Chronology of the War in Vietnam
1950: Nationalist leader Ho Chi Minh, who had trained in the Soviet Union but received aid from the US to fight the Japanese during World War II, declares on 14 January, that the Democratic Republic of Vietnam is the only legal government, recognised by the Soviet Union and China. Australia supports French-sponsored government of Emperor Bao Dai. US provides military and economic aid to French in Indochina.
1954: French defeated by Viet Minh at Dien Bien Phu on 7 May after a 55-day siege. The defeat signals an end to French presence in Indochina.
1955: US begins to funnel aid directly to Saigon Government and agrees to train South Vietnamese Army.
1957: In September, South Vietnam's President Ngo Dinh Diem visits Australia. Menzies Government reaffirms support.
1960: Hanoi leaders form National Liberation Front for South Vietnam on 20 December, which Saigon regime dubs "Viet Cong", meaning Communist Vietnamese.
1961: On November 17, US Government seeks an indication through diplomatic channels of Australia's willingness to assist in Vietnam.
1962: On May 24, Australia's Minister for Defence, Athol Townley, announces 30 military advisers will be go to Vietnam.
1963:
An adviser, William Francis Hacking, becomes first Australian to die in
Vietnam on June 1.
On
November 1, Vietnam's President Diem and his brother Ngo Dinh Nhu murdered
in military coup with foreknowledge of US government, Lyndon Johnson becomes
US president after assassination of John F. Kennedy.
On
November 22, Johnson announces US will continue support of South Vietnam.
By
year's end, 15,000 US military advisers are serving in Vietnam, which in
this year receives $500 million in US aid.
1964:
In June, Prime Minister Menzies visits Washington where talks centre on
Vietnam.
Following
a reported attack on US ships in Tonkin Gulf, US Congress, on August 7,
passes Tonkin Gulf Resolution, giving President Johnson extraordinary powers
to act In South East Asia.
On
November 10, Australian government introduces barrel lottery conscription
for two years National Service. Opposition to the war in Vietnam is not
accepted as reason for exemption.
1965:
On April 29, Menzies Government announces that combat troops will go to
Vietnam; the 1st Infantry Battalion leaves in June.
In
September, Morgan Gallup Poll finds 56 per cent of those polled were in
favour of continuing the war in Vietnam. A demonstration against the war
in Sydney, on October 22, results in 65 arrests.
1966:
Harold Holt succeeds Menzies as Prime Minister on January 26.
On
March 8 he announces that the commitment of troops to Vietnam will be stepped
up and will include conscripts. In Washington, Holt pledges to go "all
the way with LBJ" on June 30.
On
May 24, Errol Wayne Noack becomes the first conscript to die in Vietnam.
Conscientious objector William White, 21, a teacher from Sydney, refuses
to report as a National Serviceman on July 18 1968. After losing two battles
for exemption, he is sacked and appears in court, on August 3, where it
is ruled he should do "National Service training of a non-combatant nature".
He appeals. Eighteen Australians and about 250 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese
soldiers die at battle of Long Tan on August 18.
Morgan
Gallup Poll on November 19 finds that 63 per cent favour conscription,
but only 37 per cent favour sending "nashos" to Vietnam.
1967:
In May, Morgan Gallup Poll finds 52 per cent favour continuing the war
in Vietnam. Harold Holt drowns on November 17.
In
this year the US drops 800,000 tonnes of bombs on Vietnam.
1968:
John Grey Gorton sworn in as Prime Minister on January 10.
On
January 31, Tet Offensive begins as Viet Cong and North Vietnamese troops
attack South Vietnamese cities and towns. Despite huge losses, Tet proves
a propaganda coup for the Viet Cong and a turning point in the war.
On
February 12, Gorton indicates that Australia will not increase its commitment
to Vietnam.
Massacre
of civilians by US soldiers at My Lai village on March 16, at least 450
unarmed people are killed.
March
31, US President Johnson orders partial halt of bombing of North Vietnam
and announces he will not seek re-election in May. In Australia National
Service Act amended to impose two-year civil jail term for draft evaders.
On
October 14 1969, John Zarb, 21, the first person to be found guilty of
having failed to comply with his call up notice is convicted in Melbourne
and sentenced to two years jail. He loses his appeal to the full High Court
on November 25, 1968. He served 10 months and seven days in Pentridge Gaol
before his release on grounds of the distress his imprisonment caused his
family.
By
year's end, US forces in Vietnam total 536,000 with 14,592 killed in combat
in this year alone.
1969:
In August, Morgan Gallup Poll finds 55 per cent want Australians brought
home from Vietnam.
On
September 3, Ho Chi Minh dies in Hanoi, aged 79.
US
Gallup Poll finds, October 4, that 58 per cent of Americans believe the
war in Vietnam was a mistake.
Massive
anti-war demonstration in Washington, October 15.
1970:
On April 22. Australian Government announces that a battalion will be withdrawn
from Vietnam.
As
large anti-war demonstrations spread across the US, National Guardsmen
kill four students at Kent State University in Ohio, on May 4.
On
May 8, about 120,000 people throughout Australia demonstrate for an end
to the war. The biggest of the moratorium marches is in Melbourne, where
70,000 people occupy the streets.
On
September 18, about 100,000 people throughout Australia take part in a
second moratorium.
1971:
William McMahon replaces Gorton as Liberal leader and Prime Minister on
March 10.
The
third and last of the big anti-war rallies occurs on June 30, about 110,000
demonstrate in state capitals.
On
August 18, McMahon announces that most Australian troops will be home by
Christmas. Last major withdrawal of Australian troops from Vietnam is on
December 17.
1972:
Australian Labour Party elected to Government on December 2.
Conscription
ends on December 5, draft resisters released from jail and pending prosecutions
for draft resistance dropped.
On
December 8, last Australian troops leave Vietnam as US president Nixon
orders renewed bombing of Hanol-Haiphong area saying the US will bomb North
Vietnam to the peace table.
1973:
On January 23, Nixon announces agreement has been reached for "peace with
honour". Ceasefire begins on January 27.
On
February 26, Prime Minister Gough Whitlam announces establishment of diplomatic
relations with Hanoi, but retains recognition of South Vietnam's Government.
Last US troops leave Vietnam on March 29.
1974: South Vietnam's president Nguyen Van Thieu declares, on January 4, that war has begun again.
1975:
In Cambodia, Phnom Penh falls to Khmer Rouge, April 17.
Australia
closes its embassy in Saigon, completing withdrawal from Vietnam on April
25, Anzac Day.
Communist
forces capture Saigon as the last Americans leave in scenes of panic and
confusion, on April 30.
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