On the morning of 30th April 1965, General Duong Van Minh ended the war with a radio and television broadcast announcing unconditional surrender. He appealed to South Vietnamese forces to lay down their arms, and to the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong to halt all hostilities: 'We are here to hand over to you the power in order to avoid bloodshed.' He had been in office as president for just three days. Within minutes, the North Vietnamese tanks and armoured vehicles that had surrounded the presidential palace smashed through the gates. Saigon was soon name Ho Chi Mihn City.A Diorama depicts second tank, NR844 passing through the ruined gates of the Presidential PalaceNR844 (on Tank)fall of saigon, diorama, tank, general duong van minh, south vietnamese forces, north vietnamese army, viet cong, ho chi mihn city

US Helicopter Pilot Helmet c1968. This Vietnam war era US helicopter pilot helmet was found during de-silting of the Perfume River through the old imperial capital city of Hue in 1999. In January and February 1968, Hue, located on the central coast between Da Nang in the south and the Demilitarized Zone in the north, was the scene of heavy fighting between US and South Vietnamese forces and units of the North Vietnamese Army which had attacked Hue as part of the 1968 Tet Offensive. This item was donated by Craftsman Francis William Penfold (3790124) who was a National Serviceman and was with the Royal Corps of Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and served with 102 Field Workshop from February 1968 to August 1968 Vietnam 1968.Olive green, metal flying helmet with lining and bulges in sides to accommodate headphones.helmet, american pilot, perfume river, hue, demilitarized zone, da nang, us forces, south vietnamese forces, north vietnamese army, tet offensive (1968), craftsman francis william penfold, 3790124, australian national serviceman, royal corps of australian electrical and mechanical engineers., 102 field workshop

Warrant Officer Class One Ron Almond served on the 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles cadre staff before being posted as a member of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) in 1969. There he was posted as adviser to 17th Armored Cavalry Squadron. He later returned to 8/13 VMR as Regimental Sergeant Major. The AATTV was a specialist unit of military advisors of the Australian Army that operated during the Vietnam War. Raised in 1962, the unit was formed solely for service as part of Australia's contribution to the war, providing training and assistance to South Vietnamese forces. Initially numbering only approximately 30 men, the size of the unit grew several times over the following years as the Australian commitment to South Vietnam gradually grew, with the unit's strength peaking at 227 in November 1970. Members of the team worked individually or in small groups, operating throughout the country from the far south to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in the north. Later they were concentrated in Phước Tuy Province as Australian forces prepared to withdraw from Vietnam. It is believed to be the most decorated Australian unit to serve in Vietnam; its members received over 100 decorations, including four Victoria Crosses, during its existence. The unit was withdrawn from Vietnam on 18 December 1972 and was disbanded in Australia on 16 February 1973. A total of 1,009 men served with the unit over a period of ten years, consisting of 998 Australians and 11 New Zealanders. Representative of a connection between Australian Army Reserve and South Vietnam.Wooden shield with coloured plastic emblem mounted at centre and engraved metal plate below.Presented to / 8/13 VMR OR's Mess / By Ex RSM 8/13 VMR / WO1 Ronald M Almond / 17th Armoured Cavalry Sqn / Advisory team 116 / Republic of Vietnam / May 1969-May 1970military, cadre, aattv, vietnam, cavalry, armour, almond

Photo collage of Australians in the Vietnam warFramed Picture Collage of Photos of VietnamVietnam the Vietnam War was a Military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia from 1959 to 30 April 1975. The war was fought between the communist North Vietnam supported by its communist allies, and the government of South Vietnam, supported by the United States and other member nations of the South East Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO) Australian Involvement For a decade from 1962 ton 1972, Australian Forces were actively involved in the bitter war that tore Vietnam apart. They served with distinction, and in battles such the decisive battle of Long Tan. They proved that they were more than a match for the Viet Cong.

