HALL OF MEMORIES PUKEAHU NATIONAL WAR

MEMORIAL PARKWELLINGTON

SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2019

V I E T N A M V E T E R A N S ’ D A Y 2 0 1 9

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New Zealand and the Vietnam War

The Vietnam War was the last, longest and most controversial of the five major wars in which New Zealand was involved in the 20th century. Between June 1964 and December 1972, more than 3000 New Zealand military personnel served in South Vietnam. Thirty-seven died while on active service and 187 were wounded. In addition, about 300 New Zealand civilians, including members of a surgical team and Red Cross and Save the Children workers, went to help the people of South Vietnam; two New Zealand civilians lost their lives.

While New Zealand’s commitment and losses in Vietnam were modest, especially compared with the two world wars, the conflict had a political and cultural impact that far outweighed the numbers involved.

The roots of the war lay in the Vietnamese people’s nationalist resistance to French rule, the impact of the Second World War, which shook the foundations of European colonial power in Asia, and Cold War rivalry between the West and the Soviet-led communist bloc. Following France’s defeat in the Indochina War of 1945–54, two Vietnamese states emerged, ‘temporarily’ divided along the 17th Parallel. Soon, the communist Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam), supported by the Soviet Union and China, and ‘Viet Cong’ insurgents in the south, was at war with the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), which was backed by the United States. The conflict eventually ended with the defeat of the southern regime in April 1975 and the establishment, in July 1976, of a unified state, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The human cost was horrendous: more than 1.4 million soldiers and perhaps 2.6 million civilians died during the war.

The New Zealand government, led throughout the 1960s by National Party Prime Minister Keith Holyoake, shared American concerns about communist expansion in Asia, but was cautious in its approach to Vietnam. Unlike Australia, which sent a small team of military advisers in 1962, New Zealand initially limited its assistance to the provision of a civilian surgical team. Led by Dr Michael Shackleton, this team arrived in April 1963. For the next 12 years it operated quietly but effectively at Qui Nhon in Binh Dinh province.

In response to continuing American pressure, New Zealand agreed to provide a small non-combatant military force. In June 1964, 25 Army

Cover image: New Zealand soldiers with North Vietnamese flag (Noel Bell)

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In January 1971, as the Americans emphasised the ‘Vietnamisation’ of the war’s conduct, New Zealand contributed an army training team of 25 personnel. A second 18-man team (including two RNZN personnel), was provided in March 1972. In the meantime, Australian and New Zealand combat forces were gradually withdrawing from Vietnam. The first New Zealand unit to go was W Company, in November 1970, followed by the SAS troop (February 1971) and artillery battery (May 1971). New Zealand’s combat involvement ended in December 1971 with the withdrawal of V Company and the Services Medical Team. The army training teams followed 12 months later. The civilian surgical team left in March 1975, a month before New Zealand’s ambassador to South Vietnam departed on the last RNZAF flight out of Saigon.

Vietnam has always stood apart from New Zealand’s other 20th century military experiences, for a number of reasons. In contrast to previous conflicts, New Zealand did not raise an expeditionary force of volunteers, relying instead on its existing regular forces. For the first time, this country found itself on the losing side in an overseas conflict, even if the end came several years after its troops’ withdrawal. This war also became highly controversial at home, arousing domestic passions and opposition not seen during other 20th-century conflicts; by the end of the 1960s thousands of New Zealanders were marching in protest. Many returning veterans felt a deep sense of frustration and hurt that their service – undertaken with characteristic skill and dedication – was regarded with ambivalence or, in some cases, hostility.

Vietnam was also significant as the first overseas war in which New Zealand did not fight alongside its traditional ally, Great Britain. Instead, our participation reflected our increasingly strong defence ties with the United States and Australia. Indeed, Vietnam saw a reaffirmation of the Anzac relationship, with New Zealand and Australian troops serving together in integrated Anzac units for the first time since the First World War.

engineers arrived in South Vietnam. They worked on reconstruction projects such as road and bridge building until they were withdrawn in July 1965.

New Zealand combat involvement in Vietnam began in mid-1965. In May that year the government agreed to provide a four-gun field artillery battery of approximately 120 men, and 161 Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery (RNZA), arrived in Saigon in July. On 18 August 1966 the Kiwi gunners played a key role in assisting Australian infantry during the Battle of Long Tan, in which 18 Australians were killed.

When in December 1966 Australia decided to expand its task force to brigade strength, New Zealand came under renewed pressure to increase its commitment. In April 1967, V (Victor) Company arrived in Vietnam from New Zealand’s infantry battalion in Malaysia, followed by W (Whiskey) Company in December. The New Zealand companies initially operated under the control of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR), but from March 1968 they integrated with the Australian battalion to form 2RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion. A similar arrangement existed with 4RAR after it relieved 2RAR in June 1968 and then successively with 6RAR, 2RAR and 4RAR until the end of the two countries’ combat commitment in December 1971.

During 1967–69 New Zealand added several other small units and groups of personnel. From April 1967 the 1st New Zealand Services Medical Team was based at Bong Son in Binh Dinh province. The following year New Zealand’s humanitarian efforts in that province were augmented by Red Cross and Save the Children teams, while New Zealand Red Cross field workers also served in the 1st Australian Field Hospital in Vung Tau.

