ANZAC Action in the Vietnam War

This film was made by The Australian Commonwealth Film Unit in 1966 and I have used AI to upscale it. Directed by John Abbott. In making this film about the Vietnam War, the Australian Commonwealth Film Unit did not look for battles and heroes. This was to be the story of the young Australians who were carrying on the standards of service begun by their grandfathers during the First World War.
The film shows:
1 Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR) on parade in Sydney prior to embarkation for Vietnam.
1 RAR on operation with the United States 173rd Airbourne Brigade in War Zone D.
Australian Engineers dismantling a Viet Cong booby trap.
105mm Howitzers of 105 Battery Royal Australian Artillery transported to forward positions to support the infantry.
Armoured personnel carriers of the recently formed 1 APC troops of the 1st Cavalry Regiment transporting men of 1 RAR as they move trough villages of War zone D.
1 RAR conducting village searches.
1 RAR intelligence officers question the villagers.
Captured Viet Cong weapons including Chinese made rocket proppelled grenades.
Mess parade in the field.
Extraction by US Army Iroquois helicopter.
Arrival at the Bien Hoa airbase.
Australians drinking beer.
USAF F100 Super Sabre fighter bombers, USN A3 Skywarrior bomber and - USAF C130 Hercules transport aircraft at Bien Hoa.
Australians on a truck headed for leave to Saigon.
Soldiers at an Army education course.
A game of touch football.
Troops prepare for another operation into War Zone D firing weapons into firing pits.
#BattleofLongTan #VietnamWar

[@michaelmcgovern8110]

I remember being told by US troops in VN how annoyed they'd get after fighting their way to an objective only to find ANZACs chilling, having gotten there before the US. Tough troopers, those ANZACs.

[@koopsjunta]

Dad was in 3RAR, based at Nui Dat in '71, the year I was born. Took an 8mm camera with him. I got to see some amazing footage when I was growing up, but dad never spoke about his experiences until quite recently. There is no doubt he was terribly affected by what he saw and did, but he would never admit it. I guess that's that generation. The only coping mechanism he has/had was alcohol. He was far from a good father, but I believe he was a very good soldier. He loved the army. He served for 21 years. Maybe it's strange, maybe it's not, but he loves Vietnam now and spends a lot of time there. Thanks for posting this fascinating film.

[@johnlinton6118]

Most people don't realize that other countries besides the US fought in Vietnam. South Korea , Thailand and New Zealand are just a couple of examples.

[@nathanroberts355]

My uncle Ray ward was a tank commander on the centurion tanks during the Vietnam war he served with 5th royal Australian regiment in the Vietnam war

[@andyguajardo4785]

One of the best allies the US has ever had. Thank you for supporting us ANZACS

[@shmeckle666]

The five eyes are indeed our greatest allies-and can actually justify the title "pur greatest allies". Unlike, for instance, Israel or Saudi Arabia.

[@jacobcarr-ge1ds]

No problem mate us Aussie’s got you back. Love to America from Australia 🇦🇺🇺🇸

[@henrybadd7116]

As an American I never got to see any docs on our alias . My first time I seen anything about Aussies being involved I was a young man just ready to join the army in the 80s. It was THE ODD ANGRY SHOT. Gained much respect from me that day and ever since. Had many times where we worked well together.

[@jserkiz06]

New Zealand and Australia are best honored as close friends, and pity the poor fools who find them as enemies. God Bless All!

