During the Vietnam War, Australian Army personnel served in the Republic of South Vietnam from 1962, based mainly at Nui Dat and Vung Tau. They deployed to support South Vietnamese and United States (US) forces in their fight against communist forces from the north.
The Australian Army was the first Australian service sent to the Vietnam War.
The Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) was deployed in 1962 to advise and train South Vietnamese forces.
In 1965, Australia sent its first infantry battalion, the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), to serve alongside United States forces.
In 1966, Australia expanded its commitment by creating the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) at Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy Province, supported by the 1st Australian Logistic Support Group at Vung Tau. Army units included infantry, artillery, armour, engineers, signals, aviation, medical and nursing, logistics and special forces. They carried out patrols, ambushes, cordon-and-search operations, village security, reconnaissance, artillery support, medical care and supply work.
Australian soldiers served in some major operations and actions, including:
- the Battle of Long Tan 1966
- Operation Bribie and the Battle of Ap My An 1967
- the Tet Offensive, Operation Coburg and the Battle of Ba Ria 1968
- the Battle of Coral–Balmoral 1968
- Operation Hammer and the Battle of Binh Ba 1969
- Operation Overlord and the Battle of Long Khanh 1971
- Operation Ivanhoe and the Battle of Nui Le 1971.
Most combat troops were withdrawn by late 1972. The final Australian Army personnel left South Vietnam in 1973.
