Tango01 | 20 Dec 2018 8:58 p.m. PST |
"The participation of Australian forces in the fighting in South Vietnam in 1965-1971 is a relatively rarely explored part of history. Even rarely is it mentioned that Australia sent its tank forces to the front, armed with British Centurion tanks. The fate of Australian Centurion Mk.5/1 tanks in the Vietnamese jungle was not a bright one, but the tanks and their crews did their job honestly. The Royal Australian Armoured Corps existed under various names since 1927. Before WWII it was a "virtual" branch of the service, nearly devoid of vehicles and individual formations. Australia only acquired a significant number of vehicles during WWII. Large units were trained and fought on the front lines. Australian regiments and brigades fought against Germans and Italians in North Africa, with the Vichy French in the Middle East, and with the Japanese in the Pacific.
The Corps was radically reduced in size after 1945. This was connected with the optimization of the armed forces and the reforms meant to create a small professional army that was always ready for battle. The core of the RAAC was the 1st Armoured Regiment, formed in 1949 chiefly out of the experienced 4th Tank Brigade. In addition, armoured vehicles were included in a number of mechanized cavalry regiments and reserve formations….." Main page link
Amicalement Armand |
UshCha | 21 Dec 2018 2:24 a.m. PST |
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Legion 4 | 21 Dec 2018 8:19 a.m. PST |
Yes, I reed about that and saw pics of Aussie Centurions in Vietnam. They also used an interesting AFV, a US M113 with Saladin Armor Car turret. link |
Tango01 | 21 Dec 2018 11:47 a.m. PST |
A votre service mon ami!. (smile) Amicalement Armand
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Oberlindes Sol LIC | 21 Dec 2018 2:24 p.m. PST |
The M113 with Saladin turret is a common diecast metal and plastic toy in the USA. |
Legion 4 | 22 Dec 2018 8:31 a.m. PST |
I know GHQ makes it … as I posted … |
chironex | 05 Jan 2019 6:16 p.m. PST |
I also have a 1/72 plastic one by Airfix (former J-B Models). link link And, back O/T… link |
poiter50 | 05 Jan 2019 9:39 p.m. PST |
Two of my room mates at Pucka went to the Cent driver's course while I went to the M113 D&S course. They said their legs were so strong from those gear changes with the old non synchro gear boxes. |
Legion 4 | 08 Jan 2019 9:19 a.m. PST |
I'm pretty such an M113 was a bit easier to drive than a Centurion … |
poiter50 | 09 Jan 2019 1:01 a.m. PST |
Legion4, the M113 was a sports car for it's time. |
Legion 4 | 09 Jan 2019 8:58 a.m. PST |
Yes it was ! I commanded an M113 Mech Co. '87-'89, in a Mech Bde of the 18th ABN Corps. But by that time she was showing her age. But very easy to use & maintain. |
poiter50 | 09 Jan 2019 9:08 p.m. PST |
I trained in 71, served in a unit in 71-72 but our bush time was limited, think I spent more time on ceremonial guard than in a track. |
Legion 4 | 10 Jan 2019 8:43 a.m. PST |
Thank you for your service. |
deadhead | 02 Apr 2019 3:00 a.m. PST |
How interesting to read the difference in penetration between the RPG-2 (did not apply) and RPG-7 (ouch). Great article. Makes a nice change from interminable Napoleonics for me!
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Legion 4 | 02 Apr 2019 7:34 a.m. PST |
The RPG 7 was much improved over the RPG 2. At the time, the RPG 2 was better than nothing. But the RPG 7 was respected and "feared" by AFVs, etc. It would chew up an M113 … |