1969
Information Keith White, Bob Coker & Ern Marshall
JANUARY
3-1-69 .Huelin A.J. A/SubLt RANHFV(2) 26 RAN KIA Aircraft hit power
lines near Saigon in bad weather.
5-1-69 .Duroux J.M. Sgt 15230 9RAR 28 RAINF KIA
6-1-69 Nagle G. Pte 39565 9RAR 23 RAINF KIA Cmd detonated mine.
7-1-69 Graham A.W. Cpl 43528 9RAR B/5 22 RAINF DOW At 24EVACHOSP from
GSW the previous day
11-1-69 Hurman K.R. Pte NZ43349 4RAR W2 RNZIR KBA Mine and GSW. while
on Ops.
17-1-69 Harris R.A. T/Cpl 5410968 SAS 23 RAINF KIAFFF Entered LUP from
wrong direction. Shot by Ptl Cmd WO2 S.Scutts
18-1-69 Phillips R.A. Pte 4719545 9RAR A 21 RAINF DOW At 1FDHOSP VT
after GSW on 10.01.69.
18-1-69 Malone P.A. T/cpl 215983 A3CAV 21 RAAC KIA APC c/s 9E hit mine
8km W of Thai Thien.
19-1-69 Sykes A. Pte. 55431 9RAR 25 RAINF KIA GSW during morning patrol
19-1-69 Cock J.R. Sgt 42564 9RAR 25 RAINF KIA
19-1-69 Smith P.C. Pte 2788912 9RAR 25 RAINF KIA GSW to head and neck
in Phuoc Tuy.
19-1-69 Key R.M. Pte 39493 9RAR 21 RAINF KIA RPG.
19-1-69 Musicka H.R. T/Cpl 4717754 9RAR Sp 23 RAIN F KBA Mistaken for
VC and shot.
20-1-69 Plane B. J. Pte 4719981 9RAR 21 RAINF KIA RPG.In Bien Hoa Prov.
25 - Peace negotiations begin in Paris.
29
- FSB Jenny
- YS 22-85 28 km NW of Nui Dat, 4 km E of
QL-15, 4 km NE of FSB Archer, 8 km NW of FSB Dyke and 3 km W of FSB
Hawk. 161 Bty, RNZA
(Hitching’s Bty 14Apr68-18Mar69) firebase set here
29Jan17Feb69. Bien Hoa Prov, III
Corps.
31 -FSB Lynx -
YS 75-82 On Rte-329, 35 km NE of Nui Dat, 14 km ENE of FSB
Raglan, 8 km due S of Hill 2310, 40 km SSE of Juanita and 15 km N of
FSB Feathers, near
the far eastern border of Phuoc Tuy Prov. 161 Bty, RNZA
(Master’s Bty 6Sep70-8May71)
31-1-69 Ramsay J.S. Pte 1733037 4RAR 22 RAINF KIA RPG shrap.
31-1-69 Graham P. Pte 2787716 4RAR 22 RAINF KIA RPG shrap.
FEBRUARY
3 - 5 RAR main body departs Sydney on HMAS Sydney.
4-2-69 Archer G.A Pte 2788583 9RAR D 22 RAIN F DOI* In Japan from tent
burns at Nui Dat.
8-2-69 McConachy M.R. LCpl 1201200 9RAR D/11 21 RAINF DOW From GSW wds
earlier that day.
11-2-69 Byrne R.A. Pte 2786525 4RAR Sp 22 RAINF DOW* At RGH Concord
from mine on 31.08.68.
14-2-69 Chant P.A. L/cpl 44265 9RAR 29 RAINF KIA GSW. In contact with
bunker N. of Suoi Cau Moi..
16-2-69 Petersen P.N. Pte. 1733375 4RAR 23 RAINF KIA GSW. In contact in
bunker system 4km NE. of Tam Phuoc.
16-2-69 McGuire R.A. Pte 2787478 4RAR B/4 22 RAINF DOW On route to 1AFH
from shrap wds earlier.
16 - 5 RAR arrive at Vung Tau. 1
Troop C Sqn Tanks in heavy engagement at Bien Hoc. B
Sqn Centurion tanks arrive in Vietnam to support C Sqn.
4 RAR and 9 RAR conduct Operation 'Federal', east of Long Binh in Bien
Hoa Province.
