RAN HFV pilots ceased flying combat missions in Vietnam and the maintenance section were stood down on the same day. The next few days were spent packing and saying goodbye ...
On This Day
Australian Naval History on 4 June 1971
HMAS BRISBANE, (guided missile destroyer), participated in the repatriation of North Vietnamese POW’s in the demilitarised zone of Vietnam. Only 13 of the 570 POW’s expressed a wish to return ...
Australian Naval History on 29 May 1971
HMAS BRISBANE, (guided missile destroyer), destroyed enemy bunkers and mortar positions during a bombardment of the De-Militarised Zone in Vietnam. ...
Australian Naval History on 21 May 1971
HMAS Hawk, Curlew and Snipe deploy to Papua New Guinea to conduct a Mine Warfare Pilotage Survey and South West Pacific deployment during which they provided aid to the civil ...
Australian Naval History on 10 May 1971
RAN Clearance Diving Teams completed their service in Vietnam. Between February 1967 and May 1971, they carried out the following operations:- searched 7573 ships for mines and other underwater explosive ...
Australian Naval History on 28 April 1971
CAC Aermacchi MB-326H N14-078 crashed at Sussex Inlet, as a result of losing control during an inverted spin over the ocean. The crew, Lieutenant Errol Kavanagh, RAN and Lieutenant Peter ...
Australian Naval History on 14 April 1971
RADM W. J. Dovers, CBE, DSC, was appointed Flag Officer Commanding Her Majesty’s Australian Fleet. ...
Australian Naval History on 9 April 1971
The guided missile destroyer, HMAS BRISBANE, (CAPT R. G. Loosli, RAN), sank a Viet Cong sampan and destroyed several bunkers and a bridge, while in action off Phouc Tuy. ...
Australian Naval History on 5 April 1971
The guided missile destroyer HMAS BRISBANE, (CAPT R. G. Loosli, RAN), commenced her second deployment to Vietnam by shelling enemy bunkers and supply trails in the Long Hai hills. ...
Australian Naval History on 1 April 1971
The first long service and good conduct medals were awarded to native sailors of the Papua New Guinea Division of the RAN. ...
Australian Naval History on 12 February 1971
RADM H. B. Farncomb, CB, DSO, MVO, an original entry of the Royal Australian Naval College, and the first graduate to reach the rank of Captain, died in Sydney. ...
Australian Naval History on 8 February 1971
HMAS Snipe was recommissioned as a Minehunter ...
Australian Naval History on 25 January 1971
HMAS Barbette in company with HMAS Bayonet departed Sydney for their new home port at Cairns. They were later joined by HMAS Barricade. The three boats were greeted warmly on ...
Australian Naval History on 17 January 1971
HMAS PERTH, (guided missile destroyer), fired on Viet Cong ambush sites at An Xuyen, Vietnam, inflicting casualties. ...
Australian Naval History on 30 December 1970
Helicopters flown by the RAN Helicopter Flight operated from an advanced landing zone at Chau Lang, in Chau Doc Province, to strike at strong Viet Cong forces. The landing zone ...
Australian Naval History on 25 December 1970
HMAS PERTH, (guided missile destroyer), withdrew from the fire line off Vietnam and celebrated Christmas Day at Hong Kong. During the day the ship was visited by the Minister for ...
Australian Naval History on 24 December 1970
Gunships of the RAN Helicopter Flight in Vietnam operated as a security force over a South Vietnamese military camp in the Ca Mau Peninsula, during a Christmas visit by President ...
Australian Naval History on 21 December 1970
HMAS PERTH, (guided missile destroyer), engaged in a counter-battery duel with Viet Cong guns in the Long Hai hills, Vietnam. ...
Australian Naval History on 17 December 1970
HMA Ships AITAPE and LADAVA, (patrol boats), navigated a record 497 miles on the Fly River, New Guinea. ...
Australian Naval History on 15 December 1970
The following gallantry awards were announced for RAN personnel who served in the Helicopter Flight in Vietnam. DSC LCDR D. A. Farthing DFC LEUT P. L. Clark DFC LEUT R. ...
Australian Naval History on 11 December 1970
HMAS PERTH, (guided missile destroyer), shelled Viet Cong in the field, and destroyed a mobile wireless van. ...
Australian Naval History on 4 December 1970
There was an extraordinary act of flying skill by Lieutenant Buchanan, RAN, and his crew for which the Australian pilot was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. While engaged in the ...
Australian Naval History on 3 December 1970
The Australian supply ship JEPARIT arrived at Vung Tau, Vietnam, on her 33rd voyage. HMAS PERTH, (guided missile destroyer), provided supporting gunfire to the US 135th Assault Helicopter Company, when ...
Australian Naval History on 24 November 1970
HMAS Adroit on SAR duties in company with HMAS Aware assisted in an attempt to salvage a ditched helicopter from HMAS Albatross after a Westland Wessex HAS.31A N7-201 881 crashed ...
Australian Naval History on 23 November 1970
ADML Sir Victor Smith, OA, KBE, CB, DSC, RAN, was appointed Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee. ADML Smith was the first graduate of the Royal Australian Naval College ...