Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam?
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| Name: Spanner
E-mail: None Date: 17/12/2005 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Possibly When serving with 61HQ SQN, RE, part of 36 Engr Regt, at Maidstone in the early/mid-'70s I heard of a Sergeant in one of the Field Squadrons, possible 60, though it might have been 20 or 50, who was reputed to have been on an exchange tour with the Aussie Sappers and went over to Viet Nam "for the ride" and stayed there for several weeks. |
| Name: CL
E-mail: None Date: 10/12/2005 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Possibly Perhaps someone can express an opinion on the credibility of the poster to this British discussion forum "This is London", sponsored by the Evening Standard. He uses the name "davidvic" and claims that he, a British officer, was a combat advisor in Vietnam and that five of his friends, presumably British colleagues, were killed there: |
| Name: Komene
E-mail: Komene Date: 22/11/2005 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: No The war involving the USA,Australia and NZ in South Vietnam the clasp on the S Vietnam Issued Medal is 1960 indicating what the South Vietnamese Govt considered the start point but there is NO END DATE-No SV Govt 1975.I am a Veteran who served with the New Zealand Army based at Nui Dat,SV. We were part of the 1st Aus.Task Force,attached to 2RAR known as the ANZAC Bn.Due to all our countries forces,close involvement in Malaya as part of the 28th Commonwealth Brigade and then Britain's downsizing of units in Malayasia after the Indonesian Insurgency (1966-7),a large number of (ex) British servicepersonnel joined the New Zealand or Australian Regular Forces,then got posted to active combat service in South Vietnam BUT under their new countries flag and payroll. There was a small British Unit (non active)in Saigon guarding the British Embassey only. There is a possibly of British Observers,especially from Jahor Baru Jungle Training School in Malaya (cross the causeway from Singapore),may have got an unoffically ride from Changi to Saigon.Most of our (NZ) supplies were flown regularly from Singapore (NeeSoon our new base after Terandak)in SE Asia.I am not certain of Aussie flight arrangements their combat soldiers left directly from Aus.We (kiwi) had a different approach to S Vietnam,prior (about 5 months) to our Tour of Duty,the NZ Infantry (1 RNZIR) company unwent training in Malaya and some of it was JB Jungle Trg Sch.Then 12months S.Vietnam.Our TOD return was to Singapore where we did jungle exercises with British Units(40&42 Commando Marines) as part of the new ANZUK Brigade.British Combats Unit in the Field - NO. Ex Brits with Aus/NZ - YES. Unoffical rides - Possibly very low because we were returning to the Brigade, LIVE with the updated jungle skills and combat experience for another 6 months before being posted home to NZ. |
| Name: Melvyn Bowler
E-mail: Melvyn Bowler Date: 22/11/2005 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes My understanding of the British Embassy Gurkha Guards was that they were serving personell, as they wore their uniforms and sidearms. During Tet 1968 I heard that the defence attache (whose name I forget)was rushing around Saigon with a car full of weapons, whether he used them I do not know. I personally know about the Gurkha Embassy Guards because I drank with them, the story about the Defence Attache I heard shortly after I arrived there. On visiting the Australian Surgical Team in Vung Tau the presence of the Royal Navy clearance divers appeared to be common knowledge, although I never met any of them. There were regular RAF flights from Singapore to keep the Embassy supplied, and to bring in medical equipment for the British Medical Team, which I worked for. Apart from that there was just the British Medical Team working in Cholon and 2 refugee camps and about 10 British Police Advisors to the Saigon Police. |
| Name: Jack Davy
E-mail: Jack Davy Date: 21/11/2005 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes There is evidence here of one British observer being killed in Vietnam in 1964. I don't believe there was extensive deployment, but it seems likely that individual personnel served in advisory capacities. http://www.flyarmy.org/incident/64011813.HTM This link shows that Wing Commander Allan H. Lee was killed on the 18/1/1964 in Vietnam, his death is also discussed here http://armyaircrews.proboards34.com/index.cgi?board=general although no conclusive evidence is given. |
| Name: Don
E-mail: Don Date: 18/10/2005 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes I used to be in 23 SAS. My troop seargeant trained the US forces in jungle warfare as part of an attachment os the Australian SAS. |
| Name: Bernie
E-mail: patricia dodd Date: 18/10/2005 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Possibly born in malasia....father served in sas military there. |
| Name: Bernie
