1968
Vietnam War Timeline
1968 |
Vietnam War Timeline |
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Shows how gun camera and pod camera footage was taken and exposed during Vietnam. Used for reconnaissance and to document weapon effectiveness. F-100A, F-105 and F-4 aircraft all used this film process. Combat Cameramen flew along to record action and air strikes. Runtime 27.mins in two parts |
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January - 1968 - "TET" - The Offensive. Intelligence reports expected a major
enemy offensive in early 1968. The main enemy units were identified and a date in early
February was predicted.
2 - 5 January. 
7 RAR conduct Operation "Elizabeth", the final phase of
Op"Forrest".
2 January. 
Battle of An Tinh, Operation Pershing I, Phu My District, Binh Dinh Province. D Co., 1/50(M) Infantry surprises three companies at seaside village of An Loc to start the Battle of An Tinh. Delta Co. cordoned off village of An Lac and caught three companies of the 97th Bn, 2nd VC Regiment, 3rd NVA Div. 1032 Hrs D 1/50 while moving into AN LAC (1) receives heavy volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire from that village and the village next to it AN TINH. D company in contact with a major force. B Company working about 8,000 meters from the contact area was committed at 1051 Hrs. At 1430 Hrs. B1/50 closed the contact area from the north. Total body count for the Battle of An Tinh was 103 enemy KIA, and 28 weapons captured. Six Americans lost their life in this battle, and 28 were wounded.
SAS Ops Patrols |
2- 3 January. - 1 SAS Sqn Op 1/68, conduct 5 man Recce Patrol. Patrol 31 inserted at YS 615994 by helicopter. Enemy contact YS 516602, 2 VC KIA. Ptl extracted by winch. 3 - 7 January. - 1 SAS Sqn Op 2/68, conduct 5 man Recce Patrol. Patrol 31 inserted at YS 591803 by helicopter. Large enemy bunker system found deserted. Ammo cache and rifles captured .En activity in the area. 7 - 11 January. - 1 SAS Sqn Op 3/68, conduct 5 man Recce Patrol. Patrol 14 inserted at YS 368825 by helicopter. Enemy activity in area. VC sighted ptl and fled. 9 January. - 1 SAS Sqn Op 7/68, conduct 5 man Recce Patrol. Patrol 11 inserted at YS 369825 by helicopter. Enemy activity in area. VC sighted. Ptl extracted by heli. |
5 January. Operation Niagara I to map NVA positions around Khe Sanh begins.
Op 'BALAKLAVA' |
Formations/Units:with in direct support 161 Bty (NZ), one OH-13 of
161 (Indep) Recce Flt in support one army aviation
company (US). |
Op 'BORDERTOWN' (9-11 January 1968).
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Formations/Units: 3RAR with under command
one combat engineer team 1 Fd Sqn; in direct support
161 Bty (NZ), one OH-13 of 161 (Indep) Recce Flt; in support two army aviation companies
(US).
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1ATF 'DUNTROON'
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Formations/Units: 1ATF,
with under command units tasked:2 RAR, 7 RAR, A Sqn 3 Cav Regt, 4 Fd Regt, 1 Fd Sqn, 161 (Indep) Recce Flt with in
support Btry A l/83d Arty (US), army aviation companies
(US), No. 9 Sqn RAAF |
SAS Ops Patrols SAS Insertion by RAAF helicopter - ( clip from the movie "The Odd Angry Shot") . Duration: 6:53 mins |
10 - 14 January. 1 SAS Sqn Op 4/68, conduct 5 man Recce Patrol . Patrol 22 inserted at YS 684644 by helicopter. Enemy activity. 20 VC sighted. Contact at YS 698621 with 3 VC. 2 VC KIA. Patrol extracted. 10 - 15 January. 1 SAS Sqn Op 6/68, conduct 5 man Recce Patrol . Patrol 32 inserted at YS 684644 by helicopter. Enemy activity.Ox cart heard moving at night. Ptl member extracted with injury from animal snare. 12 - 16 January. 1 SAS Sqn Op 5/68 conduct 5 man Recce Patrol . Patrol 21 inserted at YS 633759 by helicopter. Enemy activity . Nil results 12 - 17 January. 1 SAS Sqn Op 8/68 conduct 5 man Ambush Patrol . Patrol 13 inserted at YS 334747 by helicopter. Enemy activity nil. Nil results. 16 - 18 January. 1 SAS Sqn Op 11/68 conduct 5 man Ambush Patrol . Patrol 24 inserted at YS 554858 by helicopter. Enemy activity ,shots heard nightly. Nil results. 16 - 21 January. 1 SAS Sqn Op 12/68 conduct 5 man Recce Patrol . Patrol 33 inserted at YS 554849 by helicopter. Enemy activity. 62X40lb bags of salt destroyed.. 17 - 21 January. 1 SAS Sqn Op 10/68 conduct 5 man Ambush Patrol . Patrol 34 inserted at YS 695709 by helicopter. Enemy activity ,shots heard nightly. Nil results. 19 - 23 January. 1 SAS Sqn Op 14/68 conduct 5 man Recce Patrol . Patrol 31 inserted at YS 350715 by helicopter. Enemy activity ,Platoon size camp found. Bn sized camp destroyed by bombing. 19 - 23 January. 1 SAS Sqn Op 15/68 conduct 5 man Recce Patrol . Patrol 14 inserted at YS 562828 by helicopter. Enemy activity , documents and ammo found. 20 January. 1 SAS Sqn Op 17/68 conduct 5 man Ambush Patrol . Patrol 11 inserted at YS 562828 by helicopter. Enemy activity , documents and ammo found. 21 - 23 January. 1 SAS Sqn Ops 19/68 , a 5 man Recce Patrol . Patrol12 inserted at YS 535834 by helicopter. Enemy activity. Nil results 21 - 23 January. 1 SAS Sqn Op 16/68 conduct 5 man Ambush Patrol . Patrol 22 inserted at YS 489811 by helicopter. Ambush sprung at YS 496808. 5 En moved into ambush, 2 VC KIA, 1 VC poss KIA, 1 VC unaccounted for. Ptl extracted. |
21 January. Operation Pershing ends. When operation ended (343 days) the enemy lost 5,715 soldiers KIA and 2,323 were captured. 1,300 individual and 137 crew served weapons were captured. Operation Pershing was the largest single operation and the most successful in which the 1st Cavalry Division participated since its arrival in Vietnam in August 1965. The 1st Cav and the 1/50 (M) Infantry did a lot of damage to the enemy, especially in the last battles of the operation. It did not wipe out all of the NVA or VC in the area but it did great damage to them. The success of the operation can be summed up in the words of an enemy prisoner of war. The captured enemy, a sapper battalion Chief of Staff stated that "during the period from Sept. 67 to Jan. 68, the liberating forces (NVA,VC) were driven near the abyss, especially in the Binh Dinh area and two other areas." Vietnam Studies Airmobility 1961-1971 by Lt. Gen John J. Tolson. Since joining the 1st Cav in September 1967, the 1/50 played a major role in all major battles in Operation Pershing.
