- Webmaster's Note.
- As much as is possible this
book has been transferred to the web "as it was" in
the original book. Obviously there are some differences forced
on me, not least of which is the opportunity/need to have
several book pages on 1 web page. Because of that I have
created "sections" which did not appear in the book.
Each "section" contains several book-pages and several
images of drawings or photos OR it reproduces a chapter.
- Also some sketches and drawings
and some photos may have been reproduced in a different size
from the original. In most cases it/they will be larger. I have
kept as closely as possible to the original layout. Only very
minor changes have been made.
- Nothing has been omitted and
save for some Webmaster's Notes, nothing has been added.
Except...
- The book was originally
written by members of the Battalion, for members of the
Battalion. They knew all the jargon and abbreviations. In
some cases I have expanded or explained the jargon and
abbrevs. so that TODAY's audience can better understand what
is meant. Usually my "changes" are
in black
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ANZAC  |
| "In my life I have fought with and against many kinds of soldiers, but I have never seen any who carried themselves more nobly in battle, more daringly or more stoutheartedly, than those men of Anzac".
FIELD-MARSHAL SIR WILLIAM SLIM |
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FOREWORD
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This book tells only part of the exacting operational tour of duty of 4 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion.
That part which it does tell is, mainly, of the way in which the unit lived throughout its fore-shortened tour of duty.
Nevertheless, it gives a valuable insight into the close integration of the Australian and New Zealand elements of the battalion which , in my opinion, was most successful and which augurs well for the future military associations of our two nations.
The war in Vietnam was not easy to fight due to the elusiveness of the enemy who, although constantly harassed by all forms of attack, still managed to survive.
The constant patrolling, ambushing and attacks by 4 RAR/ NZ (ANZAC) Battalion in the area of operations left no doubt in the enemy's mind of his insecurity in that part of Phuoc Tuy which he attempted to penetrate.
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This state was achieved by the professional ability and dedication of all members of the battalion whose actions at all times reflected great credit upon our two nations.
The battalion's operations regrettably brought casualties. Those young men who died in battle deserve high tribute from us all for their bravery and
I, in particular, wish to pay my sincere tribute to all of them.
My thanks to you all for the service which you rendered to the 1st Australian Task Force and my best wishes for the future wherever you may be.
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B.A.McDONALD, BRIGADIER |
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COMMANDER 1ST AUSTRALIAN TASK FORCE VUNG TAU, DECEMBER, 1971 |
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The COMMANDING
OFFICER |
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Lieutenant-Colonel J. C. Hughes, MC, was born at Rose Park in South Australia in 1929. After matriculating from Saint Peter's College in Adelaide he entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon.
Upon graduating in 1950, he served as a platoon commander with 3 RAR in Korea and was awarded the Military Cross in Operation COMMANDO in October, 195 1. He then served in Japan as a Company Commander at the Battle School, Haramura, followed by the appointment of Staff Captain at Headquarters Australian Army Component.
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Returning to Australia in 1953 he was initially a Company Commander in 16 National Service Training Battalion and in 1954 was appointed Adjutant of the Adelaide University Regiment.
During the Malaysian Emergency, initially as Intelligence Officer and later as a Company Commander, he again served with 3
RAR.
His next appointment was as an instructor at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in the United Kingdom, returning to Australia to attend Staff College in 1963.
On completion of Staff College he was posted to the Special Air Service Regiment where he raised 2 SAS Squadron, which he subsequently commanded on its operational tour in Borneo during the confrontation in 1966. |
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| He was appointed the Director of Army Recruiting upon promotion in 1966 and served in that capacity until assuming command of the Fourth Battalion on I October, 1969. |
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The SECOND in
COMMAND |
The Battalion Second-in-Command in keeping with the ANZAC spirit was a
New Zealander, Major D. S. McIver. He was born in 1936 at Epsom, Auckland,
New Zealand.
After two years at Cadet School in Wirouou, he entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon. After receiving his commission in 1957, Major McIver served as a Platoon Commander in 1st Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment during the Malaysian Emergency until 1960, then he returned to New Zealand to instruct at various schools based at Wirouou until 1963. This was followed by
service as a Company Second-in-Command and later as an Adjutant of 1st Royal
New Zealand Infantry Regiment during the confrontation in Malaysia.
He was then posted to Wellington where he was a Staff Officer on Army
Headquarters from 1965 until 1967. After attending the Royal New Zealand Command and Staff College in 1968, he was seconded to the New Zealand Defence Headquarters as a Staff Officer.
On 25 January, 1971, Major McIver joined the Fourth Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville. He became the Battalion
Second-in-Command- Operations -for the remainder of the unit's
pre-embarkation training including the Task Force exercise "THIRD STAB" and Divisional
exercise "MONARO MALL". |
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| He commanded the main body of the battalion into theatre aboard the HMAS
SYDNEY. Throughout his tour of duty he was also the Commanding Officer of
the New Zealand Component, which supported all New Zealand personnel in the
1 st Australian Task Force. |
Warrant Officer First Class W. T. C. Thompson completed his third tour of South Vietnam as the Regimental Sergeant-Major of the Fourth Battalion.
Born in Sydney in 1932, he enlisted in the Australian Regular Army in 1954. He served with 2 RAR initially until the completion of their tour in Malaya during the Emergency. In that same theatre during the confrontation, Warrant Officer Thompson was an instructor at the Jungle Warfare School at
Kota Tingi. He then served briefly with 1 RAR prior to joining the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam in 1964 and for his actions during that period, he was awarded the Cross of Gallantry (Silver Star) by the South Vietnamese.
This tour was followed by a posting as an instructor to the Sydney University Regiment. Soon after, he assisted in the raising of 10 Task Force Headquarters at Holsworthy and rejoined 1 RAR in 1968.
As a Company Sergeant-Major in 1 RAR during his second tour of South Vietnam, he was
Mentioned in Despatches. From 1969 to 1970 Warrant Officer Thompson was Company Sergeant-Major of Battle Wing at the Infantry Centre and during 1970 was appointed the Regimental Sergeant-Major of the Fourth Battalion. |
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At Laverack Barracks
Townsville |
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