E-mail: bernieonly1more@aol.com Date: 22/8/2005 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes I worked with an ex Royal Navy man who was training the Thai navy in the mid 60s. He said that he was on the boarder with Vietnam in a small craft which he was in charge off on a training exercise.There was a section of Royal Marine Commandos with him, and that they were fired upon from the shore of Vietnam. The Royals returned fire and pentrated about three clicks into the jungle, where they were involved in fire fight, wether it was VC or NVA he could not say. Can anyone shed any light on this as I since lost contact with person. |
| Name: Darren
E-mail: joruuscb@hotmail.com Date: 22/8/2005 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes My Grandfather served in the Armed Forces as a jungle warfare expert. He served in Malaya, subsequently training US units in "guerilla warfare", and also served time in Germany during the 1970's before retiring. As a child and teenager we talked extensively about his experiences, tricks of the trade and many other things. He was never one to embellish upon his tales, telling things as they happened without a worry for my young mind! His story was similar to those on here - being posted in Vietnam on the quiet, working alongside other forces there, with no equipment or papers that would identify him as a UK national. His role was one of observation - he was there to observe and record the effects of experimental ammunition (I don't the details) in use in combat. He was primarily stationed with US forces, which seems unusual looking at the other accounts here. |
| Name: Chris
E-mail: None Date: 18/7/2005 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes The information i have on this subject comes from a couple of people in the regimental association.(so yes, ex serving members of the regiment) The information they had gained is that, 93 members of the Australian SAS came to Hereford for a singnal exchange program, And 93 members of 22 Regiment SAS, went to Australia, as part of the same program, but ended up in Nam. I know it is a long story, but the same chap stated that he was one of them, and had his purple heart taken of of him when he arrived back in the UK. Also i have been told there is a book of GSMs given to the UK forces, and there is quite a few listed for this period(an oversight by the MOD?) So look it up, and let me know. Chris. |
| Name: Anonymous
E-mail: None Date: 18/7/2005 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes Father served in the Royal Navy and told me his ship shelled land targets in support of special ops (aussie?), in vietnam, wouldn't say much more tho. I believe him tho, served myself, and my father is not the sort to lie. |
| Name:
taff e
E-mail: forklift.truck@tesco.net Date: ? Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes 72 gsm,s were issued to british personnel with the south vietnam bar also i have a friend whos father served there whilst in 22 sas as an adviser to australian sas. |
| Name:
P.Kaiserman
E-mail: KAISERMAN@aol.com Date: ? Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes My pamphlet "Saigon '45 with the Japs in Vietnam" is now available at £1 per copy plus postage.In comemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on 2nd September. If you want the truth about British involvement in Vietnam. |
| Name:
Anonymous
E-mail: ? Date: ? Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes Conversation with RAF Parachute instructor who was there in a training role |
| Name:
Anonymous
E-mail: Date: ? Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes heard that british special forces served in Vietnam rescuing downed American fighter pilots. From what i have been told they worked in small close knitt teams patroling the rivers looking for downed pilots. However i don't know when or where these opperations took place! I hope you can shead some light on this topic and maybe digg a bitt deeper into the matter happy hunting. |
| Name:
Anonymous
E-mail: Date: 10/5/2005 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes Limited numbers of royal marines, swimmer-canoeists (no SBS at that time). Not all of them came back alive. I got this from a participating soldier who got to the end of his active service 6 months before the Falklands went down. He still carries the ghosts of this conflict and several other unpublished actions. |
| Name:
P.Kaiserman
E-mail: KAISERMAN6@aol.com Date: 01 April 2005 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes In addition to my recent comment on the subject of British involvment in Vietnam, I would recommend to anyone interested to buy a book titled UNPEOPLE by Mark Curtis. On page 233 you will find the following,"British officials were keen to get serving military officers into Vietnam to observe US operations but were fearful of the publicity. Therefore, Defence Secretary Dennis Healey suggested that the Embassy in Saigon could be used as a cover and two new assistant defence attache'posts were created. They began in 1966 and were still there two years later. These were seen as 'the only way of introducing extra British military personnel into Vietnam which could stand up to critical public comment in this country',the Foriegn Office noted." Chiefs of Staff Committee , 'Information on operations in Vietnam'18 January 1968. |
