Description

Title: With ANZACS in Vietnam – A Photographic Record of 6RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion 1969-70

Author: Laurent, Rob

Condition: Mint

Edition: 1st Edition

Publication Date: 2011

ISBN: 9780958192156

Cover: Hard Cover without Dust Jacket (Pictorial Boards) – 200 pages

Comments: The detailed pictorial history of the Sixth Battalion (The Royal Australian Regiment)(ANZAC) from 1969 to 1970.

Three of the Australian infantry battalions that served in Vietnam were ANZAC units, incorporating companies of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. This book tells the story of one such unit: 6RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion.

“With ANZACS in Vietnam” features hundreds of colour and black-and-white photographs taken by Australian and New Zealand members of 6RAR/NZ during that unit’s 1969-79 tour of duty in South Vietnam. Most of the photos have been stored in private collections since that time, unseen by the public. Forty-one years on they have been assembled here to show today’s generations how Australian and New Zealand soldiers lived and fought during the most controversial war of recent times.

Also included with each book is a 4-minute DVD containing historical movie footage taken by a member of the unit, accompanied by the original song “The Green Soldier,” written and performed by former Perth duo, Two’s Company.

There are several information sections covering the origins of the War, the enemy we fought against, war machinery, the personal weapons used, and so on. There are also dozens of photos of military badges of the countries involved, including Australia, New Zealand, South Vietnam, North Vietnam, The USA, South Korea, Thailand, The Philippines, Taiwan and Spain.

During its first tour in South Vietnam, 6RAR covered itself with honours as a result of its victory at Long Tan in August 1966. In 1969, 6RAR, now augmented by two New Zealand rifle companied, returned to South Vietnam.

During its first major operation in June 1969, Operation Lavarack, this truly ANZAC battalion which included regular soldiers, National Servicemen and Kiwis, soon showed what a professional unit it was by dominating the enemy Main Force units in Phuoc Tuy Province, by aggressive minor tactics, patrolling and well sited ambushes.

Throughout its year-long tour, 6RAR/NZ participated in nine major operations, inflicting heavy casualties upon the Viet Cong. Unlike the battalion’s earlier tour, the fighting was mainly at platoon level, with scores of successful ambushes being sprung, and many contacts, daring which the superior training of the individual Anzac soldiers prevailed. The used of mines by both sides, made this tour a particularly dangerous one, with mines causing most Anzac casualties.

The pressure exerted by the battalion meant that the enemy was unable to mount any offensive operations in Phuoc Tuy, and he was forces to disperse due to the disruption of his resupply system resulting in reduced morals.

During its tour 6RAR/NZ killed over 260 enemy, and captured large quantities of weapons, ammunition, stores, food and medical supplies. As a result of the success of Lavarack and subsequent operations, 6RAR was granted the Battle Honour ‘Binh Ba’.

It contains 450 colour photos and 100 black-and-white photos.

Includes Roll of Honour