45th anniversary of Long Tan

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Ayup. My destroyer worked with a combined task force led by the Aussie carrier HMAS Melbourne.

Very interesting, did the Aussies fly any combat missions ashore?

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

Very interesting, did the Aussies fly any combat missions ashore?

That I don't know. But I do know that she was considered a 'hard luck' ship, and some of that tried to rub off on us.

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

That I don't know. But I do know that she was considered a 'hard luck' ship, and some of that tried to rub off on us.

*does some research*

Looks like she did mostly ASW duties.

...

...you weren't the one who steamed a destroyer in to her were you?

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

...you weren't the one who steamed a destroyer in to her were you?

No, but it wasn't for lack of trying.

[Oberon]

Now I just have a mental image of an Aussie carrier steaming around stalking destroyers.

[TarJak]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Now I just have a mental image of an Aussie carrier steaming around stalking destroyers.

Well Melbourne did run over two of them so that's not far from the truth.

HMAS Voyager in 1964






And the USS Frank E. Evans in 1969

[Oberon]

That'll buff out...

[Stealhead]

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

Very interesting, did the Aussies fly any combat missions ashore?

They did indeed(RAAF units) they had at least one Canberra Squadron that flew indirection missions in the South as well a several units that flew various versions of the Huey (UH-1) they even flew gunship versions of the UH-1D the US used versions of the UH-1B,C,E,and F all of which where basically the same as the B but with different engines the D model was larger and served only as a transport in the US the Aussies mounted rockets and mini guns on their D models I think because they did not have smaller B variants.

Also someone said Laos was on the side of the US not entirely correct Laos was under the control of the Patet Lao a communist government and the Royal Laos they fought a civil war from 1954-1975 and the communists won the Royal Lao hung on until 1975 but had lost most of the country by the mid 60's.The CIA worked with Hmong an ethnic group that the Patet Lao disliked some of them where able to come to the US after we left Vietnam in 1975 I have neighbors who are Hmong and their fathers fought against the Patet Lao and NVA.Air America was heavily involved in supplying the Hmong with supplies.

Cambodia was another bogus ally the ruler of the Cambodia pre 1970 allowed North Vietnam free reign in certain border regions so the CIA had him over thrown in 1970 it was too late by then and the Khmer Rouge took over in 1975.

The Philippines also had troops in Vietnam I dont think they where combat troops.

It is rumored that Brit SAS units where involved in Vietnam I find that doubtful there where plenty of skilled US Aussie and Kiwi SF units already there.Did the SAS send troopers in small numbers to go on operations with in country SF? Very likely.

Chinese and Soviet military advisers where also most certainly in Vietnam mainly to train the North in the use of advanced systems like SAMs and Radar.In fact during rolling thunder many SAM sites where placed off limits because they had Russians helping setting them up you can ask any Navy or Air Force pilot that flew up there during Thunder they will tell you.They had to wait until the sites where set up and the Russians gone.

[RickC Sniper]

I did know Australia had soldiers in Vietnam, but I did not know their veterans came home to the same "cold shoulder" by their own people\government that occurred over here in the USA.

Good to see this soldier finally get his proper recognition.

[Stealhead]

Susch were the times I suppose when really it was not the troops fault by and large but the poor management but politicians are masters at avoiding blame aren't they.

From what I understand the areas under South Korean ROK control had the least troubles mainly because the ROK had very convinced ways of getting the enemy to speak.A guy that lives near me was a dog handler for the Army and he got assigned to an ROK unit they also had him use the raido when they where talking to US forces because the Koreans spoke poor English.

He told me about a time on patrol another ROK unit got attacked by a poorly set up ambush and the VC split.The unit he was with gathered up several obvious VC who had forced this village to let them hide but they where obviusly better feed than the locals and did not have hardened hands from farming.So the ROK officer took all the VC out of the village he did not infrom them that someone had already ratted them out.All he wanted was for them to admit that they where VC but they where tight lipped.So the officer simply walked up to one and shot the guy in knee with his .45 and they started singing then.Another tactic was for the ROK troops to practice TaeKwondo on silent ones.That is pretty light compared to what the NVA VC did.

[TarJak]

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

Very interesting, did the Aussies fly any combat missions ashore?

The RAN FAA also flew missions ashore: http://www.navy.gov.au/Naval_Operati...dy_Job_Done.27

HMAS Sydney which converted to a helicopter carrier in early 1960's was nicknamed the Vung Tau Ferry as she was used to ship Australian troops between VN and AU.

http://www.navy.gov.au/Naval_Operati...g_Tau_Ferry.27

HMA Ships Hobart, Perth, Brisbane & Vendetta were used in shore bombartment roles and as general duties destroyers assigned to the US 7th Fleet.

http://www.navy.gov.au/Naval_Operati...e_.26_Vendetta

And we also had navy clearance diver teams:
http://www.navy.gov.au/Naval_Operati..._and_Undaunted