17 - FSB Kerry
- YT 13-13 13 km ENE of Bien Hoa, 5 km ESE of FSB Kiama, 2
km N of QL-1 and 8 km W of FSB Andersen. Described as "a
spectacular position
sitting on a major terrain feature with a marvelous view of the
surrounding
countryside." Overlooked converging routes to Saigon, a fact that led
to long delays
for fire mission clearance due to friendly congestion in the area. 161
Bty, RNZA
(Hitching’s Bty 14Apr68-18Mar69) firebase set here 17Feb-
10Mar69. 12Feb69, HQ 1ATF,
B Sqdn 1st Armored Rgt, A Sqdn 1 Cav Rgt, 9 RAR Bn HQ, and Support Coy
were here. Bien Hoa
Prov, III Corps.
21 -
3 Sqn SAS replace 2 Sqn SAS who depart Vietnam having complete their
first tour. During their tour the 2 Sqn accounted for 151 VC with a
further 22 possibles.
One Australian had been killed and seven wounded.
22 February - March 15.
Communist forces end a Tet ceasefire, with
attacks on Saigon and 115 other cities. Attacks take place throughout
Vietnam, killing 453
US soldiers in the first week, 336 in the second and 351 in the third.
28
- 1 RAR complete their second tour.
MARCH
5 - FSB Maria
- YT 29-07 40 km NNW of Nui Dat, 3 km S of QL-1, 8 km E of
FSB Evans and 12 km ESE of FSB Andersen. 161 Bty, RNZA
(Hitching’s Bty
14Apr68-18Mar69) firebase set here 5-8Mar69 (right section). Long Khanh
Prov, III Corps.
5-3-69 Scales G.J. Pte 4719367 9RAR B/6 22 RAIN F KBA Mistaken for VC
and shot outside perimeter in Bien Hoa Prov.
7-3-69 Dawson P. Cpl. 38077 4RAR 24 RAINF KIA
9-3-69 Walker B.G. . 2Lt. 5411605 5RAR 21 RAINF KIAFF ARVN opened fire
after his Pl. Sgt tripped a mine.
9-3-69 Smith B.L. . Sgt. 42252 5RAR 29 RAINF KIA Mine at Phouc Hoa.
9-3-69 Gilbert G. G. . Cpl. 14900 5RAR 29 RAINF KIA Mine at Hoa Long..
12-3-69 Manicola J.G. Pte 3793137 1ARU 22 RAINF DOD* 1 F DHOSP with
cranial tumour 17.01.69 transfered /RGH Heidelberg 21.01.69.
18
- US begins secret bombing of Cambodia.
20 -
HMAS Brisbane
departs Sydney on first deployment to Vietnam.
24 -
FSB Betty
- YT ?14-08 W of FSB Jillian, NW of Nui
Dat and SE of Bien Hoa. Precise location not known. 161 Bty, RNZA
(Horsford’s Bty
18Mar69- 18Sep69) firebase set here 24-27Mar69. Probably Bien Hoa Prov,
III Corps.
20 -
HMAS Brisbane
departs Sydney on first deployment to Vietnam.
27 - FSB Jillian
- YT 33-06 Near intersection of Rtes 321 and 25 appx 5
km S of QL-1, 48 km ENE of Nui Dat, 15 km WNW of FSB Wattle, and 20 km
NW of FSB Buffalo.
161 Bty, RNZA (Horsford’s Bty 18Mar69-18Sep69) firebase set
here 27Mar-2Apr69.
While firing in support of US units here 29Mar69, the yanks radioed
back a concise sit-rep
for one 161 Bty mission that went: "three elephants KIA!" Long Khan
Prov, III
Corps.
30
- HMAS Brisbane
relieves HMAS Perth
at Subic Bay.
APRIL
2 - FSB Wattle
- YS 35-91 6 km W of Rte-2 and the Courtenay Rubber
Plantation, 8 km WNW of FSB Buffalo, 25 km NNW of Nui Dat and 6 km N of
FSB Dampier. 161
Bty, RNZA (Horsford’s Bty 18Mar69-18Sep69) firebase set here
2-11Apr69. Long Khan
Prov, III Corps.
4-4-69 Pike G. A. Pte. 218421 5RAR 26 RAINF KIA During contact in Long
Khanh Province.
4-4-69 White J.M.T. Pte. 5715978 5RAR 21 RAINF KIA During contact in
Long Khanh Province
7-4-69 Black T.R. Pte. 1734403 9RAR 21 RAINF KIA
7-4-69 George B. R. Pte. 2789508 9RAR 21 RAINF KIA GSW during sentry
change over in ambush
7 - FSB Tasman
- YS 34-87 3 km NW of FSB Dampier, 5 km SSW of FSB Wattle,
22 km NNW of Nui Dat and 11 km W of Rte-2. 161 Bty, RNZA
(Horsford’s Bty
8-17.............Operation Overlander
18Mar69-18Sep69) firebase set here 7-8Apr69. On the Long Khan- Phuoc
Tuy Prov border, III
Corps.