| Name:
TR
E-mail: Date: 01 April 2005 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes What a load of Rubbish "Annoymous" You Recieved your Clasp in 1989 That Statement is not true, Because South lost the war in 75 and the enemy communist forces took control and as in 89 saigon was still and is still VC controlled. That is like saying germany gave medals to english soldiers........LOL You are a Great fantasist as are most of the comments here. Kaisermans Comments are TRUE. |
| Name:
Kem
E-mail: Date: 20 March 2005 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes There were a few Military Police (MPs) who served at the British embassy in Saigon. These were the only Brits I ever met there in uniform |
| Name:
Daniel James
E-mail: Date: 19 March 2005 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes I believe that British "Special Forces" did get involved in Vietnam during the first few years. For example there were unusually more SAS squadrons absent from Hereford during these first few years of the conflict. Also British ex-SAS who had fought against the Malaysian Communists taught Army Rangers and Green Berets how to fight against communist insurgence and how to counter the guerrilla fighters. This is why the Phoenix program was deemed successful. |
| Name:
Anonymous
E-mail: Date: 19 Jan 2005 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes Denis Norman Cook served in the British SAS. He subsequently transferred to the Australian SAS and served in Vietnam. Either directly or indirectly members on the British SAS would have had a presence. |
| Name:
Barbara
E-mail: bjussun@hotmail.com Date: 18 Jan 2005 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Possibly I was in singapore from 1966-68, my father was serving in intelligence corps, he told me that he was teaching south vietnamese officers, at the end of their training I remember he hosted a dinner party for the group and they all signed the menu. |
| Name:
P.C.Kaiserman
E-mail: KAISERMAN6@aol.com Date: 13 Jan 2005 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes As a member of RAF Servicing Commando 3209, I landed at Saigon in a Tank landing craft on 10th October 1945.I served there until 6th February 1946. During that time I was involved in searches for arms in the villages around the City. I have written a 22 page pamphlet recording my experiences titled "Saigon '45: with the Japs in Vietnam". Obviously, I cannot put all of that into this short piece, but I think the following quote is of great importance, "Lord Mountbatten in 'Section E' of the report to the Combined Chiefs of Staff, made it quite clear that, "...on the 23rd September Major General Gracey had agreed with the French that they should carry out a coup de'tat ; and with his permission , they seized control of the administration of Saigon and the French Government was installed." p288 para 30. The Foreign Minister in the Vietnamese Government in Hanoi made the following protest to British Prime Minister Clement Attlee in a telegram on 26th September 1945. "The release of the French prisoners of war with arms and ammunition leading to the French attack on Saigon and the arrests of members of the People's committee constitutes a great violation of our national rights ...a non- fulfilment of the mission placed on the commander British forces in South Indo-China by the United Nations ...and non-observation of neutrality by the British disarmament forces . We therefore lodge a most emphatic protest against such smoke-screening of French aggression..." It is my opinion that the following American attack on Vietnam (1965-1975)was the direct result of the coup de' tat mentioned above. |
| Name:
Anonymous
E-mail: Date: Apr 30 2004 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes Inside the other ranks dinning area, at Sterling lines (which has now moved) there were many paintings of SAS personnel in various countries, with plaques stating which country and year, one if not more was Vietnam. |
| Name:
Peter Stiff
E-mail: galago@mweb.co.za Date: Apr 29 2004 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes I found this article by anonymous dated October 20 2003 suggesting that I was an SAS veteran who served in Vietnam. This is untrue. The information came from a book titled 'MI6 Fifty Years of Special Operations' by Stephen Dorril published by Fourth Estate London in 2000. This information has been corrected (I hope!) in subsequent editions. Dorril took this information from a book titled 'See you in November: The story of an SAS assassin'by Peter Stiff (myself), published in South Africa by Galago. It is about a SAS soldier with the nom de guerre of 'Taffy'. Dorril for some unknown reason wrote the information in his book as if I was Taffy. I am not. Taff, however did indeed serve in Vietnam with 22 SAS. Details of 'See you in November' can be found at www.galago.co.za. |
