The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
The first infantry troops of the New Zealand Army to serve on operational duty in Vietnam arrived today. About 60 officers and men from the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, flew into Vung Tau Airbase aboard a Royal New Zealand Air Force Hercules C-130 transport. The New Zealand troops flew from Malaysia where the 1st Battalion, RNZIR, is based at Terendak Cantonment, Malacca, as part of the 28th Commonwealth Infantry Brigade Group. Led by Major John Mace of Nelson, New Zealand, the Kiwi diggers will work with the 1st Australian Task Force which is based at Nui Dat south-east of Saigon. On arrival at Vung Tau the Kiwi troops were given a colourful reception as Vietnamese girls draped traditional leis of welcome around their necks. An official greeting party which included the Chief of the Free World Military Organisation, Major-General Tranh Ngoc Tan; the Commander Australian Forces, Viet Nam, Major-General Douglas Vincent and the Commander of the New Zealand Forces (incl Aust) helping Vietnamese in the fight against Communism. Major Mace, OC NZ Company, replied on behalf of the New Zealand troops. From Vung Tau on the coast the Kiwi diggers flew aboard RAAF Caribou transport aircraft to Luscombe Field at Nui Dat which is the Australian Task Force airbase. The Kiwi infantry troops moved into a well established base area near 6 RAR lines. Tents with floor boards, electricity, permanent messes and kitchens had been prepared for them by Australian engineers of 1st Field Squadron, RAE. The Kiwi infanteers will spend six months in Vietnam then rotate back to Malaysia with another company taking their place.
More than 500 members of the 7th Battalion arrived in South Vietnam aboard the troop-carrier, HMAS Sydney. The Sydney anchored off Vung Tau and the United States Army Chinook helicopters lifted the t
The first heavy Australian tanks to be used in the Vietnam war have arrived at Nui Dat, Headquarters of 1st Australian Task Force in Phuoc Tuy Province. Equipment was checked, weapons were cleaned rea
The men of the Tiger Battalion arrived in South Vietnam today to relieve the veteran troops of the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, which has ended its second tour in the theatre. The Tiger B
The Woodside-based 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, mounted one of the most colourful parades yet seen at the 1st Australian Task Force base, Nui Dat, South Vietnam, this month. It was th
Australian troops who have spent the last 12 months in Vietnam are on their way home. Gunners of 1st Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, paraded for the last time at Nui Dat to be farewelled a
A major step in the withdrawal of Australian troops from South Vietnam was completed last weekend with the movement of the Headquarters, 1st Australian Task Force, from its former base at Nui Dat to t
