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1st Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron (Australia)
Encyclopedia
The 1st Armoured Personnel Squadron (1 APC Sqn) was an armoured unit of the Australian Army
raised for service during the Vietnam War
. Raised in 1965 the unit was deployed to South Vietnam
in May 1966 to join the 1st Australian Task Force
. After that 1 APC Sqn was involved in numerous operations in support of the 5th and 6th Battalions, Royal Australian Regiment
, with the most notable action coming on 18 August 1966 when the squadron was involved in the Battle of Long Tan. In January 1967 1 APC Sqn was redesignated as 'A' Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment.
(1 Tp A Sqn 4/19 PWLH). 1 Tp A Sqn 4/19 PWLH was a Regular sub unit of a primarily Citizens Military Force light cavalry regiment. In June 1965 this unit had been converted from Saladin
armoured cars and Saracen
armoured personnel carriers (APCs) to M113s
and it had been sent to South Vietnam as part of Australia’s initial commitment to the conflict. Working primarily with 1 RAR
the Troop had been placed under the control of the US 173rd Airborne Brigade, operating in an area to the north of Nui Dat
in Phuoc Tuy Province
.
Under the command of Lieutenant (later Captain) Robert Hill, initially the Troop had been deployed with only eight carriers as at the start the Australian commitment to the ground war in Vietnam had been intended only to be limited to a single infantry battalion that would maintain security around the American base at Bien Hoa. In September, however, as it became clearer that there was a wider role for Australian ground forces the size of the Troop was increased 13 personnel carriers and two mortar carriers and after that the Troop was used in a variety of roles including infantry mobility, manoeuvre, direct and indirect fire support, casualty evacuation and providing a medium lift stores transportation capability.
In March 1966 1 Tp A Sqn 4/19 PWLH was redesignated as the 1st Armoured Personnel Carrier Troop (1 APC Troop) and it would subsequently complete its tour of Vietnam in June 1966 when 1 APC Sqn arrived and all of 1 Troop's vehicles and some of its personnel were subsumed into the Squadron.
Whilst 1 APC Troop had been conducting operations in Vietnam, the 1 APC Sqn had been training in Australia in preparation to relieve the overworked Troop. On 9 March 1966, the Australian government had announced that it would increase the size of Australia's ground forces in Vietnam to a task force consisting of two infantry battalions, a squadron of armoured personnel carriers and a number of ancillary units. In addition it was also announced that the Australian Task Force, known as 1 ATF, would operate as an independent force from the Americans and would take primary responsibility for an area inside Phuoc Tuy province.
In May 1966 an advanced party from the Squadron arrived to take over 1 APC Troop's vehicles, whilst the rest of the Squadron, travelling upon the troop carrier HMAS Sydney, arrived at the 1 ATF base at Nui Dat on 9 June 1966. Under the command of Major Robert Hagerty, who had previously served in Vietnam with the AATTV
, the Squadron consisted of seven officers and 109 other ranks
, some of whom were national servicemen, whilst most of the officers and NCOs
had been drawn from the 1st Armoured Regiment and from 'A' Squadron, 4/19 PWLH.
Upon its arrival, 1 APC Sqn’s first task was to help secure the task force base at Nui Dat by erecting defences and clearing the area, however, once this had been done, the Squadron took on primary responsibility for ensuring that the road between Vung Tau
and Saigon remained open. In order to achieve this, a number of cordon and search operations were undertaken focusing on the villages surrounding Nui Dat. On 21 June 1966, 3 Troop was deployed with 6 RAR on Operation Enoggera, a search and destroy mission that focused upon the village of Long Phuoc, which had long been a haven for the Viet Cong (VC). This would be the first of many such operations.
As 1 ATF did not possess any tanks at that stage, the APCs of 1 APC Sqn were in high demand and were required to undertake many different roles in this time. These included both cavalry and armoured personnel roles, such as fire support, reconnaissance and offensive manoeuvre, as well as serving as infantry command and control vehicles, troop transport, stores portage, and casualty evacuation.
