Ready To Fight In Vietnam

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31134, 10 August 1966, Page 15

Ready To Fight In Vietnam

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY, August 9. A naturalised Australian is organising a Croatian regiment to fight for Australia in Vietnam.

The Croatian move comes in the face of protests by other migrant communities regarding the possibility of aliens being called up for national service. The man behind the move is Mr Frederick Hume, who manages a private detective agency. He said today that since he had put the idea to Croatians a week ago already 100 men between the ages of 20 and 30 had volunteered for service in Vietnam. “But we hope to have 1000 volunteers before we

approach the Government to sanction the plan,” he said. “We would like to send a complete Croatian regiment under Australian officers. “If this is not possible, then we are ready to be mixed into the Australian forces,” he added. Jugoslav Trained Mr Hume said that most of the volunteers already had undergone compulsory military training in Jugoslavia. “Many havo kept up their

i training here,” he said. “It would be a strange twist of fate if the training the Communists gave us would be used against them.” Already, Croatian leaders in other States have been approached and are now canvassing for volunteers. “We are certain we could get thousands if we wanted, but as soon as we reach something like 1000 signatures the petition will be presented to Parliament,” Mr Hume said.