[@grantlynch1666]

that young bloke cleaning his machine gun and no shirt on was my corporal at kapooka at wagga wagga in 1975 he showed us this film.his last name obrian.thanks grant

[@mcrichton46]

I had the pleasure to serve alongside some ANZAC soldiers while I was in country from 1967- 1968. They were a rowdy bunch, and a good deal of fun to drink with. I wish I could remember their names. A big salute from an American Vietnam vet to my ANZAC brothers in arms. Mike Edmunds, 25th Infantry US Army

[@michaelcummingsherrera1232]

Welcome home, brothers! From a fellow Vietnam veteran,101st Airborne Division and First Cavalry Division, 1967--69

[@jizzlipps]

dont forget the Kiwis - 161 battery

[@JammaOG]

yes sir

[@rogerpattube]

Great timing posting the day after the 18th August which is Australian Vietnam Veterans Day, Battle of Long Tan. Thanks 🙏

[@ManfromJapan12]

My old man is in this somewhere. There are not many of the soldiers left nowdays. Thank you for showing this . 6 RAR footage is very hard to find as is anything from Canungra.

[@michaellee5610]

Not only do we remember those who fell and died, but also those who were maimed and injured but returned and those who are still suffering now. My brother was a 2nd Lt. in the Australian Regular Army and was KIA in Phuoc Thuy Province April 1971, South Vietnam. He made many friends with the American troops saying they were a great bunch of men and they would talk about Australia and the USA. He would write and tell me these things. The American door gunner that kept the enemy at bay, while he and his men got on and off the Huey.

[@karibakid]

also kiwis the New Zealand artillery saved there arses at long tan give respect..

[@JammaOG]

yes saved some good soldiers

[@Veteran22out]

Thank you for your service from a veteran myself

[@gaius_enceladus]

Good on the Aussies! Cheers from New Zealand!

[@StratBurst92]

My late brother in law Bill was a medic with the 7th RAR in Vietnam. He also told me about the Owen sub machine gun which I see one being carried in this film .And, of course cannot forget the giggle hats.

[@nathanroberts355]

My uncle Ray ward served with the 5th battalion royal Australian regiment at battle of binh ba during the Vietnam war

[@stevemcelmury4618]

Excellent! When I got to Nam in '69, my first helicopter ride was from Bien Hoa to Vung Tau. I sat just behind the pilot. On the back of his flight helmet was RNZAF. A few weeks later, at my new duty station in Long Hai, we were shelled by mortars. The next day, an American tank with an Aussie lieutenant came over to our compound. He had his gunner pepper a suspicious looking declivity with 20 mm. shells. Had a brew with the crew in the club afterwards. Charlie stayed away for a while after that. Thanks, Mates

[@sirtwills1081]

Let us not forget who all served at this time over there💪👍

[@doones4649]

I noticed at least onedigger with an owen smg . Bloody thing must have been at least 20 years old !

[@chuckrucker2827]

Served at NuiDat 68-69 , attached to 2/89 155 so outfit , flew weather balloons in support of US and ANZAC forces and Cambodia B52 strikes. A great bunch at NuiDat. Treated we yanks great

[@saigoneze4465]

Thank you for your service ANZACs

[@MBCGRS]

My flight commander was a kiwi who flew FAC in Vietnam. I now train students for Vietnam Airlines... He would laugh. Another guy who got killed over there and didn't know it.

[@jritte1968]

Always good to see Aussies and Kiwis stepping up and serving with our US soldiers and Marines. High speed, low drag, tough bunch of “blokes”. Thank you for your help.

[@buildmotosykletist1987]

No wurries mate, they were happy to show you Yanks how it was done ;-)

[@miketrafford1306]

That last scene looks like the inspiration for the Apocalypse Now intro.

[@coolhand1964]

I thought exactly the same thing.

[@tonywatts1895]

interesting to see all the gear i joined up 5 years after the end and we had the same gear oh the memories good on ya fellas.

[@jorgeeduardobarrios8096]

From PANAMÁ 🇵🇦🤝🇦🇺🖐 My allrespects to " AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS " are great " WARRIORS " . They particip in alls wars ; WW1 ,WW2 ,KOREA , VIET NAM , AFGANISTAN , waoooo..... 💪

[@russellcoggins2311]

🇭🇲👍

[@richardyoung871]

Watching this video reminds me of when my brother came back from Vietnam and didn't want to talk about the war but he told us about the Vietnamese jungle tactics and it wasn't nice America lost the war.

