Australia and Vietnam

The Australian government’s approach to the Vietnam conflict, and its implications for regional security and Australia’s foreign policy interests, produced the most significant commitment of Australian military forces overseas since World War 2. The Australian force at it’s peak strength amounted to 8300 men and was two-thirds larger that that committed to the Korean War. A total of 46 852 Australian military personnel served in Vietnam, including 17 424 national servicemen, and Australian casualties in the conflict totalled 494 killed and 2398 wounded. The direct financial cost to Australia was at least $A218.4 million (according to official estimates) and possibly as much as $A500 million. Though this commitment was obviously substantial by Australian standards, the military forces and their activities were seldom the major focus of...