Chicom Type 56 (RPG 2) Rocket Launcher : North Vietnamese Forces

Chicom Type 56 (RPG 2) Rocket Launcher or Anti Tank Grenade Launcher. Tubular construction and painted black having a centre section covered with a brown fibre heat shield held on by two steel bands. The forward alloy trigger pistol grip section with brown chequered side plates, has a button safety and a rear cocking hammer. It is marked with three Chinese characters indicating the Type together with the serial number and '57' within a triangle. The battle sights are a folding front post and an adjustable rear leaf. There are two sling loops welded to the left side. The rear section of the barrel and a portion of the heat shield have been damaged by bullets or shrapnel.

This weapon was captured in Vietnam by 7 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (7 RAR) in 1968. The 7RAR began arriving in Vietnam in April 1967, relieving 5RAR. It was part of the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) and was based at Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy province. 7RAR was deployed with 2RAR from 24 January to 1 March 1968. During this time it took part in Operation Coburg on the Bien Hoa–Long Khanh border. The aim of the operation was to provide protection to allied bases during the 1968 Tet Offensive and was the first time 1ATF was deployed outside of Phuoc Tuy province. 7RAR was involved in the operation until March, apart from a break it took from 9–13 February, when it returned to Nui Dat. The battalion spent the majority of its tour patrolling in Phuoc Tuy. It also carried out numerous cordon-and-search operations. It was relieved by 1RAR on 9 April 1968.