| Name:
Francis Arthur Rawlinson
E-mail: f.rawlinson@btopenworld.com Date: Apr 09 2004 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes Magazines at Buxton derbyshire uk annual bookfare mid 60s showed British troops in plain green dungerees,vendor may recall.Could have had missionary connotations prior US involvement.I recall going on leave(furloe)with an Aussie hat brim at the side turned up I was seconded to the Australian army may have used the name Simeon Brimlow? resided Celtic St Stockport Cheshire uk.Have suffered acute amnesia since then. Frank Rawlinson |
| Name:
Anonymous
E-mail: Date: Apr 09 2004 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Possibly The Autobiography by Sir Robert Thompson, Make for hills: Memories of Far Asian Wars, London, Leo Cooper 1989 Is already mentioned in you Vietnam Page. It also has a lot of information on Malaya and the Borneo campaigns including a comparison of troop numbers vis Borneo and Vietnam in the early 60s. I think a page on Sir Robert Thompson and the British Advisory Mission (BRIAM) would be of value as it is a well documented, HMG controlled, involvement in Vietnam. |
| Name:
Martok Armardaugh
E-mail: Date: Jan 14 2004 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes Although it seems that there were elements of the British Armed Forces taking an active role in Vietnam (not including the part being taken by them during the 1945/46 Campaign). The information that will follow, isn't a cert. but I am interested, and if anyone can elaborate on any true details that may emerge from this book with regards to the Labyrinthine Tunnel Systems and/or experiences of such, I, for one, would be grateful. (A series of books were published about the deeds of the SAS and SBS, and were written mostly as fiction firmly based on fact. "Soldier 'V' S.A.S. Into Vietnam" by Shaun Clarke) An excerpt of the blurb reads. "In June 1966, after completing final training for Vietnam on Exercise Traiim Nau in the jungles and swamps of New Guinea, 3 Squadron SAS (Australian Special Air Service) embarked by boat and plane from Australia to set up a Forward Operating Base in Phuoc Tuy province, a swampy hell of jungle and paddy fields forty-five miles east of Saigon. The Viet Cong main forces units had a series of bases in the jungle, and the political cadres controlled most of the villages. The Aussies were still working under these appalling conditions when three members of the legendary 22 SAS arrived secretly from Bradbury Lines, Hereford, to give assistance in what was to be a major assault against the Viet Cong. These three were Sergeant Jimmy 'Jimbo' Ashmen, who had been with the Regiment since its foundation in North Africa in 1941; Sergeant Richard 'Dead-eye Dick' Parker, who had previously fought in Malaya, Borneo and Aden; and Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick 'Paddy' Callaghan, who had been pulled out of administration specifically for this secret mission. Working side by side, Brits and Aussies forged themselves into a potent fighting machine which was tasked with the fearsome job of rooting the Viet Cong out of the labyrinthine tunnel system where they lived and died. |
| Name:
Martok Armardaugh
E-mail: Serj_Tankian@lycos.com Date: Jan 12 2004 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Possibly It is hard for one to decide whether British military forces did or did not serve in the Vietnam Conflict. It is true that the Brits were in Borneo at the time of the war. However, Borneo is not far from Indochina. Also, Australian and New Zealand forces served alongside of Americans. Wouldn't it seem strange that the British would not have tactical advisors and/or counter-insurgency operators from 22 SAS attached to the Australian ad New Zealand SAS? Let's not forget, Australia, for example, had not achieved it's indepedence from the U.K. at the point in time. However, the British really had no point in being in Vietnam. So it's a very tricky debate. My opinion is that the British probably did have SAS advisors and/or small units attached to the Commonwealth forces, but did not have any units over the size of a few platoons in Vietnam. Great job with the website; very informative, and very interesting. |
| Name:
Anonymous
E-mail: Date: Jan 11 2004 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Possibly Whilst at Sandhurst I was approached to serve as a mercenary commander with the NVA. It was a highly tempting offer, as the money offered was excellent-far better than one could hope to earn in the Rhodesian forces. However, i was ideologically opposed to my potential employers so declined. I reported it to the security staff at the RMA and that was the last i heard about the matter its over the size of a few platoons in Vietnam. Great job with the website; very informative, and very interesting. |
| Name:
Anonymous
