Showing 86 items
matching artillery support
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National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Gibbons, Denis, Prepare For Movement
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 Gunners of the 103 Battery, Royal Australian Artillery, prepare their guns and equipment for movement by US Army CH47 Chinook helicopters to a fire support base. The load was one Chinook for one battery detachment (circa July 1967)photograph, 103 battery, 1st field regt, raa, chinook, gibbons collection catalogue, fire support base, gunners, denis gibbons -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Gibbons, Denis, Prepare For Movement
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 Gunners of the 103 Battery, Royal Australian Artillery, prepare their guns and equipment for movement by US Army CH47 Chinook helicopters to a fire support base. The load was one Chinook for one battery detachment (circa July 1967)photograph, 103 battery, 1st field regt, raa, chinook, gibbons collection catalogue, fire support base, gunners, denis gibbons -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Gibbons, Denis, Prepare For Movement
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 Gunners of the 103 Battery Royal Australian Artillery, prepare their guns and equipment for movement by US Army CH47 Chinook helicopters to a fire support base. The load was one Chinook for one battery detachment (circa July 1967)photograph, 103 battery, 1st field regt, raa, chinook, gibbons collection catalogue, fire support base, gunners, denis gibbons -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Gibbons, Denis, Prepare For Movement
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 Gunners of the 103 Battery Royal Australian Artillery, prepare their guns and equipment for movement by US Army CH47 Chinook helicopters to a fire support base. The load was one Chinook for one battery detachment (circa July 1967)photograph, 103 battery, 1st field regt, raa, chinook, gibbons collection catalogue, fire support base, gunners, denis gibbons -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Gibbons, Denis, Brig Sandy Pearson
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 1st Australian Task Force Commander Brig C.M "Sandy" Pearson meets with the Admiral commanding the United States 7th Fleet upon his arrival at 1ATF. The Admiral and his staff had called on Brig Pearson to discuss naval gunfire support for Australian troops whilst on operations as there had been some problems with the Americans understanding the Australian forward, artillery, observers radio transmissions when calling for fire support.photograph, 1st atf base, brig sandy pearson, us 7th fleet, gibbons collection catalogue, troops, fire support, commander, admiral commanding, naval gunfire support, australian troops, denis gibbons -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Leadership group the day before the Battle of Ngok Tavak, 9/05/1968 12:00:00 AM
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 7 soldiers (5 shirtless) posed on the edge of a foxhole with jungle in background. L-R Willie Swicegood (USA), John White (AATTV-Aus), Ken Benway (USA), Frank Lucas (Aust), Clay Aitkins (USA), Glenn Miller (USA), Don Cameron (Aust)john white, aattv, battle of ngok tavak -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph - US 105mm towed Howitzer, Gibbons, Denis
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 Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, July 1966. A US 105mm towed Howitzer being readied to be returned to the 1st Australian Task Force Base at Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam following completion of operations at a Fire Support Base.photograph, artillery, 105mm howitzer, 1st atf base, phuoc tuy province, nui dat, fire support base, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Gibbons, Denis, Fire Support Base Discovery 4
... Tuy Province 105mm Artillery 101 Battery Fire Support Base ...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 Gunners of 1st Field Regiment, RAA, at the 1 ATF Base, Nui Dat, Phuoc tuy Province, Sth Vietnam, breaking open boxes of 105mm artillery shells and prepare and repack them for a parachute drop to 101 Battery at Fire Support Base Discovery. (Circa November 1969)photograph, gunner, 1st australian field regiment, raa, 1st atf base, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, 105mm artillery, 101 battery, fire support base discovery, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, gunners -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Gibbons, Denis, Fire Support Base Discovery 3
... 105mm Artillery 101 Battery Fire Support Base Discovery 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 Gunners of 1st Field Regiment, RAA, at the 1ATF Base, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, Sth Vietnam, breaking open boxes of 105mm artillery shells and repack them for a parachute drop to 101 Battery at Fire Support Base Discovery. (Circa November 1969)photograph, 1st australian field regiment, raa, 1st atf base, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, 105mm artillery, 101 battery, fire support base discovery, gibbons collection catalogue, gunner, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Gibbons, Denis, Fire Support Base Discovery 1
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 Gunners of the 1st Field Regiment, RAA, at the 1ATF Base,Nui Dat,Phuoc Tuy Province, Sth Vietnam, break open boxes of 105mm artillery shells and prepare and repack them for a parachute drop to 101 Battery at Fire Support Base Discovery. (Circa November 1969)photograph, 1st australian field regiment, raa, 1st atf base, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, fire support base discovery, gibbons collection catalogue, gunner, photographer, vietnam war, denis gibbons -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Gibbons, Denis, Fire Support Base Discovery 5
... 105mm Artillery 101 Battery Fire Support Base Discovery 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 Gunners of 1st Field Regiment, RAA, at the 1ATF Base, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, Sth Vietnam, breaking open boxes of 105mm artillery shells and prepare and repack them for a parachute drop to 101 Battery at Fire Support Base Discovery (Circa November 1969)photograph, 1st australian field regiment, raa, 1st atf base, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, 105mm artillery, 101 battery, fire support base discovery, gibbons collection catalogue, gunner, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Gibbons, Denis, Sorting Shell Casings 4
