AUSTRALIAN MILITARY VIETNAM

8th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (8RAR) was raised on 14 July 1966 at Enoggera in Queensland. It arrived in South Vietnam on 17 November 1969, relieving 9RAR on 25 November. The battalion formed part of the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) with 5RAR and 6RAR. It was based at Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy province.

During its tour 8RAR was mainly involved in pacification operations in Phuoc Tuy, which 1ATF had adopted as its first priority in April 1969. This involved seeking out and destroying the enemy in its base areas, preventing enemy access to the civilian population, and helping to create a secure climate for South Vietnamese social, political, and military life. The work was demanding, dangerous, and monotonous, but it was the primary task of the battalion during its tour.

In early 1970 8 RAR took part in Operation Hammersley, a reconnaissance operation in the Long Hải area. This operation began on 10 February and on 18 February it captured a large bunker complex after the Vietcong (VC) defenders withdrew following air raids. The operation continued until 9 March, with the battalion carrying out patrols and conducting ambushes in order to engage VC troops. These operations were successful, and 8 RAR was awarded the South Vietnamese Government’s Meritorious Unit Commendation, including Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation for its role in the operation.^[1]

As part of the pacification program 1ATF took part in Operation Cung Chung. This operation involved four phases of activity from 12 June 1970 to February 1971. Cung Chung involved intensive patrols and ambush. It aimed to deter the enemy from moving through the area by denying it access to food supplies, taxes, and troop recruitment. The operation was successful in limiting the ability of the Viet Cong (VC) to operate in the area but the stress of consistent patrolling placed a strain on the troops.

8 RAR’s tour of South Vietnam ended in October 1970, by which time it had lost 18 men killed in action and suffered 108 wounded

Includes nominal roll of all members during the active service November 1969-1970.

First Edition SCARCE

• 160p. : ill.(part col.), maps ; 28cm. #230424
• Australia. Army. Battalion, 8th
• Vietnam War, 1969-1970. Australia. Army. Royal Australian Regiment. 8th Battalion
• Vietnam War, 1961-1975 — Regimental histories — Australia
• Vietnam War, 1961-1975 — Personal narratives, Australian