In May 1968, in the western jungle of Vietnam near Laos, led by Australian Captain J White, 11th Mobile Strike Force Company (MSF) occupied an old French fort on a hill named Ngok Tavak tasked with improving allied intelligence-gathering capabilities in the area. However, with enemy activity increasing, on May 4th, 44 US Marines, 35 CIDG (Civilian Irregular Defence Group) and two 105mm Howitzer field guns arrived as reinforcement from the Special Forces base at Kham Duc. By May 9th, Captain White’s company numbered about 200 men. Although in a good defensive position, coming towards them was the Iron Brigade of the 2nd Division of the North Vietnamese Army (NVA). At 03:00 on May 10th, the attack on Ngok Tavak began. The NVA, led by Major Dang Ngoc Mai, poured through the entrance at the eastern wall quickly occupying most of the fort. By midday the next day, Captain White had lost 40 Nung soldiers and 11 Marines with over 70 others badly wounded. Realising he could not withstand another attack, Captain White decided to abandon Ngok Tavak. Once the wounded were evacuated, Captain White ordered strike aircraft to blast a ‘corridor’ through the surrounding enemy cordon using napalm. By early afternoon, what remained of the defenders escaped through the ‘corridor’ and helicopters eventually flew them to Kham Duc. Colour image of U.S. soldiers disembarking from a helicopter in a clearing in the jungle. Foreground is rear of two soldiers watching. Background is mountains.united states - marine corps, battle of ngok tavak, john white, ngok tavak

On 19 august 1966, the war in Viet Nam became a reality to the Australian people. It was announced in the press, and later in the parliament, that a battle had occurred near Task Force Base at Nui Dat. vietnam war, australia -- armed forces -- fiction, tssk force base, nui dat

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of L/Cpl Normie Rowe in the studio at the US Army's Armed Forces TV Studio in Saigon representing Australia on the 1969 Armed Forces Christmas Show. photograph, christmas, l/cpl normie rowe, united states armed forces, tv studio, saigon, 1969 armed forces christmas show, gibbons collection catalogue, entertainer, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection A black and white photograph of "Following confiscation, by Vietnamese Forces, of a number of fishing boats, their owners and their catch, members of Normie's APC Troop enjoy an evening meal of fresh prawns and seafood". photograph, normie rowe, armoured personnel carrier, gibbons collection catalogue, cpl normie rowe, vietnamese forces, fishing boats, diggers, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A colour photograph of two members from the Australina Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) operating with a Montagnard Mike Force Battalion in the deep jungle along the Cambodian border in 2 Corps area of South Vietnam. Montagnard Forces were used extensively during the Vietnam conflict.A colour photograph of two members from the Australina Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) operating with a Montagnard Mike Force Battalion in the deep jungle along the Cambodian border in 2 Corps area of South Vietnam. Montagnard Forces were used extensively during the Vietnam conflict.photograph, aattv, montagnard mike force, cambodian border, 2 corps, south vietnam, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, australian army training team vietnam (aattv), south vietnam. montagnard forces

On the 15th February, 1969, 5 RAR returned to South Vietnam for its second tour of operations. vietnam war, 5 rar, australian army, armed forces of the united states, south vietnamese, royal australian air force, phuoc tuy province

As he flew over South East Asia towards Vietnam, Captain Barry Petersen struggled to keep an aura of calm. Inwardly he was incredibly excited. Age 28, highy trained, with experience in anti-communist guerill warfare, he was about to embark on the biggest and most important mission of his life. petersen, barry -- career in armed forces, vietnam -- officers -- biography, australia. army. australian army training team, vietnam -- officers, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - participation, montagnard (vietnamese people), captain barry petersen, aattv, cia

As he flew over South East Asia towards Vietnam, Captain Barry Petersen struggled to keep an aura of calm. Inwardly he was incredibly excited. Age 28, highy trained, with experience in anti-communist guerill warfare, he was about to embark on the biggest and most important mission of his life.petersen, barry -- career in armed forces, australia. army. australian army training team, vietnam -- officers -- biography, australia. army. australian army training team, vietnam -- officers, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - participation, montagnard (vietnamese people)

More than sixty-three thousand young Australians were drafted into national service during the Vietnam War. The 'nashos' were chosen by chance, when their brithdates were drawn from a lottery barrel. Not all of them ended up in vietnam, but their random fatee came to symbolise the war, and divide a nation. vietnam war, 1961-1975 -- participation, australian, draft -- australia -- history, australia -- armed forces -- recruiting, private errol noack, battle of long tan, operation bribie, vung tau, battle of coral-balmoral, trooper normie rowe, battle of binh ba, sas

