Australia joined the Vietnam War in July and August 1962. Almost 60,000 Australian served in Vietnam. This group included ground troops, air force and navy personnel. 521 died and 3000 were wounded. Australia entered the war to assist the United States, one of Australia's most valued allies, when they responded to the South Vietnamese Government's call for assistance. The US also joined to prevent areas of the world falling under Communist influence.
Who was involved in the Vietnam War?
The main countries that were involved were:
-North Vietnam
-South Vietnam
North Vietnam was supported by:
-People's Republic of China
-Soviet Union
-Pathet Lao (Laotian Communist Insurgents)
-Khmer Rouge (Cambodian Communist Insurgents)
These countries were all pro-communist.
South Vietnam was supported by:
-United States
-South Korea
-Australia
-The Philippines
-New Zealand
-Thailand
-Khmer Republic
-Kingdom of Lao
-Taiwan
These countries were all anti-communist.
Why did it start?
In 1954 Viet Minh forces ended the French involvement in Indochina. This lead to the Geneva Accords, which stated that Vietnam was temporarily divided and citizens were able to move between North and South Vietnam until two years later, where there was to be an election to establish a government. The US did not agree with these Accords because they a) thought the election would not be fair under Communist influence and b) if the Communists won the election then communism may spread, providing a greater threat to the US. In 1955 many anti-communist campaigns were started and many people had been arrested. The Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem was not believed capable of defeating the communists. Agencies in Washington began to discuss ways to change the regime but in 1963 Diem was assassinated, along with his brother, in a attempt to overthrow him. North Korea then increased its support for the resistance fighters in the South of Vietnam. In 1965 Washington launched a bombing campaign to try force North Korea to stop supporting the resistance fighters. On the 8th of March 1965 troops were sent to South Vietnam. This was the start of the war. The number of troops quickly increased.
What was the outcome of the war?
In 1975 South Vietnam's request for aid had been declined by the US and the government of the time surrender to the North the South's resistance to the North fell apart and North Vietnamese troops took over. Vietnam reunified in 1976. The number of casualties estimated is around 60,000.
The main countries that were involved were:
-North Vietnam
-South Vietnam
North Vietnam was supported by:
-People's Republic of China
-Soviet Union
-Pathet Lao (Laotian Communist Insurgents)
-Khmer Rouge (Cambodian Communist Insurgents)
These countries were all pro-communist.
South Vietnam was supported by:
-United States
-South Korea
-Australia
-The Philippines
-New Zealand
-Thailand
-Khmer Republic
-Kingdom of Lao
-Taiwan
These countries were all anti-communist.
Why did it start?
In 1954 Viet Minh forces ended the French involvement in Indochina. This lead to the Geneva Accords, which stated that Vietnam was temporarily divided and citizens were able to move between North and South Vietnam until two years later, where there was to be an election to establish a government. The US did not agree with these Accords because they a) thought the election would not be fair under Communist influence and b) if the Communists won the election then communism may spread, providing a greater threat to the US. In 1955 many anti-communist campaigns were started and many people had been arrested. The Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem was not believed capable of defeating the communists. Agencies in Washington began to discuss ways to change the regime but in 1963 Diem was assassinated, along with his brother, in a attempt to overthrow him. North Korea then increased its support for the resistance fighters in the South of Vietnam. In 1965 Washington launched a bombing campaign to try force North Korea to stop supporting the resistance fighters. On the 8th of March 1965 troops were sent to South Vietnam. This was the start of the war. The number of troops quickly increased.
What was the outcome of the war?
In 1975 South Vietnam's request for aid had been declined by the US and the government of the time surrender to the North the South's resistance to the North fell apart and North Vietnamese troops took over. Vietnam reunified in 1976. The number of casualties estimated is around 60,000.
Australia's Role
Why did Australia fight? Australia entered the Vietnam war in July 1962 as security assistance to South Vietnam which Ngo Dinh Diem, South Vietnam's leader, had repeatedly requested. Australia dispatched 30 military advisers in July 1962 but as it became clear that South Vietnam could not hold back the communist insurgents the US became much more involved in the war, requesting help from other countries. In June 1965 Australia sent the 1st Battalion to fight alongside the US 173rd Airborne Brigade in Bien Hoa. |
Which battles were Australia involved in?
In Vietnam Australians fought many battles including:
- The Battle of Binh Ba-June 1969
-The Battle of Coral/Balmoral- May-June 1968
-Operation Bribie- February 1967
-The Battle of Long Tan- August 1966
-The Battle of Duc Lap- August 1968
-The Battle of Gang Toi- November 1965
-The Battle of Hat Dich- December 1968-February 1969
-Operation Hump- November 1965
-The Battle of Kham Duc- May 1968
-The Battle of Long Khanh- June 1971
-The Battle of Nam Dong- July 1964
-The Battle of Nui Le- September 1971
-The Tet Offensive-January 1968
-Operation Camden-July-August 1969
-Operation Coburg- January-March 1968
-Operation Crimp-January 1966
-The Battle of Suoi Bong Trang- February 1966
-The Battle of Suoi Chau Pha- August 1967
How did the Vietnam War help shape modern Australia?
The Vietnam War shaped and changed Australia in many ways. For example:
-Migrants started coming to Australia, ending 'White Australia'. Australians started making and effort to accept and embrace multiculturalism, even though some people believed that Australian culture would disappear.
-The roles of women also changed. Women started becoming more highly educated and getting higher paid jobs. Women started becoming included in politics and having a say in society.
-Two treaties were signed, the ANZUS (Australia, New Zealand, United States) Security treaty and the SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization).
-Australia sent aid to help with reconstruction to Vietnam after the war and by the mid 1980's a good relationship with Vietnam had been re-established.
In Vietnam Australians fought many battles including:
- The Battle of Binh Ba-June 1969
-The Battle of Coral/Balmoral- May-June 1968
-Operation Bribie- February 1967
-The Battle of Long Tan- August 1966
-The Battle of Duc Lap- August 1968
-The Battle of Gang Toi- November 1965
-The Battle of Hat Dich- December 1968-February 1969
-Operation Hump- November 1965
-The Battle of Kham Duc- May 1968
-The Battle of Long Khanh- June 1971
-The Battle of Nam Dong- July 1964
-The Battle of Nui Le- September 1971
-The Tet Offensive-January 1968
-Operation Camden-July-August 1969
-Operation Coburg- January-March 1968
-Operation Crimp-January 1966
-The Battle of Suoi Bong Trang- February 1966
-The Battle of Suoi Chau Pha- August 1967
How did the Vietnam War help shape modern Australia?
The Vietnam War shaped and changed Australia in many ways. For example:
-Migrants started coming to Australia, ending 'White Australia'. Australians started making and effort to accept and embrace multiculturalism, even though some people believed that Australian culture would disappear.
-The roles of women also changed. Women started becoming more highly educated and getting higher paid jobs. Women started becoming included in politics and having a say in society.
-Two treaties were signed, the ANZUS (Australia, New Zealand, United States) Security treaty and the SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization).
-Australia sent aid to help with reconstruction to Vietnam after the war and by the mid 1980's a good relationship with Vietnam had been re-established.