The order of battle of Australian forces during the Vietnam War consisted of a small group of military advisors from 1962, but grew to include an infantry battalion based in
Bien Hoa in 1965. This force was then replaced by a two- and later three-
battaliontask force with supporting arms based at
Nui Dat which operated primarily in
Phuoc Tuy Province between 1966–71, with logistic elements at
Vung Tau. Airforce units committed initially consisted of transport aircraft, but were followed by helicopters and later bombers, while naval forces included destroyers and transport vessels. With the size of Australian forces in Vietnam reaching a peak in early 1968, a drawdown commenced in late 1970, with the bulk withdrawn by early 1972. The last elements returned to Australia in 1973.[1] In total, around 50,000 Australians served during the
Vietnam War, including 42,437 members of the
Australian Army, 3,310 from the
Royal Australian Navy (RAN), and 4,443 from the
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF),[2] with casualties including 519 killed and 2,348 wounded.[3][Note 1]
161st Reconnaissance Flight – Bell Sioux Light Observation Helicopters, Cessna 180s,
Cessna Bird Dog and
Pilatus Porters – Vung Tau / Nui Dat (April 1966 – March 1972)
^In Australian Army units the standard tour of duty for units and individuals in Vietnam was 12 months, after which they would be replaced. Rotation was of formed units, with individual reinforcements used to replace casualties.[4]
^Redesignated 1 ALSG in 1966 following deployment of 1 ATF.
Bergen, John (1986). CMH Pub 91-12 United States Army in Vietnam: Military Communications: A Test for Technology. Washington, DC: Center of Military History.
ISBN9780359126163.
Dennis, Peter;
Grey, Jeffrey; Morris, Ewan; Prior, Robin; Bou, Jean (2008). The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History (Second ed.). Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
ISBN978-0195517842.
Eather, Steve (1995). Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force. Weston Creek, Australian Capital Territory: Aerospace Publications.
ISBN1-875671-15-3.
Kuring, Ian (2004). Redcoats to Cams: A History of Australian Infantry 1788–2001. Loftus, New South Wales: Australian Military Historical Publications.
ISBN1876439998.
Lyles, Kevin (2004). Vietnam ANZACs – Australian & New Zealand Troops in Vietnam 1962–72. Elite Series 103. Oxford: Osprey.
ISBN1841767026.
Odgers, George (1999). 100 Years of Australians at War. Sydney: Lansdowne.
ISBN1-86302-669-X.
Palazzo, Albert (2006). Australian Military Operations in Vietnam. Australian Army Campaigns Series. Vol. 3. Canberra: Army History Unit.
ISBN1876439106.
Further reading
Stanton, Shelby L. (2003).
"Australian Army Order of Battle in Vietnam". Vietnam Order of Battle: A Complete Illustrated Reference to U.S. Army and Allied Ground and Support Forces in Vietnam, 1961–1973. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books. pp. 268–269.
ISBN9780811700719.
The order of battle of Australian forces during the Vietnam War consisted of a small group of military advisors from 1962, but grew to include an infantry battalion based in
Bien Hoa in 1965. This force was then replaced by a two- and later three-
battaliontask force with supporting arms based at
Nui Dat which operated primarily in
Phuoc Tuy Province between 1966–71, with logistic elements at
Vung Tau. Airforce units committed initially consisted of transport aircraft, but were followed by helicopters and later bombers, while naval forces included destroyers and transport vessels. With the size of Australian forces in Vietnam reaching a peak in early 1968, a drawdown commenced in late 1970, with the bulk withdrawn by early 1972. The last elements returned to Australia in 1973.[1] In total, around 50,000 Australians served during the
Vietnam War, including 42,437 members of the
Australian Army, 3,310 from the
Royal Australian Navy (RAN), and 4,443 from the
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF),[2] with casualties including 519 killed and 2,348 wounded.[3][Note 1]
161st Reconnaissance Flight – Bell Sioux Light Observation Helicopters, Cessna 180s,
Cessna Bird Dog and
Pilatus Porters – Vung Tau / Nui Dat (April 1966 – March 1972)
^In Australian Army units the standard tour of duty for units and individuals in Vietnam was 12 months, after which they would be replaced. Rotation was of formed units, with individual reinforcements used to replace casualties.[4]
^Redesignated 1 ALSG in 1966 following deployment of 1 ATF.
Bergen, John (1986). CMH Pub 91-12 United States Army in Vietnam: Military Communications: A Test for Technology. Washington, DC: Center of Military History.
ISBN9780359126163.
Dennis, Peter;
Grey, Jeffrey; Morris, Ewan; Prior, Robin; Bou, Jean (2008). The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History (Second ed.). Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
ISBN978-0195517842.
Eather, Steve (1995). Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force. Weston Creek, Australian Capital Territory: Aerospace Publications.
ISBN1-875671-15-3.
Kuring, Ian (2004). Redcoats to Cams: A History of Australian Infantry 1788–2001. Loftus, New South Wales: Australian Military Historical Publications.
ISBN1876439998.
Lyles, Kevin (2004). Vietnam ANZACs – Australian & New Zealand Troops in Vietnam 1962–72. Elite Series 103. Oxford: Osprey.
ISBN1841767026.
Odgers, George (1999). 100 Years of Australians at War. Sydney: Lansdowne.
ISBN1-86302-669-X.
Palazzo, Albert (2006). Australian Military Operations in Vietnam. Australian Army Campaigns Series. Vol. 3. Canberra: Army History Unit.
ISBN1876439106.
Further reading
Stanton, Shelby L. (2003).
"Australian Army Order of Battle in Vietnam". Vietnam Order of Battle: A Complete Illustrated Reference to U.S. Army and Allied Ground and Support Forces in Vietnam, 1961–1973. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books. pp. 268–269.
ISBN9780811700719.