In War as in Peace, Australia’s Defence forces have
always played a major part in ensuring that our Homeland is safe and secure,
it’s citizens protected and the threat of invasion thwarted. All branches of
the three services boast historically proud traditions, which extend well
beyond our Native shores.
Our young men and women have always risen to the
occasion when Our Nation’s freedom, independence and way of life have been
threatened. They have unequivocally pledged their lives and support, so that
Australia remains free and independent; that future generations may enjoy the
fruits of their sacrifices and more importantly, that we continue to value our
unique Heritage.
In this period
of self-appraisal ADF have come under the microscope of critical scrutiny, and
rightly so. A vast Island Continent, of only 19 million inhabitants, it is with
some misgivings whether we are capable of defending this Island Nation on our
own! Notwithstanding, budget constraints, the unrelenting threat of ‘
terrorism’ after September 11th, the ease of access of illegal boat
people to broach our sparsely populated coastline, the spread of subversive
anti-global doctrines, the undermining of patriotism by some Academia, and the
anachronistic “ Fortress Australia “ mentality. Is it any wonder then, we need
to address this issue of ‘Defence
Australia ‘ if only to allay people’s perceived fears?
Much has been written about Australia’s involvement in
the Vietnam War - particularly the SAS, and 6 RAR, in the “Battle of Long Tan”. From the Army’s point
of view History recorded these events as the only worthwhile exposition
Australian Forces were engaged in. Arguably then, from as early as 1966, the
Royal Australian Air Force, indeed participated - actively supporting the SAS
in the field and on different occurrences, behind enemy lines; plucking them
out to safety when lives were at risk and the insertion threatened. Without
RAAF aircraft and supporting logistics, the SAS would have had to rely on USAF
or US Army choppers to assist them in their clandestine operations. As events
unfolded, despite No 9 Squadron’s commitment, their efforts at the time were
not fully appreciated by the hierarchy. It become apparent, the Army and SAS,
wanted more control of RAAF deployment, resulting in regrettable “ inter-service “ friction in the Command
structure, at the time. No one could predict, much less envisage then, the genesis
of dissension eventually blossoming and emerging into the creation of a
separate, autonomous Army Aviation Unit at Oakey. QLD. With their own aircraft
of Fix-wing, Bell Sioux, and Kiowa choppers. In due course, taking delivery of
Bell UH-1H Iroquois Helicopters after November 1988. Later, transcending to
more sophisticated Blackhawk and Chinook Helicopters, to see the SAS and Army
functioning, much alike many other International Army, Commando, SAS and Marine
Units, operating with this type of combat hardware.
For fear of
appearing too pragmatic, those of us who have read the inspiring book “
Long Tan “ by Lex McAulay, may recall
the RAAF gave unstinting support to 6 Royal Australian Regiment, when they were
under siege by a numerically superior North Vietnamese ( Vietcong ) Force. It
is worth noting - but for the ‘ Huey
’ gunships of 9 Sqn , and the dexterous flying efforts of pilots and crew,
supplying much needed ammunition ( at crisis point ) in the fire-fight, and the embattled Sixth
Battalion perilously threatened, history may have recorded a disaster.
No 9 Squadron ( Bell UH-1B. Iroquois Helicopters ) in
service in Vietnam from June 1966 - Dec 1971,
logged 55000 flying hours, flying 223487 operational sorties out of
315189 flown by the RAAF as a whole. Seven choppers were written off with
another 18 seriously damaged. Fortunately, only seven lives were lost, four of
them Aircrew battle casualties. At one stage, chopper spares were in critically short supply. All spare parts
necessitated having to be, either
airlifted from Australia or where
possible, cannibalised from a/c in the field. Ever resourceful, our intrepid airmen working along side US
Army Chopper Squadrons, readily acquired
spare parts from neighbouring American Units in exchange for cartons of VB and
XXXX beer, to save the day !
All through the Vietnam Campaign, the RAAF ferried
troops, Politicians, VIP’s, film stars and celebrities, concert parties,
journalists, civilians and equipment the
length and breath of Indo-China. No 36
and 37 Squadrons known as No 86 Transport Wing, stationed at Richmond RAAF
Base. NSW, flew countless missions from
Australia and Malaysia, in all types of weather, to bring in essential food and
equipment which sustained Australia’s Armed Services. The C130 Hercules
Transports, performed like no other, ritually delivering much sought after mail, beer, amenities and other commodities to the diggers, naval
personnel and airmen stationed at Vung Tau, Nui Dat, Saigon, Phan Rang, and No
79 Sabre Squadron at Uborn. Thailand. Personnel were ferried across the
country, to and fro to Malaysia, on
‘Rest -and- Recreation’, disaster relief, “ mercy flights”, support, instant
medical evacuation of troop causalities and even civilian members of RAAF
families stationed in Malaysia,
back to Australia. A veritable ‘work-horse’, the Lockheed C130 flew more missions than any Squadron in the
RAAF. Powered by 4 Allison T56 turboprop engines, it was capable of “lifting off “ loads of 79380 kgs, on airstrips of only 1500 meters !
