JANUARY - 1971
8-1-71 Sherriff P.J. AC A119739 9SQN 21 RAA F KBA AD from M60 while unloading after a gunship mission.
15-1-71 Dufty M.R. Pte. 2792150 7RAR RAINF 21 .KIA GSW to chest
16-1-71 Halkyard E. L/Cpl. 31620 7RAR RAINF 27 .KIA GSW during ambush.
FSB Bruiser - YS 64-65 3 Km S of Xuyen Moc, 

18 km ESE of Nui Dat, 5 km SE of FSB Beth and 4 km SSW of FSB Allison. Built on firm white sand that caused sandstorms when Chinooks arrived to resupply. 161 Bty, RNZA (Master’s Bty 22Sep70-29Mar71) firebase set here  2-28Jan71. Prov, III Corps.
25-1-71 Clark R.T Spr 3793971 1 F DSQN 24 RAE * At RGH Heidelberg . VIC
25-1-71 Craig P. Pte 2782049 5RAR 26 RAIN F * At Wagga Wagga. NSW
27 - New Zealand Government announces the withdrawl of  SAS Rangers, they are not to be replaced.

3 - 1 February 1971.
7 RAR conduct Operation "Cung Chung 111 (phases 3 and 4).
1 - 21. 7 RAR conduct their final Operation in Vietnam. Op "Phoi Hop".
4 - 2 Sqn SAS advance party arrives at Nui Dat.
4 - 8 RAR ceases Battalion Operations and begins one Company operational cycle.
6 - FSB Allisoun - YS 65-68 Along the N side of Rte-329, 24 km due E of Nui Dat, 5 km ENE of FSB Beth, and 7 km WNW FSB Feathers.  5Oct70, 161 Bty’s deployment here met with near disaster when it ran into the tail end of a VC ambush compromised by captured intel. 161 Bty, RNZA (Master’s Bty 6 Sep70-8 May71)firebase set here 6-13 Oct 70. Prov, III Corps.
6-2-71 Patten R.B. Pte 2141115 7RAR2 Sp 20 RAINF DOW At 1FDHOSP from mine wds on 01.01.71.
8 - South Vietnamese troops invade Laos with US air support in an attempt to destroy NVA strongholds and infiltration routes.
8-2-71 Kowalski P.F. Pte 1735712 2RAR2 A/2 23 RAINF DOW Mine.
9-2-71 Lyon T.E. WO2 52503 2AOD 35 RAAOC KBA While blowing VC ammo dump.
9-2-71 Ross G.S. Capt 17101 HQA F V 27 RAAOC KBA Mine exp. while under inspection.
14 - FSB Bruiser - YS 64-65 3 Km S of Xuyen Moc, 18 km ESE of Nui Dat, 5 km SE of FSB Beth and 4 km SSW of FSB Allisoun. Built on firm white sand that caused sandstorms when Chinooks arrived to resupply. 161 Bty, RNZA (Master’s Bty 22Sep70-29Mar71) firebase set here 14- 21Oct70 . Prov, III Corps.
15 - President Nixon announces a further withdrawal of 40,000 US troops
15 - 3 RAR main body departs Adelaide, Australia on HMAS Sydney.
18 - 1 Sqn SAS returns to Australia.
9-2-71 Lyddieth T. WO2 26832 AATTV 38 RAASC KBA GSW to head at 1ALSG.
20 - The New Zealand SAS Troop depart for New Zealand.
25 - 8 RAR Ops Cung Chung 2&3 concludes.
25 - The 3 RAR arrives at Vung Tau to relieve 7 RAR who depart on HMAS Sydney.

March  - 1971
2-3-71 Manning P. Pte. 218853 3RAR RAINF 19 .KIA .Suspected satchel charge in NDP
2-3-71 Wheeler J.W. Lt. 235407 3RAR RAINF 22 .KIA .Suspected satchel charge in NDP
10 - 7 RAR arrive in Sydney, Australia completing their second and final tour of Vietnam.
10 - John Gorton is replaced by William McMahon as Australian Prime Minister.