E-mail: Date: Jan 7 2004 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes Just stumbled across your website and find it very interesting. I must remain anonymous for reasons that will become clear, and for the same reasons I must keep this short on detail. YES, there were elements of both SAS and SBS in theatre. I was among the latter. The period of my experience is 1963-64; I was medevac'd during my second tour in 64. While in theatre we were provided Aussie ID should the inevitable occur, and it did, but it was only a cover; at no time were I nor my mates released from the British Forces and enlisted in the Aus Forces. We served proudly as British Servicemen. Some of us were awarded the 'South Vietnam' clasp; others were not. This became a bone of contention, especially as some of us were given permission to receive American honours, although never permitted to wear them in uniform. In 1989, while now a member of the Canadian Forces, I did finally receive my clasp in recognition of past service. Is it one of the 70 unaccounted for? I have no idea. Will our story ever be told? Probably not. Do I care? No, never did. Was I happy working with Americans? Hardly. When they worked alongside us in Brunei and Borneo they were alright lads; but when it was their show it was a different story altogether. I never did accept the reasons for that particular conflict, nor any other; but I had a job to do and I did it to the best of my ability, as did all the lads. I am very proud, and grateful, of my past association with them. And I now very proudly were ALL my gongs during Remembrance services; and they are always good for a pint or two while I loudly proclaim, "I am not an American, I am not an American, I am not .... |
| Name:
E-mail: :GrahamClarke@Heurismus.fsnet.co.uk Date: Dec 30 2002 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Possibly I was fortunate to live in Singapore from late 1969 to late 1974, the period of Commonwealth transition under the ANZUK commitment to defence, my father eventually becoming the principal of the Singapore Armed Forces Technical Institute at Changi. I heard many anecdotes from the 'diggers' who arrived to garrison the then emptying British bases but this is not the point I wish to relate as it actually comes from my father when he was aboard HMS Ark Royal in 1962. Evidently they were on their way to Hong Kong but were either diverted or delayed by the events in Laos.(sorry its vague) Under MacMillan it seems, there certainly was some interest in supporting America directly. The Historiographical analysis however suggests that, be it a Labour or Conservative govt., Britain was in no fit condition to extend their commitment to full participation, not even a 'bagpipe band' which Johnson pleadingly asked Wilson for in 1965. As to any mercenaries and the legality of British participation, for an insight much still classified see PRO. PREM 13.688 onward. If you do, note the green restriction sheets which have further extended the secrecy of some of the documents. I'm interested in these 70 GSMs though what is the provenance of this statement? PS. I am actually doing a university dissertation, as a mature student, on Anglo-American relations (political) 1964-68 and happened upon this site which I must say is very good and now sits in my favourites files. Therefore, all the best with your project. |
| Name:
Frank Rawlinson
E-mail: f.rawlinson@btopenworld Date: Dec 24 2003 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes Magazines in Buxton Pavillion Derbyshire book fair mid 1960s showed British troops serving in Nam.I believe this was prior US involvement magazines those days were known as (penracks) war could have somthing to do with missionary or religious significance.Perhaps the vendor may recall if contacted?British soldiers have been seconded to the Australian forces for jungle experiance in Vietnam ,perhaps using assumed names,myself could have been known as Simeon Brimlow? can't substanciate my claims for NATO war and Suez prior a 1956 conflict as iv'e suffered acute amnesia. Frank Rawlinson |
| Name:
Tommy Atkins
E-mail: Date: Dec 24 2003 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: No British Units did not serve in Vietnam but many British Citizens did. To my knowledge there was in the U.S. Forces ex British Soldiers. This I know for a fact because I was one of them. I was in the U.S.Marines from 1965-1968 and in the U.S.Army Rangers from 1969-1972. Vietnam was my life for over four years. In the British Army I soldiered in #1 Plt.A Coy 1Para.CSM Nobby Arnold cured my dedication to the Redcoat. Discharge by Purchase was the deal. I opted out with 6 years of reserve time on the books. (15 Para TA )I did what I did and am not sorry. I have read at least one E mail on your site complaining about the quality of US Troops. I would have liked to have seen the Gentleman in question perform as a US Marine on hill #881 North at Khe Sanh. |
| Name:
Hector Lopez Arestegui
