Western Pacific deployments
The regiment saw extensive action between 1950-72, from the freezing conflict in Korea to the jungles of Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam
The regiment becomes embroiled in conflicts against communist forces in the region
1 BATTLE OF YONGJU YONGJU, NORTH KOREA
21-22 October 1950
Yongju is the first action of Australian troops in Korea. 3 RAR launch a fierce surprise attack against North Korean snipers from their rear. The North Koreans retreat after three hours of fighting.
2 BATTLE OF CHONGJU CHONGJU, NORTH KOREA
29-30 October 1950
3 RAR encounters a North Korean defensive line of 500-600 men. The battalion fights all night against infantry and tank attacks, killing 150 of the enemy while suffering nine fatalities.
3 BATTLE OF KAPYONG KAPYONG RIVER, SOUTH KOREA
22-25 April 1951
Kapyong is the most important Australian battle during the Korean War. Chinese troops continually attack 3 RAR’S hill positions, but the Australians contribute significantly to a UN victory that saves Seoul.
4 BATTLE OF MARYANG SAN NEAR IMJIN RIVER, KOREA
3-8 October 1951
A combined 3 Rar-british operation attacks a series of hills, including Maryang San, near the Imjin River. In five days of heavy fighting, 3 RAR dislodges a numerically superior Chinese force from a position of great strength.
5 BATTLE OF LONG TAN LONG TAN, PHUOC TUY PROVINCE, SOUTH VIETNAM
8 August 1966
105 men of 6 RAR (along with three New Zealand soldiers) are surrounded by 1,5002,500 North Vietnamese troops. The Anzacs inflict hundreds of casualties over three hours, and the battle becomes the defining moment for Australia during the Vietnam War.
6 BATTLE OF CORAL-BALMORAL LAI KHE, BINH DUONG PROVINCE, SOUTH VIETNAM
12 May-6 June 1968 1 and 3 RAR defend fire support bases (FSB) in a series of engagements 40 kilometres (25 miles) northeast of Saigon. 25 Australians are killed, along with 99 wounded, during attacks on FSBS Coral and Balmoral, but the result is a significant victory.
7 BATTLE OF HAT DICH HAT DICH, SOUTH VIETNAM
3 December 1968-19 February 1969 1, 4 and 9 RAR lead a series of allied actions against suspected North Vietnamese bases. Codenamed ‘Operation Goodwood’, the Australians conduct sustained patrolling over 78 days and force the North Vietnamese to abandon their bases in the Hat Dich area.
8 BATTLE OF BINH BA BINH BA, PHUOC TUY PROVINCE, SOUTH VIETNAM
6-8 June 1969 5 RAR is deployed to remove North Vietnamese forces from Binh Ba. With armoured support, the Australians, unusually, participate in intense house-to-house fighting over two days. 5 RAR suffers only one fatality compared with 107-126 North Vietnamese casualties.
“WITH ARMOURED SUPPORT, THE AUSTRALIANS, UNUSUALLY, PARTICIPATE IN INTENSE HOUSE-TO-HOUSE FIGHTING OVER TWO DAYS. 5 RAR SUFFERS ONLY ONE FATALITY COMPARED WITH 107-126 NORTH VIETNAMESE CASUALTIES”