John Gorton (left) & Billy McMahon (right)

10-3-71 Winton J.R. Lt. NZ41576 2RAR RNZIR .KIA Shrap from claymore detonated by fire during contact.
14 - RAAF Canberra Bomber A84-228 is shot down by a Surface to Air Missile(SAM). The crew are rescued.
16 - HMAS Brisbane departs Sydney on its second deployment to Vietnam.
29 - FSB Beth - YS 60-67 16 km ESE of Nui Dat, 1 km W of Rte-328, 12 km NE of Dat Do, 12 km SE of FSB Longreach and 5 km SSW of Xuyen Moc. 161 Bty, RNZA (Master’s Bty 6Sep70-8May71) firebase set here 29Mar-7Apr71. Apparently a Bty of US medium arty here as well although unit is unknown. Phuoc Tuy Prov, III Corps.
20-3-71 Betts R.W. P/Off. O1183250 9Sqn RAAF 24 .KIA GSW to head from ground fire Nth of Xuan Moc. Bushranger.
20-3-71 Paterson D. 2Lt. 4718855 3RAR RAINF 25 .KIA GSW to head during bunker contact.
25-3-71 Birnie T. Sgt 18161 2RAR2 B 31 RAINF DOW BA Mistaken for VC and shot by sentry while re-entering lines.
28-3-71 Smith N.A. T/Cpl 3797613 21ENGRTP 22 RAE DOI At 24EVAC from pneumonia and burns received on 23.03.71.
30 - Australian Prime Minister William McMahon announces  withdrawl of 1,000 troops during the next 3 months including RAAF No2 Squadron and 4 Caribou from No 35 Squadron.
31 - RAAF No 9 Sqn dust-off helicopter is hit by ground fire and 1 crew member is fatally wounded.

April  - 1971
7 - President Nixon announces a further withdrawal of US troops of 100,000.
10-4-71 Jones B.R.A. 2Lt 55780 2SAS2 22 RAIN F KBA F F F GSW to head by Pte J. Mathews. Entered patrol from wrong direction.
17 -  RAAF No9 Sqn dustoff helicopter A2-767 is shot down supporting ARVN Regional Forces. 3  are killed and 3 wounded.
14-4-71 Salzmann R.W. LCpl 1732899 3RAR2 B 24 RAIN F DOI Fell under trailer in Vung Tau
17-4-71 Gillespie J.F. L/Cpl. 3170244 8FDAMB RAAMC 24 .KIA BNR Dustoff (A2-767) shot down and burnt in Long Hai's.
17-4-71 Blackhurst T.D.. L/Cpl-T/Cpl. 19983 AATTV RANINF 24 .KIA Dustoff (A2-767) shot down and burnt in Long Hai's.
28-4-71 Chapman R.S. Pte 4721369 2RAR2 Ad 22 RAIN F DOI At 1 F DHOSP VT.

30 - Australian Minister for Navy announces CDT3 and RANHFV will be withdrawn from Vietnam.

May  - 1971
13 - 4 RAR main body depart Townsville.
20-5-70 Mills N.R. Chap 1200423 HQ1AT F 45 RAACD * At RGH Concord . NSW
22 - 4 RAR arrive in Vietnam and "chopper" off HMAS Sydney directly to Nui Dat. They relieve 2 RAR who depart on HMAS Sydney. 4 Troop C Sqn Tanks depart Vietnam - not to be replaced due to a phase out of Tank support.
31 - RAAF No2 Squadron Canberra Jet Bombers fly their last mission in Vietnam. The contribution by No 2 Sqn over four years was; 11,963 sorties(of which 11,696 were combat missions), dropping 76,389 bombs for the loss of two aircraft.

