Australia's Involvement In The Vietnam War In 1960

Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam war in 1960 happened for three major reasons. Firstly, the fear of communism that was spreading to the south due to ‘anti – communist’ propaganda created by Robert Menzies during the 1950’s. Secondly, ANZUS and SEATO treaties that Australia played a fundamental role in, in which the treaties obligated Australia to join the war to support their allies. And thirdly, the relationship between Australia and America had strengthened as prime minister Harold holt provided full military support to America in the Vietnam war. It is in which Australia was involved in the Vietnam war and had led to the conflict of the Battle of Long Tan in 1966 which was significant due to it was one of the most well-known engagements

He did this through posters that would lead to the Australian community to fear communism and create one of Australia’s greatest social and political dissent. Then in 1954 the two treaties SEATO and ANZUS that were created to allow the Australian government to focus on domestic policies, like the economy, rather than international policy and to save a lot of money which reduced the expenditure on defence. But the SEATO treaty was one of the most important due to it was specifically created to combat the threat of communism in south-east Asia, which had led to Ngo Dinh Diem, South Vietnams leader repeatedly requesting for help in 1961 and again in 1962 which led to Australia’s and America’s involvement in the Vietnam war in 1962. With Americas fear of communism Australia was a proud supporter of the united states in seeing south-east Asia being free of communism. This led to Australia offering in general aid to improve security and assist in economic and social development and offering military trainers to assist south Vietnamese forces in a move aimed at supporting US policy and addressing Australia’s regional

This location enraged the Viet Cong and they retorted with an intention to impose a quick defeat on the "arrogant" Australians. When the Australians left their powerfully defended positions to seek for the mortar bases, they were ambushed on the 16-17 of august 1966, in which Nui Dat base were under attack from mortars and recoilless rifles. The following day they were able to locate some of the sites from which mortars had been fired, but nothing else. Patrols continued the next day, 18th august. D company had left the Nui Dat base at 11:15 that morning bound in order to search for mortar bases at Long Tan rubber plantation. At 3:15 that afternoon they arrived and less than half an hour later the Viet Cong attacked in force. In which the battle estimated 108 Australians and new Zealanders were facing 1,500 to 2,500 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces, that took place over an area no bigger than two football fields. Only the rapid response of a New Zealand artillery battery to desperate calls for backing saved D company from obliteration. The weather conditions were intense in a amid monsoon storm that estimated 400,000 rounds of ammunition were shot from both sides which is an average of over 1,000 shots a minute for hours on end. In which the attack lasted just three and half hours that was relentlessly powerful battle for the men