A specialist unit of military advisors of the Australian Army that operated during the Vietnam War. The unit provided training and assistance to South Vietnamese forces
What is ‘AATTV’ - also 'Dirty 30'
When:
Prime Minister Menzies announced that Australia was committing ground troops to the war in Vietnam. He said Australia had received an official request from the South Vietnamese
What is '29 April 1965'
President of South Vietnam from between 1955- 1963
Who is 'Ngo Dinh Diem'
A Cold War policy that suggested communist government in one nation would quickly lead to communist takeovers in neighboring states
What is ‘DOMINO THEORY’
Australian forces were given responsibility for this area of South Vietnam, 50 miles east of Saigon. They constructed an airstrip and major base at Nui Dat, then worked to clear the surrounding area of the Viet Cong.
What is 'Phuoc Tuy Province'
An organization that led the struggle for Vietnamese independence from French rule. The organisation was formed in China in May 1941 by Ho Chi Minh.
What is ‘VIETMINH’
This event occurred in January 1968 and was covered on US and Australian television. It is widely seen as the turning point of the war, though the war dragged on for years
What is the 'Tet Offensive'
Leader of the Democratic Republic of North Vietnam between 1945-1969
Ho Chi Minh
A strategic concept which calls for containing or repulsing military aggression as close to the original line of contact as possible so as to defend the entire territory of a nation or alliance.
What is ‘FORWARD DEFENCE’
The amount of Australian Service personnel killed in Action during the Vietnam War
What is '521'
Supporters of the communist NLF in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
Allied with North Vietnam and the troops of Ho Chi Minh, aimed to create a unified, communist state of Vietnam.
What is ‘VIETCONG’
The years that saw an escalation and increase into Australia's commitment of troops into Vietnam
What is '1967-1975'
Under this US President US combat troops were authorized to operate in battle, and a massive bombing campaign codenamed Operation Rolling Thunder was launched to attempt to defeat the Viet Minh
Who is 'Lyndon Johnson'
An agreement signed in 1951 to protect the security of the Pacific, the United States and New Zealand no longer maintain the security relationship between their countries.
What is ‘ANZUS TREATY’
One of the largest battles fought by Australians in the Vietnam War. On 18 August 1966
What is 'Battle of Long Tan'
Compulsory service in the military.. The more than 280,000 national servicemen who served between 1951–1972 are affectionately known as the Nashos
What is ‘National Service’
One of the most horrific incidents of violence committed during the Vietnam War. A company of American soldiers brutally killed most of the people—women, children and old men on March 16, 1968. More than 500 people were slaughtered, including young girls and women
What is 'the Mai Lai Massacre'
The US President promised to wind back US involvement in Vietnam by handing the war over to the South Vietnamese in a process called “Vietnamisation”. This was an attempt to look like the US was not abandoning the Vietnamese or that they had ‘lost’ the war.
Who is 'Richard Nixon'
Signed September of 1954.The purpose of the organization was to prevent communism from gaining ground in the region.
What is ‘SEATO TREATY’
In this key event torpedo boats approached and fired on a US vessel the USS Maddox. The attackers were driven back by gunfire from the Maddox, which also called in air support from a nearby carrier. One of the torpedo boats was reportedly sunk; the other two sustained damage and limped back to base. This incident led to America increasing combat troops and changing the nature of its commitment to the war in Vietnam
What is the 'Gulf of Tonkin Incident'
These were the largest public demonstrations in Australia’s history at the time. Representing growing discontent within the Australian to the Vietnam War in general and conscription in particular.
What is ‘MORATORIUM’
Who am I? I was appointed to command of the AATTV in 1962 and seconded to be a senior advisor to the South Vietnamese Police force from 65 - 78. I wrote widely on counter insurgency warfare and was considered as an authority on the subject
Who is 'Colonel F P (Ted) Serong'
The politician responsible for the final decision by the 1971 decision to withdraw all troops from Vietnam
What is 'Prime Minister McMahon'
A policy to end U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War through a program to "expand, equip, and train South Vietnamese forces” while reducing the number of US and AUS troops.
What is ‘VIETNAMISATION’
A Battle in which the North Vietnamese launched several strong attacks in an attempt to drive the Australians from this important area. The Australians also initiated combat during their many patrols outside the bases. These actions, over a 25-day period, made up Australia's costliest and most protracted battle of the Vietnam War.
What is the 'Battle of Coral Balmoral'