‘Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War began in 1962. In July that year, the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) (or “the Team”) first arrived, consisting of thirty military advisers. These special teams were designed to train and advise local troops – ARVN units, Montagnards, territorial forces, and Mobile Strike (Mike) Forces. Although they were ‘advisers’, members of the AATTV saw some of the fiercest and most dangerous fighting. All four of the Victoria Crosses awarded to Australians during the Vietnam War were to AATTV members (Kevin Wheatley (posthumous), Peter Badcoe (posthumous), Ray Simpson, and Keith Payne). Australia’s (sometimes controversial) involvement in Vietnam would last until 1973 and would see the introduction of conscription in 1964 for men to serve a two-year term in the Australian Army. In all, almost 60,000 Australians served in the war; mostly army but also navy and air force  personnel. Of those, almost 2,400 were wounded and 523 were killed – two of whom received the Victora Cross.’

This episode was written by Murray Dahm.

Murray is an ancient and medieval military historian from New Zealand, living in Australia. He has written more than 100 articles on various aspects of ancient and medieval military history and other historical topics from all periods. He is the author of Macedonian Phalangite vs Persian Warrior, Athenian Hoplite vs Spartan Hoplite and Leuctra 371 BC, all from Osprey Publishing. He is a regular on the Ancient Warfare Podcast.