCU
1 Platoon 2 AFCU
67 Ground Liaison (GL) Section
1 Australian Rest and Convalescence Centre
AFV Amenities and Welfare Unit

The role of 1 ALSG was to command logistic support units. HQ also commanded seven detachments of logistic support elements with a total strength of 149. Upon the establishment of the 1st Australian Task Force at Nui Dat on 1 Apr 1966, 1 ALSG was raised at Vung Tau. HQ 1 ALSG commanded 19 units and sub-units, with a total strength of 1015. Units under command of HQ 1 ALSG provided logistic support to all Australian forces in SVN, including the RAAF and RAN.

Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV)

31 Jul 1962 -19 Dec 1972

On 24 May 1962 the Minister for Defence, Mr Townley, announced that up to 30 military advisers were to be sent to Vietnam.  This announcement preceded the formation of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam, which arrived in Saigon on 3 Aug 1962.  For the next 10 years members were rotated through the team for a 12-month tour of duty.  The team was withdrawn from Vietnam and disbanded on 19 Dec 1972.   As the war progressed team members were gradually spread throughout South Vietnam and into the Mekong Delta.  In 1970 the team began to concentrate in Phuoc Tuy Province to the east of Saigon, and by 1972 the entire team was located there.

The Primary role of the team was to provide training to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) but by 1964 emphasis had shifted to advising South Vietnamese field units, para military forces and Special Forces. In some cases team members commanded units rather than advised. In 1970 the team reverted to its original role of training.

The AATTV became the most highly decorated Australian unit ever, its decorations including four VCs , two DSOs, three OBEs, six MBEs, six MCs, 20 DCMs, 49 MIDs as well as numerous other Australian and foreign decorations.  The unit was awarded the United States Meritorious Unit Citation and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. AATTV members participated in almost all major battles involving the ARVN in 1 Corps from 1964 to 1970.  Of the 990 who served with AATTV, 30 died on active service in South Vietnam and 122 were wounded in action. Ten members of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment served with the team.

Royal Australian Armoured Corps

1 APC Troop 14   Sept 1965 – 31 Mar 1966
1 APC Squadron 1   Apr 1966 – 15 Jan 1967
A Squadron 3 Cavalry Regiment 16   Jan 1967 – 12 May 1969 – 7 Jan 1971 – 12 Mar 1972
B Squadron 3 Cavalry Regiment 13   May 1969 – 6 Jan 1971
A Squadron 1 Armoured Regiment 23   Dec 1969 – Dec 70
B Squadron 1 Armoured Regiment Feb   69 – Dec 69
C Squadron 1 Armoured Regiment Feb   68 – Feb 69 and Dec 70
Det 1 Forward Delivery Troop

Royal Australian Artillery

105 Field Battery 1965-1966
1 Field Regiment
101 Field Battery 1966-1967 and 1969-1970
103 Field Battery 1966-1967
105 Field Battery  1969-1970
4   Field Regiment
106   Field Battery 1967-1968 and 1970-1971
107 Field Battery  1970-1971
108   Field Battery 1967-1968
12 Field Regiment
‘A’   Field Battery 1971
102 Field Battery 1968-1969
104 Field Battery 1968-1969   and 1971
131 Divisional Locating Battery 1966-1971

