Australian Army engineers and electrical and mechanical engineers provided critical support during the Vietnam War. Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) units performed hazardous mine clearance and infrastructure projects. Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) personnel maintained vehicles, including armoured vehicles, under combat conditions. These technical roles were essential for operational success.
The first engineers deployed to the former Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) were members of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV). They served as military advisers, using their RAE skills to train, advise and support South Vietnamese and allied forces. They taught and advised on field engineering tasks, such as:
- camp construction
- defensive works
- demolitions
- booby traps, landmines and obstacles
- practical engineering needed to support small units in remote areas.
The first RAE unit deployed to South Vietnam was 3 Field Troop in September 1965. It was a combat engineer troop supporting the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) while it was attached to the United States (US) 173rd Airborne Brigade in Bien Hoa Province. Known later as the 'Tunnel Rats', the men are remembered for their tunnel-clearance work in Hố Bò Woods, north of Củ Chi, during Operation Crimp in January 1966.
RAE units carried many responsibilities in South Vietnam during the war. The engineers' tasks included:
- constructing roads, water supply and reticulation
- civil aid projects, such as building schools
- clearing landmines
- installing windmills
- maintaining roads and bridges, some of which were destroyed by the enemy.
Mine clearing
Mine clearing was the most hazardous task. These hidden weapons were the cause of many Australian casualties during the war, and armoured vehicles were particularly vulnerable. The danger grew as the war went on. Sometimes, as with Operation Renmark in February 1967, the havoc mines could wreak was made tragically clear.
To counter the threat, mini-teams from the Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) were allocated to armoured troops on operations. The engineers had a particularly dangerous duty. Sitting on the front of an armoured vehicle, they would look out for signs of mines. If they were located, they had the nerve-wracking task of defusing any anti-lift devices and neutralising the mine.
Members of 1 Troop, 1st Field Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers (RAE), hunt for mines to the south of the provincial capital of Ba Ria, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, January 1968. Identified, left to right: Sapper (Spr) Keith 'Ross' Jelley, holding the mine detector, and Spr Henry Baggaley. The engineers are clearing the way for the 4 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) behind them. AWM EKN/68/0018/VN
Maintenance and repairs
Vital to the successful prosecution of armoured operations was the work of the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME).
While Armoured crews could carry out certain essential maintenance tasks in the field, RAEME personnel were the mainstay of vehicle repair. They kept the armoured vehicles operational.
RAEME sub-units operated as part of a Royal Australian Armoured Corps Regiment or Squadron. They were known as Light Aid Detachments (LADs).
LADs included personnel in the main support section, which generally worked at the Task Force Base, and in sections allocated to each armoured troop.
Each LAD was under the command of an Artificer Sergeant Major who would also advise Armoured personnel on repairs and maintenance schedules and would also supervise the work of tradesmen.
Repairs were often carried out in the field under all manner of conditions and in a wide range of environments. Being in the field meant that RAEME personnel were just as likely as combat infantry to encounter the enemy.
In addition to working on all types of vehicles, they had to be ready to engage the enemy should the need arise. At times some of their number volunteered to replace wounded crew members so that vehicles could get back into action quickly.
To carry out their repair work, LADs employed a variety of tools, including modified APCs equipped with cranes, welding equipment and storage space for spare parts. This helped avoid waiting for much-needed items to be brought to vehicles in the field. Heavier items were commonly brought to the site of breakdowns or repairs by helicopter.
Speed was often of the essence because a disabled armoured vehicle offered a tempting target for the enemy.