11 -
FSB Juanita
- YS 22-77 24 km WNW of Nui Dat, 1 km W
of QL-15, 17 km SW of FSB Dampier and appx 40 km SE of Bien Hoa. Built
beginning 11Apr69.
161 Bty, RNZA (Horsford’s Bty 18Mar69-18Sep69) firebase set
here 11-16Apr69. On the
Bien Hoa-Phuoc Tuy Prov border, III Corps.
11-4-69 Remeljej.A . Pte. 4719818 5RAR 21 RAINF KIA RPG shrap.
12-4-69 McPherson L.H . Pte. 5715701 9RAR 20 RAINF KIA GSW in contact
E. of Tham Thien on route 15.
13-4-69 Burton H.P. SFC-E7. US13664964 USARMY 27 USA KIA Multiple frag
wds in Tay Ninh Prov..
16
- 9 RAR conduct Op "Surfside" supported for the first time
by RAAF "Bushranger" Gunships.
FSB Mardi
- YS 60-61 5 km N of the coast, 2 km S of Rte-23, 18 km ESE of
Nui Dat and 11 km E of Dat Do. 161 Bty, RNZA (Horsford’s Bty
18Mar69- 18Sep69)
firebase set here 16-23Apr69. Situated in a rice paddy with 3 rivers
fringing its
perimeter. Phuoc Tuy Prov, III Corps.
21-4-69 Petith T.G. AC A319010 2SQN 23 RAA F KBA GSW. Accidental.
21
- First official RAAF "Bushranger" operational mission is
flown.
25-4-69 Bond J.A . WO2 21977 AATTV 39 RAAC KIA At Lang Vei in Quang
Tri.
US strength now at 543,400.
MAY
5 - 6 RAR main body departs for Vietnam on HMAS Sydney, this is their
second tour.
Australian Forces(1 ATF) conduct
a series of operations "to deny VC access from
the surrounding country side" including the notorious Long Hai Hills.
Long Hai Mountains
Generally 20 km NE of Vung Tau and 15 km due S of Nui
Dat. A rugged mountain chain rising from the plain S of Ba Ria and Long
Dien, and
bordering the coast of Phuoc Tuy Prov. Long Hai Airfield was on the
coast at the SW edge
of this hill mass. Phuoc Tuy Prov, III Corps.
6-5-69 Gill M.W.T . Sgt(T/WO2). 14667 28 AATTV KIA At A-244 near Ben
Het in Kontum Prov..
9-5-69 Locke G.R . 2Lt. 39161 20 9RAR KIA Mine..
10 - 20 May.
US and South Vietnamese troops fight for Ap Bia Mountain.
The ten-day battle is one of the fiercest of the war. After 56
Americans are killed and
420 are wounded, the troops capture the hill and kill 597 Vietnamese.
The hill is recorded
in history as Hamburger Hill, and the actions there are widely
criticized in the US. The
battle is one of the last major actions of its type in the war.
11 - FSB Thrust
- YS 50-54 23 km NE of Vung Tau, on the S edge of Rte
326, 4 km S of Dat Do, 4 km NW of the coast and 15 km SSE of Nui Dat.
Construction started
1 Mar69 and built as a model FSB on sand so dazzling the gunners formed
permanent squints.
161 Bty, RNZA (Horsford’s Bty 18Mar69-18Sep69) firebase set
here 11May-15Jun69. 9 RAR
also here. Hit by 30 mortar rounds, 5Jun69, resulting in 1 9RAR KIA and
9 WIA. 40’,
sandbagged NOD tower built here was nicknamed "The Leaning Tower of
Pisa." Phuoc
Tuy Prov, III Corps.
Operation "Mailed Fist" is conducted in the Duc Thak District.
11-5-69 Lee E.J. Lt. 235328 22 5RAR RAINF KIA GSW/RPG in contact in Nui
Thi Vai's.
13-5-69 Kerr.J.K. Tpr. 218508 19 B1AR RAAC KIA Tank ARN 169005 hit mine
blowing out floor.
16
- RAAF bushranger Gunships assist in extracting an SAS 4 man
patrol, on a "hot extraction".
19
- 6 RAR arrive Vung Tau and 4 RAR main body depart for Australia on
HMAS Sydney.
Late May.
1 ATF conduct Operation 'Laverack'. Over 100 VC are KIA.
22-5-69 Bramble. P.K. Spr. 2789684 21 1FDSQN RAE KIA ARVN tripped mine
at Dat Do
25-5-69 Reidy P.F. Pte. 3793403 21 9RAR RAINF KIA Mine. Died on route
to 1FDHOSP.