June - 1971
1 - 2 RAR arrive at Townsville, Australia.
Three No 35 Sqn RAAF Caribous depart Vung Tau for Australia is part of the Australian forces reduction, leaving 4 aircraft for operational duties at Vung Tau.
4 - No 2 Sqn RAAF Canberra Bombers(total 8) depart Phan Rang for Australia.
5 - 1 ATF conduct Operation 'Overlord'.
7 - 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment engages enemy in the "Battle of Long Khan"
RAAF helicopter A2-723 crashes and is destroyed by fire. Two crew are killed with 2 injured.
7-6-71 Lance E.M. F/Lt. O316996 9Sqn RAAF 43 .KIA Battle of Long Khanh. Aircraft shot down and burnt during ammo' resupply
7-6-71 Dubber D.J. Cpl. A317809 9Sqn RAAF 28 .KIA Battle of Long Khanh. Aircraft shot down and burnt during ammo' resupply
7-6-71 Mathers I.G. 2Lt. 2794496 12FDREGT RAA 22 .KIA Battle of Long Khanh. Multiple GSW. Att. to B Coy 3RAR
8 - RANHFV pilots cease flying operations.
12-6-71 Hill D.C. Pte. 2794350 HQ1ATF D&E RAA 22 .KIA APC c/s 84B hit by RPG's in ambush igniting box of M18 claymores.
12-6-71 McCarthy J.N. L/Cpl. 3112702 HQ1ATF D&E RAA 26 .KIA APC c/s 84B hit by RPG's in ambush igniting box of M18 claymores.
12-6-71 Broadman K.J. Cpl. 218336 HQ1ATF D&E RAA 22 .KIA APC c/s 84B hit by RPG's in ambush igniting box of M18 claymores.
12-6-71 Driscol R.W. Pte. 2794265 HQ1ATF D&E RAA 21 .KIA APC c/s 84B hit by RPG's in ambush igniting box of M18 claymores.
12-6-70 Attwood T.J. Pte. 2794278 HQ1ATF D&E RAA 23 .KIA APC c/s 84B hit by RPG's in ambush igniting box of M18 claymores.
12-6-71 Tebb P. Pte. 1203166 HQ1ATF D&E RAA 20 .KIA APC c/s 84B hit by RPG's in ambush igniting box of M18 claymores.
12-6-71 Towler M. Pte. 2792254 HQ1ATF D&E RAA 21 .KIA APC c/s 84B hit by RPG's in ambush igniting box of M18 claymores.
13 - "Pentagon Papers" are published in the New York Times.
24-6-71 . Harding K.H. Pte NZ388811 4RAR V6 RNZIR DOW In contact. GSW to head
26 - Peace Proposal of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam
30 - Third and final anti-war rally. 110,000 demonstrate across Australian cities.

July - 1971
3-7-71 Wilkinson A.C. F . Cpl 61560 4RAR2 D/12 33 RAIN F DOD Fever.
14 - The last of RAAF No2 Sqn (rear party) hand over to the USAF and depart Phan Rang.
16-7-71 Wilson R.B. Spr 1201940 1 F DSQN 21 RAE F /NBCAS Truck rolled on him.
21-7-71 Weston R.B. Cpl A17233 1OSU 29 RAA F KBA GSW while 'unloading' M60.
29 - 3 RAR and 4 RAR conduct Operation 'Iron Fox'. C Coy 4 RAR locates a strongly defended bunker system near Suoi Ca. Heavy fighting takes place.The Battle of Suoi Ca.

August  - 1971
12 - Australian Naval Staff Office(HQ AFV) is closed down.
18 - Australian Government announces that the 1st Australian Task Force will be withdrawn by late December , with logistics units shortly after. New Zealand also announce their withdrawal. HMAS Brisbane is not to be replaced. Some training and advisory elements would remain.

September  - 1971
-9-71 Parker R.T. Sgt 218346 12 F DREGTA Bty 27 RAA * In Aust of illness after being Medevaced.
9 - South Korea announce the withdrawal of their 48,000 troops by June 1972.
18 - 4 RAR commence Op "Ivanhoe".
19-9-71 Rhodes M. L. Pte. 2786378 4RAR RAA 22 .KIA FFF Mistaken for VC. GSW to head from 11 Pl lead scout
21 - . D Coy 4 RAR engage a battalion of the the 33rd Regiment at Nui Le. An intense fight sees 5 Australians killed and 30 wounded. The Battle of Niu Le.
21-9-71 Kingston-Powles K.M. Pte. 56226 4RAR RAINF 24 .KIA GSW to head during bunker contact E.of Courtenay. Body recovered next day
21-9-71 Sprigg R.J. Pte. 5718122 4RAR RAINF 21 .GSW to head during bunker contact E.of Courtenay.
21-9-71 Duff J. Pte. 3799449 4RAR RAINF 21 .KIA GSW/RPG during bunker contact E.of Courtenay. Body recovered next day
21-9-71 Niblett R.J. Pte. 3798081 4RAR RAINF 22 .KIA GSW to chest during bunker contact E.of Courtenay. Body recovered next day.
21-9-71 Beilken B.C. Pte. 5718195 4RAR RAINF 21 .KIA GSW to chest during bunker contact E.of Courtenay. Body recovered next day.
28-9-71 McDuff P.E. LCpl 2782440 2RAR D 21 RAIN F KBA F F F Rocket fire from USA chopper during firepower demonstration.
28-9-71 Radomi S.E. Pte 43573 2RAR D 22 RAIN F KBA F F F Rocket fire from USA chopper during firepower demonstration
30 - All 1 Armed Regt Centurion Tanks are withdrawn from Vietnam.

