Description

Title: Mission in Vietnam: The Tour in South Vietnam of 4RAR/NZ (Anzac) Battalion and 104 Field Battery June 1968 – May 1969

Author: Webb, J R, and Drake, L A

Condition: Mint

Edition: 2nd Edition

Publication Date: 1989

ISBN: N/A

Cover: Hard Cover with Dust Jacket – 130 pages

Comments: The history of the Fourth Battalion (The Royal Australian Regiment) and 104 Field Battery RAA in South Vietnam 1968 – 1969.

The 4th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR) was raised at Woodside on 1 February 1964. The first regular infantry battalion to be raised in Australia, 4RARA served in Malaysia as part of the Far East Strategic Reserve from August 1965 to September 1967. Upon its return the battalion began training for service in Vietnam.

4RAR relieved 2RAR on 1 June 1968. It was based at Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy province. V3 and W1 Companies from the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (RNZIR) joined the battalion and on 2 June it was formally renamed 4RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion.

On 23 June the battalion joined Operation Toan Thang II (13 June–18 July) on the Bien Hoa–Long Binh border. It then operated patrols through Phuoc Tuy. 4RAR/NZ was deployed to the Long Khanh–Bien Hoa border on 15 September, as part of Operation Hawkesbury (12–24 September). Through patrols, ambushes, and searches, the battalion was able to disrupt Viet Cong activity in the area and deny them access to supplies. The battalion returned to Nui Dat on 24 September.

4RAR/NZ returned to the Long Khanh–Bien Hoa border for Operation Goodwood (3 December–19 February) on 27 December. Goodwood was a reaction to an increase in Viet Cong activity that suggested an offensive was being planned. The battalion carried out patrols and reconnaissance. It was engaged in this operation until 19 February, having a brief respite at Nui Dat from 13 January to 7 February. On 19 February the battalion joined Operation Federal (17 February–2 April) in the Bien Hoa province, leaving the operation on 24 March. On 8 April the battalion began Operation Overlander (8–17 April) in the Bien Hoa province. It returned to Phuoc Tuy on 17 April.

The battalion was replaced by 6RAR on 1 May and departed for Australia on 19 May. In between operations, the battalion underwent training exercises. It returned to Vietnam in May of 1971, relieving 2RAR.

Includes Nominal Roll