The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
In a cloud of dust, with their 20-pounder guns at the ready, two Centurion MkV/1 tanks of A Squadron, 1st Australian Armoured Regiment, rumble along route 23 headed for Binh Tuy province. A Centurion Armoured Recovery Vehicle (ARV) is bringing up the rear. The 52 ton tanks were taking part in the biggest Australian armoured operation since the Second World War. Known as Operation Matilda, it was a large reconnaissance and ambush operation conducted by Australian forces between 15 and 26 January 1970. The force comprised 44 armoured vehicles and 270 men, which swept through three provinces in a search for the Viet Cong.
A Centurion MkV/1 tank negotiating a temporary 52 foot bridge span put down by a Centurion bridge layer. The tank, from A Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment, along with infantry support, is part of Opera
Centurion tanks of A Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment, rumble along Route 23 bound for Binh Tuy Province. Part of Matilda Force, the tanks were taking part in the biggest Australian armoured operation
South Vietnam. February 1970. Centurion tanks of A Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment, rumble along Route 23 bound for Binh Tuy Province. Part of Matilda Force, the tanks were taking part in the biggest
South Vietnam. February 1970. Centurion tanks of A Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment, rumble along Route 23 bound for Binh Tuy Province. Part of Matilda Force, the tanks were taking part in the biggest
Binh Tuy Province, South Vietnam. February 1970. A 52 ton Centurion tank of A Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment, moves across a portable bridge span during Operation Matilda. The 150 mile sweep by forty
Binh Tuy Province, South Vietnam. February 1970. A 52 ton Centurion tank of A Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment, grinds its way across a portable bridge span during Operation Matilda. Forty-four armoure
