1RAR departs for Vietnam

  

1RAR departs for Vietnam

On the 27th of May 1965, 1RAR departed for Vietnam on board HMAS Sydney. HMAS Sydney would go on to make a further 23 trips during the Vietnam war and earn the nickname “Vung Tau Ferry”, transporting over 16,000 Army and RAAF personnel to and from the war in Vietnam.

1RAR would operate out of the Bien Hoa Air Base with the US 173rd Airborne Brigade during its first tour of Vietnam.
Initially, 1RAR was restricted to security operations defending the airbase. However, in September 1965, the Australian government lifted these restrictions, and 1RAR was able to be fully employed as a manoeuvre battalion. It participated in search and destroy missions, patrolling and security operations. 1RAR's patrol program reduced enemy activity around the Bien Hoa Airbase to an all-time low.

In early 1966 1RAR was involved in Operation Crimp (8-14 January). This was a search-and-destroy operation in the Hobo Woods, north of Saigon. During Crimp, 1RAR uncovered the Cu Chi tunnel complex. A search of the tunnels resulted in the capture of thousands of documents, weapons and supplies.

As a result of its successful patrolling tactics, 1RAR was asked by the US 1st Infantry Division ("The Big Red One") to participate in Operation Rolling Stone (19-26 February). The battalion provided security for US army engineers who were building a road. Once the operation had finished the battalion returned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade.

1RAR was relieved by the First Australian Task Force (1ATF) during May-June 1966. During its first tour, the Battalion suffered 23 killed, 114 wounded and 2 bodies not recovered. It returned to Australia in June. The Battalion would return to Vietnam for a second tour, relieving 7RAR on 9 April 1968.

Image: 1965, Bien Hoa - Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), disembark armoured personnel carriers (APCs) of the 1st Armoured Personnel Carrier Troop as they return to base after a patrol.

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