E-mail: drais@hotmail.com Date: Nov 18 2003 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Possibly Washington demanded Britain's involvement into Vietnam war in 1966. As far as I know the actual British government refused to send troops to Vietnam. But has Britain ever said no to Washington since World War Second? Washington's interest for British involvement was the successful anti-guerrilla campaign in Malasia in the 1950s. In fact Britain pioneered in several tactics and strategies later used by the Americans in Vietnam. In consequence it's quite possible the British involvement in Vietnam. |
| Name:
Mac Thompson
E-mail: mact2@peak.org Date: Nov 17 2003 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes See Peter's 2 Dec 2002 note below. Wonder if we're talking about the same guy, a guy I new in Khartoum 1987-89, Bill D. Bill was SBS and had been secunded to the U.S. Navy SEALs at Coronodo, California for a year. The SEAL unit was sent to Vietnam, Bill phoned back to his HQ asking what he should do. Answer, is your year up, no, then go! Which he did. Mac retired in Thailand |
| Name:
Gary
E-mail: gary-watkinson@hotmail.com Date: Oct 20 2003 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Possibly I was on the ship haminella in 1967 . we sailed singapore to vietnam for nine mounths. did not see any british forces at that time |
| Name:
Anonymous
E-mail: Date: Oct 20 2003 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Possibly "Some defence experts have deined that the SAS operated in Vietnam but a photograph in the regiment's normally discreet magazine, Mars and Minerva, in June 1969 showed Sergeant Dick Meadows receiving the US Silver Star for his service in Vietnam. A Number of US Special Forces personnel were trained by the SAS in Borneo in the techniques of jungle warfare, while in turn, SAS men found their way to a training school in Saigon where they instructed South Vietnamese troops, who also trained in Malaya. Individual SAS soldiers, such as Captain Robin Letts, who had been awarded the Military Cross for an operation in Borneo, were transferred via the British military Attache in Saigon, Col John Waddy, to Australian and New Zealand SAS units, as an auxliary force for the US expedition" "In the late sixties, after a spell training the Kenyan police, SAS veteran Peter Stiff was a member of an SAS team disptched to Thailand to train Thai special forces with the co-operation of the US Green Berets. The Training, however, was a cover for a more covert role which included hitting the Ho Chi Minh trail from the west through Laos". "We were given sectors across the border in Laos to work in, and patrols of three or four of us would cross the border, seek out the locals and gather intelligence. We would not be identifiably British or American and we would wear nondescript military clothing,without insignia...and neither would we wear dog tags for identification. Our major task was reconnaissance". "Stiff was in Thailand for eleven months, "but politically as far as Britain was concerned, it is certain that few knew I was there and those who did, turned a blind eye". As he admits, his was not the only SAS presence in that theatre of operations. There were quite a few unofficial ones. "Secret
air flights also took place from Hong Kong - the centre of Britain's contribution
to the Vietnam War - with clandestine deliveries of British arms, particularly
napalm and five-hundred-pound bombs. In the end, the most significant British
contribution came from the GCHQ monitoring station at Little Sai Wan in
Hong Kong (UKC 201 in the then international Sigint network). Working overtime
to provide the US with intelligence, its intercepts of North Vietnamese
military traffic were used by the American military command to target bombing
strikes over the North. Together with NSA stations in Thailand and the
Philippines, UKC 201 also monintored diplomatic traffic and the North Vietnamese
surface-to-air missile sites, enabling early warnings to be relayed to
bomber crews in mid flight. British help was explained away by referring
to it as an Australian operation" (p 719-720, MI6, Fifty Years of Special
Operations, Stephen Dorril, 2000, Fourth Estate Ltd, London). References
from the book are, "Secret Warfare: Special Operations Forces from the
Great Game to the SAS, Adrian Weale, 1995, Hodder, p 199-200", "The Kitson
Experiment,
|
| Name:
Ian Gregory
E-mail: ian.gregory30@ntlworld.com Date: Oct 19 2003 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Possibly You probably already know this, but, On a T.V. documentary, (on History, or discovery. poss. title: Eagles of the Crown.), a former R.A.F. Pilot told how He delivered "aid" to Montagnard tribes/villages in Viet-Nam, in a Blackburn Beverly!. As for the "Possibly", He DID IT, but "HE DID'NT DO IT" if Y'a know what I mean.. |
| Name:
Anonymous
E-mail: Date: Oct 5 2003 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes There were about 40 campain medals with South Vietnam bars issued to British forces...they would NOT have been issued if they weren't there. "Scruff"
Ronald Stevens (RonKitty@hotmail.com..January 17th 2003) said on this site
that 23 SAS were Australian.