More than sixty-three thousand young Australians were drafted into national service during the Vietnam War. The 'Nashos'' were chosen by chance, when their birthdates were drawn from a lottery barrel. Not all of them ended up in Vietnam, but their random fate came to symbolise the war, and divide a nation.vietnam war, 1961-1975 - participation, australian, draft - australia - history, australia - armed forces - recruiting, private errol noack, battle of long tan, operation bribie, vung tau, the battle of coral and balmoral, trooper normie rowe, sas

More than sixty-three thousand young Australians were drafted into national service during the Vietnam War. The 'nashos' were chosen by chance, when their birth dates were drawn from a lottery barrel. Not all of them ended up in Vietnam, but their random fate came to symbolise the war, and divide a nation. vietnam war, 1961-1975 -- participation, australian, draft -- australia -- history, australia -- armed forces -- recruiting, national service, nasho, private errol noack, battle of long tan, operation bribie, vung tau, the battle of coral and balmoral, trooper normie rowe, battle of binh ba

The term Pogo was a label given to every soldier in Vietnam whose role it was to support the troops involved in combat duties, supposedly a safe vocation. Examples would be the Orderly Room, Q-Store, Cooks, Ordnance, Medical and Dental Staff, etc.australia - armed forces - biography, soldiers - australia - biography, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - personal narratives, australian, orderly room, q-store, ordnance, medical staff, dental staff.

The United States Special Forces, the Green Berets were often regarded as the elite of the American forces and their mobile strike force, the "Mike Force' , was considered the elite of these.australia. army. australian army training team, vietnam, special air service regiment (australian army), united states. army. special forces, green berets, sas, mike force, the montagnards, david savage

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A colour photograph of Capt Len Opie and WO1 Bill Birkett, of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV), at the special forces camp at Lake Lac Thien where they are working with Rhade, M'nong, Muong and Sedang Montagnards.photograph, aattv, capt len opie, wo1 bill birkett, lake lac thien, sedang montagnards, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, australian army training team vietnam (aattv), rhade montagnards, m'nong montagnards, muong montagnards

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of a rotary (helicopter) wing 'Possum' aircraft from 161 (Indep) Recce Flight, stationed at the 1st Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam. The pilot searches the jungle below, for signs of the elusive NVA/VietCong forces operating in the area.photograph, possum aircraft, 161 recon flt, 1st atf base, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, nva/vc, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, 1st australian task force, viet cong

Honour Roll of ANZAC Forces who served and died during the Vietnam War.Timber framed yellow poster with brown coloured hat and downward facing rifles either side of an open book."In Remembrance of Anzac Forces in Vietnam/The Tide is Turning/Roll of Honour Australia/Roll of Honour New Zealand" vietnam war, anzac forces, honour roll

Over 100,000 Australians have laid down their lives in the service of their coutry during the past 100 years. Conflicts including the two world wars, Korea and Vietnam have bee fought by young men from every state in the country. vietnamese conflict, 1961-1975 - participation, australian, australia - armed forces - history, first world war, second world war

Over 100,000 Australians have laid down their lives in the service of their coutry during the past 100 years. Conflicts including the two world wars, Korea and Vietnam have bee fought by young men from every state in the country. vietnamese conflict, 1961-1975 - participation, australian, australia - armed forces - history, first world war, second world war