22 January. 1st Cavalry Division begins Operation Pershing II.
23 January Battle of Trung Thuan, Operation Pershing II, Phu My District, Binh Dinh Province. A Co. 1/50 while on move to help a PF outpost, foils an ambush by forces of the 95th Bn., 2nd VC Regiment, 3rd NVA DIv. along Hwy. 504. The enemy responded with intense automatic weapons , recoilless rifle, rocket and mortar fire. 1050 Hrs. C 1/50 was committed to the north of the contact area. A 1/50 continued fighting along an 800 meter front. The enemy ambush had been completely routed and at 1604Hrs. the battle ended. Enemy body count was 137 killed and 33 weapons captured. Friendly casualties were 4 killed and 21 wounded.
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GEN Giap attacks the American air base at Khe Sanh with 20,000 NVA, starting a 77-day siege of the 5,000 Marines defending the post. There is enormous media attention because of inevitable comparisons to Dien Bien Phu in 1954 where the French were defeated. Operation Niagara II begins a massive aerial supply effort to the besieged Marines along with heavy B-52 bombardment of NVA troop positions. At the peak of the battle, NVA soldiers are hit round-the-clock every 90 minutes by groups of three B-52s which drop over 110,000 tons of bombs during the siege, the heaviest bombardment of a small ar ea in the history of warfare. |
1ATF 'COBURG'
Operation Coburg after action report
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Formations/Units 1ATF, with under command units tasked:2 RAR, 3RAR, 7 RAR, A
Sqn 3 Cav Regt, 4 Fd Regt, 1 Fd Sqn, 161 (Indep) Recce Flt; in
support Btry B 2/35th Arty (US), army aviation companies (US),
9 Sqn RAAF. |
SAS Patrol Report |
Maps: |
Vietnam 1:50,000 Sheet 6431 111 and 6311 11 Pictomap Supplement 1:25,00 6431 111 S and 6311 11 S 26/68 32 Patrol RW12; 55. 3 1 SAS Sqn Recce AO 'Pert' 8 240800H 281200H Infiltrate by foot to YS 447685. Exfil by APC YS 469706 Mostly bamboo with heavy secondary jungle and low entanglements. No water. Nil Nil |
Same 1 SAS Sqn |
25 January. - HMAS Perth under fire near Cap St Anne.
SAS Patrol Report
32/68
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Maps: |
Vietnam 1:50,000 Sheet 6431 111 and 6311 11 Pictomap Supplement 1:25,00 6431 111 S and 6311 11 S 32/68 31 Patrol RW12; 55. 3 1 SAS Sqn Recce in support of Operation 'Coburg'. 5 281830 H 281845 H Infiltrate by heli to LZ YT 156205. Exfil by heli LZ YT 156205 YT 156205 YT 156205 Secondary jungle. Movement difficult and noisy. Visibility 40m. YT 156205 at 281840H the ptl sighted 2 VC approaching from the SOUTH. The en stopped approx 30m from the ptl. 281845H the ptl saw further en movement 50m to NORT-EAST. TF could not be contacted so plt recalled the hel and were extracted. LFT suppressed the area with MG fire. The( Light Fire Team) LFT received small arms fire on the extraction. A follow-up the next day revealed blood trails. Both patrols were used as Standing Patrols for the remainder of the operation. Nil with en encounters. |
29January. - C Coy 3 RAR move to FSPB " HARRISON", Bien Hoa Province.(Op
"Coburg" - 7 RAR)
In violation of the Tet Truce, Phu My District HQ receives mortar fire and limited ground probes, as does the 41st ARVN Regimental HQ at LZ Crystal. At 1045 on 30 January, the 1/50 (M) Infantry Battalion was notified that due to enemy action, the Tet Truce was terminated effective 0945.
