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Period: to
Australia in Vietnam
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Australia's Intensions
Minister of Defence, Reginald Townley announces intensions to deploy 30 army advisors to Vietnam. -
Australan Army Training Team Vietnam
First members of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) arrive in Vietnam. -
First Australian Casualty
Advisor, Sergeant William Hacking becomes the first Australian to die in Vietnam when his weapon accidentally discharges after being caught in vegetation. -
First Killed by Vietnam
Warrant Officer Class 2, Kevin Conway becomes the first Australian to die as a result of enemy action in South Vietnam. -
National Serives
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. -
HMAS Sydney
HMAS Sydney arrives at Vung Tau, South Vietnam, carrying the bulk of the Australian force. -
Protest
Protests in Syndey result in 65 arrests -
The Battle of Long Tan
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. -
The Morgan Gallup Poll
Morgan Gallup Poll finds that 63% are in favour of conscription, but only 37% approve of sending National Servicemen to Vietnam. -
Increase in Australian Soldiers in the War
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. -
The Battle of Coral & Balmoral
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. -
The Battle of Binh Bah
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. -
More Protestss
Anti-Vietnam War protesters stage the first moratorium marches in Australian cities (70,000 in Melbourne, and about 120,000 throughout Australia). -
Begining of Withdrawals
The Prime Minister announces the bulk of Australian forces in South Vietnam are to be withdrawn, leaving only a modified training team.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. -
New Government
The Austalian Labour Party is elected into government. -
Conscription Ends
Australian Labour Party ends conscription i Australia as promised throughout its campaign. -
Australia Withdraws
Australian Soldiers are withdrawn from South Vietnm ending their invovlement in the war