Captain John E D White, Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam (AATTV) took over command of 11 Mobile Strike Force (Mike Force) Company in Da Nang, Vietnam, in February 1968. He was 26 years old. The 2 NVA Division was moving from Laos into South Vietnam and his mission was to establish contact with the division and trace its movements south. In mid-March the company was air lifted to the Special Forces camp of Kham Duc, near the Laotian border. They used an old French Foreign Legion fort as a temporary base from which patrols could be sent out. White called it Ngok Tavak after a nearby mountain. Initially, patrols failed to find the enemy, but in late April a patrol clashed with the enemy. At the same time, White received intelligence that the NVA division was closing in. At night they could hear explosions in the distance heading toward them. White decided their best chance was to leave the fort and take to the jungle to adopt guerrilla tactics. However, in the meantime a platoon of United States Marine Corps artillery arrived bringing with them two howitzers and a stockpile of ammunition. To abandon the fort was to abandon the guns. White contacted Da Nang, explaining the predicament, and was ordered to remain where he was. A Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) platoon was sent to reinforce his numbers. This was a para military force comprised mainly of indigenous highlanders, trained by United States Special Forces. They also brought with them two mortars and their crews. At 3.15am on 10 May 1968 some members of the CIDG chose to assist the NVA to attack the fort instead of supporting Mike Force, and close hand to hand fighting followed, along with grenade attacks and heavy machine gun fire. Air support offered a brief respite from the NVA attack, and some NVA forces were pushed back outside the perimeter by counter attacks, but at 9am White contacted Da Nang to advise that his position was untenable. A second attack was imminent and they could not withstand it, so they would have to withdraw. The wounded were evacuated by helicopter (under orders from Major Mai, the NVA had not attacked the previous medical helicopters that collected the wounded under the cover of air strikes) and at 1pm the rest of the force evacuated east, into the jungle. The NVA did not notice their withdrawal, and continued mortar attacks on the fort for another ninety minutes. Seven kilometres from the fort White called for a helicopter withdrawal of his forces. The force was successfully lifted to Kham Duc and then Da Nang. (Credit AWM)Black framed glass covered flag. Red material with gold fringe, gold writing with Blackbird in the centre with parachute holding 2 white swords standing on a gold star. 11Co. in gold underneath. Gold plaque mounted under the flag.GUIDON OF 11 COY (NUNG) MOBILE STRIKE FORCE (MIKE FORCE) /5th SF GROUP, 1 CORPS, SVN/ A Significant number of AATTV personnel served with this Nung Company based in Da Nang./ At the end of the Vietnam War, this flag was taken by a former US SF officer and held until/ when it was given to former Captain John "Jed" White (AATTV), CO 11 Coy (Nung), who led/ the MIKE Forces at the Battle of Ngok Tavak on 10 May 1968.battle of ngok tavak, mobile strike force, nung, john white

Captain John E D White, Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam (AATTV) took over command of 11 Mobile Strike Force (Mike Force) Company in Da Nang, Vietnam, in February 1968. He was 26 years old. The 2 NVA Division was moving from Laos into South Vietnam and his mission was to establish contact with the division and trace its movements south. In mid-March the company was air lifted to the Special Forces camp of Kham Duc, near the Laotian border. They used an old French Foreign Legion fort as a temporary base from which patrols could be sent out. White called it Ngok Tavak after a nearby mountain. Initially, patrols failed to find the enemy, but in late April a patrol clashed with the enemy. At the same time, White received intelligence that the NVA division was closing in. At night they could hear explosions in the distance heading toward them. White decided their best chance was to leave the fort and take to the jungle to adopt guerrilla tactics. However, in the meantime a platoon of United States Marine Corps artillery arrived bringing with them two howitzers and a stockpile of ammunition. To abandon the fort was to abandon the guns. White contacted Da Nang, explaining the predicament, and was ordered to remain where he was. A Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) platoon was sent to reinforce his numbers. This was a para military force comprised mainly of indigenous highlanders, trained by United States Special Forces. They also brought with them two mortars and their crews. At 3.15am on 10 May 1968 some members of the CIDG chose to assist the NVA to attack the fort instead of supporting Mike Force, and close hand to hand fighting followed, along with grenade attacks and heavy machine gun fire. Air support offered a brief respite from the NVA attack, and some NVA forces were pushed back outside the perimeter by counter attacks, but at 9am White contacted Da Nang to advise that his position was untenable. A second attack was imminent and they could not withstand it, so they would have to withdraw. The wounded were evacuated by helicopter (under orders from Major Mai, the NVA had not attacked the previous medical helicopters that collected the wounded under the cover of air strikes) and at 1pm the rest of the force evacuated east, into the jungle. The NVA did not notice their withdrawal, and continued mortar attacks on the fort for another ninety minutes. Seven kilometres from the fort White called for a helicopter withdrawal of his forces. The force was successfully lifted to Kham Duc and then Da Nang. (Credit AWM)Coloured image of John (Jed) White, aged 26 arriving at Tan Son Nhut Airport in full uniform, bag straps over left shoulder. Close- up of chest and head with plane visible in the background.AWM - p 11058,001capt john (jed) white, aattv, battle of ngok tavak

