Photos Aussies and Kiwi's in Vietnam

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Private Harry Esler 10 Platoon, D Company, 6RAR - Battle of Long Tan.

 

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(On Right) Private Harry Esler - 10 Platoon, D Coy, 6RAR - Battle of Long Tan.

 

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61367 Sergeant (Sgt), Ian Charles Morley, the Gun Sergeant for 'C' gun, 105th Field Battery, Royal Australian Artillery, (RAA), about to load a 105 mm shell into an Italian made 105 mm L5 Pack Howitzer, a type of gun used by Australian artillery units during the early years of the Vietnam war. Sgt Morley served with 105th Field Battery from September 1965 to June 1966 and with 1st Field Regiment from June 1966 to September 1966. He also completed a second tour in South Vietnam with the RAA, firstly with 12th Field Regiment from January 1969 to April 1969 and then with 1st Field Regiment from April 1969 to February 1970. This gun fired in support of Australian troops in 1965 - 1966, including the battle of Long Tan, and is now part of the National Collection held by the Australian War Memorial.

 

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A sand bagged gun pit with 'C' gun, 105 Field Battery, at the 1st Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat. The gun is an Italian made (OTO-Melara) 105 mm L5 Pack Howitzer, a type used by Australian artillery units since 1963 and during the early years of the Vietnam war. They were light enough to be lifted by a UH-1 Iroquois helicopter and could be transported inside an M113A1 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC). To make these guns lighter and more manoeuvrable, the protective shields were generally removed, as shown here. To the left of the gun pit is the canvas covered ammunition bay, a below ground bunker, used to store the 105 mm rounds. The gun is resting on perforated sheets of steel matting to prevent it from sinking into soft ground during the wet season and tent lines are visible in the background. The L5 Pack Howitzer could fire a variety of shell types, including high explosive, high explosive squash head, smoke and illumination out to a maximum range of 10,000 metres. This gun fired in support of Australian troops in 1965 - 1966, including the battle of Long Tan, and is now part of the National Collection held by the Australian War Memorial.

 

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Group portrait of a mixture of 2, 3, and 4 Troop, 1st Armoured Personnel Sqadron, en route to picking up 6 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR), taken three weeks before the battle of Long Tan. Identified, front left: Corporal David Davies; Corporal Peter Clements (KIA). One of a set of images relating to the service of 215419 David William Davies, 1st Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron (May-December 1966) and A Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment (January-April 1967). He served a later tour with B Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment from December 1969 - June 1970.

 

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21 August 1966. Major Harry Smith of Brisbane, Qld, and OC, D Company, the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), in front of a blackboard briefing foreign press representatives on the battle of Long Tan.

 

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21 August 1966. Lieutenant Colonel Colin M. Townsend, Commander Officer, the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), on a stage briefing an audience of foreign press representatives on the battle at Long Tan.

 

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Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam. 1966-10. "Sighting up" with a captured communist Chicom assault rifle during an evaluation test is Second Lieutenant David Sabben of Gosford, NSW, Officer Commanding 12 Platoon, D Company. The weapon was captured by D Company, the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), during the battle of Long Tan.

 

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Vietnam. 1966-10. 2/7758 Warrant Officer 2 John William 'Jack' Kirby, Company Sergeant Major (CSM) D Company, 6th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) of Windsor, Brisbane, Qld, (left), and Major Harry Smith of Ashgrove, Brisbane, Qld, Officer Commanding D Company 6RAR, test firing the Goryunov SG43 7.62 x 54mmR Soviet made Chinese communist heavy machine gun captured at the battle of Long Tan. Smith and Kirby distinguished themselves at the Battle of Long Tan on 18 August 1966. Smith was awarded the Military Cross (MC) and Kirby the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). On 6 February 1967, whilst participating in Operation Tamborine, Kirby was fatally wounded by artillery fire from the 161st Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery (RNZA), when 12 105mm rounds accidentally fell on and around the D Coy Headquarters. This friendly fire incident killed four Australians (including Kirby) and wounded 13 others.

 

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Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam. 1966-10. Firing a captured communist Chicom heavy machine gun during an evaluation test is Captain Ian McLean-Williams of Ashgrove, Brisbane, Qld. Looking on is Second Lieutenant Geoff Kendall of Undervale, SA. The weapon was captured by D Company, the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), during the battle of Long Tan.

 

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Vietnam. 1966-10. Evaluating a captured communist Chicom assault rifle during a test fire in Phuoc Tuy Province is Private Jeff Peters of Yagoona, Brisbane, Qld. On his right in the background is test supervisor, 2/7758 Warrant Officer 2 John William 'Jack' Kirby, Company Sergeant Major (CSM) D Company, 6th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) of Windsor, Brisbane, Qld. The rifle was among weapons captured by D Company, the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), during the battle of Long Tan. Kirby distinguished himself at the Battle of Long Tan on 18 August 1966 and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) on 21 December 1966 for his actions. However on 6 February 1967, whilst participating in Operation Tamborine, he was fatally wounded by artillery fire from the 161st Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery (RNZA), when 12 105mm rounds accidentally fell on and around the D Coy Headquarters. This friendly fire incident killed four Australians (including Kirby) and wounded 13 others.

 

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Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam. 1966-10. Firing a captured communist Chicom light machine gun during an evaluation test is Private Ken Tronc of Coorparoo, Brisbane, Qld. The weapon was captured by D Company, the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), during the battle of Long Tan.

