australians role in the vietnam war
It began in 1900, where Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos were all ruled by France as they took over for the valuable rice and rubber exports. The 3 colonies were colonized and called the French Indochina. As a result of being ruled over, many Vietnam farmers lost their land and grew poor, while the French grew rich. The Vietnamese obviously was against the French. During World War 2, Ho chi Minh started to grow an army called the Viet Minh in an attempt to fight their French rulers. In 1936, war broke out between the Viet Minh and the French. America decided to help France as they thought if Vietnam became communist, the rest of Asia would. the fight was south Vietnam (America and Australia) against North Vietnam (Viet Minh army).
At first, the America gave money towards France to help them win the war. North Vietnamese, in 1964 fired torpedo's on a American ship patrolling. The US sent troops to North Vietnam to fight. At first, it was only limited to bombings, but by the end of 1965, there were 184 thousand American troops in Vietnam and over 500,000 by the end of 1968. The US also called in support from Australia, as a result, Australia sent in 60 thousand soldiers. It appeared like an easier fight for the Americans and Australians as they had better advanced armies which included a great navy and air force, however, a lot of the fights were in the jungle and the US and Australians weren't equipped to fight very well in jungles.
The Viet Cong fought using a guerrilla war strategy. They used small groups of soldiers to stage ambushes and built huge complexes to hide in, this made it very hard for the Americans to fight back. Even in South Vietnam, where the Americans and Australians had better control the Viet Cong would stage suicide bombings and sneak attacks. The guerrilla war strategy was very effective against the Americans and eventually the north had an advantage that was noticeable against the Americans, even though at the start the US had stronger forces.
The Vietnam War was the longest war in the 20th century that Australia had participated in. While in Vietnam, Australia fought in many battles, but just to name a few, they were apart of the battle of long tan, the battle of Binh-Ba, and the battle of long Khanh. In the early 1970's, more than 200,000 people protest in Australia that they believed that we should not be involved in this war. The last Australian combat troops came home in March of 1972, with a huge amount of injuries (more than 3000) and deaths (more than 500).
In the duration of the war that Australia was Apart of, 521 Australians lost their life with an additional 57 thousand American soldiers lost. But this was nothing compared to the 2 million North and South Vietnamese that died and the 3 million injured. One of those deaths of communists North Vietnam leader Ho Chi Minh, he died during the war in 1969. The war officially ended April 30th, 1975 when the North Vietnamese invaded and captured Saigon, which was later renamed Ho Chi Minh city. Vietnam was formally reunified in 1976. Now, the Vietnam and the US are friendly and are in good terms towards each other.
At first, the America gave money towards France to help them win the war. North Vietnamese, in 1964 fired torpedo's on a American ship patrolling. The US sent troops to North Vietnam to fight. At first, it was only limited to bombings, but by the end of 1965, there were 184 thousand American troops in Vietnam and over 500,000 by the end of 1968. The US also called in support from Australia, as a result, Australia sent in 60 thousand soldiers. It appeared like an easier fight for the Americans and Australians as they had better advanced armies which included a great navy and air force, however, a lot of the fights were in the jungle and the US and Australians weren't equipped to fight very well in jungles.
The Viet Cong fought using a guerrilla war strategy. They used small groups of soldiers to stage ambushes and built huge complexes to hide in, this made it very hard for the Americans to fight back. Even in South Vietnam, where the Americans and Australians had better control the Viet Cong would stage suicide bombings and sneak attacks. The guerrilla war strategy was very effective against the Americans and eventually the north had an advantage that was noticeable against the Americans, even though at the start the US had stronger forces.
The Vietnam War was the longest war in the 20th century that Australia had participated in. While in Vietnam, Australia fought in many battles, but just to name a few, they were apart of the battle of long tan, the battle of Binh-Ba, and the battle of long Khanh. In the early 1970's, more than 200,000 people protest in Australia that they believed that we should not be involved in this war. The last Australian combat troops came home in March of 1972, with a huge amount of injuries (more than 3000) and deaths (more than 500).
In the duration of the war that Australia was Apart of, 521 Australians lost their life with an additional 57 thousand American soldiers lost. But this was nothing compared to the 2 million North and South Vietnamese that died and the 3 million injured. One of those deaths of communists North Vietnam leader Ho Chi Minh, he died during the war in 1969. The war officially ended April 30th, 1975 when the North Vietnamese invaded and captured Saigon, which was later renamed Ho Chi Minh city. Vietnam was formally reunified in 1976. Now, the Vietnam and the US are friendly and are in good terms towards each other.