27-5-69 O'Neill J.B. Cfn 39457 1DIVWKSP 20 RAEME DOI At 24EVAC L.B.
after falling and hitting head on concrete floor
28-5-69 Davies. R.E. Spr. 38530 24 1FDSQN RAE KIA GSW from ambush while
att. to 9RAR
30
- 4 RAR arrive in Brisbane, Australia completing their first tour of
Vietnam.
30-5-69 Drummond A. Pte 55537 5RAR2 27 RAIN F KBA F F F No.1 scout.
No.2 slipped and fired 2 rds from M16 hitting the throat.
31-5-69 Shipp. N.E. LACM. R59629 RANHFV(2) 22 RAN KIA Aircraft crash
from ground fire near Dong Tam.
JUNE
5 - Bombing recommences against North Vietnam, the first since
November, 1968. An RAAF
Bushranger Gunship is forced down by ground fire with 1 crew member
injured.
5-6-69 James B. Pte. 1201882 6RAR RAINF 20 KIA GSW to head during
ambush..
5-6-69 Gatenby J.R. Cpl. NZ38655 6RAR RNZIR KIA In contact. RPG to
head...
6-6-69 Teeling W.E. Pte. 2790880 5RAR RAINF 21 KIA GSW during house
clearing at Binh Ba...
6-6-69 Brennan D.J. Cpl. 2184013 9RAR RAINF 22 KIA Frag from mortar
attack on FSB Thrust..
6
- The Battle of Binh Ba.
D Coy 5 RAR with Centurion tanks and APCs Troop
fight an 8 hour battle with North Vietnamese troops at the town of Binh
Ba. They are
re-enforced with another Infantry Company and a Bushranger Gunship.
More than 100 enemy
are killed with Australian losses of 1 killed and 10 wounded.
Binh Ba Rubber
Plantation - YS A French
Rubber plantation straddling Rte-2 appx 6 km N of Nui
Dat and 6 km S of Ngai Giao, NNE of Vung Tau. Phuoc Tuy Prov, III
Corps.
7
- FSB Duc Tanh
- YS 45-78 A Fortified village On
Rte-2, app 2 km W of Ngai Giao, appx 9 km N of Nui Dat and 7 km W of
FSB Longreach
(estimated location). 161 Bty, RNZA (Horsford’s Bty
18Mar69-18Sep69) firebase set
here 7-14Jun69. 161 Bty, RNZA, 108 Bty RAA, A Bty 2d/35th US Arty here
in ‘67. Phuoc
Tuy Prov, III Corps.
8 -
President Nixon announces the withdrawal of 25,000 combat troops from
South
Vietnam. The withdrawal is completed by August.
10-6-69 Bancks L.R. WO2 19220 17CONST 53 RAE * At Moorbank. NSW
15-6-69 Jackson. P.J. Pte. 2789568 5RAR RAINF 21 KIA Mine SW of Dat
Do...
15-6-69 Kennedy J.J. Cpl. 216304 5RAR RAINF 29 KIA Mine SW of Dat Do...
15-6-69 Turner T.C. Pte 4720253 5RAR2 D/12 21 RAINF DOW At 34 EVAC L.B.
from mine wds that day at Dat Do
16-6-69 Waring A.E.L. Pte. 5716163 5RAR RAINF 21 KIA RPG near Dat Do...
17
- An RAAF "Bushranger" Gunship accidently fires on elements
of A Coy 6 RAR causing 3 wounded.
17-6-69 Williams J.S. Pte. NZ41530 6RAR RNZIR KIA In contact. GSW to
head and neck.
June - July.
5 RAR conducts Op "Esso" in the Dat Do area and suffers high
casualties from mines, previously laid by Australian Engineers.
24-6-69 Dewar K.I. L/Cpl. 5715633 B3CAV RAAC 21 KIA APC c/s 22B hit
mine 2kms West of FSB Thrust....
24-6-69
Young R.G. Tpr. 1733547 B3CAV RAAC 22 KIA APC c/s 22A hit mine 2kms
West of FSB Thrust.....
24
- General Hay, Commander Australian Forces Vietnam(COMAFV) writes to
the Task Force Commander, Brigadier Pearson, " I enclose a signal from
the Sec Army
which I have just received. You can see the Australian reaction to our
recent casualties
from mines...". Operations are ceased in that area.
