Vietnam War
Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War was a commitment of 30 military advisors which was later increased to about 7,000 over a decade. Australia’s commitment was increased because of the Menzies government’s decision in 1965 to try and protect South Vietnam. Australia’s commitment was due to the alliance with the USA under the ANZUS treaty. The Australian troops were based in Vung Tau but undertook missions throughout the Phuoc Tuy province.
Australians involvement in Vietnam was under several different types of combat. Engagements included providing gunfire support to land forces which was relatively safe. The Australian bombing crews ran higher risks because they were regularly involved in combat. Australia mainly …show more content…
At the Start of the outbreak the majority of the population was largely disinterested and paid little attention to a war that involved very few Australian soldiers, also as most were members of the Army and were predominantly involved in training. At the beginning of the war most Australians were wary of the communism’s spread through Asia, so when Australia’s commitment to Vietnam increased there was little opposition.
Then news was reported that Australia would contribute a task force to the war in 1966, this contributed to a rise in the number of anti-war groups. Though, many groups were opposed to conscription rather than the war itself. In 1967 when an extra battalion was deployed to Vietnam, public opposition increased against the war. Consequently an opinion poll revealed that 46% of the electorate disapproved of the decision, with 17% undecided and 37% in favour. In August that year an opinion poll showed that a majority of Australians favoured a withdrawal from Vietnam.But surprisingly the public opinion had little influence on policy decisions about Vietnam. Australia’s withdrawal had already begun in the early 1970s when protests, known as moratorium marches, began in Australia’s major cities Australia followed America’s lead all through the war and unsurprisingly once the United States decided to leave Vietnam, Australia was left with no choice but to follow
Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War was a commitment of 30 military advisors which was later increased to about 7,000 over a decade. Australia’s commitment was increased because of the Menzies government’s decision in 1965 to try and protect South Vietnam. Australia’s commitment was due to the alliance with the USA under the ANZUS treaty. The Australian troops were based in Vung Tau but undertook missions throughout the Phuoc Tuy province.
Australians involvement in Vietnam was under several different types of combat. Engagements included providing gunfire support to land forces which was relatively safe. The Australian bombing crews ran higher risks because they were regularly involved in combat. Australia mainly …show more content…
At the Start of the outbreak the majority of the population was largely disinterested and paid little attention to a war that involved very few Australian soldiers, also as most were members of the Army and were predominantly involved in training. At the beginning of the war most Australians were wary of the communism’s spread through Asia, so when Australia’s commitment to Vietnam increased there was little opposition.
Then news was reported that Australia would contribute a task force to the war in 1966, this contributed to a rise in the number of anti-war groups. Though, many groups were opposed to conscription rather than the war itself. In 1967 when an extra battalion was deployed to Vietnam, public opposition increased against the war. Consequently an opinion poll revealed that 46% of the electorate disapproved of the decision, with 17% undecided and 37% in favour. In August that year an opinion poll showed that a majority of Australians favoured a withdrawal from Vietnam.But surprisingly the public opinion had little influence on policy decisions about Vietnam. Australia’s withdrawal had already begun in the early 1970s when protests, known as moratorium marches, began in Australia’s major cities Australia followed America’s lead all through the war and unsurprisingly once the United States decided to leave Vietnam, Australia was left with no choice but to follow