The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Twenty eight Centurion tanks and variants are on their way home following three-and-a-half years service in total by them and their predecessors in South Vietnam. The 52-ton tanks are bound for 1 Central Ordnance Depot, Bandiana, 180 miles north of Melbourne, Vic. The ship bringing back the tanks, and a number of Armoured Personnel Carriers, is the Japanese freighter Harima Maru. Gun barrels weighed 2000lb (900kg) and were removed before loading to help reduce weight sufficiently to enable the derrick crane of the freighter to hoist the monsters aboard. The tanks were prepared at the dockside of the Australian Logistic Support Group base, Vung Tau. As well as gun barrels, the solid steel engine and transmissions covers were removed before loading. Hot work, but at last the tank can be driven onto its transporter trailer, ready for final cleaning and the high hoist into the ship. A thorough spraying with insecticides ensures that no insects or disease are brought to Australia. The tanks already had caked mud and other debris removed. Since arriving in South Vietnam in February, 1968, the tanks had fought in a number of roles, from street fighting to providing protection for forward bases.
A Leyland Scammell Contractor prime mover (left) towing a 24 wheel, No1, Mk1, 60 ton tank transporter trailer loaded with a Centurion MkV/1 tank. The rig is parked on the De Long Pier alongside the Ja
Eleven more Centurion tanks have arrived in Vietnam for service with the 1st Australian Task Force at Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy Province. The tanks, which each weigh fifty tons, were unloaded from a United
An unidentified Australian officer from the 1st Royal Australian Armoured Regiment, looking down into the cargo hold of the Japanese transport ship Harima Maru, which has been loaded with 28 Centurion
Major Peter Bourke, Officer Commanding C Squadron, 1st Royal Australian Armoured Regiment, looking down into the cargo hold of the Japanese transport ship Harima Maru, which has been loaded with 28 Ce
Major Peter Bourke, Officer Commanding C Squadron, 1st Royal Australian Armoured Regiment, (right) and WO2 Brian Agnew, Squadron Sergeant Major of C Squadron (left), looking down into the cargo hold o
This film shot as part of requirement required in DPR Sig 16902. In this film the tanks of "B" Squadron 1st Armoured Regiment were operating in support of infantry but no infantry appears because the