Whilst 1 APC Sqn was involved in many operations in the six months that it was in existence, probably its most notable action was on 18 August 1966 in what later became known as the Battle of Long Tan
. Ironically, despite this action being the Squadron’s most notable, their involvement in this battle has probably been one of the least acknowledged. Nevertheless, without a doubt 1 APC Sqn’s involvement at Long Tan came at a very crucial moment in battle.
1 APC Sqn’s first task during the battle was to transport 'A' Company, 6 RAR to the battlefield to relieve 'D' Company, which was holding out against desperate odds in a rubber plantation to the west of Long Tan. This task fell to ten APCs from 3 Troop under the command of Lieutenant Adrian Roberts. Having picked up 'A' Company from their lines at Nui Dat, the column set off across country in the pouring rain at 1745 hours. Fording a flooded creek, they shook out into assault formation astride the plantation road. The move took just over an hour, as the column had to fight its way through pockets of enemy and brave the heavy defensive artillery barrage that was being put down around 'D' Company, however, by 1900 hours they reached the beleaguered company.
Upon arriving at the plantation, 3 Troop advanced through the 'D' Company position, carrying out a quick sweep of the area through which the enemy was forming up for another attack, catching the enemy on their flanks and inflicting heavy casualties. Upon seeing the arrival of the APCs the enemy broke off its attack, the survivors melting away back into the jungle and leaving the Australians in possession of the battlefield. The Australians suffered 18 men killed and 24 wounded, of these one of the men that had been killed had been from 3 Troop. The man was Corporal Peter Clements, who died on 27 August 1966 after succumbing to the serious gunshot wounds he received during the battle.
For their actions during the battle, two men from 3 Troop received gallantry awards. Corporal John Carter received the Distinguished Conduct Medal
for his actions in neutralising an enemy anti-tank weapon, while Lieutenant Adrian Roberts received a Mention in Despatches for his leadership of the troop during the battle.
Following the battle, 1 APC Sqn continued to operate in the area, supporting 5 and 6 RAR. As a part of the followup operations, during Operation Crows Nest, one Troop operated in a cavalry role as part of a combined infantry/armour sweep either side of Route 2. They would continue to operate in this role, providing fire support and transporting troops across the battlefield for the rest of the year.
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
raised for service during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. Raised in 1965 the unit was deployed to South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
in May 1966 to join the 1st Australian Task Force
1st Australian Task Force
The 1st Australian Task Force commanded the Australian and New Zealand Army units deployed to South Vietnam between 1966 and 1972. 1 ATF was based at Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy Province...
. After that 1 APC Sqn was involved in numerous operations in support of the 5th and 6th Battalions, Royal Australian Regiment
6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a motorised infantry battalion of the Australian Army. It was originally raised in Brisbane, Queensland, on 6 June 1965 and has since then served in a number of overseas deployments and conflicts including South Vietnam, East Timor and Iraq...
, with the most notable action coming on 18 August 1966 when the squadron was involved in the Battle of Long Tan. In January 1967 1 APC Sqn was redesignated as 'A' Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment.
Formation
The history of the 1 APC Sqn is somewhat convoluted. Officially the unit was first raised at Puckapunyal, Victoria on 1 July 1965, however, it would not be prudent to discuss the Squadron without talking also about 1 Troop, 'A' Squadron, 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse
The 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse is a cavalry regiment of the Australian Army. The regiment in its current composition was formed in 1948 when the Citizens Military Force was re-raised after the completion of the demoblisation process following the end of the Second World War and it was...