In June 1969, the U.S. Navy anchored a mobile pontoon base in
the middle of the Ca
Mau region's Cua Lon River. This operation, labelled Sea Float, was
made difficult by
heavy Viet Cong opposition, strong river currents, and the distance to
logistic support
facilities. Still, Sea Float denied the enemy a safe haven even in this
isolated corner of
the delta. The allies further threatened the Communist "rear" area in
September
when they set up patrols on the Ong Doc, a river bordering the dense
and isolated U Minh
area. Staging from an advance tactical support base at the river's
mouth, U.S. and
Vietnamese PBRs of Operation Breezy Cove repeatedly intercepted and
destroyed enemy supply
parties crossing the waterway.
27-6-69 Walsh B. Sgt(T/WO2) 214468 AATTV 29 RAINF KIA GSW to head at
A-244 in contact at Ben Het in Kontum Prov.....
30-6-69 Sorrensen G.D. Pte. 2790417 9RAR RAINF KIA GSW during contact
in Long Khanh Prov.
JULY
2 -
FSB Flinders
- YS 52-89 7 km due E of FSB Buffalo, 4
km N of Hill 869, 30 km NNE of Nui Dat and 18 km due N of FSB
Longreach. Vietnam
Gunners author notes that it was
beset with "atrocious conditions’ in a
small jungle clearing criss-crossed by tracked and wheeled vehicles
that turned the ground
into a foot deep, muddy quagmire. 161 Bty, RNZA (Horsford’s
Bty 18Mar69-18Sep69)
firebase set here 2-18Jul69 (right section), 13-19Jul69 (left section).
Large FSB Built in
a small jungle clearing. B Bty 2d/35th US Arty also here as were US
Dusters. Phuoc Tuy
Prov, III Corps.
3-7-69 O'Hanlon R.M. F Off O16657 2SQN 27 RAA F * At RGH Greenslopes.
Qld.
4-7-69 Pettit L.J. Pte. 217961 5RAR RAINF 21 KIA Mine..
5-7-69 Smith P.L. L/Cpl. 135494 5RAR RAINF 19 KIA GSW during night
ambush..
5-7-69 Muller H.L. Pte2788085 5RAR2 C 22 RAINF DOW At 1FDHOSP from frag
wds the previous day near Long Hai.
6-7-69 Abraham R.J. L/Cpl. 4719565 9RAR RAINF 22 KIA GSW during contact
in Long Khanh Prov...
11-7-69 Frith D.C. Pte NZ573233 6RAR2 V4 RNZIR DOI Injury.
12-7-69 Adamczyk B.A.J. T/Cpl. 43326 9RAR RAINF 22 KIA RPG to chest
during bunker contact..
12-7-69 Edwards B.P. Pte. 218041 9RAR RAINF 23 KIA GSW to head during
bunker contact.
13 - FSB Buffalo
- YS 44-89 In the Courtenay rubber Plantation on the W
side of Rte-2, 7 km due W of FSB Flinders, 22 km due N of Nui Dat and 8
km ESE of FSB
Wattle. 161 Bty, RNZA (Horsford’s Bty 18Mar69-18Sep69)
firebase set here 13-19Jul69
(one section). On 13Jul69, 161 fired its 1st "Chieu Hoi" mission using
shells
packed with Chieu Hoi propaganda leaflets and safe conduct passes for
the enemy. And
during Jul69, one of the Bty’s FO’s radioed a
legendary sit-rep while the RAR
unit he was accompanying was in heavy battle: "Every time I put my
fucking head up,
it gets fucking well shot at, over." On the Long Khan-Phuoc Tuy Prov
border, III
Corps.
17-7-69 Hayes R.M. SLdr O51626 9SQN 37 RAA F * At RAA F Base Pearce.
WA. .
18 -
FSB Dampier
- YS 36-86 3 km SE of FSB Tasman, 6 km
S of FSB Wattle, 8 km W of Rte-2 and 20 km NNW of Nui Dat. During Jun70
(after 14Jun), 161
Bty fired its biggest shoot of the war, during which 184 "serials"
pounded the
area around FSB Dampier. 161 Bty, RNZA (Horsford’s Bty
18Mar69-18Sep69) firebase set
here 18-31Jul69 (right section), 19-31Jul69 (left section). Phuoc Tuy
Prov, III Corps.
19
- RAAF Bushranger and Dustoff aircraft support C Coy 9 RAR who are in
a heavy contact with enemy.
19-7-69 Kermode R.C. Pte. 1733818 9RAR RAINF 21 KIA In contact 5500m NE
of FSB Dampier. Body recovered next day..
19-7-69 Hines.P.A. Lt. 214348 6RAR RAINF 27 KIA Tripped mine in Long
Hai's...
19-7-69 Needs J.D . Cpl. 55119 9RAR RAINF 22 KIA Mine tripped by Capt
Anderson in Long Hai's...
19-7-69 Loughman M. Pte 3794096 HQ1ALSG 21 RAIN F DOD At 24Evac L.B.
from brain haemorrhage.