SAS Patrol Report |
Maps:
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Vietnam 1:50,000 Sheet 6431 111 and 6311 11 Pictomap Supplement 1:25,00 6431 111 S and 6311 11 S 33/68 14,31 Patrol RW12; 55. 3 1 SAS Sqn Recce in support of Operation 'Coburg'. 10 291200 H 311830 H Infiltrate by foot. Exfil by foot. NA NA Dry primary jungle with no undergrowth. Many low entanglements. YT 159233 at 291200H ptl moved WEST from 7 RAR HQ. YT 157222 at 29123OH, ptl was sighted by 2 VC 30m NORTH. They were engaged by the ptl but en fled after throwing a dud grenade. Ptl returned to base. YT 1'59223 at 291430H ptl moved SOUTH by foot from 7 RAR HQ. YT 160210 at 291430H ptl saw 2 VC 30m EAST of ptl. The en went to ground, but fled NORTH as the ptl put in a search of the area.. YT 159218 at 291645H ptl engaged 4 VC moving WEST , with small arms. Patrol returned to 7 RAR BHQ. YT 159223 at 3012OOH ptl moved WEST . from 7 RAR HQ. YT 155224 at 301345H forward scout came under fire from a silent weapon and AK 47s. The ptl saw approx 10 VC who were carrying 2 X RCLs, and several RPG 2 rocket launchers. Ptl withdrew 50m to the EAST and the area was engaged with arty and mortars. Ptl returned to 7 RAR BHQ. Both patrols were used as Standing Patrols for the remainder of the operation. Nil with en encounters. |
Vietnam 1:50,000 Sheet 6431 111 and 6311 11
M79 Grenade Launcher |
30 January. - The "Tet Offensive" erupts throughout South Vietnam, lasting until
late February. 80,000 communist troops attack cities and towns throughout South Vietnam,
in a three day cataclysm that saw Siagon, 5 out 6 autonomous cities, 36 of 44 provincial
capitals and 64 of 242 district capitals attacked. On the first day of the Tet (lunar New
Year) truce, the Viet Cong launch their biggest offensive of the war. One thousand Viet
Cong troops infiltrate the city of Saigon. The Communist troops capture the Citadel at Hue
and seize part of the US embassy in Saigon. It takes nearly two weeks to completely rout
out the Viet Cong troops. The attack is a military disaster for the Communists: they lose
over 10,000 men and do not manage to hold any of their objectives. Nevertheless, the
offensive marks a military victory for the Viet Cong. For many Americans who had believed
that the war was being won, the sight of Viet Cong troops holding the US embassy is a rude
awakening, and forces them to question the US "true" position.
The Battle for Hue City 
RAAF Canberra bombers flew sorties in support of the US Marine base at Khe Sanh.
31 January. - Baria, the provincial capital of Phouc Tuy comes under heavy attack
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The 1/50(M) battles NVA enemy which had moved in force during the Tet Truce to within striking distance on three sides of the Phu My District Headquarters. 0850 Popular Forces patrol in contact N.E. of Phu My at Tan An BR928691. B and D Companies 1/50 were directed to immediately move to the contact area. Both companies were in position by 1100 north and south of Phu My on Hwy 1. At 1105 D Co. was directed to move east to th e northern edge of Tan An, and to sweep S.W. to fix the rear of the enemy force gathered to attack Phu My. D Co. made contact with an estimated enemy company. A Co.was released from base defense at LZ Uplift , and joined D Coy' s right flank. B Co. 1/50 moved to the south side of Binh Tri (BR 912678) where contact was also made immediately. A & D 1/50 launched a simultaneous attack on the estimated enemy battalion. Co. D attacking on the left continued to encounter stiff enemy resistance from a well entrenched enemy armed with many automatic and antitank weapons. D Co. eliminated the enemy resistance and later moved to LZ Uplift for base security. A & B 1/50 stayed for the night at the contact area.
Tet Offensive 1968 Saigon and Cholon fighting
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CTZ |
General Westmoreland in 1976 wrote in his autobiography, A Soldier Reports:
"No one to my knowledge foresaw that, in terms of public opinion, press and
television would transform what was undeniably a catastrophic military defeat for the enemy
into a presumed debacle for Americans and South Vietnamese, an attitude that still lingers
today".
February - 1968
1-2-68 Parrello A. T/WO2 AATTV 30 RAINF KIA RPG hit APC in Baria.
3 RAR
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Formations/Units: 3RAR in command of company groups deployed on separate missions (the first initially under command HQ 1ATF as Ready Reaction Force): A Coy less one platoon, with in direct support 161 Fd Bty (NZ), in support 3 Tp A Sqn 3 Cav Regt; D Coy, with under command one combat engineer team 1 Fd Sqn, in direct support 161 Fd Bty (NZ), one OH 13 of 161 (Indep) Recce Flt, in support 3 Tp A Sqn 3 Cav Regt; and B Coy with under command one section Aslt Pnr PI and two 106 mm RCL Anti Tk PI 3RAR, in direct support 161 Fd Bty (NZ), in support one troop A Sqn 3 Cav Regt. |
1 February. LTG Fred C. Weyand launches a decisive counter-attack against the Viet Cong at Tan Son Nhut airport thus protecting nearby MACV and South Vietnamese military headquarters from possible capture.
In Saigon, a suspected Viet Cong guerrilla is shot in the head by South Vietnam's police chief Gen. Nguyen Ngoc Loan on film and still cameras from American newsmen. The haunting AP photo taken by Eddie Adams appears on the front page of most American newspapers the next morning. Americans also observe the filmed execution on NBC TV.
1 February.1st Australian Task Force Base is mortared.
2 February. President Johnson labels the Tet Offensive "a complete failure." For the North Vietnamese, the Tet Offensive is both a military and political failure in Vietnam. The "general uprising" they had hoped to ignite among South Vietnamese peasants against the Saigon government never materialized. Viet Cong had also come out of hiding to do most of the actual fighting, suffered devastating losses, and never regained their former strength. As a result, most of the fighting will be taken over by North Vietnamese regulars fighting a conventional war.
The US Embassy is invaded.
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The Battle for Hue City 1968
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Hue City 1968
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Enemy losses in 54 hours estimated at 5,000.
3-6 February.. D Coy 3 RAR in heavy action at Long Dien with the 2/52 ARVN Rangers.
With the road cut to Vung Tau, RAAF Caribous resupply the base at NUI DAT carrying over a
period of 3 days, 219,240 kg of cargo.
1 SAS Sqn Advance Party warned for departure to Australia via Butterworth.
4-2-68 Caston R. J. Pte 3RAR D/11 21 RAINF DOW At 24EVACHOSP after GSW by sniper in Long Dien earlier that day.
5 February. B Coy 3 RAR in action at the village Hoa Long. from entrenched enemy positions.
9 enemy are killed and 6 more wounded or killed. Australian casualties are 3 KIA.
6 -February. 2 Sqn, SAS advance party arrives at 1 ATF, NUI DAT to replace 1 Sqn.