Not surprisingly, the two Squadrons logged 331000
flying hours, incident free! No 36 Squadron took delivery of 12 early model
C130A’s in 1958. It was not until 1966 that No 37 Squadron obtained another 12
- C130 E’s. It is a magnificent tribute
to the Pilots, crews, and maintenance personnel, for their outstanding
achievement, for which we remain forever indebted.
Known colloquially as RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam,
No 35 Squadron of De Havilland Canada Caribou’s ( DHC-4A ) also based at
Richmond, was the first RAAF detachment
in Vietnam. Flying service personnel and equipment from Saigon to Vung Tau
every week, sometimes three missions a day. Hundreds of Diggers arriving each month in Saigon on
board Qantas 707’s from Sydney, were
ferried to Nui Dat or Vung Tau Base. Similarly, troops having completed their 12 months ‘ tour of duty ‘, were
transported to Tan Son Nhut aerodrome, Saigon to catch their homeward bound
flight. Airmen from No 2 Squadron, at the USAAF Base at Phan Rang on the NE coast of South Vietnam were also VIP’s travelling
with “ Wallaby Airlines “. The tail
section was emblazoned with a ‘ flying kangaroo’, not unlike ‘skippy’, but
quite dissimilar from the distinct Qantas’s ‘big red’, which is recognized
throughout the World. In early May 1964,
six Caribou’s were the first posted to Vietnam. Ironically, eight years later,
35 Sqn was the last to leave the Country, in Feb 1972. They performed a truly
remarkable accomplishment delivering personnel, freight and equipment in those
long, hot, heady, and hazardous days. Operating in extremely difficult
conditions, 35 Sqn chalked up incredible 700,000 passengers, 41,300 tonnes of
cargo flew 79,739 sorties and performed 47000 flying hours! Because of it’s
STOL capabilities, the Caribou could take off and land on a proverbial ‘ pin head ’. So professional were the Aircrew, they were
dropping in on overgrown Jungle clearings not much larger than soccer fields to
unload precious cargo to the troops, or to up-load human cargo of village
tribesmen for evacuation. The Caribou is an unarmed aircraft. Flying at treetop
level, in all sorts of weather, 35 Squadron Caribou’s were often the target of
hostile ground fire. It was not uncommon for ground crew to patch up bullet
holes in the fuselage and tail section, sustained in sorties over ‘ unfriendly
‘ occupied territory, throughout South Vietnam. Three a/c were written off. Two
were so badly damaged; they were shipped back home for repairs.
In April 1967, No 2 Squadron moved a detachment of
Canberra Bombers (English Electric / GAF
Canberra Mk.20) from RAAF Base Butter worth, in Malaysia to USAAF Base at Pham
Rang. Operating with the USAF 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, under
arduous circumstances, the Squadron flew 6 % of the wing’s sorties but
inflicted an extraordinary 16 % of total reported damage! Missions were flown
by day and at night, seeking out targets in the Mekong delta and enemy
movements of Viet Cong, travelling under cover of darkness. Armament: maximum
8000 lbs. load, 6 - 750 lbs bombs carried in the a/c bomb bays, with two more
on the wing tips.
The Squadron was often subjected to intense mortar and
rocket attack at night, and following the Chinese Lunar New Year Tet Offensive
1968, enemy activity increased to bombardment some times twice in one night.
The VC would set-up their rocket/mortar attacks in the perimeter area around the base. Although defoliated of
shrubs and vegetation, nevertheless they
would fire their rounds and be off before they were detected. In close proximity and within range of their
rockets/mortars, scores of combat aircraft of all descriptions, neatly parked
on the tarmac looked particularly attractive. Although, ensconced between
sandbagged revetments, the Canberra’s and Fighter’s were easy targets for
incoming rocket attack. Nightly, this
area was patrolled by Australian Airfield Defence Guards attached to the
Squadron who ventured outside the barbwire to reconnoitre suspicious enemy
deployment. On one unforgettable occasion, parties of North Vietnamese
Regulars, preparing a rocket assault on a moonless night, were ambushed by a
scouting patrol of ADG’s. In the ensuing fire-fight there was a furious
exchange of Ak47 and M60 fire, resulting in the annihilation of all the
Vietcong, The action was duly recognised by the Australian Government, whereby
Cpl D Powell was awarded the Military Medal, and LAC L Byrant a MID. Thankfully, we suffered no causalities from
the brief encounter. No 2 Sqn from 1967 to 1971 established itself as the most
effective bomber squadron in Vietnam. Recording almost 12,000 operational
sorties for the loss of only two aircraft. A84-228 was shot down by a SAM
missile in March 1971. Both Pilot and Navigator survived the harrowing ordeal,
rejoined the Unit, to fly again!
