A framed coloured original painting in gold timber with a multi beige matte and a cream matte around the painting. Painting depicts several world leaders including Sir Robert Menzies, flags of Australia and SVN. In the foreground is a 105mm Artillary Battery. also a number of soldiers resting. See a full description of the detail of the painting (Photo 2021-125)painting, robert menzies, flags, south vietnam flag, 105mm artillery, adrian d'hage, adrian cronauer, pte brian john wood, 3179841, royal australian infantry corps, 4th battalion, the royal australian regiment, capt (temp) adrian stuart d'hage, 235323, military cross, 6th battalion, australian task force - vietnam, prime minister robert menzies, adrian cronauer - tge us air force sergean, armed forces radio show, goooooooood morning, vietnam

The commander f the 1st Australian Task Force in Vietnam held the key operational command in Australia's largest military commitment of the Cold War period. Although the Vietnam War has been written on at length, the brigade level of command, held in Vietnam by the commander of 1 ATF, has received comparatively little attention. This is the more remarkable given the Australian Army's recently renewed interest in a "task force' structure and the modern trend away from large scale conventional warfare. australia. army. australian task force (vietnam), command of troops, 1 atf, cold war

This item was donated by Sgt Derrill Vivian de Heer (37643) who was with the Royal Australian Infantry Corps and served with the 8th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment from November 1969 to April 1970, 1st Psychological Operations Unit from April 1970 to November 1970 and the 4th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment from September 1971 to December 1971.Two copies of Kinetics in Counterinsurgency: some influences on soldier combat performance in the 1st Australian Task Force in the Vietnam War, published in the journal, Small Wars & Insurgencies. Vol. 21 No. 3, Sep 2010.counterinsurgency, combat performance, soldier lethality, 1st australian task force, viet cong, people's army of north vietnam, pavn, vc, d company, 6th battalion, the royal australian regiment, battle of long tan, us army, apc, special air services, sas, phuoc tuy province, wounded in action, killed in action, sgt derril vivian de heer, 37643, royal australian infantry corps, 8th battalion, 1st psychological operations unit

A brief history of FAC aircraft in Vietnam & in particular, The Cessna O-2A.forward air controller, 1st australian task force, cessna o-2a, aerial reconnaissance -- united states, vietnam war, 1961-1975 -- aerial operations, american

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

The 2002 Chief of Army's Military History Conference.Vietnam was Australia's longest war, and among its most controversial and devisive.australian army, vietnam war, 7th battalion, the royal australian regiment, 2nd battalion royal australian regiment, 1st battalion rar, australian task force - vietnam, anzac battalion, president kennedy, us military

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

The Vietnam War, and Australia's part in it, was a major military event, calling for willingness to face death and destruction on the battlefields on the part of those sent there, especially the men of our infantry battalions who formed the spearhead of our forces in Vietnam,australia. australian army. australian task force (vietnam), 1st., vietnam war, 1961-1975 -- participation, australian, counterinsurgency -- vietnam (republic), 5 rar

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

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 Diggers of 11 Platoon, D Coy 6 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) on Operation Lavarack North East of the Australian Task Force Base at Nui Dat. The American Dustoff medical helicopter and its supporting aircraft lands at the helicopter landing zone, the VietCong is lifted to load.photograph, 11 platoon, d coy, 6 rar/nz, australian task force - vietnam, nui dat, operation lavarack, dustoff, gibbons collection catalogue, viet cong, diggers, 6 rar/nz (anzac), wounded viet cong soldier, 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 an RAAF inpatient at the 1st Australian Field Hospital Physiotherapy hut receives encouragement from the physiotherapist Lt Diane Skewes to try harder.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, australian task force - vietnam, nui dat, physiotherapy, lt diane skewes, raaf, wounded serviceman, denis gibbons

The Vietnam War, and Australia's part in it, was a major military event, calling for willingness to face death and destruction on the battlefields on the part of those sent there, especially the men of our infantry battalions who formed the spearhead of our forces in Vietnam,australia. australian army. australian task force (vietnam), vietnam war, 1961-1975 -- participation, australian, counterinsurgency -- vietnam (republic), 5 rar

