The French colonised Vietnam in the 1860s. During World War II, however, Japan effectively occupied the country before the Allies returned control of Vietnam to the French in 1945. Throughout the Japanese occupation nationalistic sentiments grew stronger, and Ho Chi Minh emerged as the leader of the majority of the Vietnamese independence and communist supporters. On 2 September 1945 Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in the north of the country and began open conflict with the French. The United States of America (USA) supported French attempts to regain control of their colony by sending them financial aid between 1945 and 1954. In May 1954, however, Ho Chi Minh's forces overwhelmed those of the French at Fort Dien Bien Phu, a crushing defeat that resulted in the separation of North and South Vietnam.
The leader of the South Vietnamese Government, Ngo Dinh Dien, repeatedly requested assistance from Western governments to fight the North Vietnamese army. The USA, motivated by their hatred of communism and a belief that the political ideology was potentially subversive, decided to intervene on behalf of the South Vietnamese. The Australian Government also offered help and in 1962 sent 30 military advisers to South Vietnam. This small group of men was known as the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV).
While the USA and Australia initially maintained a non-combatant role, this position became increasingly difficult to maintain as the conflict in Vietnam escalated. By the end of 1964 the USA had 23 000 non-combatant military personnel in Vietnam. In March following year the USA sent its first brigade of 3500 combat troops and by the end of the year had over 200 000 military personnel in South Vietnam. At the request of the USA, Australia sent military support to the area in the form of the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) in June 1965. The most prominent battle involving Australian troops was that of Long Tan where Australian soldiers were ambushed by North Vietnamese guerillas in August 1966. In all, nine battalions of the RAR served in Vietnam at various times during the conflict that lasted until 1972.
In November 1964 the Australian Government had introduced the National Service
Scheme in the lead-up to sending troops to Vietnam. All Australian males
were required to register for National Service when they turned 20 years
old. The government used a barrel full of numbered balls to choose from
the registered males those that would be sent to fight in Vietnam. However,
conscription became very unpopular in Australia and by 1969 many citizens
were demonstrating against Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War for
this reason. As a result of this popular protest, the Australian Government
finally withdrew its troops from Vietnam in 1971 and abolished conscription
in 1972. During the conflict 50 000 Australians served in Vietnam, 520 had
died and about 2400 were wounded. In comparison, 60 000 Americans died during
the war. |
