Overview

This landmark publication provides a comprehensive and authoritative account of New Zealand’s involvement in the Vietnam War, and will remain the standard reference work on the subject for decades. Its publication completes the programme of official war histories that began in 1945. Ian McGibbon’s primary focus is what New Zealand did in South Vietnam. He traces in detail the operations carried out by New Zealand forces and seeks to illuminate the experience of New Zealand soldiers fighting in a guerrilla war. The command structure, logistic support and operational context of fighting within a primarily Australian framework are all covered. He addresses controversial aspects such as friendly fire incidents, atrocity allegations and veterans’ grievances, including over Agent Orange. Maori participation in V Force was substantial and its impact is assessed. Although the book is inevitably weighted towards the military, the efforts of civilians in South Vietnam are also covered in depth. The surgical team operated from 1963 until their evacuation from Qui Nhon just days before North Vietnamese columns entered the city. Not forgotten are the efforts of courageous civilians like Sister Mary Laurence and of Red Cross volunteers to alleviate misery among refugees. The book also describes the dramatic end of New Zealand’s involvement in South Vietnam – with the surgical team and the New Zealand Embassy evacuated by RNZAF Bristol Freighters just before the communist victory. Finally, McGibbon surveys the war’s troubled aftermath, culminating in the Prime Minister’s apology to veterans in 2008.

Full Product Details

Author:   Ian McGibbon
Publisher:   Exisle Publishing
Imprint:   Exisle Publishing
Dimensions:   Width: 18.40cm , Height: 4.70cm , Length: 24.20cm
Weight:   1.092kg
ISBN:  

9780908988969

ISBN 10:   0908988966
Pages:   704
Publication Date:   01 September 2010
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Replaced By:   9781927147535
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Preface Abbreviations/Glossary List of Maps Part I: Early Involvement 1962-5 Introduction 1. Medical Assistance 2. Sappers Enter the Fray 3. The Growing Crisis Part II: Military Operations 1965-6 4. A Combat Contribution 5. To Vietnam 6. The Operational Context 7. Into Action Part III: A Phuoc Tuy Focus 1966-8 8. A New Framework 9. The Enemy Responds 10. Controversies and Calamities 11. An Expanding Commitment 12. An Infantry Presence 13. The Tet Offensive Part IV: Aspects of Vietnam Service 14. Coalition Warfare 15. The Task Force DImension 16. Base Wallahs, Diplomats and Others 17. Air Operations 18. The Combat Soldier's World 19. The V Force Experience Part V: Medical and Relief Operations 1965-72 20. An expanded Medical Effort 21. Service in Binh Dinh 22. Medical Operations in Binh Dinh 23. Relief Efforts Part VI: Military Operations 1968-71 24. From Tet to Mini-Tet 25. Return to Phuoc Tuy 26. Back to Bien Hoa 27. A Change of Emphasis 28. Improving Outlook 29. A Waning Effort Part VII: Demise and Aftermath 1972-2008 30. The Training Effort 31. A Civilian Focus 32. The Fall of Saigon 33. Adjusting to Peace 34. Conclusion Appendices 1. Roll of Honour 2. Order of Battle 3. Diplomatic Representatives, Team Leaders and Senior Officers 4. Honours and Awards 5. Biographical Notes on Service Personnel 6. Statistical Breakdown of New Zealand Military Forces in South Vietnam 7. Selected Directives Notes Bibliography Index

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Author Information

Ian McGibbon is General Editor (War History) at the Ministry for Culture and Heritage. He has numerous publications to his credit. Since 1981 he has been managing editor of New Zealand International Review, the journal of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. He was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to historical research in 1997.

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