6-2-68 Ellwood S.W. Gnr NZ 161BTY RNZA KIA
The road from Vung Tau to NUI DAT is re-opened.
In successive battles, the 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 50th Infantry, 1st Cav Division had leaned on the enemy and completely defeated elements of the 22nd NVA Regiment and the 2nd VC Regiment.
7 - 9 February. B Coy 3 RAR in action at Baria and Long Dien.
SAS Patrol Task 34/68 |
Maps: |
XA BINH BA 1:50,000 Sheet 6430 111 Pictomap Supplement 1:25,00 6430 111 S 34/68 15 Patrol RW12; 55. 3 1 SAS Sqn Ambush in area CARMEL, CLARE, DORIS. 20 090900 H 121700 H Infiltrate by APC. YS 380 691 YS 383 692 Terrain Mainly open paddy fields with high grass. Ambush site bamboo. At YS 376 698 patrol found alarm set and anti-intrusion device |
10 February. 3 RAR relieve 7 RAR on Op "Coburg".
11th February. 161 Fd Bty replaced 106 Fd Bty at FSB HARRISON.
13 February. SAS member SGT Baines killed in grenade range incident.
14 February. Arty Tac HQ, RHQ and 108 Fd Bty were airlifted back to NUI DAT 161 Fd Bty NZ was moved from FSB HARRISON to join B Bty 2/35 Arty at FSB Anderson. Around the 14th other elements of 131 were also withdrawn to FSB Anderson. Here they continued their surveillance, locating and defence of FSB Anderson.
1ATF 'OAKLEIGH'
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Formations/Units:1ATF, with under command units tasked:2 RAR, 7 RAR, A Sqn 3 Cav Regt, 4 Fd Regt, 1 Fd Sqn, 1 SAS Sqn, 1 ARU, Def PI HQ Coy 1 ATE, 161 (Indep) Recce Flt, Det 1 Div Int Unit, 1 Aust CA Unit, Det AFV Pro Unit, in support elements ARVN, GVN police and national police field force troops. Description: A cordon-and-search of Hoa Long, the area, location, population, AO and terrain as described in Operation Camden (no. 3 above). VC activity in Hoa Long during the Tet Offensive comprised harassment by fire and area-type weapons of GVN posts and patrols; further, trails leading in to the village from the west had been active, with resupply associated with base camps in the Nui Dinh complex, and a number of VC were living in the village with their families. Deployment by APC and foot. Location: As for Operation Camden (above). Results: Casualties. Own: KIA 1; VC: KIA 9, wounded/escaped 2, PW 4, VC agents detained 25, VC suspects detained 41, draft dodgers detained 12. Captured were 12 weapons and quantities of documents, drugs, ammunition, clothing and equipment 16-2-68 Wilson K. R. Pte2RAR 22 RAINF KIA GSW near Hoa Long. |
18 February. 3 RAR under ground and mortar attack on FSPB "Andersen".
3 U.S. Pilots Released By Hanoi.
SAS Patrol Task 35/36 |
Maps. |
XA BINH BA 1:50,000 Sheet 6430 111 Pictomap Supplement 1:25,00 6430 111 35/68 24 Patrol RW17;55. 3 1 SAS Sqn Ambush Track on the South West approaches of AP SUOI NGHE 10 181600H 221200H Infiltrate by APC to Serial K. Exfil by foot to Serial L YS 419 738 YS 434 684 Terrain defoliated, Tangled undergrowth. Nil encounters. |
XA BINH BA 1:50,000 Sheet 6430 111 Pictomap Supplement 1:25,00 6430 111 S 36/68 23 Patrol RW12;55. 3 1 SAS Sqn Ambush Track on the North West approaches of AP SUOI NGHE 10 181600H 221200H Infiltrate by APC to Serial K. Exfil by foot to Serial L. YS 419 738 YS 434 684 Terrain defoliated, Tangled undergrowth Nil encounters. VC suspect apprehended at YS 405 715. Suspect airlifted to 1 ATF, (subsequently released) |
18 - 22 February.
A mortar and RPG attack occurred at FSB ANDERSON at 180100 H Feb. The attack commenced with the firing of a red flare to the SW of ANDERSON at an approx range of 500 metres. The first barrage of mortars cut straight through the centre of the FSB. The second barrage appeared to be adjusted by an increase in range as the rounds overshot the FSB and landed on the perimeter. A further group of rounds fell about 400 metres N of the FSB. It is estimated that approx 40 rounds were fired, 25 landing within the FSB. All rounds fell in the Eastern sector of the FSB, whilst the RPG attack was directed against the Western sector which contained the main Artillery, Cavalry and Engineer equipments. The mortars were identified as 82mm and the RPGs as B40’s (RPG2). Two rounds of B41 (RPG7) were found near a VC body but had not been fired. It is estimated that up to 60 rounds of RPG 2 were fired at the FSB.