(1 Tp A Sqn 4/19 PWLH). 1 Tp A Sqn 4/19 PWLH was a Regular sub unit of a primarily Citizens Military Force light cavalry regiment. In June 1965 this unit had been converted from Saladin
Alvis Saladin
The Saladin is a six-wheeled armoured car built by Alvis, and fitted with a 76mm gun.Used extensively by the British Army, it replaced the AEC Armoured Car that had been in service since World War II.-History:...
armoured cars and Saracen
Alvis Saracen
The FV603 Saracen is a six-wheeled armoured personnel carrier built by Alvis and used by the British army. It became a recognisable vehicle as a result of its part in the policing of Northern Ireland.-History:...
armoured personnel carriers (APCs) to M113s
M113 armored personnel carrier
The M113 is a fully tracked armored personnel carrier that has formed the backbone of the United States Army's mechanized infantry units from the time of its first fielding in Vietnam in April 1962. The M113 was the most widely used armored vehicle of the U.S...
and it had been sent to South Vietnam as part of Australia’s initial commitment to the conflict. Working primarily with 1 RAR
1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a regular light infantry battalion of the Australian Army. 1 RAR was first formed as the 65th Australian Infantry Battalion in 1945 and since then has been deployed on active service during the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War...
the Troop had been placed under the control of the US 173rd Airborne Brigade, operating in an area to the north of Nui Dat
Nui Dat
Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy Province was the location of a prominent Australian military base in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The site was chosen by Lieutenant General John Wilton in 1966 and was built mainly by men from the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment...
in Phuoc Tuy Province
Phuoc Tuy Province
Phước Tuy Province was a province of South Vietnam. It now mostly corresponds to Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, just southeast of Ho Chi Minh City....
.
Under the command of Lieutenant (later Captain) Robert Hill, initially the Troop had been deployed with only eight carriers as at the start the Australian commitment to the ground war in Vietnam had been intended only to be limited to a single infantry battalion that would maintain security around the American base at Bien Hoa. In September, however, as it became clearer that there was a wider role for Australian ground forces the size of the Troop was increased 13 personnel carriers and two mortar carriers and after that the Troop was used in a variety of roles including infantry mobility, manoeuvre, direct and indirect fire support, casualty evacuation and providing a medium lift stores transportation capability.
In March 1966 1 Tp A Sqn 4/19 PWLH was redesignated as the 1st Armoured Personnel Carrier Troop (1 APC Troop) and it would subsequently complete its tour of Vietnam in June 1966 when 1 APC Sqn arrived and all of 1 Troop's vehicles and some of its personnel were subsumed into the Squadron.
Whilst 1 APC Troop had been conducting operations in Vietnam, the 1 APC Sqn had been training in Australia in preparation to relieve the overworked Troop. On 9 March 1966, the Australian government had announced that it would increase the size of Australia's ground forces in Vietnam to a task force consisting of two infantry battalions, a squadron of armoured personnel carriers and a number of ancillary units. In addition it was also announced that the Australian Task Force, known as 1 ATF, would operate as an independent force from the Americans and would take primary responsibility for an area inside Phuoc Tuy province.
Deployment to Vietnam
Australian Army Training Team Vietnam
The Australian Army Training Team Vietnam was a specialist unit of the Australian Army that operated during the Vietnam War. Raised in 1962, the unit was raised solely for service as part of Australia's contribution to the war in Vietnam, providing training and assistance to South Vietnamese forces...
, the Squadron consisted of seven officers and 109 other ranks
Other Ranks
Other Ranks in the British Army, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force are those personnel who are not commissioned officers. In the Royal Navy, these personnel are called ratings...
, some of whom were national servicemen, whilst most of the officers and NCOs
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...
had been drawn from the 1st Armoured Regiment and from 'A' Squadron, 4/19 PWLH.
Upon its arrival, 1 APC Sqn’s first task was to help secure the task force base at Nui Dat by erecting defences and clearing the area, however, once this had been done, the Squadron took on primary responsibility for ensuring that the road between Vung Tau
Vung Tàu
Vũng Tàu is a city in southern Vietnam. Its population in 2005 was 240,000. The city area is including 13 urban wards and one village. It is the capital of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, and is the crude oil extraction center of Vietnam. It is also known as one of the most beautiful cities of tourism...
and Saigon remained open. In order to achieve this, a number of cordon and search operations were undertaken focusing on the villages surrounding Nui Dat. On 21 June 1966, 3 Troop was deployed with 6 RAR on Operation Enoggera, a search and destroy mission that focused upon the village of Long Phuoc, which had long been a haven for the Viet Cong (VC). This would be the first of many such operations.
