Australia Committing Battalion To Vietnam

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30738, 30 April 1965, Page 11

Australia Committing Battalion To Vietnam

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

CANBERRA, April 29.

The Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies, announced tonight that Australia would provide an infantry battalion for service in South Vietnam.

It had decided to do so after considering a request by the Government of South Vietnam for more Australian military aid, Sir Robert Menzies said.

The United States had been told in advance of the Australian decision, Sir Robert Menzies told the House of Representatives. He read a letter from President Johnson thanking Australia for its support. President Johnson said the Australian action proved once again the deep ties between Australia and America in the defence of freedom in Southeast Asia. The decision to send a battalion to South Vietnam was in the best possible interests of defence in all South-east Asia.

Sir Robert Menzies said: “There can be no doubt of the gravity of the situation in South Vietnam.

“There is ample evidence to show that with the support of the North Vietnamese regime and other Communist powers, the Viet Cong has

been preparing, on a more substantial scale than before, insurgency action designed to destroy the South Vietnamese Government’s control.” He said it was Australia’s judgment that the decision to commit a battalion was the most useful additional contribution Australia could make to the defence of the region. Australia has about 100 advisers already in South Vietnam. The Defence Minister, Senator Shane Paltridge, said the battalion would be the Ist Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. The battalion would be deployed with United States forces to secure specific areas in South Vietnam.

Senator Paltridge said the battalion had undergone rigorous training and preparation for operation in Southeast Asia.

A number of officers and N.C.O.'s in the battalion had seen active service in World War 11 and in Korea and the Malayan emergency. The commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Brumsfield, had served in both Korea and Malaya. The strength of the battalion was about 800.