Item issued to individual units in the Australian Military Forces for Outstanding Service by the South Vietnamese Govt during the Vietnam War.Badge, South Vietnamese Unit Citation with Palm. Rectangular shape, gold edging, centre has fabric coloured red each end, yellow centre & centre is of a brass palm leaf. Rear has pin & clasp.On rear: "GRACO GI"citation, palm unit, south vietnam

Index, bibliography, notes, ill, p.278.The Victoria Cross was the highest award, given only for a single act of valour. Just 90 Australians have been awarded it since they served with the British forces in South Africa in the late nineteenth century. And only four Australians have been awarded the George Cross, the ultimate medal for civilians in time of war. From Neville Howse in the Boer War in South Africa in 1900 to Keith Payne in Viet Nam in 1969 this book tells the story of twelve Australian recipients of the Victoria and George Crosses.military decorations - australia, george cross recepients - australia

Ill, notes, maps, p.370.fiction1966: An Australian military base is established around a hill in South Viet Nam - two battalions strong. The Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army draw up a plan to eliminate the base and allocate eight battalions for the task. Then the plan is thwarted when the Vietnamese forces run into an Australian company in the Long Tan rubber plantation.vietnam war 1961-1975 – australian involvement, vietnam war 1961-1975 – fiction

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

Following a month of intense, bloody street fighting during the 1968 Tet Offensive, the city of Hue in Vietnam became the site of mass graves for approximately 2,800 bodies of civilians and South Vietnamese officials. They were executed by North Vietnamese forces in what is called the Hue Massacre, which lasted for 26 days from 31 January 1968. The graves were located in and around the city, Object collected by WO2 Robert Palmer Matthews (# 34974) of the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps.Booklet by Kenneth Gee. 10 pages of graphic black and white images of bodies and ugliness of war.The Graves of Hue/ By Kenneth Gee/ A short story of the use of terror/ as a political weapon by the/ communists in South Vietnam.booklet, the graves of hue, kenneth gee, vietnam, atrocities - vietnam, vietcong, hue, hue massacre, tet offensive

Lai Khe Base Camp was a significant United States Army base in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, serving as the headquarters for the 1st Infantry Division from 1965 to 1972. Located along Highway QL13, also known as Thunder Road, it also hosted other U.S. Army units and the South Vietnamese Army's 5th Division. From a collection of 253 images on slides taken while on deployment in Vietnam, by Corporal Peter Stanley Sims (44304), who served in the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, 1969 - 1970.Sign of 'Lai Khe Dust Off 48.9FM', Vietnam 1969/70. peter stanley sims, 44304, slides, royal australian army medical corps, vietnam war, sims, hq australian forces vietnam, 20 surgical hospital, lai khe, dust off

Newspaper article in which a Vietnamese uni student asks the Australian Government to broaden its categories of refugees to save his father's life after Australian Forces have withdrawn from Vietnam. Shows post-war attitudes.Newspaper article from The Herald, 24/4/75.Article heading 'Student plea on Viet Father' and story of Mr Tran Huu Hanh.Small one coloumn article / Mr Tran Huu Hanh / Son of military judge with South Vietnamese Army.newspaper articles, vietnam conflict, vietnam refugees, refugee, plea, news, article, post-war vietnam

When American and South Vietnamese forces, led by General Creighton Abrams, launched an attack into neutral Cambodia in 1970, the invasion ignited a firestorm of violent antiwar protests throughout the United States, dealing yet another blow to Nixo's troubled presidency. 1961- 1975 - campaigns - cambodia, vietnamese conflict, 1961-1975 - united states, general creighton abrams, president nixon, cambodia

It began and ended with a trap. The first one nearl led a green Special Forces captain into a slaughter, the last cost the life of a heroic lietuenant. Between the two raged some of the fiercest infantry fighting of the Vietnam Waraustralia - armed forces - biography, vietnam war, personal narratives - australian, vietnamese conflict, 1961-1971 - personal narratives, australian, battle of dong tre, battle of trung luong, battle of hoa hoi, 1st cavalry division, 101st screaming eagles, nva

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

In 1971, while U.S. ground forces were prohibited from crossing the Loatian border, a South Vietnamese Army corps, with U.S. air support, launced the largest airmobile operaion in the history of warfare, Lam Son 719.operation lam son 719 (1971, history -- asia -- southeast asia, ho chi minh trail, president nixon, operation lam son 719, us forces, north vietnam army, tchepone in loas

