Xmas day in Vietnam DPR/TV/996

Accession Number F04275
Collection type Film
Measurement 5 min 30 sec
Object type Actuality footage, Television news footage
Physical description 16mm/b&w/silent
Maker Bull, Malcolm Norman
Place made Vietnam: Phuoc Tuy Province
Date made 25 December 1968
Access Open
Conflict Vietnam, 1962-1975
Copyright Item copyright: © Australian War Memorial
Creative Commons License This item is licensed under CC BY-NC
Description

For many of the soldiers of the 1st Australian Task Force in Vietnam, Christmas day was spent in operational areas. A one day truce allowed them to relax a little, however, and enjoy as best they could a Xmas celebration. Special menus were prepared for midday meals for these men and a special dispensation of three cans of beer per man was granted for the day. At the fire support bases, the soldiers had brightened up their bunkers for the day with Xmas decorations and they gathered in groups to have Christmas drinks before their Xmas dinner. Dinner varied with units but the variety of food provided was far more welcome than the rations which the men had been eating since the current operation began on December 3. For the soldiers, the Xmas midday meal was a complete relaxation. Their officers and NCOs served their meals and waited on the soldiers as they enjoyed their brief break from operations. The Minister for Air, Mr G. Freeth, toured the areas where the Australian troops were celebrating Christmas Day 1968 and spoke with many soldiers. He then attended a buffet meal at fire support base Julia with the Commander of the 1st Australian Task Force, Brigadier C. M. I. Pearson, and the Commander of the Australian Force in Vietnam, Major-General A. L. MacDonald. (Also identified: Gunner Phil John of Glenelg, SA; Gunner Bob Ramsay of Seaforth, NSW; WO2 Alan Cleasby of Holsworthy, NSW; Gunner Peter Clarke of Queenscliff, Vic; all of 131 Div Loc Bty. Bombardier Colin Gordon of Forrestville, SA; OC A Sqn Major Laurie O'Donnell of Garran, ACT; 2Lt Ian Paton of South Perth, WA; Major John Keldie of HQ 1ATF; US Officer Major Ed Sieminski, LO at HQ 1ATF).