Armour · February 1968 – September 1971
1st Armoured Regiment
- Helicopter missions
- 3
- Contacts
- 205
- Operations
- 48
- Dead
- 2
- Australian wounded
- 168
- Enemy killed
- 350
View unit in Battle MapView missions in Battle Map
Year by year #
205 contacts are recorded for the unit and sub-units, from 6 March 1968 to 5 August 1971. It was the unit in contact in 137 of them, and took part in 68 led by other units.
Unit actions #
In the contacts it led, by the task the report records:
| Task | Contacts | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Patrol | 58 | 42% |
| Security | 32 | 23% |
| Mine incident | 30 | 22% |
| Ambush | 8 | 6% |
| Bunker | 3 | 2% |
| Artillery engagement | 1 | 1% |
| Not recorded | 5 | 4% |
Tank support in 68 contacts led by other units: 5 RAR (12), 3 Cav Regt (10), 3 RAR (10), 1 RAR (9), 8 RAR (8), 7 RAR (5), 4 RAR (4), 6 RAR (3), 9 RAR (3), 1 ATF (1), 1 Fd Sqn (1), ARVN (1), V Company, 4 RAR (New Zealand) (1).
Operations #
| Operation | Dates | Contacts | Australians killed | Enemy killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinnaroo | 8 March 1968 – 23 March 1968 | 9 | 1 | 1 |
| Cook Town Orchid | 6 April 1968 – 9 April 1968 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Toan Thang 1 | 13 May 1968 – 3 June 1968 | 12 | 6 | 107 |
| Toan Thang 2 | 26 June 1968 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Arunta | 19 July 1968 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Nowra | 22 August 1968 | 1 | 0 | 40 |
| Innamincka | 12 September 1968 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Capital | 26 October 1968 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Goodwood | 4 December 1968 – 16 February 1969 | 7 | 2 | 6 |
| KOROBA | 23 February 1969 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Quintus Thrust | 8 March 1969 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Overlander | 10 April 1969 – 12 April 1969 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Stafford | 18 April 1969 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| LCT | 3 May 1969 – 7 May 1969 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Mailed Fist | 7 May 1969 – 27 May 1969 | 6 | 0 | 5 |
| Reynella | 8 May 1969 – 6 June 1969 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Twickenham | 22 May 1969 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Reynella/Toan Thang III | 23 May 1969 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Hammer | 6 June 1969 – 7 June 1969 | 4 | 1 | 44 |
| Hammer/Tong | 7 June 1969 | 1 | 0 | 40 |
| TONG | 7 June 1969 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| ESSO | 21 June 1969 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Lavarack | 28 June 1969 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mundingburra | 17 July 1969 – 18 July 1969 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Ginger | 25 July 1969 – 1 August 1969 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Camden | 15 August 1969 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| U/K | 19 August 1969 – 29 May 1970 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| CHFTN | 4 September 1969 – 16 September 1969 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Nepabunna | 11 September 1969 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Chieftain | 21 September 1969 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Kings Cross | 16 November 1969 – 7 December 1969 | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| Atherton | 21 December 1969 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Matilda | 21 January 1970 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Bondi | 11 February 1970 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Hammersley | 14 February 1970 – 25 February 1970 | 7 | 2 | 28 |
| Concrete | 22 April 1970 – 30 May 1970 | 8 | 2 | 12 |
| Concrete 1 | 7 May 1970 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Nudgee | 10 June 1970 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Capricorn | 12 June 1970 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Cung Chung | 14 June 1970 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Cung Chung 1 | 16 June 1970 – 27 June 1970 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Petrie | 8 July 1970 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Nathan | 26 July 1970 – 29 July 1970 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Toan Thang 4 | 26 November 1970 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Briar Patch 1 | 7 March 1971 – 10 April 1971 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Overlord | 7 June 1971 | 3 | 3 | 12 |
| Hermit Park | 25 June 1971 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Iron Fox | 30 July 1971 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
Air support #
No. 9 Squadron RAAF's unit history records 3 helicopter missions flown for 1 Armd Regt, from 30 May 1968 to 2 July 1970. 6 casualties were evacuated, as the reports count them; helicopters were fired on from the ground on 1 mission.
| Mission | Missions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Medevac | 2 | 67% |
| Troop Lift | 1 | 33% |
The most significant:
- 30 May 1968: medevac. 6 casualties evacuated. Fired on from the ground. On the allied side: 6 wounded. 7 Platoon, 1 RAR came under heavy fire during the day and was pinned down. Supported by a light fire team from the Playboys, a US Army aviation company, and Centurion tanks of A Squadron, 1 Armoured Regiment, two …
View the missions in Battle Map
Notable contacts #
6 March 1968: Patrol #
First · 1 Armd Regt in contact
Australian: 1 wounded.
