The Vietnam War would have a significant impact on many young Australian lives. In this audio, Russell Jackson shares his experiences based in the 17 Construction Engineers in Nui Dat in Vietnam. The Vietnam War would have a significant impact on his life. Pulled from civilian life for two years where his life would be put on hold, Russell talks about how he coped with being away from home and what it was like to return to Australia after coming home.

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In this audio, we interview volunteers at the National Vietnam Veterans Museum in Victoria, Australia. The museum is restoring a C-130A Hercules cockpit nose, which was used primarily for transport of troops, ammunition and supplies between Vung Tau and Australia during the Vietnam War. This is a great video highlighting the importance of preserving history and honouring those who served. With thanks to the National Vietnam Veterans Museum, Phillip Island, Victoria Australia

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The Rhodesian SAS (Special Air Service) was a special forces unit that served in the Rhodesian Bush War, which took place from 1965 to 1979. In this audio, we speak to Ian Mackenzie, who fought for the Rhodesian SAS. Ian speaks frankly about preparing for combat and his first combat experience. It is an intimate and powerful account of military courage in the face of great danger. Through the stories of real SAS soldiers, the audio explores the depths of human fear and the heights of human courage.

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In this video we hear from Lt Col Wilfred Moore who describes one of the most successful ambushes in Angola where they would destroy 21 vehicles full of supplies coming to reinforce their comrades at Ongiva.. The Angolan Bush War was a complex and often confusing conflict, but what is clear is that it was a gruelling affair. We follow the men of 1 Special Service Battalion an armoured reconnaissance unit fighting in the Angolan Bush War. The South African Defence Force (SADF) were tasked with protecting a large area of land in southern Angola against attacks by Cuban forces, FAPLA (People's Armed Forces For the Liberation of Angola) and SWAPO (South West Africa People's Organization) guerrillas. The South Africans would face off against an enemy who were well equipped with artillery, anti-aircraft guns and tanks. They had air support from MiG-19s as well as Mi-21s. They also had support from FAPLA infantry units who were backed up by Russian T-55 and T-62 tanks.

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We interview volunteers rebuilding a bird-dog at the National Vietnam Veterans Museum in Victoria Australia. During the Vietnam War, the Bird Dog was used primarily for reconnaissance, target acquisition, artillery adjustment, radio relay, convoy escort and forward air control of tactical aircraft including bombers operating in a tactical role. Its quieter noise footprint, lower speed, tighter maneuverability, short runway ability and better visibility (even to the rear) kept it highly valued by the ground units it supported and highly feared by enemy units it flew over. Two O-1 Bird Dogs were loaned to the Australian Army's 161 Reconnaissance Flight operating out of Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy Province. One was lost to ground fire in May 1968, killing 161's commanding officer. Another Bird Dog was built by this unit's maintenance crew using aircraft sections salvaged from dumps around Vietnam. It was test-flown by 161 and later smuggled back to Australia in pieces contained in crates marked as "aircraft spares". This aircraft now resides in the Museum of Army Flying at the Army Aviation Center at Oakey Queensland.

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The Angolan Bush War was a complex and often confusing conflict, but what is clear is that it was a grueling affair. In this video, we follow the men of 1 Special Service Battalion an armoured reconnaissance unit fighting in the Angolan Bush War. Lt Col Wilfred Moore(Ret) tells the story of the attack on Cuvelai and through pure circumstance how a herdsman would save his life. It is a story of fear and courage and the difficulties and experiences of being in combat. The South African Defence Force (SADF) were tasked with protecting a large area of land in southern Angola against attacks by Cuban forces, FAPLA (People's Armed Forces For the Liberation of Angola) and SWAPO (South West Africa People's Organization) guerrillas. The South Africans would face off against an enemy who were well equipped with artillery, anti-aircraft guns and tanks. They had air support from MiG-21s as well as Mi-24s which were based out of Lubango. They also had support from FAPLA infantry units who were backed up by Russian T-55 and T-62 tanks.

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Captain John Methven is a veteran of the Vietnam War. In this audio, he talks about conscription for the war and how numbers were drawn out of a barrel and matched to birth dates. He also speaks about the first Australian national serviceman who would be killed in Vietnam, and tells the story of six Australians who would go missing in action and how their remains were brought back to Australia. John has dedicated his life to fighting for the recognition of Vietnam Veterans and assisting veterans dealing with PTSD and the impacts of agent orange. John is the founder and curator of the National Vietnam Veterans Museum at Philip Island in Victoria Australia.

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The Vietnam War was a tragic conflict that left countless soldiers with lifelong scars. In this audio, Captain John Methven shares his experiences as a platoon commander and Regiment Signals Officer with the 7th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment that was stationed at the Australian base at Nui Dat. Captain John Methvan gives an emotional account of the traumas of war. The unfairness of the Australian conscription system for Vietnam. "There was something basically wrong with that type of system". The impact of agent orange (chemicals) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and how many people were antagonistic towards them when coming back. John speaks of the denial by governments about the impacts of war and not wanting to take accountability for the soldiers they sent away to fight. John has dedicated his life to fighting for the recognition of Vietnam Veterans and assisting veterans dealing with PTSD and the impacts of agent orange. John is the founder and curator of the National Vietnam Veterans Museum at Philip Island in Victoria Australia.

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The Vietnam War would have a significant impact on many young Australian lives. In this video, Stephen Costelow shares his experiences as a Lance Corporal based in the 2nd Advanced Ordnance Depot at Vung Tau in Vietnam. While the unit was based in a relatively safe area in the South of Vietnam and away from the fighting, the War would still have a significant impact on his life. Pulled from civilian life for two years where his life would be put on hold, Stephen talks about how he coped with being away from home and what it was like to return to Australia after coming home.

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We're excited to release the first video in our Vietnam series: Captain John Methven's Unforgettable War Stories as Platoon Commander and RSO. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s participation in the Vietnam War, and we wanted to offer our viewers an intimate look at what it was like for a young soldier thrown into the jungles of Vietnam. John Methven served with 7th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment at Nui Dat during 1967-68. He describes how he was changed by his experiences and the lasting impact this would have on his life. John has dedicated his life to fighting for the recognition of Vietnam Veterans, assisting veterans dealing with PTSD, and educating people about the effects of agent orange. John is also the founder and curator of the National Vietnam Veterans Museum at Phillip Island in Victoria Australia.

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