[@wimm1392]

A beer and a cigaret under those conditions just awesome.

[@maxellison55]

God bless our brave Australian allies! Then and now!

[@Inimitable]

I suspect this footage was from the latter part of 1RAR's first tour as all the diggers are wearing GP boots. My brother was with 1RAR in SVN in 1965 and he wore boots and gaiters. He was KIA in July 1965 (Lest we forget). I watch all Vietnam footage of Australian troops in the off chance there's some footage of him. No luck so far.

[@CommanderLongJohn]

Seeing that joyful parade in the town square, and comparing it to the welcome US GI's had when they came home . . Two different worlds almost

[@Chiller01]

Looks like a mix of FALs and M16s along with the occasional Owen. Interesting.

[@coolhand1964]

The long rifles were Australian made at Lithgow Small Arms Factory and the Australian designation was L1A1 SLR. M16's were US Colt because Colt would not allow them to be made in Australia. The Owen Guns were ex WWII and diggers who used them have stated the barrels were worn smooth. The Owen was later replaced with the F1, which was not as reliable and prone to stoppages.

[@obriets]

As an American, I’ll make sure we never forget who our closest allies really are. Britain, Japan, Germany, Israel, Canada; they weren’t there when we needed them the most.

[@ReklessRagnar]

Great footage. Was a pleasure to watch. The sound of all those UH-1,s must have been awesome to hear and see.

[@brt-jn7kg]

Dennis Allen Spencer was in that group of Australians finest marching down the street. They received the presidential unit citation award for their actions at the Battle of Long Tan. On that day those young diggers waltz Matilda's ass up and down and all around the NVA!!!Go watch it it was a true holy crap moment!! He was part of the platoon that was cut off and was about to be annihilated. They were calling in 105 and 155 mm artillery on their own positions to keep the NVA at Bay.

[@IoannisAr]

Great men,great fighters,their grandfathers fought and many died fighting against Germans and Italians in Greece in 1941.

[@rustykilt]

What I like about this documentary is the quality of the Video. Great footage. I left school in 1971 and expected to be called up for service to possibly serve in Vietnam when I came of age in a year or two. My father served in New Guinea during WWII. To go to war was not something I hoped for but I always wondered if I would have the courage of the young blokes in this video or Dad in his time. They are all old blokes now, like me and they have shared an experience I will never know and did their duty. They were not war lovers or Gung ho warriors, but I believe, upheld the finest of the ANZAC traditions.

[@bradcurtis5324]

I wish the troops coming home from Nam to the U.S. would have had a welcome like they had. My self and a Marine were confronted by 5 college punks who taunted and criticized us. We couldn't pound their heads as it is punishable offense to fight civilians in uniform.

[@coolhand1964]

This is 1 RAR in 1966, by the time the other Regiments were returning home in the late 60's and early 70's, the feral University Student demonstrations were in full swing. Ironically by then the soldiers were conscripts, not regulars and had no say in the matter. I have been in the National Museum in Saigon and there were 2 pictures of Australian troops, yet a whole wall dedicated to Australian protesters. History is written by the victors.

[@alanjohnson3148]

No welcome home in '71 for me. More appreciated these days though.

[@peterlovett5841]

I think this was from the first deployment of Australian troops to Vietnam (with the exception of the AATTV) because the later deployments were to Phuoc Thuy Province based at Nui Dat. Certainly 1 RAR was the first to be deployed.

[@dennismoore1134]

The video quality of this is excellent. However I do have a complaint about the narration. I spent six years in the Australian Regular Army as an Infantry soldier, during which time I did two full tours of South Vietnam in 3RAR. Never once did I hear, or use, the term 'Cong' for the enemy. We referred to them as VC, Viet Cong, Charlie, or simply as 'the enemy'. I wish some of the people who do the narration would do a bit of homework or research. Dennis Moore.

