NZ artillery opens fire in Vietnam

161 Battery, stationed at Bien Hoa air base near Saigon, opened fire on a Viet Cong position in support of the American 173rd Airborne Brigade.

Between June 1964 and December 1972 more than 3000 New Zealand military personnel served in South Vietnam. At its peak in 1968 the New Zealand force numbered 543. Thirty-seven men died while on active service and 187 were wounded.

This was the first war in which New Zealand did not fight alongside its traditional ally, the United Kingdom. Instead, our participation reflected this country’s increasingly strong defence ties with the United States and Australia.

New Zealand’s involvement in Vietnam was highly controversial and attracted protest and condemnation at home and abroad. Opposed by a growing number of young New Zealanders, this country’s participation in the conflict triggered a re-examination of our foreign policy and identity.

New Zealand’s National government was cautious in its approach to Vietnam. The first response was to send a New Zealand Civilian Surgical Team in 1963. Under continuing US pressure, the government provided 25 army engineers in June 1964. They were engaged in reconstruction projects such as road- and bridge-building.

The crucial decision to send combat forces was made in May 1965. The Royal New Zealand Artillery’s 161 Battery was dispatched to South Vietnam, replacing the Engineers in July. The Battery was initially under the command of the US Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade, based at Bien Hoa. From June 1966 it served with Royal Australian Artillery field regiments based at Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy Province, east of Saigon. The battery remained in Vietnam until May 1971.