Australia's Involvement in the Vietnam War Quiz

Answer: Army advisers

A specialist unit, Australian Army Training Team Vietnam was set up in 1962, in which the first involvement was sending 30 army advisors to Vietnam. On arrival these 30 specialists were dispersed among the United States advisers and spread all over South Vietnam with their headquarters in Saigon.

They worked as advisers only on tactical, jungle warfare, signals and engineering and had no direct involvement in any combat.

Answer: Conscription

The National Service Act (1964) was controversial from the start. This Act, known as the Conscription Act, undertook a yearly ballot based on 20-year-olds' birthdays. Each year young men waited nervously for the publication of that year's dates. Protests, moratoriums, sit-ins and general public outcry became common sights around the cities of Australia.

In 1972 when the Labor Government was elected, conscription was cancelled as one of the first priorities of the Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.

Answer: True

In June 1965 the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment arrived in Vietnam mainly on board HMAS Sydney. One of the early engagements of the Australian Army and the Viet Cong reported the two Privates, Parker and Gillson missing; their bodies were not found until over 40 years later and returned to Australia.

Answer: Army

During Normie's successful pop career he was conscripted into the army. In 1969 Normie was sent to Vietnam where he served with distinction and was even promoted to Corporal and was a Crew Commander. Discharged from the army in February 1970, Normie was unable to re-start his pop career.

Answer: American marine

Cathy Wayne was an Australian pop singer who went to Vietnam to entertain the troops. US Marine Sergeant James Wayne Killen shot Cathy, although he said that he was aiming at his commanding officer. This happened in a non-commissioned officer's club near Da Nang in South Vietnam. It was not a combat death.

Answer: Gough Whitlam

The increased protests of the Australian public with moratoriums against the involvement of Australians in the Vietnam war, small at first and then gaining momentum, that included rallies, sit-ins, marches on Parliament, vigils and even involved the church. With the election victory of the Labor Party with Gough Whitlam at the lead, made sure that Australia's involvement in the Vietnam war would come to an end.

Answer: Australia

Although heavily outnumbered, the Australians claimed they had a decisive win in this battle. The casualties for the Australians were 18 killed and 24 injured whereas the Viet Cong lost 245 men.

Answer: True

Australia was involved with the Vietnam War for 10 years, from 1962 to 1973. During that time Australia was involved as advisers in the Army, Navy and Air Force. Intelligence services were also undertaken during the years.

Answer: Australian Army Training Team

The recipients of the Imperial Victoria Cross were Peter Badcoe, Keith Payne, Ray Simpson and Kevin Wheatley, who were all part of the Australian Army Training Team.

Answer: Cold Chisel

Khe Sanh was an intensive battle that lasted six months in 1968 that resulted in considerable loss for life for the American Marines. Ironically, Australia played only a very small part in the battle of Khe Sanh for the Royal Australian Air Force and there were no Australian ground forces involved. Cold Chisel released the song "Khe Sanh" in 1978 and it quickly become known as their tribute song.