Obviously there are secondments/exchanges between the British and Australian SAS just as there is between 22 and the NZSAS and Delta and others from USA. |
| Name:
Anonymous
E-mail: Date: Oct 2 2003 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes Being a serving soldier, and a closet wargamer, you often get into strange conversations with very interesting people. I mentioned that I had a big interest in the Vietnam war to one gent and was told by this gent that he had served out in Vietnam, as well as Radfan, Borneo & Malaya. My immediate impression was that he had been a member of 22 SAS and after a little further questioning this was confirmed. I was told that he had been a para and had then joined the Regiment (a forces term for 22SAS) and he elaborated a little about his stints in Radfan, Borneo & Malaya but not about Vietnam. His one comment about having served there was as far as he would go. From what he said (and didnt say) I have no reason to doubt his integrity and everything he said leads me to believe he not lying. Some of what he mentioned could only have been known by a soldier serving in these places! I have no doubt that British Forces served in Vietnam in one form or another, however in what guise is the big question. Special forces were probably attached to Australian or NZ special units for 'cross training' but only in small numbers. They could also have been attached to US SF to see what lessons could be learnt from the conflict. Other British forces may have served with the Australian & NZ units in country as part of exchange tours which go on. 6 months to 2 year tours serving with ANZAC units are quite common now, so they could well have been going on back then too. I know there isnt a great deal of evidence here, if any, but i am convinced there were British Forces in Vietnam even though nothing has ever been made public by the UK government. The truth is out there. |
| Name:
Anonymous
E-mail: Date: Sep 24 2003 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes As a young officer cadet, I attended a regimental dinner where I got talking to a Para Lt-Col. On enquiring as to a yellow and red striped medal ribbon, I was informed that he received it whilst serving with a US unit in Vietnam. He also commented on another decoration received from the South African army for service in Namibia and Angola. |
| Name:
Gareth
E-mail: Date: Jun 29 2003 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: No I was in gulf war 90-91 came across an Amewrican MP with a 101stAirborne shadow(combat)patch. He told me about British paras who had served with him on attachment to 101st Airborne. He also told me about Brits who were serving with the australians(paras, sas, and infantry, all on attachment. Thewre is a book out at the moment about a Brit who served with the Americans (1st Air Cav i think) in Vietnam. Hope this helps good luck, Gareth ex STAFFORDS. |
| Name:
Jimmy Hillman
E-mail: jimo@cwgsy.net Date: Jul 05 2003 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes I served on a shell tanker in vietnam as a galley boy in 1969. The SS Horomya. I remember getting 43 days war bonus |
| Name:
Anonymous
E-mail: Date: Jun 23 2003 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes I have a relative who served as a Royal Marine medic in Vietnam. He has told me that the British provided a number of medical personal and troop sized units during the war in Vietnam. He never said his or the British involvement was classified. Is what straight up info, the family know he went out there. He was part of a RM casivac unit. I also understand from a totally seperat source who is former SAS, that the SAS had personel on active service attachments with the US Special Forces as both advisors and as part of an exchange training mission. |
| Name:
Anonymous
E-mail: Date: Jun 04 2003 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes In the early to mid sixties 29 commando which was part of 3 commando brigade based in Singapore had a specialist forward observation battery attached called 20 amphibious(AO) observation battery.This is now known as 148 Commmando Forward Observation Battery serving alongside the SBS in Poole Dorset uk.The unit is only 75 strong and little known. Teams are commando/para/diver trained as well as experts in forward observation both naval and army. Training in the far east took place on many islands off Malaya somtimes with the American Anglico teams of the US Marines. A five man team deployed to Vung Tau (4 army and 1 naval)with an Anglico Master Sergeant. We operated along the coast to bring in naval gunfire support for, we were told, Seal Teams and Recon that were outnumbered. We were there 36 days and then returned to Singapore after being briefed that we had been on exercise near Pulau Tioman HMS Andrew(submarine) picked us up off the Vietnam coast Wether the operation was conducted in-house or the MOD knew who knows. It was a mosquito biting experience to me Met two British Naval Clearance Divers when in Vung Tau.Sunning themselves on the beach!Good guys to meet they knew all the safe bars |
| Name:
Anonymous
E-mail: Date: Jun 02 2003 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes Many Australian soldiers in Vietnam held British passports )you could join the Australian Army with a British passport in the sixties, we were all considered 'British Nationals' up until the mid-late sixties - you could also vote in Australian elections with a British or Commonwealth passport. When I went to Malaysia with the Australian Army in 1978, the CQMS - SSGT Todd - still held a British passport, not Australian. I also heard stories about the British Army Training Team in the early sixties, the embassy guard, and brits in the SAS and other units, but not sure if they were Australian Army or British. Plenty of Kiwis of course, not sure if they had any Brits with them. Likewise for the RAAF and RAN. |
| Name:
Anonymous
