Looking back at Vietnam

The Vietnam War was Australia’s longest and most controversial military commitment of the 20th century. With the Cold War at its height, Australia – concerned about its regional security and communist expansion – began a gradual commitment of forces to Vietnam. By 1967 Australia had a brigade-sized force in Phuoc Tuy Province as well as commitments of Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force assets. By the time Australia withdrew its forces from Vietnam in late 1972, over 60,000 military personnel had served there and 523 had lost their lives. But had Australia’s involvement in Vietnam made a difference?

Ashley Ekins covers the political, military and civilian aspects in his thought-provoking overview and assessment of Australia’s decade-long commitment to Vietnam.

To read Ashley’s article, purchase your copy of Wartime 104.