Key Dates in Australia's Military History: 1972–1975

RAAF Iroquois helicopters evacuate Australian wounded from Fire Support Base 'Coral', Vietnam May 1968.
(AWM CRO/68/563/VN)

1967

Australian Civil Affairs Unit is formed to develop civilian aid projects aimed at improving living standards in Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam.

April 1967–June 1971

RAAF aircraft carry out extensive bombing missions in support of the Australian Task Force and allied units in Vietnam.

30 January 1968

‘Tet’ offensive by the Viet Cong begins. Australian involvement in this period includes the successful repulse of the enemy from Ba Ria, capital of Phuoc Thuy province, by elements of the 3RAR.

Crew on the bridge of HMAS Hobart, closed up for action stations, Vietnam, May 1968
(AWM NAVYM0167/16).

19 April 1968

Dedication of the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial on Anzac Parade, Canberra, by Prime Minister John Gorton. The Memorial is a copy of the original unveiled at Port Said, Egypt, by former Prime Minister William Morris Hughes in 1932.

May 1968

Two Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment (RAR), supported by tanks, involved in action at Fire Support Bases ‘Coral’ and ‘Balmoral’, Vietnam.

28 May 1968

A member of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) instructs a Montagnard irregular, Vietnam 1969.
(AWM BEL/69/805/VN)

Award of United States Presidential Unit Citation to D Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, for the Battle of Long Tan.

30 August 1968

Death of CEW Bean, founder of the Australian War Memorial and editor of the ‘Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–18”.

6–7 June 1969

Battle of Binh Ba, Vietnam.

November 1970–December 1971

Phased withdrawal of Australian Task Force from Vietnam.

24 February 1971

Captain JJ Smith, Australian Army Training Team Vietnam, earns a bar to his Military Cross. The AATV thus becomes the most decorated unit in Australian military history.

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