E-mail: Date: Jun 02 2003 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes I know of British Army officers who resigned their British commisions, joined the Australian Army with no loss of seniorority and then later resigned from the Australian Army and rejoined the British Army again without loss of seniority and wore the same medals as Australians. |
| Name:
R Robb
E-mail: sambar522@msn.com Date: May 31 2003 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes 1972-73 hemisinus and hemiplecta tankers from paula bukom island singapore to nha bey mainly british crews flown to singapore we heard rumours of scots military close to saigon but nothing for sure kiwi artillery and aussies had long gone then just americans here and their |
| Name:
Alexander Crawford
E-mail: Date: May 08 2003 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes Whilst on secondment to the USAF 67th Air Rescue Squadron as a Para-Rescue Medic as a Russian Linguist /Interpreter Based in Phouc Tuy Province, which is 70 plus Km south-east of Saigon I saw Australian & New Zealand SAS with our own 22 SAS Regiment giving close support work. There were only a few, most being committed heavily to Borneo, Aden & the Yemen at the time. 22 SAS Regt. & New Zealand & Australian SAS were usually deployed under the title of 'instructor' within South Vietnamese Command . American troops made no secret of their admiration for our close knit 'family' of SAS, referring to them as the " Jungle Ghosts ".After the war some General Service Medal 'Bars' were issued with no mention of name or Regiments. My issue Bar simply has South Vietnam 1962-1964 .All SAS Squadrons were withdrawn in 1972. Many went to the jungle Warfare School in Malaya. |
| Name:
Andy
E-mail: bang_galore766@hotmail.com Date: May 08 2003 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes Further to the anonymous post dated 12 Nov 2002, Brig Thompson certainly served over there and was involved in improving the hearts and minds campaign. A copy of his book 'No exit (possibly escape) from Vietnam' should offer a greater insight. I have a copy at home if anyone wants a Reference number. |
| Name:
VLSM
E-mail: Date: May 05 2003 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes I know for an absolute fact that some British military officers left UK forces, joined the Australian military and then served in Vietnam on active service. On completion of their tour they left the Australian forces, rejoined the British forces and continued with their career. These were not just special forces chaps but regular infantry officers. What I'm not sure about is how much this was sanctioned or even encouraged officially and how much was as a result of informal links between the respective UK and Australian forces gleaned as a result of secondments and during joint exercises. I'm not sure if the same routine was used by British service personnel temporarily joining New Zealand and US forces. |
| Name:
VLSM
E-mail: Date: Apr 30 2003 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes One British Army officer on exchange duty with the Australian Army. He was awarded the "Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal" by the Australian Government in 1993/94-ish. He went to Vietnam on a short visit, of perhaps no more than 2 weeks duration. Many Australian military personnel made such official visits. Between 1966 and 1971, hundreds of CMF officers went to Vietnam on a two week "visit" instead of their annual training camp at Puckapunyal. It gave them "experience". So this is probably the capacity of the British Officer's visit. The award was put forward by the Dept of Defence and approved by the Governor General of Australia (as is standard for Australian awards), so his name is available to the public. |
| Name:
Steve
E-mail: Date: Apr 22 2003 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes I was a british soldier that was seconded to 6Royal Australian Rifles (From ANZUK 28th Brigade). I was certainly in Vietnam - I have the memories I would rather forget . - Not many of us but a few - especially through the jungle warefare school at Kota Tingi |
| Name:
Michael
E-mail: Date: Mar 11 2003 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Yes British troop did serve with aus sas as one or two were serconded,and many volteered for the Aus Army.My source is a book called the history of Australian SAS,Phantoms of the jungle,written by David horner.The name of the british officer is lt Andy Freematle, who later to become brigadier. |
| Name:
Anonymous
E-mail:GrahamClarke@Heurismus.fsnet.co.uk Date: Dec 30 2002 Did British Forces Serve in Vietnam? Answer: Possibly I was fortunate to live in Singapore from late 1969 to late 1974, the period of Commonwealth transition under the ANZUK commitment to defence, my father eventually becoming the principal of the Singapore Armed Forces Technical Institute at Changi. I heard many anecdotes from the 'diggers' who arrived to garrison the then emptying British bases but this is not the point I wish to relate as it actually comes from my father when he was aboard HMS Ark Royal in 1962. Evidently they were on their way to Hong Kong but were either diverted or delayed by the events in Laos.(sorry its vague) Under MacMillan it seems, there certainly was some interest in supporting America directly. The Historiographical analysis however suggests that, be it a Labour or Conservative govt., Britain was in no fit condition to extend their commitment to full participation, not even a 'bagpipe band' which Johnson pleadingly asked Wilson for in 1965. As to any mercenaries and the legality of British participation, for an insight much still classified see PRO. PREM 13.688 onward. If you do, note the green restriction sheets which have further extended the secrecy of some of the documents. I'm interested in these 70 GSMs though what is the provenance of this statement? PS. I am actually doing a university dissertation, as a mature student, on Anglo-American relations (political) 1964-68 and happened upon this site which I must say is very good and now sits in my favourites files. Therefore, all the best with your project. |
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