[@chrischen7241]

Hard times make strong men Strong men make good times Good times make weak men Weak men make hard times

[@nev707]

There’s a movie on KZbin featuring British troops fighting the Indonesians in Borneo in the early sixties, an action Aussies were also in. Both Brits and Aussie s looked identical in their bush hats and using SLR’s.

[@McMeevin]

All those Hueys at the end was an impressive sight.

[@estellemelodimitchell8259]

Aussie soldiers are very gung-ho. None of them wear helmets in combat.

[@miketrafford1306]

King George III Light Horse! What a great secret handshake for the members of 1 APC Tp. BTW, 3 Cav inherited the 107 Tac Sign from 4/19 PWLH. It changed to 34 in ...?

[@franklee3800]

Who would dislike this video? Madness

[@michaelfoley417]

to all the veterans and their families thank you for your service and sacrifice loluv Be Blessed

[@homersimpson6167]

Great quality footage 👍

[@whosthomo1861]

Picture quality is superb

[@MartinWalshDC]

I used Topaz Labs Gigapixel AI to upscale and sharpen original video.

[@DocLois2010]

Great work. Thank you for posting.

[@frankryan2505]

That background woodwind has to be uniquely aussie..

[@lokiwiseyt8608]

It’s kinda sad to know that a lot of these people are just a few years older then me.

[@gcoop75]

Amazing footage!

[@jameskelly7782]

Shameful that Australian contributions have been forgotten, they are very much like us in the U.S.....Watch " the odd angry shot "....great Australian Vietnam War movie.

[@pfdrtom]

"Mum and Dad and Denny...."

[@leefalk1549]

Excellent documentary and most interesting to watch the Diggers at work. I spent my 2 tours very early in the conflict’62-‘64, and don’t remember Aussies down in 4th Corps. From what I’ve read and heard the Australian VN veterans were treated pretty much like US veterans and not supported by their fellow countrymen. The Government has not supported and offered the recognition that was extended to veterans of previous conflicts. If this is incorrect please let me know.🤔

[@tonihokkan9808]

Rescpect From Hungary!

[@bookreaderson]

That helicopter sound. I was born in 1980 in Canada. But that sound gives me flashbacks. My whole life

[@paddy.7784]

Great footage. Thanks for posting. Aussie and Kiwi soldiers are so distinctive in the way they look and move. You see them, and straight away know they are ANZACS , and if they're on your side .. you think, thank f-ck .

[@paulwallis7586]

I'm just thinking of the lucky soul who had to line up all those choppers and make sure the rotors didn't argue with each other.

[@itsapittie]

It's interesting that some of the Australian soldiers are carrying M-16s instead of L1A1s. I wonder if that was official and if so, to whom were they issued?

[@MartinWalshDC]

Australian infantry in 1966: Scouts, Platoon Sergeants, Platoon Commanders, Company Sergeant Majors, Company Commanders and some Signallers carried 5.56 M16. Section Commanders, Medics and Signallers carried 9mm Owen Machine Carbine. There was 1 x 7.62 M60 per rifle section. Everyone else carried 7.62 L1A1 SLR. The most ineffective weapon during the Battle of Long Tan was the M16, and next was the M60. The intensity of the battle, combined with the mud, saw most M16's and M60's seize up. You can see that in the footage of the morning after the battle here kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5uWg4xvbrx4eqM

[@daniellebcooper7160]

Thank you for posting. Can any one explain why there are guys carrying jerry cans?, was this for a platoons spare water while on operations?.

[@greasyflight6609]

ANZAC...immense respect

[@donmccoll8360]

What a great doco!!

[@maxrockatansky1271]

15:45 whats up with the upside down budweiser logo. some kind of down under joke?