An accurate, absorbing account of the biggest unit level battle involving Australian forces in Vietnam. This saga in the histor of the modern da ANZACs exemplifies their spirit and indomitable corage, which has made the Australian "Digger" famous the world over.australia. army. australian task force (vietnam), 1st, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - participation, australian, battle of coral-balmoral

An accurate, absorbing account of the biggest unit level battle involving Australian forces in Vietnam. This saga in the histor of the modern da ANZACs exemplifies their spirit and indomitable corage, which has made the Australian "Digger" famous the world over.australia. army. australian task force (vietnam), 1st, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - participation, australian, battle of coral-balmoral, fire support base, anzac

The 2002 Chief of Army's Military History Conference.Vietnam was Australia's longest war, and among its most controversial and devisive.australian army, vietnam war, 7th battalion, the royal australian regiment, 2nd battalion royal australian regiment, 1st battalion rar, australian task force - vietnam, anzac battalion, president kennedy, us military

An Poster, Information Board on 5 RAR. The 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (5 RAR) was raised at Holsworthy Barracks NSW on the 1st March 1965 It was the first of nine rotating battalions composed of half regular army and half national servicemen (draftees) that were committed to active service in South Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. 5 RAR was the initial infantry element of the first Australian Task Force (1 ATF) Vietnam. The Battalion conducted two tours of dutyAn Poster, Information Board on 5 RAR. The 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (5 RAR) was raised at Holsworthy Barracks NSW on the 1st March 1965 It was the first of nine rotating battalions composed of half regular army and half national servicemen (draftees) that were committed to active service in South Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. 5 RAR was the initial infantry element of the first Australian Task Force (1 ATF) Vietnam. The Battalion conducted two tours of duty5 rar, poster, information board, 1 atf, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, viet cong, battle of binh ba, lt col warr, lt col colin khan, military awards, wounded serviceman, r j o'neill, guerrilla warfare, 1st australian task force, australian national serviceman, killed in action, lt col john arnold warr, 3487, companion of the distinguished service order, lt col colin nicholas khan, 235030, commanding officers, capt robert john o'neill, 335113, mention in dispatches

5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Units 1 Australian Task Force Vietnam North Vietnamese Army Viet Cong Place Horseshoe Hill Events Tet Offensive Operation Bondi Battle Honour Binh Ba Commanding Officers Warr, John Arnold Kahn, Colin Nicholas Decorations First tour: 1 DSO; 3 MC; 2 MM; 1 MID and bar; 18 MID; Second tour: 1 DSO; 3 MC; 2 DCM; 1 Medal of Gallantry; 3 MM; 11 MID Conflict Vietnam, 1962-1975 References Vietnam Vietnam Vietnam Vietnam Vietnam Vietnam Category Unit Conflict Vietnam, 1962-1975 Unit hierarchy Australian Army Royal Australian Infantry 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Wooden plaque with 3 separate designs attached.5th Battalion