A tank of C Squadron, 1 Armoured Regiment, was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, damaging the tank and wounding one Australian. Artillery fired on the area with unknown results.
26 May 1968: Security, Operation Toan Thang 1 #
Significant · Tank support for 3 RAR
Australian: 3 killed, 16 wounded. Enemy: 6 killed, 30 wounded.
The 165th North Vietnamese Regiment attacked Fire Support Base Balmoral, held by 3 RAR with tanks and carriers: heavy mortar fire, followed by a ground attack by about a company, supported by rockets and machine-guns, from an estimated battalion group. Three Australians were killed and sixteen wounded; six enemy were recorded killed.
28 May 1968: Security, Operation Toan Thang 1 #
Significant · Tank support for 3 RAR
Australian: 1 killed, 8 wounded. Enemy: 55 killed, 10 wounded.
The North Vietnamese renewed their attack on Fire Support Base Balmoral with a heavy mortar and rocket bombardment and a ground attack by two battalions of the 165th Regiment. The attack broke up on the wire under artillery and helicopter gunship fire. One Australian was killed and six to eight wounded; about 47 to 55 enemy were killed and six captured.
30 May 1968: Bunker, Operation Toan Thang 1 #
Significant · Tank support for 1 RAR
Australian: 1 killed, 7 wounded. Enemy: 24 killed, 8 wounded.
On a reconnaissance in force near Coral, C Company, 1 RAR, was pinned down by heavy mortar, machine-gun and rocket fire from a bunker system, at ranges of 10 to 15 metres, too close for gunships and artillery to help much, and carriers could not get through the jungle. Two tanks arrived from Coral and an assault destroyed eight bunkers; a carrier was hit by a rocket while taking out the wounded. The company then broke contact for air strikes. One Australian was killed and seven wounded; 24 enemy were killed and more probably killed, and five bodies were found when the company returned days later.
22 August 1968: Attack, Operation Nowra #
Significant · Tank support for 1 RAR
Australian: 12 wounded. Enemy: 40 killed, 8 wounded.
About 100 enemy, of the D445 Battalion, attacked Long Dien with recoilless rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons. B and C Companies of 1 RAR, with tanks of C Squadron, 1 Armoured Regiment, carriers and helicopter gunships, fought a company-sized force in the town and another group on Route 23, in contacts that went on all day. About eleven Australians were wounded, most of C Company's by a 60 mm mortar; 29 to 40 enemy were recorded killed.
13 May 1969: Contact, Operation Reynella #
Typical: mine incident · 1 Armd Regt in contact
Australian: 1 killed, 1 wounded.
A tank of B Squadron, 1 Armoured Regiment, set off a mine on a track south-east of Long Dien, an 80-pound Chinese TNT charge. One Australian was killed and one wounded, and the tank could not move under its own power.
27 May 1969: Ambush, Operation Mailed Fist #
Typical: ambush · 1 Armd Regt in contact
Enemy: 1 killed, 6 wounded.
Tanks of B Squadron, 1 Armoured Regiment, and D and E Platoon engaged about twenty enemy. One enemy was killed and six wounded, and two rifles, 2,000 rounds of ammunition and two anti-tank grenades were captured.
6 June 1969: Contact, Operation Hammer #
Significant · Tank support for 5 RAR
Australian: 1 killed, 10 wounded. Enemy: 43 killed, 6 wounded.
The Battle of Binh Ba. B and D Companies of 5 RAR, with tanks of B Squadron, 1 Armoured Regiment, carriers of B Squadron, 3 Cavalry Regiment, and local Regional and Popular Force troops, fought an estimated 90 enemy in the village of Binh Ba from late morning until evening. One Australian was killed and eight to ten wounded, and two Centurion tanks were damaged; 27 enemy were counted dead, more were recorded later, and two were captured.
7 June 1969: Contact, Operation Hammer/Tong #
Significant · Tank support for 5 RAR
Enemy: 40 killed.
