Australia and the War in Vietnam 1960-1966 (Australia dan Perang di Vietnam 1960-1966)

Abstract

This article analyses the Australian involvement in the conflict in Indochina.  The involvement of the Australian defence forces in Vietnam was a departure from its ‘normal’ overseas missions such as in World War I and, prior to 1955 in the Middle East as it did not involve British forces.  The Australians now worked independently with the United States without interference from its traditional ally, Britain.  Apart from the two World Wars, the Vietnam War was the most serious military commitment in Australia’s history with, at the peak period, more than 8000 troops involved.  It was also the third most expensive in terms of casualties. The Vietnam conflict presented a venue for the American-Australian alliance to work closely in Southeast Asia.  Both countries found a common enemy in this conflict, the Communists.  It is important to analyse the alliance’s influence on Australian involvement in Vietnam.  To what extent did the Americans influence Australia’s involvement in Vietnam?  Did Australia become involved in this conflict because the American asked it to be involved or was its involvement based on its own national interest?  These questions have been continuously debated by scholars. This article found out that Australia fully supported the US military involvement in this conflict as it needed the US to commit its military and gave more focus on the Communist expansionism into Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysian and Indonesian areas.