Did any British Forces Serve In Vietnam?

[rpawloski]

British troops serving in Vietnam - not in units but as individuals with Australian and New Zealand units, exchange officers with USN and USMC aviation, and as MERC's.

 

[retread2]

I have recently come across this Int report amongst my relics.

Technically I think that would today be called a Supplementary Intelligence Report or SUPINTREP. Regardless, it is fascinating and TVM for posting it.

 

[Saturation]

Technically I think that would today be called a Supplementary Intelligence Report or SUPINTREP. Regardless, it is fascinating and TVM for posting it.

I have more of that type of thing from that era and will post them as I find them before I throw them out.

 

[retread2]

I have more of that type of thing from that era and will post them as I find them before I throw them out.

Please don't throw them out - there is the Australian Intelligence Corps museum where I am at the moment and that would be the perfect home for these docs. I'll PM you a POC and address tomorrow.

 

[Saturation]

OK
Here is another one.
The Badcoe Club rules.
I have had to do this in two parts as the file is too large.
Part 1.

 

[Saturation]

Part2.

 

[Retd_crab]

Don’t know if it has been said previously..
According to Bernard FALL - a street without joy
A British Colonel was killed in an attack against Thanh-Phu island 17-19 jan 1963

 

[exspy]

Don’t know if it has been said previously..
According to Bernard FALL - a street without joy
A British Colonel was killed in an attack against Thanh-Phu island 17-19 jan 1963

Calling @chippymick, come in please.

 

[yank_eyetie]

Don’t know if it has been said previously..
According to Bernard FALL - a street without joy
A British Colonel was killed in an attack against Thanh-Phu island 17-19 jan 1963

See post #164 of this thread,

 

[Cutaway]

Don’t know if it has been said previously..
According to Bernard FALL - a street without joy
A British Colonel was killed in an attack against Thanh-Phu island 17-19 jan 1963

Seven times now, but as Septicspic says, it's in #164 by @chippymick :

Dear Cpunk.

Wing Commander Allan Lee was killed in Action 18th January 1963.

It is referenced in Bernard Fall's 'Street without joy' on page 364. as follows:

âAttack against VCâs Thanh-Phu Island stronghold in the Mekong Delta. Two helicopters with US crews destroyed; one British colonel killed.â


Fall misidentifies Lee as a Colonel, but close enough. I seem to recall reading somewhere that Lee was attached to DARPA. Also confirmed here


flyarmy.org


He met all the criteria for the award of the 1962 GSM with clasp South Vietnam as per the Royal Warrant. That is:

for service in South Vietnam from the 24th December 1962 to 28th May 1964.

Qualifying service are: 30 days service in ships employed in operations on inland waters and/or off the coast of Vietnam, one day or more on the posted strength of a unit on Land, one operational sortie, or 30 days for offical visits etc.

The usual concession is made regarding termination of service from death, wounds or an award of a gallantry decoration.

You can send my 50 quid here

Regards

Mick

 

[Dave-the-rave]

I saw a photo once of Paddy Ashdown briefing RM troops in Vietnam.

 

[Graculus]

I saw a photo once of Paddy Ashdown briefing RM troops in Vietnam.

Borneo surely?

 

[Dave-the-rave]

Borneo surely?

Could have been. The pic was labelled Vietnam but who knows.

 

[naguere]

I worked 'Long time Hong Kong' and saw the U.S. troops arrive for R&R, my how they earned it and HK did it's best for them.

 

[overopensights]

I once worked with an ex RN type who had a "VIETNAM" bar on his GSM.

His ship most probably passed through the 'Bay of Tonkin?
I have an RN mate who has a Radfan clasp to His 1962 GSM. He was at sea and his RN ship fired on desert targets.

 

[yank_eyetie]

The link here takes you to a PhD thesis on the history of the New Zealand SAS. Definitely worth a read, and it helps debunk the "British SAS seconded to Australian/New Zealand SAS" myth.

https://mro.massey.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10179/1242/02whole.pdf

 

[Linview]

I was a Vietnam vet

But there is not much call for spaying cats on the Mekong Delta

 

[exspy]

I was a Vietnam vet

But there is not much call for spaying cats on the Mekong Delta

You are Sacha Baron Cohen and I claim my five Kazikis!

 

[combatintman]

The link here takes you to a PhD thesis on the history of the New Zealand SAS. Definitely worth a read, and it helps debunk the "British SAS seconded to Australian/New Zealand SAS" myth.

https://mro.massey.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10179/1242/02whole.pdf

Looks like an interesting read - cheers for posting this.

 

[jumpinjarhead]

I worked 'Long time Hong Kong' and saw the U.S. troops arrive for R&R, my how they earned it and HK did it's best for them.

Had great R&R in HK--fond memories of Royal HK Yacht Club sailing Bombardiers over in Repulse Bay and bought my GMT Master at the old China Fleet Club.