A company of the 33rd North Vietnamese Regiment attacked Duc Trung and overwhelmed its local defence platoon. B Company, 5 RAR, was sent to retake it: artillery fire was brought within 20 metres of the houses, helicopter gunships attacked the north and west of the village, and B Company attacked from the south with a troop of tanks. The enemy were routed, and local forces cleared the rest of the village to avoid civilian casualties. Forty enemy were recorded killed.
6 August 1969: Security #
Typical: security · 1 Armd Regt in contact
Australian: 4 killed.
Tanks of B Squadron, 1 Armoured Regiment, at Duc Thanh saw five enemy 100 metres away. A sweep with searchlights found lights, which were engaged with canister rounds and artillery.
15 February 1970: Ambush, Operation Hammersley #
Significant · Tank support for 8 RAR
Australian: 3 wounded. Enemy: 10 killed, 22 wounded.
9 Platoon, C Company, 8 RAR, was carried by tanks to within a kilometre of a carefully chosen ambush site and slipped in unseen while the tanks made a diversion, with engineers checking the site for mines and 15 Claymores laid along the track. It let the first of four enemy groups pass, and wiped out the second and third with its Claymores; the first and fourth counter-attacked. Running low on ammunition, the platoon was supported by mortars, artillery and helicopter gunships, and within 40 minutes the tanks of 1 Armoured Regiment came back, cleared the killing ground and stayed through the night. Three Australians were wounded; ten enemy were counted dead, and 22 drag marks were found.
18 February 1970: Bunker, Operation Hammersley #
Significant · Tank support for 8 RAR
Australian: 2 killed, 13 wounded. Enemy: 12 killed, 10 wounded.
C Company, 8 RAR, captured a Viet Cong who said 40 enemy were in a nearby bunker system protected by mines. The company attacked with carriers of B Squadron, 3 Cavalry Regiment, and tanks of 1 Armoured Regiment; a carrier was destroyed by two rocket-propelled grenades, killing two Australians and wounding more. After air and artillery strikes a second assault led by the tanks went through the bunkers to a deep creek, but the system was also protected by an anti-tank minefield, and the force was ordered to withdraw, taking more casualties from enemy who had reoccupied the bunkers. Twelve enemy were killed, mostly by the tanks' canister and high-explosive rounds; one tank was hit eight times and kept fighting. The system was later hit by B-52 bombers.
21 February 1970: Patrol, Operation Hammersley #
Typical: patrol · 1 Armd Regt in contact
Australian: 2 wounded.
A tank of A Squadron, 1 Armoured Regiment, struck a 20-pound shaped-charge anti-tank mine in the jungle near the Long Hai Hills. The tank was put out of action and two of its crew were wounded.
5 August 1971: Contact #
Last · 1 Armd Regt in contact
A tank of 1 Troop, C Squadron, 1 Armoured Regiment, set off a 40-pound mine on a jungle track east of Cam My. The mine had probably been in place a long time, with a recently fitted pressure trigger. There were no casualties, but the tank's suspension and four road wheels were damaged.
Sub-units #
A Squadron #
47 contacts, 29 December 1969 to 26 November 1970; 12 operations. Australian: 3 killed, 44 wounded. Enemy: 30 killed, 19 wounded.
Actions: mine incident 44%, security 26%, patrol 18%, ambush 6%, bunker 3%.
Most significant contacts:
- 18 February 1970: bunker, Operation Hammersley. Australian: 2 killed, 13 wounded. Enemy: 12 killed.
- 18 February 1970: bunker, Operation Hammersley. Australian: 8 wounded. Enemy: 6 killed.
- 21 May 1970: bunker, Operation Concrete. Australian: 1 killed, 12 wounded. Enemy: 5 killed.
B Squadron #
59 contacts, 16 February 1969 to 12 May 1970; 21 operations. Australian: 10 killed, 29 wounded. Enemy: 115 killed, 25 wounded.
Actions: patrol 33%, security 24%, mine incident 22%, ambush 12%, artillery engagement 2%.
Most significant contacts:
- 16 February 1969: bunker, Operation Goodwood. Australian: 2 killed, 8 wounded. Enemy: 6 killed.
- 6 June 1969: contact, Operation Hammer. Australian: 1 killed, 10 wounded. Enemy: 43 killed.
- 7 June 1969: contact, Operation Hammer/Tong. Enemy: 40 killed.
C Squadron #
64 contacts, 6 March 1968 to 5 August 1971; 11 operations. Australian: 8 killed, 66 wounded. Enemy: 169 killed, 63 wounded.