21-7-69 McDowell B.E. Pte5716295 6RAR2 A/3 21 RAINF WIA Mine tripped by
Lt. Hines in Long Hai's.
23-7-69 Smith J. Spr 3794831 1FDSQN 21 RAE KIA Mine clearing in Long
Hai's. Att. to 6RAR2...
23-7-69 Smillie R.G . Spr. 39281 1FDSQN RAE 19 KIA Mine clearing in
Long Hai's. Att. to 6RAR2..
23-7-69 Radford J.W . Cpl. NZ539244 6RAR RNZIR KIA Mine at Ap Lo Gom on
Rt 44..
24-7-69 Moore R. J. Cpl. 55119 9RAR RAINF 22 KIA Mine tripped by Capt
Anderson in Long Hai's...
29-7-69 Hollows T.N. Pte NZ43221 6RAR2 W2 RNZIR DOW From wds on
23.07.69
31-7-69 McMillan J.C . Pte. 3794377 5RAR RAINF 20 KIA GSW. In contact
with bunker system in the Hat Dich.....
AUGUST
2-8-69 Turnbull M.J. Pte NZ42116 6RAR2 V4 RNZIR DOW Booby trap at Lang
Phuoc Hai.
2-8-69 Hards E.W.G. Pte 515835 1ARU 22 RAIN F DOD* Died of illness at
RGH Hollywood.
4-8-69 Hawthorne R.A. Pte NZ42742 6RAR2 W2 RNZIR DOW From wds on
23.07.69.
4-8-69 Hoare F.W. Cpl15705 6RAR2 Sp 29 RAINF DOW At 24EVACHOSP from
mine wds the previous day
11-8-69 Smith B.F. Pte 3793566 5RAR2 B 21 RAINF DOW FFF At 1FDHOSP from
GSW. Mistaken for VC and shot by section sentry.
12-8-69 Banfield D.J. Pte 6709107 5RAR 21 RAINF KIA Shrap to throat and
GSW while being winched to Dust-Off in the Hat Dich.. ...
15 - FSB Serle -
YS 53-61 4 km E of FSB Horseshoe on Rte-23, 13 km ESE of
Nui Dat. 161 Bty, RNZA (Horsford’s Bty 18Mar69-18Sep69)
firebase set here 15-31Aug69.
"A generously set out FSB, a factor that allowed the Bty to lay out a
[3-hole] golf
course,". Phuoc Tuy Prov, III Corps.
17 - 26.
A fierce battle breaks out in the Que Son Valley, 30 miles south
of Da Nang. More than 60 Americans are killed in the fighting.
21
- RAAF No 9 Sqn helicopter A2-281 is damaged by ground fire supporting
5 RAR who had suffered 14 wounded in a heavy fire fight with enemy
troops.
21-8-69 Brown R.H.. Spr NZ41700 6RAR RNZE KIA Mine. ...
24
- FSB Janet (Xuyen Moc)
- YS 65-68 On Rte-23, 22 km
due E of Nui Dat, 1 km S of FSB Wells, 7 km E of FSB Serle, 12 km ENE
of Dat Do and
situated at one end of the Xuyen Moc Airstrip. 161 Bty, RNZA
(Horsford’s Bty 18Mar69-
18Sep69) firebase set here 24-31Aug69. Phuoc Tuy Prov, III Corps.
31 - FSB Wells -
YS 65-69 N of Xuyen Moc, 1 km N of FSB Janet, 23 km E of
Nui Dat, 18 km NE of Dat Do and 13 km SE of FSB Wilton. 161 Bty, RNZA
(Horsford’s Bty
18Mar69-18Sep69) firebase set here 31Aug- 10Sep69. Phuoc Tuy Prov, III
Corps.
Morgan Gallup Poll finds 55% of Australians want our troops brought
home from Vietnam.
SEPTEMBER
3-9-69 Kingston I.W. Pte 1734754 6RAR 20 RAINF KIA GSW in contact N.of
FSB Diggers Rest.. ...
4 . The death of Ho Chi Minh, aged 79 years.
15
- HMAS Vendetta
departs Sydney on Vietnam deployment.
7-9-69 Rennie B. Pte312641 9RAR A/3 21 RAINF DOW At 24EVACHOSP from GSW
to head earlier that day
. Further troop withdrawals of
6,000 announced by the US.
21.
Thirty-five B-52s drop more than one thousand tons of bombs on North
Vietnamese targets near the DMZ (demilitarized zone) between North and
South Vietnam.
27-9-69 Fisher D.J.E. Pte 2787344 3SAS 23 RAINF KIA ...BNR......Fell
from chopper rope during hot extraction.. ...
