Battle of Gang Toi

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Gang Toi
partof=the Vietnam War
date=November 8, 1965
place=Gang Toi Hills, South Vietnam
result=Viet Cong tactical victory
combatant1=
combatant2=
commander1=Unknown
commander2=John Healy
strength1=
strength2=
casualties1=Unknown
casualties2=6 wounded
2 missing (presumed dead)|

The Battle of Gang Toi was fought on November 8, 1965, as one of the first engagements between Australian and Viet Cong troops during the Vietnam War. The battle occurred when the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, struck a Viet Cong bunker system in the Gang Toi Hills while in support of Operation Hump.

ummary

In June 1965, the 1RAR arrived at Bien Hoa, South Vietnam, where it was placed under the command of the United States 173d Airborne Brigade. On November 5, 1965, the 1RAR joined the 1st/503d Battalion of the 173d Airborne Brigade in Operation Hump, a routine search and destroy mission in War Zone D about 40km from Saigon. While the 1st Royal Australian Regiment were deployed from the south of the Dong Nai River, American units were conducting a helicopter assault up north.

During the initial engagements it had became obvious that a large Viet Cong regiment were in the area, outnumbering the combined American and Australian forces. On November 8 as American soldiers were closing in on Hill-65, A Company of the 1RAR was moving north through the Gang Toi Hills. Suddenly the lead Australian platoon, 1 Pl was pinned down by VC fire when they struck a well-prepared and strongly-defended Viet Cong dug-in position. Five Australian soldiers were immediately wounded and except for Lance Corporal Richard "Tiny" Parker all managed to withdraw.

Major John Healy, A Company commander, ordered 3Pl to attack the enemy bunker from the flank. During the attack 3Pl was caught in intense enemy fire including heavy fire from its left flank. During this attack Private Peter Gillson was hit by a burst of machinegun fire when he stepped around the root of a tree. Under heavy fire, Sergeant Colin Fawcet attempted to pulled Private Gillson out but was forced to move back without success.

The American forces were withdrawn. Left without support and at risk of being overwhelmed and under heavy enemy fire, Major John Healy was forced to break contact and withdraw, leaving behind two Australian casualties including the wounded Lance Corporal Richard Parker. A full battalion attack on Gang Toi Hills was planned but was never carried out.The decision to withdraw without evacuating the two Australians caused much anger in the unit. After this battle arrangements under which Australians served with U.S. forces were changed.

Operation Aussies Home

Operation Aussies Home was established by former infantry Lt Col Jim Bourke to fully account for the six servicemen listed as Killed in Action Body Not Recovered. Bourke served in D Coy 1RAR on their tour in 1965. L/Cpl Richard 'Tiny' Parker and Pte Peter Gillson were killed during Operation Hump and their bodies not recovered. In April 2007, after several years research and on the ground searching in the area of the battle, Operation Aussies Home uncovered the remains of the two soldiers. Parker and Gilson had been buried together the day after the battle by Vietnamese forces in a weapon pit.

External links

* [http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/vietnam_mia/no_known_grave.htm Australian MIAs of the Vietnam War – "missing in action" or "no known grave"?]
* [http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Search-for-Aussies-killed-in-Vietnam/2006/04/09/1144521193633.html Search for Aussies killed in Vietnam]
* [http://www.defence.gov.au/minister/Billsontpl.cfm?CurrentId=5542 ARMY SUPPORT TO OPERATION AUSSIES HOME]