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Minister of Defence, Reginald Townley announces intensions to deploy 30 army advisors to Vietnam.
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First members of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) arrive in Vietnam.
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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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Warrant Officer Class 2, Kevin Conway becomes the first Australian to die as a result of enemy action in South Vietnam.
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PM Robert Menzies announces introduction of national service to increase the army’s strength from 22,750 to 37,500. Opposition to the war in Vietnam is not accepted as a reason for exemption.
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HMAS Sydney arrives at Vung Tau, South Vietnam, carrying the bulk of the Australian force.
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Protests in Syndey result in 65 arrests
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108 men battle North Vietnam and Viet Kong. The enemy leaves 245 bodies on the battlefield while 17 Australian infantrymen and one APC crewman are killed.
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Morgan Gallup Poll finds that 63% are in favour of conscription, but only 37% approve of sending National Servicemen to Vietnam.
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The Prime Minister announces an increase of 1700 men to Australia’s commitment in South Vietnam, including a third infantry battalion and a tank squadron.
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The Battle for Fire Support 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.
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Two companies from 5 RAR, supported by APC and Tank troops and Australian helicopter gunships, engage in house-to-house fighting to clear the town of a strong force of NVA regulars. The fighting destroys much of the town and costs the NVA more than 100 dead for the loss of one Australian.
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Anti-Vietnam War protesters stage the first moratorium marches in Australian cities (70,000 in Melbourne, and about 120,000 throughout Australia).
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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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The Austalian Labour Party is elected into government.
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Australian Labour Party ends conscription i Australia as promised throughout its campaign.
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Australian Soldiers are withdrawn from South Vietnm ending their invovlement in the war
