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), 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

A black and white photograph of First Australian Task Force Base, Luscombe Airfield, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province. A Royal Australian Air Force Caribou from 35 Sqn 'Wallaby Airlines' unloads passengers, as an American forward air controller taxis to take off. (circa March 1967)photograph, caribou, raaf, 35 squadron, wallaby airlines, gibbons collection catalogue

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 servicement (draftees) that were committed to active service in South Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. 5 RAR was the initail 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

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 Cont 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 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, rj o'neill, operation canberra, operation queanbeyan, operation hardihood, poster, information board

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

Andrew John BALSILLIE MBE, JP. Jack as he was known enlisted in the Australian Army near the end of WWII No 31224 age 16 years. He then served in Malaya 1959 - 1961then Vietnam with the rank of Captain with 1st Aust Task Force HQ Light Aid Detachment (LAD) 7.5.1969 - 7.11.1969, HQ Aust Force Vietnam Army component 8.11.1969 - 7.5.1970. He retired with the rank of Major in 1985 after 40 years plus. He was awarded an MBE in 1969 for his services to the Australian War Memorial. Elected to Committee Bendigo RSL 1988 - 1993 with Snr Vice President 1989 - 1993, re-elected 1999 - 2000. Re-elected again in 2002 as Snr Vice President. He was elected to Bendigo City Council 1990 - 1993 serving as Mayor in 1993. .1) Bush hat, floppy, khaki canvas, belonged to Major J BALSILLIE. .2) - .4) Gauze wound dressing in brown cotton pack, 2 rolls per pack. .5) Neck cloth, green cotton..1) Inside hat: Maj J Balsillie. .2) - .4) Labelled: First Field Dressings.headwear, medical dressings

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

Framed mounted - Military Medal Keith Downward; Australian Active Service Medal with clasp Vietnam; Vietnam Medal; Australian Defence Medal; Australian National Service Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal with clasp 1960. A certified True Copy of the citation for the Military Medal. Aluminium frame olive matt board, 6 medals and plaque. 1 infantry combat badge, 1 rising sun badge, 1 7RAR Corps badge, 3 black and white Photograph, Photograph 1 reads Pte Keith Downward receives the ribbon of the Military Medal from his Commanding Officer Major Jake O'Donnell at the 1st Australian Task Force Base (1ATF), Nui Dat, South Vietnam 25th February 1968. Photograph 2 reads Pte Keith Downward, the first Military Medal Winner from 7th battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR), Nui Dat, South Vietnam 25th February 1968. Photograph 3 reads Major General R W Knights, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Southern Command congratulates Military Medal recipient Keith Downward 7RAR accompanied by his wife Ann, for single handedly capturing an enemy machine gun post. Captain Ernest G Crooks MBE looks on.3788618 Pte. Keith Downard M.M. / A Company 7 Battalion Royal Australian Regiment / the Military Medal was awarded for his actions during the battle of Suoi Chau Pha on 6th August 1967./ The training platoon of 7 RAR is named the Downward MM platoon in honour of Keith Downard7 rar, keith downward, military medal, battle of suoi chau pha, maj jake o'donnell, maj gen r w knights, capt ernest g crooks, a coy, downard

Index, notes, Appendices, ill, p.134.In 'Seagulls, Cruisers and Catapults' Ray Jones has written an authoritative account of the technical, operational and political aspects of Australian naval aviation from Admiral Creswell's 1913 plan for naval aviation until the last aircraft catapult was removed from an Australian cruiser in 1944.The Navy's role as catalyst in the formation of the Air Force is outlined for the first time and details of the sometimes acrimonius struggle between Navy and Air Force over naval aviation are provided. No serious work of RAN history can deal with the mid-war years without taking account of advice from London and the Admiralty's influence on RAN aviation planning is made clear. Operation of aircraft, such as the Seagull III and Seagull V amphibians, from Australian warships are described and the rationale of cruiser aircraft operations are illustrated by the number shot down or damaged performing their essential task in wartime. The vital role of aircraft operating from cruisers searching for raiders and taking part in fleet operations defending Australia in 1942 is stressed. Extensive archival research in Melbourne, Canberra and London, combined with hours of interviews with the men who flew aircraft from cruisers and carrier, has ensured a balanced and well-rounded narrative which is an essential addition to the library of any naval or aviation history enthusiast.airplanes - military - australia, world war 1939-1945 - naval operations - australia

Fifth Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, was the first of our battalions composed of Regular and National Servicemen to be committed to operations in Vietnam and to stablish themselves at Nui Dat.vietnam war, 1961-1975 - regimental histories - australia, 5th battalion, the royal australian regiment, nui dat, binh ba, nui thi vai, long hai hills, phuoc tuy province, 1st australian task force, national service

In October 1966 a group of 28 soldiers was chosen to form Australia's first specialist Reconnaissance Platoon in the vietnam War. One of this platoon's section commanders was a 20 year old regular soldier called Bob Kearney, who led a series of deadly patrols while the First Australian Task Force established its headquarters in South Vietnam. 1961-1975 - reconnaissance operations, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - personal narratives, australian, cpl bob kearney, 1st australian task force

The first tunnel rats: this is the thrilling, hilarious and inspiring true story of a ragtag band of Aussie Army Engineers who redefined the word heroes...and reinvented larrikin to. Amongst the first Australians to fight in Vietnam, they faced death every day defusing Viet Cong booby traps - then partied all night in a casino they'd built in secret. They led hundreds of American troops to safety, but fought the US military police to a standstill in the bars of South Vietnam. They built the Australian Task Force's base - then sabotaged a headquarters conference, booby trapped showers and blew up a generator rather than kowtow to newly arrived officers.3 field troop royal australian engineers, cpl bob bowtell, tunnel rats, royal australian engineers, 1rar battalion, booby traps, viet cong, australian task force