7 RAR 'DANDENONG'
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Formations/Units: 7 RAR (less two companies) with under operational control one troop
A Sqn 3 Cav Regt, Det 1 Div Int Unit and GVN elements, in
Description: A cordon-and-search of Ap Suoi Nghe, of area 0.5 sq km, 1.5 km west of Route 2 and 2 km south of the Binh Ba rubber plantation, population 946. The AO was represented by the village boundary. Terrain featured the village on a long flat spur sloping down at the western end, in an area cleared of trees prior to resettlement, and with grassland surrounding. The inhabitants of Ap Suoi Nghe had been resettled from the VC-controlled 'Slope 30' area during Operation Ainslie (no. 31 above), as a result of which there was a strong VC infrastructure and frequent VC visits; since early February there had been an increase in VC activity in and around the village. Deployment by APC and truck. Location:Phuoc Tuy province, 4 km NNW of 1ATF base. Results: Detained were 19 VC suspects, 7 draft dodgers and 38 persons with ID card irregularities. |
1ATF 'CLAYTON'
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Formations/Units: 1ATF, with under command units tasked:2 RAR, 7 RAR, A
Sqn 3 Cav Regt, 4 Fd Regt, 1 Fd Sqn, 1 SAS Sqn, 1 ARU and 161 (Indep) Recce Flt, in support Btry A l/83d Arty (US), two army aviation companies No. 9 Sqn RAAF Description: A cordon-and- search of Xa Long Dien, area 1.65 sq Ion and population normally 14 783, on Route 23 halfway between Ba Ria and Dat Do. No AO was allotted, but the operation was confined to the immediate vicinity of the town boundary. Terrain generally flat rising gently to the SE, surrounded by grassland from SE through SW to NW, and rice from north to east. Xa Long Dien was the economic hub of the province. Since the commencement of the Tet Offensive, die VC had harassed the village, occupying and demolishing some government buildings and installations; two ARVN battalions and 1ATF elements had cleared the village by 10 February. Almost nightly there were squad to platoon-sized contacts within the village south of Route 23. An estimated 120-150 VC were in the northern Long Hai hills, some 3 km to the SE, and believed to be a company of D445 Bn and C25Coy. Deployment by helicopter, APC and truck. Location: Phuoc Tuy province, 8 km south of 1ATF base. Results: A total of 5227 adults were screened; 30 VC suspects, 45 draft dodgers, 12 ARVN AWOL/deserters and one illegal resident were detained |
1ATF 'PINNAROO' THE MINEFIELD - by Greg Lockhart
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Formations/Units1ATF, with under command units tasked:2 RAR; 3RAR, C Sqn 1 Armd Regt, A Sqn 3 Cav Regt, 4 Fd Regt, 1 Fd :Sqn, 161 (Indep) Recce Flt, in support Btry A 2/35th Arty (US), Btry A l/83d Arty (US), one army aviation company (US), F. Description:A reconnaissance operation to destroy VC base installations in the Long Hai mountain complex, its nearest features 2 km SE of Xa Long Dien and 4 km SW of Dat Do; AO Moselle was 44 sq km. Terrain sloping upwards into steeply mountainous, rocky features, the highest 327 m, covered mainly in jungle with patches of brushwood, and with areas of rice on the NE and eastern periphery of the AO. The Long Hai peninsula, known by die VC as the Minh Dam Secret Zone, had long been the base for C25 District Coy, die district infrastructure and local guerillas within the VC Long Dat and Vung Tau infrastructure; a company of D445 Bn was usually co-located to assist with guerilla and general harassment tasks against the major population centers of the province. Following the damage to D445 Bn in Baria during the Tet Offensive, some of its sub-units were believed to be in the Long Hais. The VC had adopted an extremely active mining policy in that area. Deployment by helicopter and APC. Location:Phuoc Tuy province, 14 kms SSE of 1ATF base. Results:Casualties: Own: KIA 10, WIA 36; VC: KIA 21, wounded/escaped 14, PW 4, detainees 34. Captured were 12 crew-served weapons, 87 other weapons, quantities of small arms ammunition, projectiles and grenades, miscellaneous equipment, 2.5 tonnes of rice. Destroyed were 57 camps and bunker systems. Casualties: 1-3-68 Plain D. B. Pte 3789448 HQ1AT F 22 RAIN F F /BCAS While sitting on top of APC,APC was rammed by VC driven stolen truck. 2-3-68 Lyons P. J. Pte 2RAR 23 RAINF KIA Mine. 20-3-68 Rapp J. R. Pte 3RAR B/6 22 RAINF KIA GSW to chest. 22-3-68 Coombs G. J. Spr 1FDSQN 22 RAE KIA Mine in Long Hai's 22-3-68 .Tobin V. J. Spr 1FDSQN 24 RAE KIA Mine in Long Hai's. 2-3-68 Coles K. G. Pte 3RAR C/7 21 RAINF KIA Triggered mine in Long Hai's. 24-3-68 Fraser J. 2Lt 3RAR C/9 23 RAINF KIA Mine in Long Hai's. 5-4-68 Gollagher P. J. SSgt 1FDSQN 32 RAE KIA GSW to throat while tunnel clearing in Long Hai's. 12-4-68 Nicholson K. R. Spr 1FDSQN 23 RAE KIA Mine clearing. 12-4-68 Awatere W. R. Pte NZ 2RAR W1 RNZIR DOW Mine. Shrap to face and chest. |
22-2-68 Vickers P. J. LtCdr RANHFV 33 RAN KIA GSW from ground fire near Xuan Loc.
23 February - B Company 7 RAR conduct company Operation "Mildura".
16 February - 1 Sqn, SAS depart Vietnam for Australia. During their tour the
squadron mounted 246 patrols, killed 83 VC and sighted 405 enemy. Own casualties one died
of wounds(DOW) and one wounded(WIA).24 February. U.S. Marines occupy the Imperial Palace in the heart of the citadel and defeat the North Vietnamese in the Battle of Hue. American losses are 142 Marines killed and 857 wounded, 74 U.S. Army killed and 507 wounded. South Vietnamese suffer 384 killed and 1,830 wounded. Over 5,000 NVA are killed.
28 February. 3 RAR under mortar and ground attack at FSPB "Andersen".
28 February. Influential CBS TV news anchorman Walter Cronkite, who just returned from Saigon, tells Americans during his CBS Evening News broadcast that he is certain "the bloody experience of Vietnam is to end in a stalemate."
Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Wheeler, at the behest of Gen. Westmoreland, asks President Johnson for an additional 206,000 soldiers and mobilization of reserve units in the U.S.
28th February. At 0100H FSB Anderson received 24 to 30 rounds of 82mm mortar inside its perimeter.
A half Squadron of Australian Centurion Tanks consisting of 1 and 2 troops arrives in
Vietnam to support the 1 ATF.
General Westmoreland's report to the President states that, despite the failure of the Tet
Offensive, the Communists have the initiative. In order to regain control, Westmoreland
requests another 200,000 troops. This would require a call up of the reserves, and the
decision is delayed. When the decision is ultimately reached to deny the request, it
represents a realization that the war can not be won by military means.