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

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 Gunners of the 103 Battery 1st Field Reiment, Royal Australian Artillery, operating from their base at 1st ATF, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, fire in support of 5 RAR and 6 RAR infantry elements operating against the NVA/VietCong local forces (circa May 1967)photograph, artillery, 103 battery, 105mm howitzer, 1st atf base, nui dat, gibbons collection catalogue, gunner, phuoc tuy province, 5 rar, 6 rar, 1st field regt, royal australian artillery, nva viet cong, 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 extended Vietnamese family worshipping at a shrine outside Hue, South Vietnam, built to commemorate the male members of their families murdered by the NVA/VC Forces during the Tet Offensive in January to March 1968.photograph, hue, nva/vc, tet offensive (1968), gibbons collection catalogue, shrine, vna/vc forces, denis gibbons

White parachute canopy only. Cords cut. This parachure not used by Australians, more likely by Americans or South vietnamese.S/N 179346 IAC3 TIO-B or MCI-1Bparachute, american forces, south vietnam

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

Donated signed by the authorSince the end of the Vietnam War, historical research and writing on the Australian military involvement has only briefly dealt with intelligence aspects.australia - armed forces - history, vietnamese conflict, 1961-1975 - military intelligence - australia

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

This booklet was donated by John Anthony (Tony) Wheal, 0316300 who was a pilot with the Royal Australian Air Force. Tony served with No 9 Squadron in vietnam from April 1969 to April 1970.A cream and black coloured cardboard cover with black information on the front. Top right hand corner reads 7610-66-024-0789. The context in the middle are written in Vietnamese with the English version at the bottom of the page. There are two insignias on the cover. The booklet has a black material binding down the spine.united states - armed forces - service manuals, mines and booby traps, viet cong, booklet, john anthony (tony) wheal, 0316300, flying officer, flying officer john anthony (tony) wheal, no 9 sqn

This item was donated by Trooper Julian Peter McNamara (3794332) who was a National Servicemen with the Royal Australian Armoured Corps. He served in Vietnam with B Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment from September 1969 to December 1969 and A Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment from December 1969 to June 1970.Deep yellow in colour with black print. Six flags (USA, Australia, Thailand, Korea, New Zealand and Philippines) on either side of South Vietnamese flag. All other pages are B&W except the last page which has a river scene and pink flower.GIAY THONG-HANH "Safe conduct pass to be honored by all Vietnamese Government Agencies and Allied Forces" / Back signed by Nguyen Van Thienpermissive orders, pass, safe conduct, julian peter mcnamara, mcnamara, australian army, 3794332, trooper, royal australian armoured corps, national service, b squadron, a squadron, 1st armoured regiment

A thirty-two page booklet titled Viet Nam Questions & Answers. See media file for more information. allied forces, south vietnam, geneva agreements, national liberation front, united nations, governor general sir paul hasluck, minister for external affairs, united states, democratic republic of vietnam

On 30 April 1975, the Communist forces of North Vietnam occupied Saigon. President Dương Văn Minh ordered South Vietnam's army, the ARVN, to surrender unconditionally. Five generals of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) committed suicide rather than surrender to the Communist forces. Photographs of the 5 Generals of the Army of who committed suicide on 30th April 1975 : the Fall of Saigon/Black April.republic of vietnam, generals, black friday, vietnamese generals, le van hung, nguyen khoa nam, pham van phu, tran van hai, army of the republic of vietnam, avrn

Montagnard Dagger, C 1964, souvenired by Major Ian McKeown, Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV). The Central Highlands emerged as a strategically important area during the Vietnam War, because it included the Ho Chi Minh trail, the North Vietnamese supply line for Viet Cong forces in the south. communists passing through the highlands had, however, to contend with the Montagnards who they called Thurong (highlanders). The Montagnards were a formidable opponent in their home terrain and were not adverse to using their traditional weapons when dispatching their enemies, particularly when maintaining silence was critical. On loan courtesy the collection of Ian McKeownWooden handle. Metal reinforcement both ends of handle. Metal curved blade with concaved tip.maj mckeown, aattv, australian army training team vietnam (aattv), montagnard dagger, montagnards