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 tt a Fire Support Base, a digger sorting shell 105mm artillery shell casings for transport back to the 1st Australian Task Force Base at Nui Dat, Phuoc tuy Province. These casings once stacked on pallets were collected by RAAF Huey "slick" helicopters.photograph, 105mm artillery, digger, 1st atf base, raaf, huey helicopter, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, fire support base, australian task force -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Gibbons, Denis, Sorting Shell Casings 3
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 Gunner at 1st Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, sorting 105mm shell casings returned from a Fire Support Base. The casings were then re-packed into their relevant types and returned to Australia, as scrap metal. (Circa November 1969)photograph, 105mm artillery, 1st atf base, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, gunner, fire support base discovery, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph - Artillery Gun Crew Prepare for Fire Mission For Support Base in south Vietnam 1968
This item contributes to an understanding of the impact that involvement in the war in Vietnam (1962 - 1972) had on Australian servicemen.A coloured image of a solider holding a mortar preparing to load a howitzer at a support base in South Vietnam 1968. Artillery Gun Crew Prepare for Fire Mission For Support Base in south Vietnam 1968exon, south vietnam -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Gibbons, Denis, Chinooks 2
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 United States Army Chinook medium helicopters wait on Kanga pad at 1 ATF Base Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, to move an artillery battery to form an operartional fire support base. Each Chinook was able to move one full detachment. (Circa June 1967)photograph, kanga pad, 1 atf base, chinook, united states. army, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, fire support base, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Gibbons, Denis, Resetting The Gun
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 gun crew member of the 103 Battery, reseting his gun during a fire mission in support of infantry operating on a search and destroy mission, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam (Circa 1967). The digger is wearing ear plugs for protection against the sound of the gun.photograph, artillery, 103 battery, phuoc tuy province, gibbons collection catalogue, digger, photographer, vietnam war, denis gibbons -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Gibbons, Denis, Fire Support 3
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 digger at 103 Battery Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, July 1966. He fires a 105mm Italian Pack Howitzer during a fire mission from the 1st Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam.photograph, artillery, 103 battery, phuoc tuy province, 105mm howitzer, 1st atf base, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, digger -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Gibbons, Denis, Fire Support 2
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 Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, July 1966. Diggers at 103 Battery load a 105mm Italian Pack Howitzer during a fire mission from the 1st Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam.photograph, artillery, phuoc tuy province, nui dat, 103 battery, 105mm howitzer, 1st atf base, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, diggers -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Banner - Banner, framed, 11 Co (Nung)
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 -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Captain John White, AATTV, arrives in Vietnam, January 1968, 1/01/1968 12:00:00 AM
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 -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Plaque, Mobile Strike Force Shield
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 -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Sketch of Battle Map, Ngok Tavak, Mary 1968
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)Annotated hand-drawn map of the fort at Ngok Tavak, 10 May 1968.battle of ngok tavak, john white, battle map -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Gibbons, Denis, Horseshoe Feature 2
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 Australian Gunners with an Artillery Battery located at the 'Horseshoe Feature' Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, burning off the 'extra charge bags', left over following their day of fire missions in support of Infantry Operations in their Battery area.photograph, horseshoe feature, phuoc tuy province, gibbons collection catalogue, artillery battery, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, gunners, infantry operations -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Gibbons, Denis, Fire Support
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 Phuoc Tuy Province South Vietnam, July 1966, Diggers at 103 Battery, load a 105mm Italian Pack Howitzer during a fire mission from the 1st Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam103 battery, artillery, 105mm howitzer, 1st atf base, nui dat, gibbons collection catalogue, phuoc tuy province, fire support, diggers, 1st australian task force, denis gibbons -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Gibbons, Denis, Maj Gen Vincent
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 coloured photograph of Maj Gen R.A. Hay, The Commander, Australian Force Vietnam, talking with the Officer Commanding, A Battery 2/35th United States Artillery, of 155mm mobile guns, attached to the 1st Australian Task Force, during a visit to a Forward Fire Support Basephotograph, maj gen hay, 1st atf base, nui dat, 2/35th us artillery, gibbons collection catalogue, fire support base, australian force vietnam, officer commanding, a battery, 1st australian task force, denis gibbons -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Davies, Bruce, The Battle at Ngok Tavak: A bloody defeat in South Vietnam, 1968. (Copy 2), 2008
... of an Australian Army Captain, supported by a Marine artillery detachment ...In 1968, in the western jungle of Vietnam near Loas, a Special Forces Company under the command of an Australian Army Captain, supported by a Marine artillery detachment, occupied an old French Fort on a hill know as Ngok Tavak.In 1968, in the western jungle of Vietnam near Loas, a Special Forces Company under the command of an Australian Army Captain, supported by a Marine artillery detachment, occupied an old French Fort on a hill know as Ngok Tavak. vietnam, aattv, military participation -- american, battle of ngok tavak, australian army training team vietnam (aattv), laos, special forces company