HMAS Sydney
After the Australian Government committed an infantry battalion to the Vietnam War in April 1965. It necessitated heavy sealift and fast troop transport. The best solution was the former aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney (III) which had been refitted earlier to transport troops, equipment and aid to Malaysia during Confrontation.
Sydney sailed from Port Jackson in May 1965 with the men and equipment of 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, bound for the Vietnamese port of Vũng Tàu. It completed some 24 voyages to Vietnam and became known as the ‘Vung Tau Ferry’.
- About HMAS Sydney (lll)
Sydney was a Majestic Class, Aircraft Carrier/Fast Troop Transport. She was to be the first 'flat top' aircraft carrier operated by the RAN. Sydney sailed from Garden Island on 25 July to begin several months of exercising in the Tasman Sea. Her crew had to master conducting flying operations. Daylight operations, nighttime operations as well as launching and recovering aircraft in varying sea states and weather conditions were a necessary part of ensuring that the RAN's new carrier was prepared future operations. This pattern of exercises continued throughout the remainder of 1949 and into 1950.
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- Additional resources for HMAS Sydney (lll)