The TET offensive was to have a marked change in peoples attitude to the war in Vietnam.
The sheer audacity of the offensive destroyed the credibility of the American military
among its own people and strengthened the anti-war movement in the United States. Public
attitude were also changing in Australia.
The SAS patrols are having such an impact on the VC that one report stated that the VC had
placed a bounty of $US5,000 dead or alive on the head of each 'Ma Rung' - Phantoms of the
Jungle. So far the SAS patrols have accounted for 115 enemy KIA with only 2 Aust WIA and
one Aust DOW.
30 February. Operation Pershing II ends. The operation lasted 39 days and employed 9 battalions. 1,801 VC/NVA were killed at a cost of 21 U.S. KIA
March 1968
1 March - 3 RAR return to NUI DAT from Op "Coburg".March 1st all elements involved in FSB Anderson were withdrawn to the Task Force, Phuoc Tuy. All Sections of 131 involved in FSB Anderson, returned to NUI DAT. Operation Coburg concluded.
16 March - An SAS patrol contacts a three-man VC patrol killing one.
16 March. A unit of Charlie Company US 1st Battalion 20th Infantry
slaughter between 200 and 500 unarmed villagers in the hamlet of My Lai. Led by Lieutenant
William Calley, the platoon is ordered to enter the village firing.
| Video Duration 9:13 mins |
The My Lai Massacre (pronunciation (help·info), approximately [mi.˧˩˥'lɐːj˧˧]) (Vietnamese: thảm sát Mỹ Lai) was the mass murder of 347 to 504 unarmed citizens of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), almost entirely civilians and the majority of them women and children, conducted by U.S. Army forces on March 16, 1968. Some of the victims were sexually abused, beaten, tortured, or maimed, and some of the dead bodies were mutilated. The My Lai Massacre was an operation of the Phoenix Program. |
17 March - D Coy 3 RAR joins Op "Pinnaroo".
17 March : In a pre-planned operation, a six-man SAS patrol inserts into the
Firestone Trail near LZ Dampier and conduct a 'demolition ambush' on a VC party
transporting weapons and equipment using a tractor and trailer stolen from the Courtenay
Plantation. Fifteen VC are confirmed as killed.
Firestone Trail - An enemy infiltration and communication route in Phuoc
Tuy Pro. So named because the Ho Chi Minh sandals worn by the VC plying the trail were
fabricated from automobile tire treads (such as the US brand, Firestone Tires).
2RAR/NZ 'ASHGROVE TRAM'
|
Formations/Units:2 RAR/NZ & A Coy 7 RAR with under
command one troop (plus) 1 Fd Sqn,
detachment AFV Pro Unit, under operational
control one troop C Sqn 1 Armd Regt, one troop
A Sqn 3 Cav Regt, A Coy 7 RAR, detachments
1 Div Int Unit and 1 Aust CA Unit, GVN
National Police, in support 161 Fd Bty (NZ),
elements 161 (Indep) Recce Flt and No. 9 Sqn RAAF, three patrol craft fast (PCF) (US),
Btry A 2/35th Arty (US), one army aviation
company (US). |
27 March - 1 RAR depart Sydney for Vietnam aboard HMAS Sydney.
28 - 29 March. 7 RAR conduct Operation "Woolgoolga".
29 March - An SAS patrol ambushes three VC, killing two.
31 March - HMAS Perth is relieved by HMAS Hobart at Subic Bay.
Australian soldiers accused of torturing a young Vietnamese woman.
3 Troop Centurion Tank
Sqn is given approval for deployment to Vietnam to support 1 and 2 Sqn.
US President Johnson announces a unilateral bombing halt. At the end of the speech,
Johnson stuns the nation by announcing that he will not run for a second full term as
president..
7 RAR ' RODEO'
|
Formations Units:7 RAR, with under operational control one troop A Sqn 3 Cav Regt,element 1 Fd Sqn, in direct support one OH-13 of 161 (Indep) Recce Flt, in support 108 Fd Bty, No. 9 Sqn RAAF and GVN elements. |
April - 1968
1 April. The U.S. 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) begins Operation Pegasus to reopen Route 9, the relief route to the besieged Marines at Khe Sanh.
In April, Task Force Clearwater's I Corps efforts were enhanced
by Operation Sea Tiger in which Task Force 115 Swift boats, River Division 543 PBRs,
Vietnamese Coastal Group 14 junks, and River Assault Group 32 units battled to secure the
Cua Dai and Hoi An Rivers in Quang Nam Province. Soon afterward, in June, naval river
forces began patrolling the vital Saigon River from Phu Cuong to Dau Tieng, the latter in
the hotly contested Michelin Rubber Plantation. This operation, designated Ready Deck,
tied in with the Giant Slingshot interdiction effort to the west.
1st Australian Field Hospital opens at Vung Tau.
2RAR/NZ 'COOKTOWN ORCHID'
|
Formations/Units:2 RAR/NZ with under
operational control elements of C Sqn 1 Armd Regt,
A Sqn 3 Cav Regt, 1 Fd Sqn, 17 Const Sqn,
34th Engr Gp (US), in direct support 108
Fd Bty, in support 161 (Indep) Recce Flt,
elements army aviation units (US), No. 9 Sqn RAAF. Description: A series of
company group operations, consisting of
land clearing, reconnaissance-in-force,
ambush, patrolling and minefield clearing,
conducted in the Long Hai mountain
complex and to the east of Dat Do in
AO's Burgundy and Claret, a total area of
134 sq km. Terrain mountainous in the SW,
elsewhere undulating to flat; jungle in the SW,
rice generally elsewhere, but separated by large
areas of jungle (Long Green) and brushwood
(Light Green) and smaller scattered areas of both, sand dunes on the coast. The operation was aimed at the complete destruction of VC in the (VC) Long Dat District, including completing the denial of the Minh Dam base area in the Long Hais, and the areas of the 'Long Green' and the 'Light Green' between Route 44 and the Song Rai; these latter areas had previously contained bases for the Long Dat District held by elements of D445 Bn and local guerillas. The area was expected to contain r quad-sized VC elements avoiding contact from Operation Pinnaroo (no. 50 above). Deployment by helicopter and APC. Location: Phuoc Tuy province, 13 km SE of 1ATF base. Results: Casualties. Own: KIA 2,WIA 10; VC: KIA 9, detainees 8. Captured were a quantity of weapons, ammunition, grenades and documents, with 20 camp and bunker complexes destroyed. Remarks: An aborted attempt (by V Coy Gp 2 RAR/NZ) was made to clear part of the barrier minefield using Centurion tanks with chains. |
6 April - A five-man SAS recce-ambush patrol is inserted into the area 12 klms north of Nui
Thi Vai, Ben Hoa Province and over the next 4 days discover VC camps and activity. The
patrol comes under fire, killing one VC and then extracting.
