Description
Title: 6RAR-NZ (ANZAC) Battalion – History 1967 to 1970
Author: Johnson, L D
Condition: Very Good
Edition: 1st Edition
Publication Date: 1972
ISBN: N/A
Cover: Hard Cover with very scarce Dust Jacket – 178 pages complete with maps
Comments: The detailed history of the Sixth Battalion (The Royal Australian Regiment) from 1967 to 1970. This is the 6RAR 2nd tour of Vietnam in 1969/70 and includes many pictures of various 6RAR soldiers and details on thei operations in Vietnam.
6RAR returned to Vietnam on 19 May 1969, relieving 4RAR/NZ. On 21 May the battalion was joined by V4 Company, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (RNZIR). Its name was formally changed to 6RAR/NZ (ANZAC) battalion on the same day.
Throughout its second tour, 6RAR was mainly involved with pacification operations in Phuoc Tuy, which 1ATF had adopted as its first priority in April 1969. This involved seeking out and destroying the enemy in its base areas, preventing enemy access to the civilian population, and helping to create a secure climate for South Vietnamese social, political, and military life. This work was demanding, dangerous, and monotonous for the troops. It was the primary task undertaken by the battalion during its second tour.
The last operation carried out by the battalion in Vietnam was Operation Townsville (24 March–23 April 1970), a search-and-destroy mission in the north-east of Phuoc Tuy province. During this operation the battalion captured operational wireless codes and one-time signal pads of the VC, Ba Long province headquarters. These could be used to decipher codes and obtain intelligence. Capturing this type of information occurred four times during the war, once by Australians.
6RAR was relieved by 2RAR in May 1970. The battalion returned to Australia later that month.
This is one of the few Vietnam War unit histories that hasn’t been reprinted.
Includes Nominal Roll showing the casualties, Honours and Awards
