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The Minister for Defence (Reginald Townley) announces intention to send 30 army advisers to South Vietnam (SVN).
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Advisor, Sergeant William Hacking becomes the first Australian to die in Vietnam when his weapon accidentally discharges after being caught in vegetation.
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Robert Menzies announces introduction of national service to increase the army’s strength from 22,750 to 37,500.
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Australian Government approves increase of Australian forces to a battalion group, supported by an artillery, additional APCs, engineers, army helicopters, light aircraft and more logistic support.
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108 men, battles North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong forces estimated at between 1500 and 2500 until relieved by A Company, carried in by armoured personnel carriers of 3 Troop, 1 APC Squadron. The enemy leaves 245 bodies on the battlefield while 17 Australian infantrymen and one APC crewman are killed.
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The Battle for Fire Base Coral begins with an enemy attack that overruns 1 RAR Mortar Platoon and captures one of 102 Field Battery’s gun pits. The base is cleared with the help of helicopter gunships. After a second attack on May 15, Australian casualties around Coral stand at 15 killed and 56 wounded while enemy losses are estimated to exceed 100 dead.
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The fighting destroys much of the town and costs the North Vietnamese army more than 100 dead for the loss of one Australian.
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The Prime Minister announces the bulk of Australian forces in South Vietnam are to be withdrawn, leaving only a modified training team. The period of national service is reduced from two years to 18 months.
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Australia’s military commitment in South Vietnam ends, although controversy about the precise end date of the war continues.
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Last US troops leave Vietnam.
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Australia closes its embassy in Saigon, completing withdrawal from Vietnam on ANZAC Day.
