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Diversionary attack.
The head general of the North Vietnamese and the VietCong believed that it was an appropriate time to change the direction of the war by surprising the South Vietnamese. General Vo Nguyen Giap wanted a ''quick win''. The Communists made a diversionary attack against the American base at Khe Sanh on January 21, 1968. -
The Tet offensive
The real Tet offensive began in the Early morning where Vietcong and North Vietnamese soldiers rampaged through the major towns and major cities of South Vietnam, breaking their cease fire that had been called for the Vietnamese holiday of Tet which was a time for peace. The first assault was caught them offguard but were then quickly repelled. This event maked a significant escalation in the scale of intensity of the Vietnam War. -
The Killing of the Vietmases People
March 16: US troops rampage through the hamlet of My Lai and kill over 500 vietnamese people. They varied from small newborns to the oldest of them all. -
Strategy for withdrawal
In May 1968, just 4 months later, peace talks attended by representatives of North and South Vietnam, the Viet Cong and the United States, opened in Paris. Australia’s Government, having followed the United States lead in Vietnam, was now in the position of having to also enunciate a strategy for withdrawal. -
Tet offensive ends.
The Tet offensive had officialy ended on this date. The Americans were the victors of this ferocious battle where the communists didn't even have control of any part of South Vietnam. -
Royal Australian Regiment
In April 1970 the Australian Prime Minister, John Gorton, announced that the 8th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (8RAR) would not be replaced when its tour of Vietnam ended in November. This followed a United States Government announcement that more than 180,000 Americans would be withdrawn and, more importantly, that a complete American withdrawal would follow. -
The arrival of the 2 battalions
Australia’s last two battalions to serve in Vietnam, the 3rd and 4th Battalions, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR and 4RAR) arrived in 1971. -
Prime Minister McMahon
In August that year the Prime Minister, Billy McMahon, announced that the remainder of the Task Force would be withdrawn at the end of 1971. -
Prime Minister McMahon
In August that year the Prime Minister, Billy McMahon, announced that the remainder of the Task Force would be withdrawn at the end of 1971. -
Joint Intelligence Organisation
Early in 1971 Australia’s Joint Intelligence Organisation, reporting on the progress of Vietnamisation, described the ARVN as ‘uneven in quality’ and suffering from poor leadership. -
Withdrawal of Australia
The declaration of the end of Australia's participation in the war when the Governor-General issued a proclamation on the 11th of January 1973.The only remaining combat troops in Vietnam were a platoon guarding the Australian embassy in Saigon (this was withdrawn in June 1973). -
Withdrawal of the U.S
U.S. military involvement ended on 15 August 1973 as a result of the Case–Church Amendment passed by the U.S. Congress. -
The fall of Saigon.
The fall of Saigon caused Vietnam to follow under the system of communism. This event marked the end of the Vietnam War. The communist launched a major offensive attack which led to the fall of Saigon. -
Re-unification
Australia's participation in the war was formally declared at an end when the Governor-General issued a proclamation on 11 January 1973. The only combat troops remaining in Vietnam were a platoon guarding the Australian embassy in Saigon (this was withdrawn in June 1973).