28
- HMAS Vendetta
relieves HMAS Brisbane
at Subic Bay.
OCTOBER
2-10-69 Prior K.J. Pte 1734329 9RAR 22 RAINF KIA GSW to head in Bien
Hoa Prov. while in ambush. ...
3 - 7 RAR and 106 Field battery are warned for active service in
Vietnam.
4 - Morgan Gallup Poll finds
58% of Australians believe the Vietnam War was a mistake.
8 - Laos requests increased aid
from the US to meet Communist aggression.
15
- Massive war demonstraions in America.
Between February and October 1969 - Australian B Sqn Tanks have been
involved in 39
seperate operations.
October 1969,
one year after the start of the SEALORDS campaign,
Communist military forces in the Mekong Delta were under heavy
pressure. The successive
border interdiction barriers delayed and disrupted the enemy's resupply
and troop
replacement from Cambodia. The raiding operations hit vulnerable base
areas and the Sea
Float deployment put allied forces deep into what had been a Viet Cong
sanctuary. In
addition, American and Vietnamese forces captured or destroyed over 500
tons of enemy
weapons, ammunition, food, medicines, and other supplies. Furthermore,
3,000 Communist
soldiers were killed and 300 were captured at a cost of 186 allied men
killed and 1,451
wounded.
21-10-69 Hansen B.V. L/Cpl 218451 1FDSQN 20 RAE KIA Clearing booby
trapped mine on Rt 326.. ...
22-10-69 Casey A.L. Tpr 218451 B3CAV RAAC 20 KIA APC (ARN134279) hit by
2 RPG's E. of the Light Green... ...
25-10-69 Duncuff A.L. Spr 5716228 1FDSQN RAE 21 KIA Clearing booby
trap. Att. to 6RAR2.... ...
25-10-69 Hansen P.R Pte. 511317 6RAR RAINF 23 KIA Mine near Long Phuoc
Hai.... ...
25-10-69 Connors R.F. Pte218554 5RAR2 26 RAINF DOW At 3FDHOSP from frag
wds on 28.08.69.
26-10-69 Holloway J.W. Pte. 3794544 9RAR RAINF 22 KIA In Bien Hoa
Province.... ...
27-10-69 Binder B.G.F. Pte. 134994 9RAR RAINF 21 KIA Lightning struck
claymore.... ...
30-10-69 O'Neill A.L. Cpl 36547 2SAS 36 RAIN F DOD* RTA 11.09.68 from
illness.
NOVEMBER
Massive anti-war demonstrations across the USA.
3
- President
Nixon's Speech on "Vietnamisation"
4-11-69 Linton M.P. Pte. 1734491 5RAR RAINF 22 KIA .... ...
5-11-69 Bink M. L/cpl 2275420 9RAR RAINF 25 KIA Mine while on LCT
protection..... ...
12-11-69 Lisle A. Spr 2791437 1FDSQN 22 RAE DOW At 1FDHOSP from wds
received on 22.10.69.
15 - More
than 250,000 protesters gather in Washington, D.C., in the largest
antiwar demonstration to occur during the Vietnam war.
16-11-69 Suttor H.E. T/L/cpl 218006 5RAR RAINF 26 KIA GSW from sniper
in the Hat Dich...... ...
17 - 8 RAR Main Body depart
Australia on HMAS Sydney.
18
- 8 RAR Advance Party Depart Eagle farm - Brisbane - for Siagon.
20-11-69 Bermingham A.V. PteNZ43134 6RAR2 W2 RNZIR DOW In Aust. from
wds on 12.08.69.
23-11-69 Convery R.T Lt 38627 9RAR B/6 22 RAIN F M/AUST Murdered by Pte
P. Allen with M26 grenade in tent at Nui Dat.
23-11-69 Troy K.J. WO2 22696 AATTV 45 RAIN F DOD At 3SURGHOSP Binh Thuy
from pneumonia.
24-11-69 Barrett J. T. Spr NZ209440 6RAR RNZE 26 KIA Claymore
mine....... ...
24-11-69 Rauhihi P. Sig NZ43648 6RAR2 V5 RNZIR DOW Shrap from Claymore.
25
- 8 RAR officially "take over" operational duties from 9
RAR.
25-11-69 White M.P. LCpl 217191 5RAR2 B 20 RAINF DOW At 1FDHOSP V.T.
from wds received on 01.11.69 in Bien Hoa.
28
- 8 RAR arrive at Vung Tau and depart for Nui Dat. 9 RAR departs for
Australia.
DECEMBER
1 - 28.