[@MathVdb]

I visited the war museum in Bendigo, Victoria. One of the guides fought in Nam. He said 'The Yanks' were very loud in the jungle and that bothered the Aussies as the Vietcong were always on the horizon. Certainly at night. 😆

[@raybrookevisnorris346]

Would be good too see all hose choppers taking of at the same time.

[@byron8657]

General Erwin Rommel the Dessert Fox once has said during his Tunisian Campaign in the Battle of Tobruk I qoute If i want to storm Hell i will use the Australian soldiers k! Salute! Strength and Honor to the Brave Aussies soldiers! Together we stand divided we fall! For Peace Security and Prosperity in the Indo Pacific Region! From your Brother in Arms Filipinos k!

[@ronti2492]

Interesting the difference in doco making style comparing 1966 to 2020. I pinched this comment from the AWM, to the effect basically there is only voice over narrative: you do not get the chance to listen to the diggers themselves. You do not hear their voices, just the narrator's. The story is 100% 'told for you'- more paternalistic times perhaps.....Thanks for the enhancement.

[@GoofyAhhsPersonOnYT]

Damn, that muzzle awareness at 19:34 was terrible, pointed straight at your battles head while clearing your weapons inspection.

[@greghart4734]

Listen to the 2 stroke diesel in the apc haha sounds good

[@aztecacalendario]

They look awesome in line ready to land.

[@GregDunne-zf2ep]

They forgot to mention the odd beer that was supplied from what my old mates told me i don't know how many got beer but he told me he did on a number of occasions

[@bobbowie5334]

Better than anything Coppola ever shot. 23:01

[@Kab-x7z]

Thank you

[@nervouspenguins9982]

Why are they using a mix of SLRs and M16s? Did the soldiers have a choice between the 2?

[@MartinWalshDC]

Australian infantry 1966 in Vietnam: Scouts, Platoon Sergeants, Platoon Commanders, Company Sergeant Majors, Company Commanders and some Signallers carried 5.56 M16. Section Commanders, Medics and Signallers carried 9mm Owen Machine Carbine. There was 1 x 7.62 M60 per rifle section. Everyone else carried 7.62 L1A1 SLR.

[@thuoo4261]

Popped right up after i watched COD Cold War. Nice 👍🏽

[@MrMenefrego1]

I remember it well.

[@rodzor]

Epic, just so epic.

[@johnnyneverletmedown53]

That is not a Skywarrior. It is an S3 Viking I am pretty sure.

[@bfnfedboy2]

Anyone care to elaborate on why the beer cans were opened upside down??

[@johnconley3218]

In-house joke

[@alanjohnson3148]

Took less time to drink from the bottom first and hid the poor taste of yank beer.

[@kotahurt]

I recognise the handsome young lieutenant and well dressed man or personnel with the awesome Owen flying machine carbine but here in Queensland today, they naughty no-no and rightly so

[@azashod]

Real mates!

[@Swaggerlot]

A very sad period in Australian history.

[@ADRAPER1303]

Are they Nasho's?

[@Joe-pb3bm]

My BC carried a *"grease gun."

[@malcolmallerton3946]

Spent a lot of time trying too see if I recognise anybody

[@williamcruikshank2026]

check out minute19:33, just lockin n loadin mate !!

[@Jagerhunter71]

Crazy war,

[@thevu9652]

This world spends too much money and lives in war because of each country's calculation of the loss. Is there a way for humans and animals to live in harmony? It's sad that this continues today

[@tubefreakmuva]

Anzac mean australia and new zealand

[@brettralph3403]

STILL using Owen guns, even then.

[@angloaust1575]

All the way with lbj

[@JammaOG]

yes imagine rockin up with a carton

[@shmeckle666]

"Can of cold....tomadoe...juice". Is that the Aussie version of, tomatoe, juice? Or, am I just ignorant on ANZAC cuisine? Hahaha silly.

[@mickryan2450]

I still memer statements made by pollies why their sons did not go disgusting hey mr sneddon

[@frankpham1782]

Days of thunder