Royal Australian Engineers

Det 198 Works Section 9   Jan – 1 Mar 1967
198 Works Section 2   Mar 1967 – 23 Dec 1972
Det 11 Movement Control Group 1   Apr 1966 – 12 Mar 1972
3 Field Troop 14   Sep 1965 – 31 Mar 1966
1 Field Squadron 1   Apr 1966 – 18 Nov 1971
21 Engineer Support Troop 1   Apr 1966 – 9 Dec 1971
Det 55 Advanced Engineer Stores Squadron 1   Apr 1966 – 16 Feb 1968
Det 55 Engineer Workshop & Park Squadron 17   Feb 1968 – 12 Mar 1972
55 Engineer Workshop & Park Squadron
17 Construction Squadron 1   Apr 1966 – 12 Feb 1972
Det 11 Movement Control Group 1   Apr 1966 – 12 Mar 1972
30 Terminal Squadron 9   Jan 1967 – 12 Mar 1972
Det 1 Division Postal Unit 1   Apr 1966 – 8 Nov 1967
Det 1 Communication Zone Postal Unit 19   Oct 66 – 23 Feb 72
1 Small Ship Troop (Clive Steele) 26   Jun 1966 – 23 Nov 1966, 3 Dec 1966 – 9 Jan 1967,17   Jan 1967 – 16 Mar 1967, 29 Jan 1968 – 27 Apr 1969, 21 Jul 1969 –  2 Mar   1970,  11 Jul 1970 – 3 Sep 1970 and 2 Mar 1971 – 12 Mar 1971
1 Small Ship Troop (Harry Chauvel) 23   Oct 1967 – 21 Mar 1968 and 2 May 1970 – 6 Jun 1970
3 Small Ship Troop (Vernon Sturdee) 11   Apr 1966 – 25 Jun 1966 and 23 Jan 1967 – 14 Dec 1967
4 Small Ship Troop (Brudenell White) 22   Sep 1970 – 24 Oct 1970
Det 32 Small Ship Squadron (John Monash) 5   May 1966 – 14 May 1966, 3 Dec 1967 – 31 Jan 1968, 17 Feb 1968 – 31 Mar 1968,   16 Dec 1968 – 26 Dec 1968, 20 Feb 1969 – 4 Mar 1969, 25 Oct 1969 – 7 Dec 1969   and 27 Jul 1971 – 14 Aug 1971
Det 32 Small Ship Squadron (Clive Steele) 23   Feb 71 – 20 Mar 71
Det 32 Small Ship Squadron (Harry Chauvel) 11   Nov – 15 Dec 70

Royal Australian Survey Corps

Det 1 Topographical Survey Troop A 1966-1971
Section 1 Topographical Survey Troop 1966-1971

Royal Australian Signal Corps

HQ 145 Signal Squadron 709 Signal Troop 25   May 1965 – 20 Nov 1967
527 Signal Troop 14   Sep 1965 – 5 Jul 1967, absorbed into 145 Signal Squadron
547 Signal Troop 1   Apr 1966 – 23 Dec 1971
581 Signal Troop
552 Signal Troop
506 Signal Troop
520 Signal Troop
HQ 110 Signal Squadron
HQ Signal Squadron
704 Signal Troop
557 Signal Troop
561 Signal Troop
532 Signal Troop
503 Signal Troop
103 Signal Squadron 1   Apr 1966 – 5 Jul 1967
104 Signal Squadron (TF) 2   Mar 1967 – 15 Dec 1971, replaced 103 Signal Squadron
110 Signal Squadron 2   Mar 1967 – 12 Mar 1972, replaced 145 Signal Squadron
Det  52 Signal Squadron (SAS) 31   Aug 1966 – 15 Oct 1971
AAAGV Signal Detachment 12   Mar 1972 – Dec 1972

Royal Australian Infantry

First Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR) 2   Tours:    25 May 1965 – 14 Jul 1966, 19 Jan 68 – 28 Jan 69
Second Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (2 RAR)(2 RAR/NZ Anzac Battalion) 2   Tours:    20 Mar 1967 – 18 Jun 1968, 28 Apr 1970 – 4 Jun 1971
Third Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR) (Old Faithful) 2   Tours:    12 Dec 1967 – 5 Dec 1968, 12 Feb 1971 – 19 Oct 1971
Fourth Battalion Royal   Australian Regiment (4 RAR) (Anzac) 2   Tours:    20 Jan 1968 – 30 May 1969, 1 May 1970 – 12 Mar 1972
Fifth Battalion Royal   Australian Regiment (5 RAR) 2   Tours:    1 Apr 1966 – 4 Jul 1967, 28 Jan 1969 – 5 Mar 1970
Sixth Battalion Royal   Australian Regiment (6 RAR)(Second tour was as 6 RAR/ NZ-Anzac Battalion) 2   Tours:    1 Apr 1966 – 5 Jul 1967, 7 May 1969 – 28 May 1970
Seventh Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (7 RAR) 2   Tours 2 Mar 1967 – 26 Apr 1968, 10 Feb 1970 – 10 Mar 1971
Eighth Battalion Royal Australian   Regiment (8 RAR) 19   Nov 1969 – 10 Nov 1970
Ninth Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (9 RAR) 5   Nov 1968 – 5 Dec 1969
Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) 1   Apr 1966 – 15 Oct 1971
One Squadron Special Air Service (less one troop) 2   Mar 1967- 18 Feb 1968, 3 Feb 1970 – 18 Feb 1971
Two Squadron Special Air Service (less one troop) 29   Jan 1968- 4 Mar 1969, 18 Feb 1971 – 15 Oct 1971
Three Squadron Special Air Service (less one troop) 1   Apr 1966- 5 Jul 1967, 3 Feb 1969- 20 Feb 1970