1 ATF conduct Operation 'Marsden'. Main Unit: 6 RAR/NZ.
1-8 8 RAR
conduct familiarization training at Nui Dat.
3-12-69 Donald B.C. Capt. 29745 161FLT AAVN 29 KIA A/c A14-680 shot
down from gnd fire Nth of Nui Dat while night flying trg....... ...
3-12-69 Jellie A.D.. 2Lt 39510 161FLT AAVN 22 KIA A/c A14-680 shot down
from gnd fire Nth of Nui Dat while night flying trg....... ...
3-12-69 F itzpatrick B. F . Cpl A34167 2SQN 37 RAA F DOI Vehicle
accident in Phan Rang.
7-12-69 Cassano N.J. Pte. 5716427 5RAR RAINF 22 KIA In contact with
bunkers in AO Grace....... ...
8-12-69 Green J.G.Spr. 2791447 1FDSQN RAE 21 KIA APC c/s 23A hit mines
2km N of Thua Tich. Att. to 6RAR........ ...
8-12-69 French V.A. Tpr. 1202185 B3CAV RAAC 19 KIA APC c/s 23A hit
mines 2km N of Thua Tich. ........ ...
9 - 9 RAR arrive home at Port
Adelaide, Australia.
10 -
8 RAR deploy to AO Ashgrove to begin OP "Atherton".
FSB Peggy
- YS 43-83 On the N edge of the Cu Bi Rubber Plantation, 6 km
NNW of Duc Tanh, 2 km W of Rte-2, 3 km SW of FSB Kylie and 16 km due N
of Nui Dat. 161
Bty, RNZA (Andrew’s Bty 18Sep-6Sep70) firebase set here
11Dec69-10Jan70. Phuoc Tuy
Prov, III Corps.
11-12-69 Buchan R. Pte. 55613 6RAR RAINF 22 KIA GSW while investigating
bunker in Nui May ........ ...
11-12-69 Woolley I.A. LAC A118435 2SQN 21 RAA F DOI Vehicle accident in
Phan Rang on 03.12.69.
12 - 8
RAR has first Operational Contact. 1 Pl A Coy engages enemy. 6 X 1 Pl
members are wounded by RPG.
14-12-69 VoyzeyD.J. Tpr. 2137680 B3CAV RAAC 22 KIA APC c/s 20B hit mine
1km W of Ngai Giao. APC overturned trapping the driver......... ...
15 - President Nixon announces the withdrawal of a further 50,000
troops by April
1970.
18
- US Congress forbids the introduction of ground troops to Laos and
Thailand.
18-12-69 Brown A.R.. Pte. 3794895 6RAR RAINF 21 KIA GSW in contact in
Nui May Tao's.......... ...
18-12-69 Stanford G.I. L/Cpl. 2790070 6RAR RAINF 22 KIA GSW during
contact in Nui Tao's.......... ...
19-12-69 Marks-Chapman P.R. Lt 38801 6RAR2 A/3 25 RAINF DOW From GSW in
Nui May Tao's the previous day.
21-12-69 Gould E. G.Pte. 55890 8RAR RAINF 22 KIA GSW during assault on
bunker system N.of FSB Peggy at YS390906.......... ...
21
- Thailand announces the withdrawal of its 12,000 troops for Vietnam.
Filipino
troops have already departed. South Korea will continue to maintain its
50,000 force.
24-12-69 Robertson M.R.Pte 3793978 HQ1ALSG 20 RAIN F KBA Shot by
sentry,Cpl C.Wallace,at 1ALSG West Gate. .
23
- Australian A Sqn Tanks replace B Sqn.
25 -
Christmas Truce.
25-12-69 Evans T.A. Pte. 3794256 HQ1ATF RAINF 21 KIA Vehicle forced off
road onto mine........... ...
31 -
Nixon begins withdrawing troops from Vietnam. By the end of the year,
US
troops are down to 479,000. In 1969, 9,414 Americans are killed in
Vietnam.
Australian Government Office Bearers -
1969
Prime Minister
10 January 1968 - 10 March 1971 John Grey
Gorton
Minsiter
for External Affairs
24 April 1964 - 11 Febraury 1969 Paul
Meernaa Caedwalla Hasluck
11 February 1969 - 12 November 1969
Gordon Freeth
12 November 1969 - 22 March 1971 William
McMahon
Minister
of Defence
26 January 1966 - 12 November 1969 Allen
Fairhall
12 November 1969 - 8 March 1971 John
Malcolm Fraser
Ambassadors
United States
18 August 1964 - 1 June 1970 Sir John
Keith Waller
Saigon
9 August 1968 - 29 December 1970 Ralph
Linsday Harry
Next
1970
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