9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
Encyclopedia
9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (9 RAR) was a Regular light infantry
battalion
of the Australian Army
. The battalion was raised in November 1967 and deployed to South Vietnam as part of Australia’s commitment to the Vietnam War
in November 1968. 9 RAR served a year long tour of duty based out of Nui Dat conducting operations mainly in Phuoc Tuy province as part of the 1st Australian Task Force
. The Battalion returned to Australia in November 1969 and was reformed at Enoggera
, Queensland in January 1970 as part of the 6th Task Force, attached to the 1st Division
. On 31 November 1973, following the withdrawal of Australian forces from South Vietnam and subsequent reduction of the Australian Army, the battalion was linked with the 8th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
(8 RAR) to form the 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
(8/9 RAR).
, South Australia
, on 13 November 1967. Shortly after that they moved to Woodside Barracks, where they began lead-up training in anticipation for future deployment to South Vietnam. Over the course of the next few months the battalion was slowly brought up to full strength, and by April 1968 9 RAR had received its full complement of personnel. In order to achieve this more quickly, the battalion undertook the training of its complement of 140 national servicemen instead of putting them through the normal centralised training scheme.
base at Nui Dat
in Phuoc Tuy Province
on 5 November 1968. The rest of 9 RAR departed Adelaide on HMAS Sydney on 9 November 1968 and while en route at they celebrated the battalion's first birthday at sea, becoming the first battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment
to do so. They were also the first battalion to deploy on active service without first having been presented with their colours.
Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Albie Morrison, the main body arrived in country on 20 November 1968 and by early December, 9 RAR had commenced operations. Their first major operation, Operation Goodwood
, was undertaken in Bien Hoa province and was a response to the increasing presence of Viet Cong (VC) forces in the province. Over the course of the tour, 9 RAR undertook eleven major operations that lasted roughly a month each, along with a number of other minor operations.
To a large extent these operations were focused upon pacification, which attempted to isolate the VC from the local population and to create a more secure situation in order to allow stabilise the South Vietnamese government. Thus the main role for 9 RAR at this time was to carry out reconnaissance-in-force and cordon-and-search missions to locate the VC base locations, clear land and to protect the civilian population. The majority of these operations were carried out in Phuoc Tuy, Long Khanh, Bien Hoa and Binh Tuy provinces.
9 RAR remained in South Vietnam until 28 November 1969 when it was relieved by 8 RAR and returned to Australia. One DSO
, two MCs
, seven MMs
and eleven MIDs were awarded to members of 9 RAR as result of their tour to Vietnam. Casualties included 35 killed, and another 150 wounded.
at Enoggera
in Queensland
, where they were attached to the 6th Task Force
. Early in 1970, there was a change of command and Lieutenant Colonel E.R Phillip took over the role of commanding officer. On 29 April 1971, the battalion finally received its colours at a ceremony at Enoggera presided over by the Governor-General of Australia
, Sir Paul Hasluck
. In August 1971, Phillip subsequently handed over to Lieutenant Colonel John Essex-Clark. The battalion was scheduled to return to Vietnam for its second tour of duty, however, the Australian government's decision to end its commitment in late 1971.
This decision, coupled with the subsequent abolition of conscription
following the election of the Whitlam
government
and a shift in Australian defence policy towards an emphasis on the defence of mainland Australia
, resulted in the need to reduce the size of the Australian Army. In order to implement this changes it was decided to amalgamate a number of infantry battalions. 9 RAR was one of these, and on 31 October 1973 the battalion was linked with 8 RAR to form 8/9 RAR at a ceremony conducted at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera.
Light infantry
Traditionally light infantry were soldiers whose job was to provide a skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy advance. Light infantry was distinct from medium, heavy or line infantry. Heavy infantry were dedicated primarily to fighting in tight...
battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
of the Australian Army
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...
. The battalion was raised in November 1967 and deployed to South Vietnam as part of Australia’s commitment to 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...
in November 1968. 9 RAR served a year long tour of duty based out of Nui Dat conducting operations mainly in Phuoc Tuy province as part of 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...
. The Battalion returned to Australia in November 1969 and was reformed at Enoggera
Enoggera Barracks
Enoggera Barracks is an Australian Army base in the northwestern Brisbane suburb of Enoggera in Queensland.-History:...
, Queensland in January 1970 as part of the 6th Task Force, attached to the 1st Division
1st Division (Australia)
The 1st Division is the main formation of the Australian Army and contains the majority of the army's regular forces. Its headquarters is in Enoggera, a suburb of Brisbane...
. On 31 November 1973, following the withdrawal of Australian forces from South Vietnam and subsequent reduction of the Australian Army, the battalion was linked with the 8th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
8th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
The 8th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment was an Australian Army Regular infantry battalion. The battalion was formed in July 1966 as part of an expansion of the Australian Army in the mid 1960s due to the perceived threat of Communism in southeast Asia...
(8 RAR) to form the 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
The 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. It was originally formed in 1973 by linking together both the 8th and 9th Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment...
(8/9 RAR).
Formation
9 RAR was raised at Keswick Barracks in AdelaideAdelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
, on 13 November 1967. Shortly after that they moved to Woodside Barracks, where they began lead-up training in anticipation for future deployment to South Vietnam. Over the course of the next few months the battalion was slowly brought up to full strength, and by April 1968 9 RAR had received its full complement of personnel. In order to achieve this more quickly, the battalion undertook the training of its complement of 140 national servicemen instead of putting them through the normal centralised training scheme.