This is a set of 12 photographs of A Section, 1st Topographic Survey Troop taken from the 25th of May to the 12th of June 1966 during their deployment to Vung Tau, Vietnam. Led by OC CAPT Bob Skitch, the ten personnel from A Section 1st Topo Svy Tp and six personnel from supporting units were the first contingent from the Royal Australian Survey Corps deployed to provide topographic support to the Australian Task Force in Vietnam. They arrived in Saigon, Vietnam on the 10th of June 1966 enroute to the Australian Reinforcement Unit (ARU) “back beach” camp in Vung Tau. The ten RA Svy technical personnel from 1st Topo Svy Tp deployed were: WO2 David Christie, SGT Stan Campbell, SGT Dave King, CPL Jim Roberts, CPL Dennis Duquemin, CPL Des Ceruti, SPR Derek Chambers, SPR Brian Firns, SPR Joe O’Connor and SPR Ron Smith. External personnel deployed were: WO2 Snow Rollston from Northern Command Field Survey Unit, T/CPL Peter Clarke – orderly room corporal, T/CPL Alan Carew – Technical Storeman, SPR Stan Johns – Map Storeman, SPR Boots Campbell – batman/driver and PTE BNF Brunning – cook. The ship featured in photos .1P and .2P was the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney on its 4th voyage to Vietnam. On board were SGT Stan Campbell and SPR Brian Firns, tasked to manage A Section’s stores and equipment. The rest of A Section deployed to Vietnam by air on the chartered Qantas 707B ‘City of Longreach'. A Section’s main tasks were to establish a Theatre Grid, map compilation and map revision; Engineer Survey Support in the camp and to the civil community; give assistance to the Cordon Search Missions by producing large scale plots from aerial photos with every house and fence etc plotted; and then reproduce these by silk screening usually, within a 24-hour period. RA Svy’s support concluded with the withdrawal of Australian troops from Vietnam in 1972. More information on the A Section, 1st Topographic Survey Troop and the Army Survey Regiment’s supporting role is provided in pages 89 to 94 of Valerie Lovejoy’s book 'Mapmakers of Fortuna – A history of the Army Survey Regiment’ ISBN: 0-646-42120-4.This is a set of 12 photographs of A Section, 1st Topographic Survey Troop (1st Topo Svy Tp), taken from the 25th of May to the 12th of June 1966 during their deployment to Vung Tau, Vietnam. The black and white photographs were printed on photographic paper and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The photographs were scanned at 300 dpi. .1) &.2) - Photo, black & white, 1966. HMAS Sydney departing Woolloomooloo wharf en-route to Vietnam. .3) - Photo, black & white, 1966. A Section 1 Topo Svy Tp relaxing in a bar before deployment. OC CAPT Bob Skitch in centre of photo. .4) - Photo, black & white, 1966. Unidentified A Section 1 Topo Svy Tp personnel and troops from other units relaxing in a bar before deployment. .5) - Photo, black & white, 1966. A Section 1 Topo Svy Tp personnel arrival by bus at Saigon (Tan Son Nhut) Airport. OC CAPT Bob Skitch 4th from right. .6) - Photo, black & white, 1966. A Section 1 Topo Svy Tp personnel boarding the USAF Hercules aircraft enroute from Saigon (Tan Son Nhut) Airport to Vung Tau Airfield. OC CAPT Bob Skitch on left. .7) - Photo, black & white, 1966. A Section 1 Topo Svy Tp personnel and troops from other units boarding the USAF Hercules aircraft enroute from Saigon (Tan Son Nhut) Airport to Vung Tau Airfield. .8) & .9) - Photo, black & white, 1966. A Section 1 Topo Svy Tp personnel arrive at the Australian Reinforcement Unit (ARU) “back beach” camp. .10) - Photo, black & white, 1966. A Section 1 Topo Svy Tp personnel in oppressive conditions work on map products. .11) - Photo, black & white, 1966. Group photo of A Section 1 Topo Svy Tp. OC CAPT Bob Skitch on far right. .12) - Photo, black & white, 1966. Group photo of A Section 1 Topo Svy Tp. OC CAPT Bob Skitch 3rd from right.Annotated with the photo set - ‘ DET 1 Topo Svy Tp Vung Tau 25 May to 12 of Jun 66’royal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, fortuna, asr, 1st topographical survey troop

Marra was a refrigerated cargo ship built by Ardrossan Dry Dock & Ship Building Co. in 1955. The first owner was the Adelaide Steamship Co. Ltd., Melbourne . 1,396 gross tons. Lbd: 233'2" x 37'8" x 14'9". in May 1965 it was sold to the Australian Army and renamed AS3051 (John Monash) and provided a shuttle service from Australia to Vietnam transporting cargo for the Australian Task Force. In September 1974, it was sold to unknown buyers however prior to that sale, she worked the West Australian coast being used on the Ord River Project under 'Stateships' perhaps under lease. The Clydebuilt shipsite states she was renamed Asian Queen in 1976 , Arabian Victory in 1980 and finally Sea Rose in 1981. The ship was scrapped in May 1984 at Gadani Beach, Pakistan. Lifebuoys are an essential piece of equipment on a ship. Because the name of the ships it belongs to is written on it is often the only memorabilia left from the ship when it is sent to scrapyard.Round buoy decorated in red and yellow sections with the word "Marra Melbourne" painted on the front. There is a rope that is strung through sections of the exterior.In black paint on the front of the buoy: "MARRA MELBOURNE"safety wheel, lifebelt, water wheely, ring buoy, lifering, lifesaver, life donut, life preserver, perry buoy, lifebuoy, lifesaving equipment, rescue, drowning, vietnam war, adelaide steamship, john monash, australian army, life buoy