Actions: patrol 69%, security 20%, mine incident 6%, bunker 2%.
Most significant contacts:
- 26 May 1968: security, Operation Toan Thang 1. Australian: 3 killed, 16 wounded. Enemy: 6 killed.
- 28 May 1968: security, Operation Toan Thang 1. Australian: 1 killed, 8 wounded. Enemy: 55 killed.
- 22 August 1968: attack, Operation Nowra. Australian: 12 wounded. Enemy: 40 killed.
Roll of honour #
The unit's 2 dead on the honour roll: those on a tour with the unit when they died, and reinforcements killed in the unit's contacts. Each opens their entry on the honour roll.
Michael John Hannaford
Trooper
14 December 1968
James Kelly Kerr
Trooper
13 May 1969
Photographs #
From the site's collection: pictures linked to the unit's contacts, and others taken near them at the time. Each opens on the Battle Map.
C Company 8 RAR assaulting into an enemy bunker system in the foothills of the Long Hais (Minh Dam Secret Zone) shortly after a B52 strike had hit the system. Rod Simpson, 22 February 1970
Taken during an exchange of fire with the enemy on the road south from the market place. Barry J Diwell, 22 August 1968
Wording of citation for the Military Medal awarded to Cpl M R Rainey crew commander Centurion tank 33Bravo 1AR for conduct during Operation Nowra 22 August …
Members of 1 RAR and Centurion tank 33Bravo preparing to advance south from the market place at Long Dien. Barry J Diwell
Centurion tanks returning fire to suspected enemy mortar firing point. Barry J Diwell, 22 October 1968
Engineers disarming an anti-tank mine narrowly avoided by 2 Troop tanks on the previous night. The mine consisted of an unexploded 155mm shell and 12 pounds of … Barry J Diwell
Regional SVN forces conducting a house to house search during a sweep of the village aided by the Centurion tank search light. Barry J Diwell
Having been ambushed at Thua Tich, D440 moves to attack Binh Ba; 33rd NVA Regiment moves south-west from Long Khanh to Binh Ba and becomes the principal … Ernie Chamberlain, 6 June 1969
32 Charlie after having been escorted back to FSB Dyke. Temporary repairs had been made to the damaged suspension station. Rus Kiellerup is inspecting the … Duncan McIntosh, 10 December 1968
Wounded Prisoner in the back of 22 with Capt Murphy sitting on top Paul Davison
RPG Damage to 22A and Crew being Casvaced Paul Davison, 18 February 1970
RPG Damage to 22A and Crew being Casvaced Paul Davison, 18 February 1970
Centurion Tank ARN 169076 32Alpha at FSB Julia Dec 1968 Left to Right Tpr Don Webber, Tpr Ross Prior and Sgt Mick Rainey. Barry J Diwell, 30 November 1968
One of two very rare 3D maps of the Long Hai\'s Ern Marshall Oziexplorer
Map of the old airfield at Binh Ba Ern Marshall
Map of the old fort at Binh Ba Ern Marshall
The bodies of North Vietnamese Army troops who attempted to hold the rubber plantation village of Binh Ba, are laid out in an open area so they can be checked … Ern Marshall Bernie Weisz
Number two of the Long Hai\'s in 3D Ern Marshall Oziexplorer
Tank 22B at Binh Ba 1969 Ern Marshall Gar Gott
FSB Herring YS 49-55 FSB, off Hwy 326, 7 km S of Horseshoe FSB, 15 km SE of Nui Dat, 3 km S of Dat Do and 23 km ENE of Vung Tau. Ern Marshall H Herbits
FSB Herring - YS 49-55 FSB, off Hwy 326, 7 km S of Horseshoe FSB, 15 km SE of Nui Dat, 3 km S of Dat Do and 23 km ENE of Vung Tau. Situated in the sandy wastes … Ern Marshall 3 RAR
One of the windmills erected in villages in the province as a Civil Affairs project to provide reticulated water to the village. Unknown
Sources #
- Tours and arm: the Australian War Memorial's record of the unit.
- Contacts: the Battle Map's records of 205 contacts, each report citing the archival source (most often the commanders' diaries, AWM95).
- The dead: the honour roll, with tours of duty from the nominal roll.
- Helicopter missions: No. 9 Squadron RAAF's unit history sheets (National Archives of Australia, A9186, 736), read into the Battle Map's records, with each report's summary written by an AI model (Claude).
- Summaries of the reports: written by an AI model (Claude) from the reports, and reviewed.