9 April - 1 RAR main body arrive at Vung Tau. 7 RAR main body depart on HMAS Sydney with HMAS Parramatta as escort.
11 April - An SAS patrol kills one VC, 7 klms north east of Binh Gia.
12 April - D Coy 3 RAR return from Op "Pinnaroo".
16 April - An SAS patrol ambushes a VC patrol, killing two and recovering two
diaries, north east of Binh Gia.
1ATF 'TOAN THANG I' The Battle of FSPB "Coral"
Videos
Location Map Here After Operation Report Operation" Toan Thang" |
The biggest unit level battle involving Australian soldiers in the Vietnam War. An exciting and dramatic story over twent-six days in May and June 1968, during which units of the 1st Australian Task Force fought a series of actions around FSB's Coral, Coogee and Balmoral against an enemy actively looking for a fight. |
1RAR 'PEGASUS'
|
Formations/Units: 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, with in direct support 102 Fd Bty, in support one army aviation company (US). Description: A search operation directed at the Binh Ba rubber plantation and its western and southern flanking areas, west of Route 2 in an AO of 9 sq km. Terrain, VC activity (excluding VC day activity) and location as for Operation Balaklava . Deployment by helicopter. FSB Thornton - YS 35-71 8 km WNW of NUI DAT, 4 km NNW of Nui Thi, 10 km SE of FSB Nelson. Named in honor of New Zealand’s "Gunner General," CDS LtGen Sir Leonard Thornton, who became the NZ Chief of Defense in 1968. Was apparently an artillery gunner in his early years of service. 161 Bty , RNZA (Hitching’s Bty 14Apr68-18Mar69) firebase set here 21-23Apr68. Phuoc Tuy Prov, III Corps. Results:Nil. |
22 April - HMAS Hobart under fire at near Dong Hoi.
23 April - HMAS Hobart under fire near Ke Anh.
An SAS patrol kill two VC 6 klms east of Dat Do.
1RAR 'BLAXLAND'
|
Formations /Units: 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, with under command elements 1 Fd Sqn, under operational control two troops A Sqn 3 Cav Regt, in direct support 102 Fd Bty, one OH-13 of 161 (Indep) Recce Flt, in support Btry A 2/35th Arty (US), 135fh Avn Co (US), No. 9 Sqn RAAF. Description:A reconnaissance-in-force operation in AO Blaxland of approximately 49 sq km in the Nui Dinh complex. Gently sloping terrain in the western part of the AO, becoming steep and hilly in the centre and east, covered mainly in jungle: the highest point was 504 m. The VC unit expected to be encountered was C41 Coy, of strength about 60, two platoons located in the low ground in the west of the AO; several camp sites had been identified by a PW, and resupply routes to Hoa Long and to Lang Phuoc Hoa provisionally identified. Insertion by APC and trucks, extraction by same means and helicopter. Location: Phuoc Tuy province, 10 km WSW of 1ATF base. Results: Casualties: Own: WIA 3; VC: KIA 1, wounded/escaped 1. Captured were 5 rifles, 5 RPGs, a number of grenades and claymores, a quantity of small-arms ammunition and magazines, 3.5 tonnes of rice, 23 kilos offish, a radio, equipment, documents, medical supplies and clothing. Extensive demolition was carried out on VC installations encountered, including one battalion, three company, three platoon and one section-sized camps, as well as two tunnel complexes and one bunker. |
FSB Evans - YT 22-06 "Sat
firmly astride a known VC trail to and from Saigon," 5 km SSE of
FSB ANDERSEN, 4 km S
of QL-1 and 22 km E of Bien Hoa. 161 Bty , RNZA (Hitching’s Bty 14Apr68-18Mar69)
firebase set here 25Apr-3May68. Bien Hoa Prov, III Corps.
25 April -Two SAS patrols kill seven VC approaching FSB Dyke.
25-4-68 Danilenko A. Lt-T/Capt AATTV 24 RAINF KIA N.of A-242 at Dak Pek in Quang Tri Prov.
26 April - 7 RAR arrive home in Australia.
26 April. An SAS patrol contact five VC near the Long Kanh border in Ben Hoa Province, killing one
VC then extracting.
Centurion Tanks from C Sqn conduct their first Operation.
May - 1968
3 May - President Johnson accepts a North Vietnam offer to conduct preliminary peace talks
in Paris.
3 May - 3 RAR return from Op "Toan Thang"(Phase I).
5 - 13 May. A North Vietnamese offensive begins similar to the TET offensive,
attacking 109 towns and cities throughout South Vietnam. In the course of the offensive,
5,270 Communists, 154 Americans and 326 South Vietnamese are killed.
10 May - 3 RAR continue Op "Toan Thang"(Phase I) relieving 2 RAR at FSPB
"Andersen"
13 May - 3 RAR take up a blocking position 20 miles north-east of Siagon.
Delegates from the US and North Vietnam hold their first meeting in Paris
16 May - Enemy Regimental attacks on FSPB "Coral".
21 May - 4 RAR depart Australia on HMAS Sydney.
23 May - Centurion tanks from C Sqn (1,2 and 3 Troop) arrive at FSPB "Coral"
and provide much needed fire support.