In October 1966 a group of 28 soldiers was chosen to form Australia's first specialist Reconnaissance Platoon in the vietnam War. One of this platoon's section commanders was a 20 year old regular soldier called Bob Kearney, who led a series of deadly patrols while the First Australian Task Force established its headquarters in South Vietnam. 1961-1975 - reconnaissance operations, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - personal narratives, australian, cpl bob kearney, 1st australian tast force

The Regiment was the first unit involved in the establishment of the Australian Task Force in Nui Dat and the last to leave when the Task Force was finally disbanded.vietnam war, 1961-1975 - participation, 3rd - history, australian task force, nui dat

In October 1966 a group of 28 soldiers was chosen to form Australia's first specialist Reconnaissance Platoon in the vietnam War. One of this platoon's section commanders was a 20 year old regular soldier called Bob Kearney, who led a series of deadly patrols while the First Australian Task Force established its headquarters in South Vietnam. 1961-1975 - reconnaissance operations, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - personal narratives, australian, cpl bob kearney, 1st australian task force

A black and white photograph of diggers from 1st Australian Task Force, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, are briefed by the Provost Marshall on what is expected of them whilst on R & C leave in Vung Tau. The Military Police set the scene by giving the diggers their first beer freephotograph, 1 atf, nui dat, vung tau, military police, gibbons collection catalogue, r & c leave, phuoc tuy province

A black and white photograph of Sgt Fred J. Roberts, 22, Nowra, NSW, 3rd SAS Squadron, 1st Australian Task Force Base Nui Dat makes the first telephone call home to Australia from 1ATF Base to tell his wife of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM).Sgt Roberts was married with one daughter.photograph, 3rd sas sqn, 1st atf base, dcm, sgt fred roberts, nui dat, gibbons collection catalogue

A black and white photograph of a Group photo of the placed runners in the 5000 metre footrace from the market place at Long Dien. The race was run on the Vietnamese National DayTHE GREAT HUNG VUONG DAY ROAD RACE - 15th APRIL 1970: Hung Vuong Day, 15th April 1970, the Vietnamese National Day commemorating the events of the birth of the Vietnamese Race, is on of the most important festivals of the Vietnamese Memorabilia. The placed contestant athletics in the 5000 metre foot race from the market place at Long Dien, south east of Nui Dat, the 1st Australian Task force Base, along national Route 23 to the town square at Baria (Phuoc Le), the Phuoc Tuy Province Capital. The multi coloured shirts of the various contestants, from the numerous military and civilian units in the province and the Australian Task Force looked out of place in the war zone. It took 17 minutes, 5 seconds for the outright winner to get to the finish, a strapping young SAS soldier, Trooper John Thurgar, from Scone, N.S.W. of the 1st Special Air Service Squadron, one of the Australian contestants. The first prize, silver cup, was presented to Trooper Thrugar by Colonel Tu, The Province Chief, Colonel Peter Falkland, the 1st Australian Task Force Deputy Commander presented the first Vietnamese contestant across the finish line with a silver cup. In all there were trophies for the first siz places by the Vietnamese and the "visitors", SAS took the first three Australian/New Zealand places whilst the last three came from other 1st Australian Task Force Units, the first prize for each of the individual winners was a large silver cup, for the next five runners up, by the Australians there was a smaller silver cup, for the Vietnamese first place there was a silver cup the same size as for the Australian, outright, winner, while the next five Vietnamese runners up received a parcel of clothing and towels.photograph, 1st sas sqn, baria, phuoc tuy province, vietnamese national day, gibbons collection catalogue, great hung vuong day road race, trooper john thurgar, national route 23, nui dat, long dien village, col tu, col peter falkland, 1st atf base, sas

The Battle of Sunda Strait was a naval battle which occurred during World War II in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java, and Sumatra. On the night of 28 February – 1 March 1942, the Australian light cruiser HMAS Perth and the American heavy cruiser USS Houston faced a major Imperial Japanese Navy task force. After a fierce battle of several hours duration, both Allied ships were sunk. The sinking of HMAS Perth at the Battle of Sunda Strait 28 February -1 March 1942 cost 357 Australian lives. A further 324 crewmen fell into enemy hands. Two and a half years of brutal captivity claimed the lives of 106 of these men - 53 on the Thai Burma Railway alone.Framed cuttings of newspaper articles,13 photographs and 7 flags As Portrayed to the Australian Public 1942-1945 BATTLE OF JAVA SEA & SUNDA STRAIT 27 FEB - 1 MAR 1942 The first and only battle fought by a combined American Australian British and Dutch Naval Force against the Japanesesunda strait, hmas perth

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

Major Damien Batty served in Afghanistan in 2011-2012 with the Bravo Commando Company Group, 2nd Commando Regiment in Uruzgan. Major Batty served alongside Said Haim, an Afghan police officer. Australian forces were often involved in mentoring and training Afghan police and army units. According to the letter Major Batty worked with Said Haim on logistics for PRC (Provincial Response Company) Uruzgan. The Commandos took part in 20 rotations with the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) between 2007 and 2012. During this time they undertook significant combat operations, and were awarded for its actions, the regiment was collectively awarded the Unit Citation for Gallantry and the Meritorious Unit Citation. This letter is a rare example of first-person correspondence between a member of Australia's Special Forces and a member of the Afghan police force. The letters, both in Arabic and English, are significant for their capacity to illustrate the personal face of the Australian mission in Afghanistan, and to signify the nature of individual relationships between Australian personnel and local reconstruction forces. Two letters, one in Arabic and the second translated into English. Arabic letter is photocopied, English letter is written in blue pen. major damien batty, uruzgan, afghanistan, letter, police, prc, commandos

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

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