October  - 1971
6-7 . RAAF Caribous up lift 3 RAR from Nui Dat to Vung Tau and 3 RAR depart Vietnam on HMAS "Sydney".
7 - 2 Sqn SAS advance party depart Vietnam.
10 - RAAF Caribous uplift the SAS from Nui Dat and the main body 2 Sqn SAS departs for Australia. The last SAS Sqn to serve in Vietnam. During its second tour in Vietnam 2 Sqn SAS conducted 100 recce patrols and 67 fighting patrols.

November  - 1971
3-11-71 Black B. F . Capt F 35135 1 F DHOSP 25 RAANC * At F itzroy. VIC
6 - HMAS Sydney departs Vung Tau with last of Army Units.
7 - 1 ATF completes its withdrawal with the departure of the last Infantry Battalion, 4 RAR. The base at Nui Dat is handed over to the ARVN and eventually falls into disrepair. The RAAF complete there last uplift from Nui Dat.
Brigadier Ian Geddes - Commander, Australian Residual Forces in 1972 - Nui Dat,
"It was eerie. I had been there back in 1966 when it was crowded with thousands of young soldiers with a purpose. Now there was no-one. Just the empty husks of corrugated iron buildings, often half stripped by local scavengers ratting for timber and iron. The weeds were coming back everywhere. It was a military ghost town".
12 - President Nixon announces a further withdrawal of US troops of 45,000 by December and January 1972.
19 - The last missions are flown by the RAAF No 9 Sqn helicopters. During the five and a half years in Vietnam the unit's helicopters had flown 237,000 sorties, carried over 414,000 passengers, 4,000 casevacs and 12,000 tonnes of freight. The Sqn suffered 7 aircraft destroyed or written off and 37 damaged, 23 by ground fire. 4 members of the unit were killed.

December - 1971
8 - Last major withdrawal of Australian Troops from Vietnam on HMAS Sydney.
9 - Australian Government announces that the Australian Army Assistance Group Vietnam(AAAGV) consisting mainly of AATTV will remain in Vietnam.
17 - The HMAS Sydney anchors off Caloundra(QLD) to discharge RAAF 9 Sqn Helicopters and subsequently form a fly-past over Brisbane.
26-30 . North Vietnamese troop build up. US planes attack military targets.
Between 1968 and until the end of 1971, US naval air units averaged 1,000 to 2,500 strike sorties in Laos and South Vietnam. In this three- year period, the Navy dropped over 700,000 tons of ordnance on the enemy, while losing 130 aircraft and many of their crews.

Australian Government Office Bearers - 1971

Prime Minister
10 January 1968 - 10 March 1971    John Grey Gorton
12 March 1971 - 5 December 1972    William McMahon
Minsiter for External Affairs
12 November 1969 - 22 March 1971    William McMahon
22 March 1972 - 5 December 1972    Nigel Hubert Bowen
Minister of Defence
12 November 1969 - 8 March 1971    John Malcolm Fraser
10 March 1971 - 13 August 1971     John Grey Gorton
13 August 1971 - 4 December 1972    David Eric Fairbairn
Ambassadors
United States
1 June 1970 - 7 February 1974    Sir James Plimsoll
Saigon
29 December 1970 - 26 July 1973    Arthur Malcolm Morris