This is a set of two photographs of Royal Australian Survey Corps and RAAF personnel on survey operations in PNG and possibly Indonesia circa 1975. The identified surveyor - Peter Presser served 20 years in the Australian Regular Army from 1970 to 1990. The UH-1H Iroquois helicopter (serial number partially obscured) appearing in photo 6339.2P was probably A2-379. From 1957 helicopter transport of survey parties revolutionised transport in remote areas. The most common helicopter used by the Royal Australian Survey Corps (RA Svy) up to 1972 was the civilian Bell 47G-2 and the Sioux Light Observation Helicopters (LOH), the Australian Army’s equivalent. These light observation helicopters had a limiting load carrying capacity of up to about 500 pounds. By comparison, one Aerodist team including two people weighed up to 1,500 pounds. After No. 9 Squadron (9SQN) RAAF (Iroquois helicopters) withdrew with the Australian force from Vietnam in December 1971, RAAF supported RA Svy operations with the UH-1H Iroquois helicopter for tasks of transport and resupply of survey teams. The UH-1H was capable of carrying at least three times that of the smaller Bell 47G-2/Sioux LOH helicopter and could also winch personnel and stores into difficult locations. A2-379 crashed killing the aircraft captain (FLTLT Ralph Taylor 9SQN) on impact and seriously injuring four near Wamena, Irian Jaya, Indonesia on survey Operation Cenderawasih 1977 (supporting 2 Fd Svy Sqn – Doppler satellite survey). Source: Royal Australian Survey Corps – Aerodist Years 1964-1975 by Peter Jensen.This is a set of two photographs of Royal Australian Survey Corps and RAAF personnel on survey operations in PNG and possibly Indonesia circa 1975. The photographs were printed on photographic paper and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The photographs were scanned at 300 dpi. .1) - Colour, black & white, c1975, Peter Presser undertaking survey observations in PNG with a Wild T2 Theodolite. .2) - Photo, black & white, c1975. Survey operations L to R: unidentified (x2), Peter Presser, unidentified. .1P and .2P – No annotations. royal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, fortuna, asr