As 1 ATF did not possess any tanks at that stage, the APCs of 1 APC Sqn were in high demand and were required to undertake many different roles in this time. These included both cavalry and armoured personnel roles, such as fire support, reconnaissance and offensive manoeuvre, as well as serving as infantry command and control vehicles, troop transport, stores portage, and casualty evacuation.
Whilst 1 APC Sqn was involved in many operations in the six months that it was in existence, probably its most notable action was on 18 August 1966 in what later became known as the Battle of Long Tan
Battle of Long Tan
The Battle of Long Tân was fought between the Australian Army and Viet Cong forces in a rubber plantation near the village of Long Tân, about north east of Vũng Tàu, South Vietnam...
. Ironically, despite this action being the Squadron’s most notable, their involvement in this battle has probably been one of the least acknowledged. Nevertheless, without a doubt 1 APC Sqn’s involvement at Long Tan came at a very crucial moment in battle.
1 APC Sqn’s first task during the battle was to transport 'A' Company, 6 RAR to the battlefield to relieve 'D' Company, which was holding out against desperate odds in a rubber plantation to the west of Long Tan. This task fell to ten APCs from 3 Troop under the command of Lieutenant Adrian Roberts. Having picked up 'A' Company from their lines at Nui Dat, the column set off across country in the pouring rain at 1745 hours. Fording a flooded creek, they shook out into assault formation astride the plantation road. The move took just over an hour, as the column had to fight its way through pockets of enemy and brave the heavy defensive artillery barrage that was being put down around 'D' Company, however, by 1900 hours they reached the beleaguered company.
Upon arriving at the plantation, 3 Troop advanced through the 'D' Company position, carrying out a quick sweep of the area through which the enemy was forming up for another attack, catching the enemy on their flanks and inflicting heavy casualties. Upon seeing the arrival of the APCs the enemy broke off its attack, the survivors melting away back into the jungle and leaving the Australians in possession of the battlefield. The Australians suffered 18 men killed and 24 wounded, of these one of the men that had been killed had been from 3 Troop. The man was Corporal Peter Clements, who died on 27 August 1966 after succumbing to the serious gunshot wounds he received during the battle.
For their actions during the battle, two men from 3 Troop received gallantry awards. Corporal John Carter received the Distinguished Conduct Medal
Distinguished Conduct Medal
The Distinguished Conduct Medal was an extremely high level award for bravery. It was a second level military decoration awarded to other ranks of the British Army and formerly also to non-commissioned personnel of other Commonwealth countries.The medal was instituted in 1854, during the Crimean...
for his actions in neutralising an enemy anti-tank weapon, while Lieutenant Adrian Roberts received a Mention in Despatches for his leadership of the troop during the battle.
Following the battle, 1 APC Sqn continued to operate in the area, supporting 5 and 6 RAR. As a part of the followup operations, during Operation Crows Nest, one Troop operated in a cavalry role as part of a combined infantry/armour sweep either side of Route 2. They would continue to operate in this role, providing fire support and transporting troops across the battlefield for the rest of the year.
Redesignation
In January 1967, after a re-organisation of units of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps, 1 APC Sqn was re-designated as 'A' Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment. This squadron would subsequently rotate with the Regiment’s second squadron, 'B' Squadron, as the 3rd Cavalry Regiment would maintain a squadron on operations up until November 1971. 1 Troop would remain even longer, staying on until March 1972.Structure
- Sqn HQ
- Admin Troop
- 1 Troop (previously 1 APC Troop)
- 2 Troop
- 3 Troop
- Support Troop (later redesignated as 4 Troop).
See also
- Royal Australian Armoured Corps
- Military history of Australia during the Vietnam WarMilitary history of Australia during the Vietnam WarAustralia's involvement in the Vietnam War began as a small commitment of 30 men in 1962, and increased over the following decade to a peak of 7,672 Australians deployed in South Vietnam or in support of Australian forces there. The Vietnam War was the longest and most controversial war Australia...