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

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

Items issued to John Michael Giffard No 0327699 EOD Aust Army Training Team Iraq, rotation 8..1) Belt, black webbing with whitish coloured metal buckle. .2) Two shoulder epaulettes, cotton, navy blue colour , each has two light blue embroidered stripes on re rank..2) embroidered on, “AUSTRALIA”accessory, uniforms, raaf

Uniform issued to John Michael Giffard No 0327699 RAAF, served EOD Aust Army Training Team Iraq Rotation 8..1) jacket, navy blue wool/polyester yellow metal buttons, light blue and black stripes on lower sleeves. .2) Trousers wool/polyester navy blue colour. .3) Shirt, cotton light blue short sleeves RAAF insignia on upper left sleeve.. .4) Belt webbing style navy blue with yellow metal buckle.uniforms, raaf

Items issued to JOHN M GIFFORD 0327699 EOD AUST Army Training Team Iraq Rotation 8.1) Shoulder epaulets, cotton, camouflage desert pattern. Has 2 black stripes with Australia in black sewn on. .2) Same as .1) above. .3) Hat, floppy, cotton polyester, camouflage desert pattern. Rear has a drop down neck cover section. An adjustable cord chin strip is attached..2) GIFFARDuniforms - army badges, costume - male, headwear

Items issued to John Michael Giffard, No 0327699 Aust Army Training Team Iraq Rotation 8.Set of four cloth badges and one metal name badge. .1) Rectangular cloth badge with name Giffard embroidered. .2) Rectangular cloth badge with AIR FORCE embroidered. .3) Oval cloth with an eagle and the words Air Force embroidered. .4) Rectangular cloth badge featuring the Australian and Iraqui flags and AATT and Iraq VIII embroidered. .5) Metal name badge (GIFFARD) with two clips on back.uniorms, badges, iraq, aatt

Index, bibliography, notes, ill, maps, p.534.the official history of the Australian army training team in Vietnam between 1962 and 1972vietnam war 1961-1975 – australian involvement, vietnam war 1961-1975 – regimental histories - australia

In May 1968, in the western jungle of Vietnam near Laos, a Special Force Company under the command of an Australian army captain, supported by a U.S. Marine Marine artillery detachedment, occupied an old French Fort on a hill known as Ngok Tavak.australia. army training team, vietnam., united states. marine corps -- history -- vietnam war, 1961-1975, battle of ngok tavak

A black and white photograph - Bearcat South Vietnam, 1970, a member of Australian Army Ttraining Team Vietnam (AATTV) instructs Vietnamese Ranger recruits in the correct way to land during parachute trainingphotograph, bearcat, aattv, arvn soldier, gibbons collection catalogue

These eight photos of the Army Survey Regiment’s Tug-of-War Team were most likely taken at Simpson Barracks, Watsonia in circa 1989. There is no information available on why the unit sent the team to Melbourne, the occasion, and the winner of this contest. It may have been a military athletics carnival held to commemorate Australia’s First Fleet bi- centenary, noting there was other members of Army Svy Regt on the bus who were not part of this team. The team’s coach was WO1 Ken Slater. Tug-of-War contests were very popular for the competitors and spectators, as they were often held at the Regiment as a component of inter-squadron athletics competitions, Flag Day verses the School of Military Survey, Bones Day verses the RAAF’s the School of Radio and a component of regimental training.These eight photos of the Army Survey Regiment’s Tug-of-War Team were most likely taken at a competition held at Simpson Barracks, Watsonia circa 1989. The photographs were on 35mm negative film and were scanned at 96 dpi. They are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. .1) - Photo, black & white, c1989, L to R: Neil Jones, WO1 Ken Slater, WO1 Brian Mead, unidentified (x2), Dave Cook, John Lane and Barry Miller. .2) - Photo, black & white, c1989, L to R: Rhys De Laine, WO1 Ken Slater, unidentified, Phil Meagher, unidentified (x6), Dave Cook and Mick Gillham. .3) - Photo, black & white, c1989, L to R: unidentified (x2), Rhys De Laine, Phil Meagher, Neil Jones, John Lane, Dave Cook, Rick Warren, Mick Gillham, unidentified and WO1 Ken Slater. .4) to .6) - Photo, black & white, c1989, L to R: Rick Warren, Dave Cook, John Lane, Neil Jones, Phil Meagher, Rhys De Laine and unidentified (x2). WO1 Ken Slater in foreground. .7) - Photo, black & white, c1989, L to R: Rick Warren, Dave Cook, John Lane, Neil Jones, Phil Meagher, Rhys De Laine and unidentified (x2). .8) - Photo, black & white, c1989, L to R: unidentified (x2), Rhys De Laine, Phil Meagher, Neil Jones, John Lane, Dave Cook, Rick Warren.No personnel are identified.royal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, fortuna, asr