The other,
A84-231 in which Pilot Officer R Carver and Navigator F/O M Herbert are presumed dead. Declared as Missing In Action, on the 3
Nov 1970. The aircraft was never recovered. It still remains a mystery - what
became of the aircrew and how they met their fate. Thirty-two years after the event, and
successive Foreign Affairs Department intervention and enquires, failed to shed
any new light on this tragic incident.
Over 4 years of
Operations No 2 Squadron dropped 76389 bombs; total of 27158 tonnes of high
explosives. Credited with 786 enemy personnel confirmed killed, and a further
3390 estimated as killed from air strikes. Structures 8637, bunkers 15568,
sampans and fishing vessels 1267. Bridges 74 confirmed destroyed. In the
aftermath, 2 Sqn was awarded the Republic Of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with
Palm, and a United States Air Force Outstanding Unit Commendation. General
Lucius Clay, commander of the 7th Air Force USAF, quote in part: “
No 2 Sqn RAAF distinguished itself by exceptional meritorious service in
support of Military Operations against opposing armed Forces, in Southeast Asia
from 19 April 1967 to 31 May 1971".
During this period No 2 Squadron flew 11963 combat
sorties in all areas of the Republic of Vietnam…” Combined with the United
States Presidential Unit Citation, previously awarded, No 2 Squadron earned the
enviable reputation as the most highly decorated Squadron in the RAAF.
Apart from the heavy work schedules attending the
launching and retrieval of aircraft, the Squadron became heavily involved with the “ Civil Aid Program
“. Members devoted considerable time and energy to working tirelessly at the
city’s Orphanages. The Nuns and Sisters were genuinely grateful for the
generosity of the Chaplain and men who, not only entertained the children,
supplying them with toys, food parcels and play ground equipment, they provided
them with ‘potable’ drinking water which had to be pumped from a primitive
well. There was always some thing requiring ‘fixing’ at the Orphanage, and the
men responded without a second thought.
Often overlooked, and for the most part unrecognised,
the FAC (Forward Air Controllers) flying single engined US Army Cessna’s (Cessna 180) O-1 Bird Dog, coordinated and
directed air strikes against enemy concentrations. Cruising speed 264 km/h,
unarmed and only capable of short-range flights, FAC’s did a sterling job. As
the War progressed, this a/c was updated to North American OV-10A Bronco’s.
These stalwarts were invaluable in identifying targets, coaxing attacking
aircraft, assessing damage and reporting results! Operating from USAF Bases,
American, Vietnamese and seconded RAAF pilots directed 2 Sqn Bombers to
targets, some concealed from the air, camouflaged and in dense jungle
clearings. Aust Intelligence supported by photographic aerial reconnaissance
from 2 Sqn, and US confirmed the exact location of enemy targets - which were
subsequently bombed and destroyed. The FAC aircraft would sweep in low, drop
coloured flares or smoke bombs and provide a running commentary on the
developing bombing mission. Results of probable destruction were instantly
relayed over the airwaves, following treetop level “ bird-dog” sightings! These dedicated “stunt flyers” as they
became known, were often “ pot-shotted” at, from small arms fire from the
ground.
Australian Fleet Air Arm crews were operating with the
135th Assault Helicopter Company of the 12th Combat
Aviation Group. US Army, as early as Feb 1968. In addition to the eight RAN
pilots, thirteen pilots from RNZAF joined the detachment. With the integration
of the Anzac contingent, the 135th Company, became know as EMU
(Experimental Military Unit) This Unit was involved with troop insertions,
retrievals and MEDEVAC’s of casualties and injured troops.
They conducted numerous successful day and night
operations against the Vietcong, in support of ARVN (Army of the Republic of
Vietnam Forces) Divisions in campaigns in northern IV Corp’s Provinces.
Regrettably, 5 RAN/EMU Aircrew were killed in action.
The Australian Army’s 161 Reconnaissance Flight, known
affectionately as “ Flying Possums “ flew numerous missions in Bell Sioux 47- G
Helicopters leased from the US Army. Arriving in 1965, the Squadron operated
for six years on reconnaissance, liaison and command post deployment from Nui
Dat Base, home of the Australian Task Force. Eight a/c were lost. Four were
shot down by enemy gunfire.
In researching Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam
Conflict, it is not intended to criticise or pass judgement on all parties
involved. From my perspective, I apologise to those who may take offence. From
my personal recollection and anecdotal sources, this is a true account, as I
saw it.
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