Vietnam War
After completing its training, an advance party of 150 men from the battalion arrived at the 1st Australian Task Force1st 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...
base at 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....
on 5 November 1968. The rest of 9 RAR departed Adelaide on HMAS Sydney on 9 November 1968 and while en route at they celebrated the battalion's first birthday at sea, becoming the first battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment
Royal Australian Regiment
The Royal Australian Regiment is the parent regiment for regular infantry battalions of the Australian Army and is the senior infantry regiment of the Royal Australian Infantry Corps...
to do so. They were also the first battalion to deploy on active service without first having been presented with their colours.
Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Albie Morrison, the main body arrived in country on 20 November 1968 and by early December, 9 RAR had commenced operations. Their first major operation, Operation Goodwood
Battle of Hat Dich
The Battle of Hat Dich was a series of military actions fought between the 1st Australian Task Force and the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong during the Vietnam War...
, was undertaken in Bien Hoa province and was a response to the increasing presence of Viet Cong (VC) forces in the province. Over the course of the tour, 9 RAR undertook eleven major operations that lasted roughly a month each, along with a number of other minor operations.
To a large extent these operations were focused upon pacification, which attempted to isolate the VC from the local population and to create a more secure situation in order to allow stabilise the South Vietnamese government. Thus the main role for 9 RAR at this time was to carry out reconnaissance-in-force and cordon-and-search missions to locate the VC base locations, clear land and to protect the civilian population. The majority of these operations were carried out in Phuoc Tuy, Long Khanh, Bien Hoa and Binh Tuy provinces.
9 RAR remained in South Vietnam until 28 November 1969 when it was relieved by 8 RAR and returned to Australia. One DSO
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, two MCs
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
, seven MMs
Military Medal
The Military Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land....
and eleven MIDs were awarded to members of 9 RAR as result of their tour to Vietnam. Casualties included 35 killed, and another 150 wounded.
Amalgamation
The battalion returned to Australia in November 1969 and were subsequently moved to Gallipoli BarracksEnoggera Barracks
Enoggera Barracks is an Australian Army base in the northwestern Brisbane suburb of Enoggera in Queensland.-History:...
at Enoggera
Enoggera, Queensland
Enoggera is a suburb of Brisbane, in Queensland, Australia. The suburb is located 6 km north-west of the Brisbane CBD.-History:In 1845 John Brennan purchased six hectares of land in Enoggera. Six years later, Thomas Hayes moved to the area and bought thirty-three acres of land...
in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, where they were attached to the 6th Task Force
6th Brigade (Australia)
The 6th Brigade is an Australian Army brigade. First formed during the First World War as an infantry unit of the Australian Imperial Force, the brigade served at Gallipoli and in France and Belgium on the Western Front...
. Early in 1970, there was a change of command and Lieutenant Colonel E.R Phillip took over the role of commanding officer. On 29 April 1971, the battalion finally received its colours at a ceremony at Enoggera presided over by the Governor-General of Australia
Governor-General of Australia
The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia is the representative in Australia at federal/national level of the Australian monarch . He or she exercises the supreme executive power of the Commonwealth...
, Sir Paul Hasluck
Paul Hasluck
Sir Paul Meernaa Caedwalla Hasluck KG GCMG GCVO KStJ was an Australian historian, poet, public servant and politician, and the 17th Governor-General of Australia.-Early life:...
. In August 1971, Phillip subsequently handed over to Lieutenant Colonel John Essex-Clark. The battalion was scheduled to return to Vietnam for its second tour of duty, however, the Australian government's decision to end its commitment in late 1971.
This decision, coupled with the subsequent abolition of conscription
Conscription in Australia
Conscription in Australia, or mandatory military service also known as National Service, has a controversial history dating back to the first years of nationhood...
following the election of the Whitlam
Gough Whitlam
Edward Gough Whitlam, AC, QC , known as Gough Whitlam , served as the 21st Prime Minister of Australia. Whitlam led the Australian Labor Party to power at the 1972 election and retained government at the 1974 election, before being dismissed by Governor-General Sir John Kerr at the climax of the...
government
Whitlam Government
The Whitlam Government refers to the federal Executive Government of Australia led by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. It was made up of members of the Australian Labor Party in the Australian Parliament from 1972 to 1975.-Background:...
and a shift in Australian defence policy towards an emphasis on the defence of mainland Australia
Defence of Australia Policy
The Defence of Australia Policy was Australia's dominant defence policy between 1972 and 1997. The policy was focused on the defence of continental Australia against external attack...
, resulted in the need to reduce the size of the Australian Army. In order to implement this changes it was decided to amalgamate a number of infantry battalions. 9 RAR was one of these, and on 31 October 1973 the battalion was linked with 8 RAR to form 8/9 RAR at a ceremony conducted at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera.
Commanding officers
- 13 Nov 67 – 14 Jan 70: LTCOL A.L. Morrison DSO, MBE;
- 15 Jan 70 – 24 Aug 71: LTCOL E.R. Philip;
- 25 Aug 71 – 30 Oct 73: LTCOL J. Essex-Clark.