In July 1967, an RNZAF pilot was attached to 9 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, which operated Iroquois helicopters from Vung Tau; two more were provided in 1968. From December 1968, two forward air controllers served with the 7th US Air Force. The RNZAF also used its transport aircraft to support the commitment in Vietnam throughout New Zealand’s involvement.

In December 1968, a 26-man Special Air Service (SAS) troop arrived in Vietnam, raising the strength of New Zealand’s military force to its peak of 548 men.

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Treating a wounded VC (Noel Bell)

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NATIONAL ANTHEMThe New Zealand National Anthem is sung by Anon Vocal Ensemble (all to accompany)

PLEASE BE SEATED

OPENING PRAYERChaplain Class Three Hamish Kirk, RNZChD

PROLOGUERear Admiral David Ledson ONZM (Rtd)Chair, National War Memorial Advisory Council

COMMEMORATIVE ADDRESSThe Honourable Tracey Martin

Anon Vocal Ensemble sings “God Be In My Head” – John Rutter

HISTORICAL READINGBrigadier Ian Duthie CNZM (Rtd)

PRAYERChaplain Class Three Hamish Kirk, RNZChD

ORDER OF SERVICE

ARRIVALOfficial guests are welcomed by Rear Admiral David Ledson ONZM (Rtd), Chair, National War Memorial Advisory Council; Bernadette Cavanagh, Chief Executive, Ministry for Culture and Heritage; Brigadier Evan Williams, Deputy Chief of Army; Bukit Hill, National Vice-President, Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association; and Nicola Willis MP, representing the Leader of the Opposition

RESPECTS PAID AT THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN WARRIORWhakamaharatanga, the Remembrance Bell, tolls as the official party pay their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior

Remembrance Bell tolls four times

KARANGAHoniana Love, supported by Peter Jackson, Taranaki Whānui

Presentations in the foyer follow

PLEASE STAND

PROCESSIONALRangimarie, the Peace Bell, tolls as the official party processes into the Hall of Memories

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Niamh Lawlesson behalf of the New Zealand Red Cross Team

Trevor Appleton on behalf of the Royal New Zealand Naval Association

Air Commodore Terence Gardiner ONZM (Rtd)on behalf of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Association

Simone LenoraGabriella Williams representing the youth of New Zealand

Bukit Hillon behalf of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association

During the wreath laying Anon Vocal Ensemble sings from the rear of the Hall of Memories (“If Ye Love Me” – Thomas Tallis and “Abide With Me” – William Henry)

PLEASE STAND

LAYING OF WREATHSWreaths are laid by the following:

The Honourable Tracey Martinon behalf of the Government and People of New Zealand

Nicola Willis MPon behalf of the Leader of the Opposition

Lindsay Skinneron behalf of the Vietnam Veterans Association

His Excellency Jesus Domingoon behalf of the Government and People of the Republic of the Philippines

His Excellency Scott Brownon behalf of the Government and People of the United States of America

Her Excellency Hon Patricia Forsytheon behalf of the Government and People of the Commonwealth of Australia

Brigadier Evan Williamson behalf of the New Zealand Defence Force and their families

Councillor Peter Gilberdon behalf of the City of Wellington

Dennis Montgomeryon behalf of the New Zealand Surgical Team

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ONE MINUTE SILENCE

THE ROUSE

BUGLERThe New Zealand flag, on the forecourt, is raised to full mast head

BENEDICTION AND DISMISSALChaplain Class Three Hamish Kirk, RNZChD, delivers the Benediction and Dismissal

RECESSIONALThe official party process to the foyer

In the foyer, the Honourable Tracey Martin and Lindsay Skinner sign the Visitors’ Book

FLORAL TRIBUTES LAID ON THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN WARRIORThe Honourable Tracey Martin and Lindsay Skinner place their floral tributes on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior

Veterans and guests may place poppies on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior

ROLL OF HONOURMajor Peter Stitt (Rtd) reads the Roll of Honour of New Zealand military casualties, the name of the New Zealand Surgical Team casualty and the name of the New Zealand Red Cross Team casualty

THE COMMEMORATION

THE LAST POSTThe Bugler sounds the Last Post. Uniformed personnel salute

The New Zealand flag is lowered to half mast on the Forecourt

The ODEWOSCS Jack Rudolph

E kore rātou e kaumātuatia Pēnei i a tātou kua mahue nei E kore hoki rātou e ngoikore Ahakoa pēhea i ngā āhuatanga o te wā

I te hekenga atu o te rā Tae noa ki te aranga mai i te ata Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou

Response: Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou

Bukit Hill, RNZRSA

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemnAt the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them

Response: We will remember them

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Platoon changeover (Alastair MacKenzie)

The National Commemorative Service was arranged by the Visits and Ceremonial Office, Department of Internal Affairs, in partnership with the

Ministry for Culture and Heritage, the New Zealand Defence Force, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Protocol Division), and the Royal New Zealand

Returned and Services’ Association