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Quiz about Australians In The Vietnam War

Australians In The Vietnam War Quiz

This is a general quiz about the Australian involvement in the Vietnam conflict from 1963 until the withdrawal of combat troops in 1972.

A multiple-choice quiz by Bertho. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Bertho

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
96,549

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1103

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The first Australian killed in the Vietnam War was in 1963. What was his occupation? Hint

English Language Teacher

Civilian Pilot

Embassy Liaison Officer

Military Advisor

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Question 2 of 10

2. The RAAF's first contribution to the allied efforts was in 1964. Three planes were committed to transport and evacuation duties. Which plane first saw service? Hint

C47 Douglas

DHC4 Caribou

DC2 Douglas

C130 Hercules

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Question 3 of 10

3. The Australian task force was given this location as its tactical area of responsibility. Hint

Nha Trang

Phuoc Tuy Province

Da Nang

Khe Sanh

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Question 4 of 10

4. Long Tan, 1966. A 2500 strong regiment of NVA and VC were forming for an attack on the base at Nui Dat. Their attack was halted by a company sized patrol from which Australian Battalion? Hint

6th Battalion RAR

5th Battalion RAR

4th Battalion RAR

3rd Battalion RAR

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Question 5 of 10

5. HMAS Hobart received 3 direct missile hits causing fatalities. A fighter jet from which airforce was responsible? Hint

South Vietnamese

Chinese

United States

North Vietnamese

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of these weapons were non standard issue and were carried primarily by forward scouts in each section of a rifle company? Hint

M16A1 Armalite Rifle

40 MM M79 Grenade Launcher

M60 General Purpose Machine Gun

L1A1 Self Loading Rifle

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Question 7 of 10

7. What was a NASHO? Hint

A freeze dried meal ration

A soldier with no combat experience

The company armourer

A National Serviceman Conscript (NS).

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Question 8 of 10

8. The Aussies thought very highly of their American counterparts as combat soldiers.

True

False

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which Prime Minister on August 18, 1971, announced to the country that Australian serviceman would be home for Christmas? Hint

Sir Robert Menzies

Harold Holt

William McMahon

John Gorton

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Question 10 of 10

10. The cost of the Australian commitment in Vietnam was considerable. Over 47,000 men and woman served the allied forces in country. How many didn't return?

Hint

346

520

887

1240

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The first Australian killed in the Vietnam War was in 1963. What was his occupation?

Answer: Military Advisor

In 1963, Australia sent over 30 Military Advisers as a show of support to the USA. Over the duration of the war, many Advisers led South Vietnamese companies into battle. In fact the only Victoria Cross Medals awarded during the war (4 in total) were to Advisers.

2. The RAAF's first contribution to the allied efforts was in 1964. Three planes were committed to transport and evacuation duties. Which plane first saw service?

Answer: DHC4 Caribou

At the end of August 1964, three more Caribous were sent to Vietnam, where the unit, working under USAF control, operated over the length and breadth of Vietnam, mostly in support of the US Special Forces.

3. The Australian task force was given this location as its tactical area of responsibility.

Answer: Phuoc Tuy Province

Phuoc Tuy Province was located east of Saigon. The task force base was sited in an area full of rubber plantations at Nui Dat. The enemy in these parts were both regular NVA soldiers and Viet Cong.

4. Long Tan, 1966. A 2500 strong regiment of NVA and VC were forming for an attack on the base at Nui Dat. Their attack was halted by a company sized patrol from which Australian Battalion?

Answer: 6th Battalion RAR

The battle of Long Tan has been well documented. It was the first major battle for the Aussies in Vietnam. For their efforts at Long Tan, D Company 6RAR was awarded a rare Presidential Citation.

5. HMAS Hobart received 3 direct missile hits causing fatalities. A fighter jet from which airforce was responsible?

Answer: United States

HMAS Hobart completed three six month tours of Vietnam with the US Seventh Fleet. It was attacked by an unknown jet on the night of June 17, 1968. The jet was was later identified as belonging to the US Seventh.

6. Which of these weapons were non standard issue and were carried primarily by forward scouts in each section of a rifle company?

Answer: M16A1 Armalite Rifle

The SLR was the standard rifle issued to a rifle company but the Australians got hold of a limited number of M16's in 1966. Along with the above, each section would also carry the M26 Fragmentation Grenades, No 83 Smoke Grenades, M49 Trip Flare, M18 Claymore Mines and M72 66 mm Light Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW).

7. What was a NASHO?

Answer: A National Serviceman Conscript (NS).

At the time, the majority of Aussies were in favour of the war in Vietnam. However, Morgan Gallup polls suggested that most Aussies were not in favour of conscription. Sir Robert Menzies, the Prime Minister had committed more resources to the war than the army had available and National Service Conscription was introduced.

8. The Aussies thought very highly of their American counterparts as combat soldiers.

Answer: False

Where possible the Aussie patrols would keep as far away as possible from Americans working in the area. They thought the Americans were loud and undisciplined during patrols and relied too heavily on aerial firepower.

9. Which Prime Minister on August 18, 1971, announced to the country that Australian serviceman would be home for Christmas?

Answer: William McMahon

The years they served: Sir William McMahon Mar 1971 - 5 Dec 1972. John Gorton 10 Jan 1968 - 10 Mar 1971. Harold Edward Holt 26 Jan 1966 - 19 Dec 1967. Sir Robert Gordon Menzies 19 Dec 1949 - 26 Jan 1966.

10. The cost of the Australian commitment in Vietnam was considerable. Over 47,000 men and woman served the allied forces in country. How many didn't return?

Answer: 520

Over 3000 more diggers would return home scared and crippled from battle injuries. Many returned soldiers would suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the damaging effects of Agent Orange poisoning. It would take decades for these brave men to receive the recognition they so clearly deserved. "There were no 'D-Day heroes in 1973" is a line from the song 'Khe Sanh' by Cold Chisel.

Source: Author Bertho

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Exit10 before going online.
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