Captain John E D White, Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam (AATTV) took over command of 11 Mobile Strike Force (Mike Force) Company in Da Nang, Vietnam, in February 1968. He was 26 years old. The 2 NVA Division was moving from Laos into South Vietnam and his mission was to establish contact with the division and trace its movements south. In mid-March the company was air lifted to the Special Forces camp of Kham Duc, near the Laotian border. They used an old French Foreign Legion fort as a temporary base from which patrols could be sent out. White called it Ngok Tavak after a nearby mountain. Initially, patrols failed to find the enemy, but in late April a patrol clashed with the enemy. At the same time, White received intelligence that the NVA division was closing in. At night they could hear explosions in the distance heading toward them. White decided their best chance was to leave the fort and take to the jungle to adopt guerrilla tactics. However, in the meantime a platoon of United States Marine Corps artillery arrived bringing with them two howitzers and a stockpile of ammunition. To abandon the fort was to abandon the guns. White contacted Da Nang, explaining the predicament, and was ordered to remain where he was. A Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) platoon was sent to reinforce his numbers. This was a para military force comprised mainly of indigenous highlanders, trained by United States Special Forces. They also brought with them two mortars and their crews. At 3.15am on 10 May 1968 some members of the CIDG chose to assist the NVA to attack the fort instead of supporting Mike Force, and close hand to hand fighting followed, along with grenade attacks and heavy machine gun fire. Air support offered a brief respite from the NVA attack, and some NVA forces were pushed back outside the perimeter by counter attacks, but at 9am White contacted Da Nang to advise that his position was untenable. A second attack was imminent and they could not withstand it, so they would have to withdraw. The wounded were evacuated by helicopter (under orders from Major Mai, the NVA had not attacked the previous medical helicopters that collected the wounded under the cover of air strikes) and at 1pm the rest of the force evacuated east, into the jungle. The NVA did not notice their withdrawal, and continued mortar attacks on the fort for another ninety minutes. Seven kilometres from the fort White called for a helicopter withdrawal of his forces. The force was successfully lifted to Kham Duc and then Da Nang. (Credit AWM)A wooden shield painted grey/black celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Battle of Ngok Tavak. There are three messages from mates written in black on the back. The shield was presented to Capt John (Jed) White.Presented to Captain John White, AATTV from the men of the Mobile Strike Force, Danang, Vietnam, 1968.mobile strike force, capt john (jed) white, shield, battle of ngok tavak

The United States Special Forces, the Green Berets were often regarded as the elite of the American forces and their mobile strike force, the "Mike Force' , was considered the elite of these.australia. army. australian army training team, vietnam, special air service regiment (australian army), united states. army. special forces, green berets, mike force, the montagnards

From early colonial wars to Vietnam, Front Line Dispatches provides a well-documented and superbly illustrated account of Australian at the front line.australia - history, military, australia - armed forces - history, vietnam, malaya, indonesia

From early colonial wars to Vietnam, Front Line Dispatches provides a well-documented and superbly illustrated account of Australian at the front line.australia - history, military, australia - armed forces - history, vietnam, malaya, indonesia

In 1967, Brigadier Stuart Graham issued the calamitous order: First Australian Task Force would construct an 11 kilometre 'barrier fence and minefield' containing over 20,000 powerful M16 landmines in Phuoc Tuy Province, Southern Vietnam. The purpose of the 'barrier' was to separate and to shield the majority of the population in the south-west province from his enemy's regular forces in the north and east.australia. army. australian task force (vietnam), land mines -- phuoc tuy (vietnam : province), m16 landmines, brigadier stuart graham, phuoc tuy province, operation leeton, operation pinaroo, first australian task force

In 1967, Brigadier Stuart Graham issued the calamitous order: First Australian Task Force would construct an 11 kilometre 'barrier fence and minefield' containing over 20,000 powerful M16 landmines in Phuoc Tuy Province, Southern Vietnam. The purpose of the 'barrier' was to separate and to shield the majority of the population in the south-west province from his enemy's regular forces in the north and east.australia. army. australian task force (vietnam), land mines -- phuoc tuy (vietnam : province), first australian task force, m16 landmines, phuoc tuy province, brigadier stuart graham, operation leeton, operation pinaroo

In 1967, Brigadier Stuart Graham issued the calamitous order: First Australian Task Force would construct an 11 kilometre 'barrier fence and minefield' containing over 20,000 powerful M16 landmines in Phuoc Tuy Province, Southern Vietnam. The purpose of the 'barrier' was to separate and to shield the majority of the population in the south-west province from his enemy's regular forces in the north and east.australia. army. australian task force (vietnam), land mines -- phuoc tuy (vietnam : province), 8rar, 8 rar, operation hammersley, m16 landmines, brigadier stuart graham, operation pinaroo, operation leeton

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of the medical ward at the 1st Australian Field Hospital Vung Tau has its capacity doubled by the use of double beds to accommodate the sick during a bad outbreak of malaria amongst the Diggers of the Australian Force in Vietnam.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, malaria, 1st atf base, gibbons collection catalogue, diggers, 1st australian task force, australian forces, denis gibbons