 

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Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam. 1966-10. Firing a captured communist Chicom self loading rifle is Private Dennis Graham of Carlton, Sydney, NSW. On his right in the background is test supervisor, 2/7758 Warrant Officer 2 John William 'Jack' Kirby, Company Sergeant Major (CSM) D Company, 6th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment (RAR). The weapon was captured by D Company, the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), during the battle of Long Tan. Kirby distinguished himself at the Battle of Long Tan on 18 August 1966 and was awarded the DCM on 21 December 1966 for his actions. However on 6 February 1967, whilst participating in Operation Tamborine, he was fatally wounded by artillery fire from the 161st Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery (RNZA), when 12 105mm rounds accidentally fell on and around the D Coy Headquarters. This friendly fire incident killed four Australians (including Kirby) and wounded 13 others.

 

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Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam. 1966-10. Firing a captured communist Chicom light machine gun during an evaluation test is Private (Pte) Peter Dettman of Tinga, NSW. On his left in the background is test supervisor, 2/7758 Warrant Officer 2 John William 'Jack' Kirby, Company Sergeant Major (CSM) D Company, 6th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) of Windsor, Brisbane, Qld. The weapon was captured by D Company, the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), during the battle of Long Tan. On the left is Pte Geoff Peters. Kirby distinguished himself at the Battle of Long Tan on 18 August 1966 and was awarded the DCM on 21 December 1966 for his actions. However on 6 February 1967, whilst participating in Operation Tamborine, he was fatally wounded by artillery fire from the 161st Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery (RNZA), when 12 105mm rounds accidentally fell on and around the D Coy Headquarters. This friendly fire incident killed four Australians (including Kirby) and wounded 13 others.

 

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Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam. 1966-10. Firing a captured communist Chicom light machine gun during an evaluation test is Private Peter Dettman of Tinga, NSW. On his left in the background is test supervisor, 2/7758 Warrant Officer 2 John William 'Jack' Kirby, Company Sergeant Major (CSM) D Company, 6th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) of Windsor, Brisbane, Qld. The weapon was captured by D Company, the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), during the battle of Long Tan. On the right is Corporal Laurie Drinkwater, second from right is Pte Peter Ainslie. Kirby distinguished himself at the Battle of Long Tan on 18 August 1966 and was awarded the DCM on 21 December 1966 for his actions. However on 6 February 1967, whilst participating in Operation Tamborine, he was fatally wounded by artillery fire from the 161st Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery (RNZA), when 12 105mm rounds accidentally fell on and around the D Coy Headquarters. This friendly fire incident killed four Australians (including Kirby) and wounded 13 others.

 

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Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam. 1966-10. Firing a captured communist Chicom 60mm mortar during an evaluation test are Private Geoff Warrell of Turramurra, Sydney, NSW (left), and Sergeant Jack Thompson of Everton Park, Brisbane, Qld. The weapon was captured by D Company, the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), during the battle of Long Tan.

 

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Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam. 1966-10. Loading a captured communist Chicom 57mm recoilless rifle during an evaluation test are Private Ian Dixon of Narrandera, NSW (left), and Lance Corporal Phil Dixon of Mt Gravatt, Brisbane, Qld. The weapon was captured by D Company, the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), during the battle of Long Tan.

 

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Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam. 1966-10. Firing a captured communist Chicom 57mm recoilless rifle during an evaluation test are Lance Corporal Phil Dixon of Mt Gravatt, Brisbane, Qld (left), and Private Ian Dixon of Narrandera, NSW. The weapon was captured by D Company, the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), during the battle of Long Tan.

 

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Group portrait of soldiers from D Company, 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), display the dolls and cigarette-cases presented to them by the South Vietnamese government for their part in the Battle of Long Tan on 1966-08-18. "The government of South Vietnam realised that this battle was significant and wished to award decorations to the Australians involved. But at almost the last moment, with the ceremony already arranged and those attending it already in place, word was received from Australia that the traditional policy of non-acceptance of foreign awards was to be observed. This was embarrassing both to the Vietnamese and to the Australians, and a compromise was reached. The Australians paraded and were presented with dolls in Vietnamese national dress, and also cigarette-cases and lighters. ... It says much for the often-maligned Vietnamese that they went ahead with the ceremony, persisting in observing the spirit of honouring their allies." Front row, left to right: Private (Pte) Noel Grimes of Stuart Town, NSW; Pte Allen May of Wynnum, Qld; Pte Bill (Yank) Akell of Townsville, Qld; Pte Neil Bextrum of Perth, WA; Lance Corporal (LCpl) Bill Roche of Narrandera, NSW. Back row: Second Lieutenant Geoff Kendall of Underdale, SA; Sergeant Bob Buick of Brisbane, Qld; Pte Geoff Peters of Yagoona, Sydney, NSW; Corporal Bill (Bluey) Moore of Stafford Heights, Qld; LCpl Barry Magnussen of Aspley, Qld; Pte Ian Campbell of Murwillumbah, NSW. (Quote from "The Battle of Long Tan" by Lex McAulay).

 

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At the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) base, three officers wait for the commencement of a special parade at which they will be awarded Mentioned in Despatches (MIDs) decorations for their actions. Left to right: 54548 Lieutenant (Lt) F.A. (Adrian) Roberts, commander of 3 Troop, 1 Armoured Personnel Carrier (1APC) Squadron; 54624 Second Lieutenant (2nd Lt) Dennis C. Rainer of 5RAR; 43433 2nd Lt Geoff Kendall, commander of 10 Platoon, D Company, 6RAR. Roberts and Kendall were awarded MIDs for their actions at the battle of Long Tan and Rainer was awarded his MID for an action which took place at Hoa Long in September 1966 where his platoon had come under heavy attack. (Donor F.A. Roberts)