23 May 68, George Constable of 161 Recce Flight was flying 51-11969 when the aircraft was shot down and destroyed. George was killed in the crash. At the time he was shot down he was flying a vehicle convoy cover mission for an Australian convoy returning from Fire Support Base Coral.
24 May - 3 RAR move to FSPB "Balmoral".
An RAAF Caribou for No 35 Sqn is fired upon, wounding the pilot.
25 May - 2 Troop C Sqn Tanks move to FSPB "Balmoral".
26 May - 3 RAR at FSPB "Balmoral" comes under heavy ground and mortar attacks
from a battalion sized enemy force and repel the attacks. Mortar attacks at FSPB
"Coral".
28 May - Regiment sized attacks on 3 RAR at FSPB "Balmoral" by 165 Regiment
7th North Vietnamese Army Division.All attacks are repelled
30 May - Centurion Tanks from 1 Troop and APC's support Infantry during a
fierce fight in an enemy bunker system 3000 yards from FSPB "Coral".
May - June Australian casualties during this period are 26 killed and 110 wounded.
31 May - Operation 'Toan Thang' concludes after 60 days. 42 US and 37 ARVN
battalions have been hunting out enemy units near Saigon.
June - 1968
1 June. 4 RAR main body arrives Vung Tau and 2 RAR main body depart for
Australia on HMAS Sydney.
An SAS patrol locates an occupied enemy camp three klms north west of Binh Ba. The
camp is engaged with artillery and gunships.
1 ATF concludes Phase 1 of Operation TOAN THANG, and commences Phase Two of Operation TOAN THANG in AO SURFERS II and the 1 ATF TAOR. 4 RAR replaced 2 RAR at NUI DAT.
5 June. 3 RAR return from Op "Toan Thang"(Phase I). 1 ATF continued phase II of operation TOAN THANG in AO SURFERS II and the 1 ATF TAOR. FSP3 BALMORAL XT9333 was abandoned at 051 500H.
(a) C Sqn 1 Armd Regt commenced to move from FSPB CORAL XT9329 to 1 ATF. Location: C Sqn BEARCAT.
(b) A Sqn 3 Cav Regt continued to support 1 ATF operation. 2 Tp moved from FSPB BALMORAL to FSPB CORaL. 3 Tp commenced to escort a convoy from 1 ATF Base to FSF3 CORAL. Locations: A Sqn (-) FSPB CORAL, 3 Tp BEARCAT. (
c) Task Force Artillery continued to support 1 ATF operations. 80 H and I missions were fired during the reporting period. 102 Fd Bty returned to 1 ATF Base. Locations: 12 Fd Regt (-) 1 ATF Base; 161 Fd Bty and A Bty 2/35 (US), FSPB CORAL
(d) 1 RAR continued operation s in AO SURFERS II without contact. Platoon sized patrols were conducted to the NORTH, EAST, SOUTH-EAST and NORTH-ASST. Locations: 1 RAR, FSPB CORAL.
(e) 3 RAR abondoned FSPB BALM0RAL and returned to 1 ATF Base. Locations: 3 RAR, 1 ATF Base.
(f) 4 RAR remained in 1 ATF Base and conducted TAOR patrols. Locations: 4 RAR (-) 1 ATF Base; V Coy, HORSESHOE HILL YSU-962.
6 June - 1 ATF concluded ops in AO SURFERS II and continued Operations in the 1 ATF TAOR, FSFB CORAL, XT9329, was abandoned at 0615a5h.
(a) C Sqn 1 Armd Regt moved from BEARCAT to 1 ATF Base. Locations: C Sqn 1 ATF Base.
(b) A Sqn 3 Cav Regt (-) moved from FSPB CORAL to BEARCAT. 3 Tp moved from BEARCAT to 1 ATF Base. At 061040 hrs an AFC detonated a mine at XT943266. resulting in 1 Aust WIA and one APC damaged "(base repair). Locations: A Sq:n (-), 3 Tp 1 ATF Base.
(c) Task Force Artillery continued to support 1 ATF Operations. 30 h & I missions were fired during the reporting period. 161 Bty returned to 1 ATF Base. A Bty 2/35 Arty (US) moved from FSFB CORAL to BEARCAT. Locations: 12 Fd Regt, 1 ATF Base; A Bty 2/35 Arty (US), BEARCAT.
(d) 1 RAR concluded operations in AO SURFERS II without contact and moved by air to 1 ATF Base. Locations: 1 RAR, 1 ATF Base.
(e) 3 RAR remained in 1 ATF Base. Locations: 3 RAR
1 ATF Base.
(f) A. rar remained in 1 ATF Base and continued local patrolling in 1 ATF TAOR and familiarisation training. Locations: /, RAR (-), 1 ATF Base; V Coy, HORSESHOE Hill ys4962.
7 - 9 June. Australian Prime Minister Gorton visits Vietnam. The SAS provide
a guard.
1 RAR 3, RAR and 4 RAR in base NUI DAT.
8 June. A six man SAS patrol is inserted into the Nui Dinh hills.
Mission. locate an enemy radio station, attack the location and seize any radio or
codebooks.
9 June. The patrol locate the enemy radio position and attack the camp,
killing eight VC, capturing the radio, M2 carbine, 45 pistol and two packs of documents.
The patrol then winches out by helicopter.
11 June - A Sqn 3 Cav Regt. 3 Tp concluded training operations with elements of C Sqn 1 Amd Regt and 4 RAR. At approx 1715H 3 Tp deployed with B Coy 4 RAR to BARIA YS376O as part of the Roady Reaction Force. Locations: A Sqn (-) 1 ATF Base; 3 Tp YS384624, deployment returned 12 June.
13 June. 2 RAR arrive in Australia.
5.56mm M16
7.62mm AK47