Australian Army Aviation Corps

161 Reconnaissance Flight
14   Sep 1965 – 8 Mar 1972
161 (Independent) Reconnaissance Flight

Australian Intelligence Corps

Detachment 1 Division Intelligence Unit 15   May 1966 – 2 Oct 1971
1 Psychological Operations Unit

Royal Australian Army Service Corps (RAASC)

Bien Hoa

RAASC Detachment  1965

Vung Tau

HQ 1 Company RAASC 1966-1967
1 Transport Platoon RAASC Apr   1966 – Jul 1967
87 Transport Platoon RAASC Apr   1966 – Jul 1967
Detachment 8 Petroleum Platoon Dec   1966 – Withdrawal 1971
Detachment 276 AD Company Apr   1966 – May 1967
Detachment 1 Division Postal Unit Apr   1966 – Nov 1967
HQ 5 Company RAASC Mar   1967 – Mar 1972
2 Transport Platoon Apr   1967 – Nov 1970
85 Transport Platoon (Tipper) Mar   1967 – Sep 1971
86 Transport Platoon Jan   1967 – Mar 1972
Saigon Detachment 1 Comm Z Postal Unit Oct   1966 – Feb 1972

Nui Dat

HQ 26 Company RAASC Nov   1969 – Jun 1971
85 Transport Platoon Mar   1967 – Sep 1971
Detachment 8 Petroleum Platoon Dec   1966 – Withdrawal 1971
Elm 176 AD Company Jun   1967 – Nov 1971
Elm 1 Comm Z Postal Unit 1967   – Jun 1968

Royal Australian Army Medical Corps (RAAMC)

1 Australian Field Hospital 13   Nov 1967 – 14 Dec 1971
2 Field Ambulance 1   Apr 1966 – 5 Jul 1967
8 Field Ambulance 2   Mar 1967 – 12 Mar 1972
Detachment 1 Field Medical/Dental Unit 20   Nov 1967 – 25 Nov 1971
Detachment 1 Field Medical/Dental Equipment Detachment 20   Nov 1967 – 25 Nov 1971
Detachment 1 Field Hygiene Company 5   Dec 1967 – 12 Mar 1972

Royal Australian Army Dental Corps

33 Dental Unit May   1966 – Mar 1972

Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps

5 May 67 – 25 Nov 71 43 members of the RAANC served in Vietnam with 1st Australian Field Hospital and 8th Field Ambulance

Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps

HQ 2 Company Ordnance Depot (Type A)1 1   Apr 1966 – 15 Nov 1967 – redesignated 2 AOD includes the following subunits:
13 Ordnance Supply Control Platoon
16 Ordnance Vehicle Platoon
14 Ordnance Stores Platoon
18 Ordnance Depot Laundry and Bath Section
15 Ordnance Ammunition Platoon
19 Ordnance Supply Control Platoon
20 Ordnance Stores Platoon 9 Jan 1967
2 Advanced Ordnance Depot (includes subunits listed above0 16 Nov 1967 – 12 Mar 1972
1 Independent Armoured Sqn Workshop Stores Section   (redesignated) 29 Jan 1968 – 2 Feb 1968
101 Field Workshop Stores Section 1 Apr 1966 – 5 Jul 1967
102 Field Workshop Stores Section 2 Mar 1967 – 12 Mar 1972

Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 1965 – 1971

Detachment 131 Div Loc Bty Workshop
1 Field Squadron Workshop
106 Field Workshop (Type A)
1 TF Headquarter Light Aid Detachment (LAD) Detachment
1 APC Squadron Light Aid Detachment Detachment
A Squadron 3 Cavalry Regiment Light Aid Detachment
B Squadron 3 Cavalry Regiment Light Aid Detachment
A Squadron 1 Armoured Regiment Light Aid Detachment
C Squadron 1 Armoured Regiment Light Aid Detachment
1 Field Regiment Light Aid Detachment
4 Field Regiment Light Aid Detachment
12 Field Regiment Light Aid Detachment
1 Independent Armoured Squadron Workshop
1 Armoured Squadron Workshop
17 Construction Squadron Workshop Detachment
l Division ST Workshop
5 Company RAASC Workshop
101 Field Workshop (Type A)
102 Field Workshop (Type B)

Royal Australian Army Chaplains

Citizens Military Forces Observers

Army Public Relations Service

 Royal Australian Air Force

Headquarters Royal Australian Air Force Element
Australian Force Vietnam Headquarters
Royal Australian Air Force Contingent Vung Tau
Royal Australian Air Force Caribou Transport Flight 8   Aug 1964 – 1 Jun 1966
Base Support Flight May   1966 – Apr 1968
Number 1 Operational Support Unit Feb   1968 – Feb 1972
Number 2 Squadron
Airfield Construction Squadron (Detachment B) 1964   – 1972
Royal Australian Air Force Element 161 Recce Flight 14   Sep 1965 – 8 Mar 1972
No. 35 Squadron 1   Jun 1966 – Feb 1972

The first RAAF operational unit to see service in Vietnam, the RAAF transport flight, arrived in Aug 64 with six Caribou aircraft.  The unit was redesignated as No. 35 Squadron on 1 Jun 66. The Squadron left Vietnam in Feb 72. No.9 Squadron Apr 66 – Nov 71 No.9 Squadron, equipped with Iroquois helicopters was allotted to the 1st Australian Task Force. No. 2 Squadron Apr 67 – Jun 71 The third and last RAAF operational squadron to serve in Vietnam was No.2 Squadron. It returned to Australia in Jun 71, 13 years after having left Australia from Darwin en route to Butterworth, Malaysia.   RAAF Members also served with the United States Air Force 64 – 72.   RAAF fighter pilots were given the opportunity of serving in Vietnam as Forward Air Controllers.  In addition to duty as FACs, six fighter pilots also saw service in American phantom squadrons in Vietnam.

RAAF Nursing Service MEDEVAC Flight

RAAF nurses tended the wounded on the medical evacuation aircraft which transported them from Vietnam to Australia usually via Malaysia.

RAAF Chaplains

RAAF Chaplains attended to the spiritual needs of RAAF personnel as well as Australian and US troops.

Civilian and Philanthropic

 Red Cross

The Australian Red Cross contributed a welfare worker who was based at Vung Tau.

 Salvation Army

The Salvation Army maintained the Red Shield Hut

War Correspondents

The Australian War Correspondents provided news and feature stories for distribution to media in Australia.

Official War Artists, Historians and Photographers

As with other wars, official representatives were sent to Vietnam to collect data, information and impressions of Australia’s military involvement.

Civilian Medical Teams

Civilian Medical Teams from major Australian hospitals were sent to Vietnam as part of a civilian aid program.

AUSTRALIAN CIVILIAN NURSES AS VIETNAM VETERANS

Australian Entertainment Groups

Australian entertainers volunteered for service in Vietnam with specific entertainment groups which were formed and financed separately.

Everymans Welfare Organisation

Everymans is a philanthropic organisation which supports the Australian Defence Force. They provided moral support to soldiers in the field from Recruit Training onwards.

Reproduced by kind permission of Brian Ross.

Information provided by Peter Mackie and added to this site on 7 May 2005.

Information provided by Ron Hobba, confirmed by the RAN and added on 7 May 2005.