This is a photograph of A Section, 1st Topographic Survey Troop taken at Nui Dat, Vietnam in 1969. A nominal roll of personnel and their trade as of the 30th of September 1969, accompanies this photo. Their trades in this photo were as follows - Surveyors Topographic: WO1 Darby Munro, SGT Paddy Strunks, SGT Graeme Birrell, CPL Brian Knight, CPL Colin Laybutt, SPR Roderick Gilbert and SPR Rodney Offer. Draughtsmen Topographic: SGT Terrance Linz, CPL Robert Kay, SPR Peter Aukstinaitis, SPR Lloyd Patterson and SPR Ian Wark. Photographer Cartographic: CPL George Graham. Clerk Admin: CPL Oreste Biziak. Helioworker: CPL Geoffrey White, SPR Lance Percey. Cook AACC: PTE R. Johnston. The first Royal Australian Survey Corps troops arrived in South Vietnam on the 10th of June 1966. This was a detachment from 1st Topographic Survey Troop, which was to give cartographic support to the Australian Task Force. Their main tasks were to establish a Theatre Grid, map compilation and map revision. Engineer Survey Support in the camp and to the civil community and give assistance to the Cordon Search Missions by producing large scale plots from aerial photos with every house and fence etc plotted and then reproduce these by silk screening usually, within a 24-hour period. This support concluded with the withdrawal of Australian troops from Vietnam in 1972. For more information on the career of A Section’s OC MAJ Peter Constantine AM, refer to item 6159P or 6092P. He was the CO of the Army Survey Regiment from 1975 to 1976 and CO of the School of Military Survey (SMS) from 1976 to his retirement in January 1982. His memoirs of active duty in Vietnam ‘Surveyor - Printer Behind the Lines’ was published in 2022. 2IC CAPT Frank Thorogood SB St J’s career culminated at the rank of LTCOL as the CO Army Survey Regiment from 1980 to 1981. More information on the A Section, 1st Topographic Survey Troop and the Army Survey Regiment’s supporting role is provided in pages 89 to 94 of Valerie Lovejoy’s book 'Mapmakers of Fortuna – A history of the Army Survey Regiment’ ISBN: 0-646-42120-4.This is a photograph of A Section, 1st Topographic Survey Troop taken at Nui Dat, Vietnam in 1969. The black and white photograph was printed on photographic paper and is part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The photograph was scanned at 300 dpi. .1) - Photo, black & white, 1969. Back row L to R: SPR Lance Percey, SPR Bruce Grisdale, SPR Rodney Offer, SPR Roderick Gilbert, CPL Geoffrey White, PTE R. Johnston, CPL Colin Laybutt, SPR Lloyd Patterson. Centre row L to R: SPR Peter Aukstinaitis, SPR Ian Hanna, SPR Ian Wark, CPL Robert Kay, CPL George Graham, CPL Oreste Biziak, CPL Brian Knight. Front row L to R: SGT Terrance Linz, SSGT Gordon Haswell, 2IC CAPT Frank Thorogood SB St J, OC MAJ Peter Constantine AM, WO1 Darby Munro, SGT Paddy Strunks, SGT Graeme Birrell.An A4 nominal roll of personnel and their trade accompanies the photo, as of the 30th of September 1969. A torn paper identifies the personnel in the photo. Annotated on back of photo – ‘Unit Photo – 1 Topo Svy Tp 30 Sept 69’royal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, fortuna, asr

The Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) is a corps of the Australian Army (although the word corps does not appear in their name or on their badge). The RAE is ranked fourth in seniority of the corps of the Australian Army, behind the Staff Cadets, Armoured and Artillery Corps. The Corps was formed by the amalgamation of the various colonial engineer corps of the States and territories of Australia in 1902[2] and since then has served in various conflicts including World War I, World War II and the Vietnam War. The Corps has also served on numerous peacekeeping operations and is currently involved in the Australian contribution to the war in Afghanistan. The RAE provides combat engineering, construction and other technical support to the Australian Defence Force. One of the main roles of the Corps is to provide mobility and counter mobility capabilities to the Australian Army and its allies. This means enhancing the ability of friendly forces to move while denying movement to enemy forces. In order to provide these capabilities, engineers are required to conduct many tasks including penetrating minefields, locating and disarming booby traps, purifying water and building roads and bridges. The Corps also performs the majority of the Australian Army's demolition tasks and is trained to fight as infantry if needed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Australian_EngineersWooden Plaque 15cm x 13cmRoyal Australian Engineers

Report written for the "Australian?" Army Journal. This report describes in some detail the Australian 1st Topographical Survey Troop from its initial formation in Oct 1965 through its deployment to South Vietnam in May 1966 and its Operational activities during 1966/67 in support of the 1st Australian Task Force.A4 booklet, stapled in top left corner. "SSgt Learmonth" written on front cover.royal australian survey corps, rasvy, fortuna, army survey regiment, army svy regt, asr, 1st topographical survey troop, south vietnam

