The 5 RAR Association in cooperation with the Australian National University Press have recently published a new book titled “Vietnam Vanguard – The 5th Battalion’s Approach to Counter Insurgency 1966”. The book recounts 5 RAR’s insertion into Vietnam as the initial major unit of the 1st Australian Task Force, the securing of Nui Dat and major offensive operations conducted throughout 1966. The attached flyers in short and longer version give additional background.
The book comprises 456 pages including 17 chapters written by 33 contributing authors, 7 appendices, 44 photographs, 13 maps and 3 diagrams in full colour. The co-editors, Professor Robert O’Neill AO and Brigadier Ron Boxall (Retd) are 5 RAR veterans. Vietnam Vanguard was launched at the 5 RAR 55th anniversary reunion on the Gold Coast on 2 March by Major-General Stuart Smith AO, DSC (Retd) who is the son of a 5 RAR member killed-in-action on the battalion’s second tour of Vietnam.
Vietnam Vanguard can be read free on line or purchased in hard copy for $55 plus postage. The following link will take you direct to the book. https://press.anu.edu.au/publications/vietnam-vanguard