Cogan is a textile artist and her work is political in nature. 'War and Peace' is about the Vietnam War and a statement about patriotism in war, of lessons not learnt, of remembrance and never forgetting. This work is an expression of her feelings towards this time and of her husband's experience who fought in this war. The Republic of Vietnam 'Vietnam Campaign Medal' is from the former country of South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam). Established in 1966, it was awarded to members of United States, Australian, and New Zealand military forces serving six months or more in support of Republic of Vietnam military operations. The medal is issued with a device known as the 1960 Bar. The bar displays the date of 1960 followed by a dash and a blank space. The unusual appearance was caused by the government of the Republic of Vietnam stating that the 1960 bar would show the dates of the Vietnam War from start to finish, with the ending date placed on the 1960 bar after the South Vietnamese had triumphed over North Vietnam (the Democratic Republic of Vietnam). Since South Vietnam fell, and the government ceased to exist, an ending date for the 1960 Bar was never established. The Vietnam Campaign Medal is considered a foreign award by the U.S., Australian, and New Zealand governments. The joint Australian and New Zealand campaign medal awarded for service in the Vietnam War is the 'Vietnam Medal'. The obverse of this medal shows the crowned head of Queen Elizabeth II, with titles, while the reverse has the inscription VIETNAM above a symbolic representation of the ideological war in Vietnam. The RSL poppy (the Flanders poppy) has long been a part of Remembrance Day, the ritual that marks the Armistice of 11 November 1918, and is also increasingly being used as part of Anzac Day observances. During the First World War, red poppies were among the first plants to spring up in the devastated battlefields of northern France and Belgium. In soldiers' folklore, the vivid red of the poppy came from the blood of their comrades soaking the ground. The poppy soon became widely accepted throughout the allied nations as the flower of remembrance to be worn on Armistice Day. Today the RSL continues to sell poppies for Remembrance Day to raise funds for its welfare work. "War and Peace' is significant as it explores and highlights a period in history (the Vietnam War), which was contentious both socially and politically. Cogan and her family lived locally, in the Shire of Eltham during this time, and her work is a reflection of the experiences and sentiments of a section of the Nillumbik community. Textile piece. 'War": Cast muslin, machine embroidery onto white calico. Tanin dye, poly thread, side bust view (hand, shoulder and arm). Black machine stiching on shirt and shirt pocket with two vietnam medals. A replica of the 'Vietnam Medal' in muslin is shown reverse and has the inscription VIETNAM above a symbolic representation of the ideological war in Vietnam, which is of a male figure standing between two spherical shapes. The ribbon has a vertical central section of bright yellow which has centrally superimposed on it three thin stripes of red, (representing the South Vietnamese flag) flanked by two stripes of red (representing the Army). On the left is a dark blue stripe representing the Navy and on the right, a light blue stripe representing the Air Force. A replica in muslin of the second medal is the Republic of Vietnam 'Vietnam Campaign Medal' of the former country of South Vietnam. The ribbon has green and white strips with a device bearing the inscription ‘1960 – ‘. The medal is traditionally a gold and white enamelled star with a green, red and gold centre motif. Right hand is touching the medals/heart, while left arm is left resting to the left side over a crutch which ends in a rolled up bandage. 'Peace': Cast muslin, machine embroidery onto calico. Black dye, poly thread and RSL poppy. Side bust view (hand, shoulder and arm). Yellow machine stiching on black shirt and shirt pocket with RSL red poppy on shirt pocket. Right hand is reaching to touch the poppy, while left arm is slightly bent resting on its' left side. Nonetextile, muslin, embroidery, vietnam war, medals, vietnam medal, vietnam campaign medal, rsl poppy, war, peace, armistice, remembrance day, anzac

An official AMF publication issued to all Australian servicemen and women just prior to their deployment to South Vietnam during the war in that country. Contains information about the culture of the country, aspects of the armed forces of USA, Republic of South Vietnam and the Viet Cong and North Vietnam Army. Details of weapons likely to be encountered. Green soft covered book titled 'Pocketbook South Vietnam', saddled stitched and stapled, 74 pages.vietnam war, weapons, language, customs