Ill, maps, p.336.non-fictionOn the afternoon of 18 August 1966, just five kilometres from the main Australian Task Force base at Nui Dat, a group of Viet Cong soldiers walked into the right flank of Delta Company, 6 RAR. Under a blanket of mist and heavy monsoon rain, amid the mud and shattered rubber trees, a dispersed Company of 108 men held its ground with courage and grim determination against a three-sided attack from a force of 2,500 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army troops. When the battle subsided, 18 Australian soldiers lay dead and 24 had been wounded. Battlefield clearance revealed 245 enemy bodies with captured documents later confirming the count at over 500 enemy killed and 800 wounded. These men were led by a gruff and gusty perfectionist, Major Harry Smith. Now, some 47 years after the battle, Harry tells his story for the first time. But Long Tan is more than just an account of a historic battle. Harry Smith takes his readers on an extraordinary journey - one that ultimately reveals a remarkable cover-up at the highest military and political echelons. Long Tan is also Harry's life story and portrays his many personal battles, from failed marriages to commando-style killing; from a horrific parachute accident through to his modern-day struggles with bureaucracy for recognition for his soldiers. Harry's battles are tempered by his love of sailing, where he has at last found some peace. Long Tan portrays the wrenching, visceral experience of a man who has fought lifelong battles, in a story that he is only now able to tell. Harry can still hear the gunfire and smell the blood spilt at Long Tan. For him, the fight continues. Collapse summary vietnam conflict - australian involvement, vietnam war 1961-1975 – battles – long tan

An Poster, Information Board of 5 RAR 1966 to 1967 (tst Tour). The 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment ("Battalion") were the leading element of the First Australian Task Force (1 ATF) and stationed in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. The Battalion's task was to break Viet Cong control over the central region of Phuoc Tuy Province - an area that communists had freely operated in since 1945. Commencing of the 24th May 1966, the Battalion conducted its first operation codenamed "Hardihood". Their objective was to sweep and clear areas to the north and east of Nui Dat to a distance of 5000 meters, then create a defensive position to enable 1 ATF to establish an operation base. The Battalion conducted eighteen full-lenght operations as well as numerous day and night cordon and search, search and destroy, ambush and clearing patrols conducted at company, platoon and section levels. the Battalion achieved considerable success during Operations Canberra and Queanbeyan in October 1966 when it swept and cleared the Nui Thi Vai mountain. A Viet Cong base consisting of training facilities, a hospital, booby trap factory and several tonnes of rice was located and destroyed. during phase two (Operation Queanbeyan) the battalion discovered complex cave and tunnel systems along with other fixed installations that were vigorously fought for and destroyed by the battalion. Not only di the caves contain large quantities of weapons, equipment and documents but the 274 VC Regiments deputy commanders radio complex. For bravery and leadership, three Military Crosses, one Military Medal and one Mentioned in Dispatches were awarded. The last was awarded posthumously. However, at the completion of the battalion's first tour, the 274 and 275 Viet Cong Regiments remained functional. While the enemy retained the capacity to inflict serious casualities on smaller allied forces, the Battalion and other elements of the 1 AFt were successful in denying the enemy their previous gains. This enabled the South Vietnamese Government to re-establish control of over 96 per cent of the Phuoc Tuy Province during Australia's involvement. Source O'Neill, RJ Vietnam Task, the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment 1966/67, Melbourne. Cassell Australia Ltd, 19685 rar, 1st tour 1966 - 1967, operation hardihood, 1st atf base, poster, information board, nui dat, nui thai vai mountains, operation canberra, operation queanbeyan, viet cong, 274 vc regiments, military cross, bravery, military medal, mention in dispatches, capt robert john o'neill, 335113, royal australian infantry corps, 5th battalion, the royal australian regiment

An Poster, Information Board of The 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment ("Battalion") were the leading element of the First Australian Task Force (1 ATF) and stationed in Vietnam from 1966 - 1967. The Battalion's task was to break Viet Cong control over the central region of Phuoc Tuy Province - an area that communists had freely operated in since 1945. See media for more information Commencing of the 24th May 1966, the Battalion conducted its first operation codenamed "Hardihood". Their objective was to sweep and clear areas of the north and east of Nui Dat to a distance of 5000 meters, then create a defensive position to enable 1 ATF to establish an operational base.5 rar, 1 atf, viet cong, phuoc tuy province, nui dat, nui thai vai mountains, 274 vc regiments, 275 vc regiments, military awards, operation canberra, operation queanbeyan, operation hardihood, poster, information board, battle of binh ba, 1st australian task force, hat dich, bien hoa province, may tao mountains, 33 nva regiment, capt david symon wilkins, 235241, royal australian infantry corps, the royal australian regiment