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Posted: 4/6/2020 2:11:20 PM EDT
[#1]
You saw the Australians carry a mixture of weapons: SLR, XM16E1 / M16A1, M60 and the Owen Subgun.
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Posted: 4/6/2020 2:15:42 PM EDT
[#2]
The "Bitch" was a full auto chopped SLR.
The movie The Odd Angry Shot follows Aussie SAS in 'nam, using M16s and SLRs. |
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Posted: 4/6/2020 2:20:14 PM EDT
[#3]
The Aussies we met up with in VN had FALs sure wanted to trade for our M-16s.
I got to play with the FAL and liked it as I qualified with M-14 in basic...and got to handle G3s when I was attached to a unit working with the German Army. Carrying any of those down in the delta would have been burdensome to say the least... |
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Posted: 4/6/2020 2:24:41 PM EDT
[#4]
My friend’s FIL was a 60 gunner in Vietnam, they were near an Aussie base and hung out with them occasionally. He got to try an SLR, he loved it (he’s a gun guy) and he said he liked their beer a lot too!
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Posted: 4/6/2020 2:32:53 PM EDT
[#5]
This is a picture from teh Aussie war museum. The caption seems to indicate that Aussie SAS used these in 1971
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Posted: 4/6/2020 2:33:46 PM EDT
[#6]
SASR were symbiotic with USSF in Nam and for the most part carried US weaponry. Aussie, Kiwi, and even Brit SOF has always had a penchant for ARs, largely due to the ability to carry more ammo. Even today when the Aussies carry AUGs the SASR prefer M4s. I think the FAL/M16 ratio in Aussie INF SQDs back in Nam depended on what position a squaddy was assigned.
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Posted: 4/6/2020 2:36:22 PM EDT
[#7]
Aussie Bi#%h gun.
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Posted: 4/6/2020 2:40:12 PM EDT
[#8]
More SAS with M16's.
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Posted: 4/6/2020 2:52:27 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted: More SAS with M16's. https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/6576404.jpg I wonder what the backstory is on that shot. Notice the US “Hot-A” ration can off to the left. |
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Posted: 4/6/2020 2:52:40 PM EDT
[#10]
What about an Estonian soldier in the Australian army in Vietnam with an M-16?
His name was Leo Jaago and he fought the Russians in the 20th SS,fled west,was captured by the Brits and stayed in the UK to be a farm labourer. He joined the British army and missed Korea but went and fought Commies in Malaysia and Borneo then to kill a few more joined the Australian army to go to Vietnam. Not all heros wear capes.  Attached File |
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Posted: 4/6/2020 2:56:59 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted: What about an Estonian soldier in the Australian army in Vietnam with an M-16? His name was Leo Jaago and he fought the Russians in the 20th SS,fled west,was captured by the Brits and stayed in the UK to be a farm labourer. He joined the British army and missed Korea but went and fought Commies in Malaysia and Borneo then to kill a few more joined the Australian army to go to Vietnam. Not all heros wear capes. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/56204/unnamed_jpg-1354209.JPG That's pretty cool. Oh an in before GD Derp and SS NAzi etc etc etc |
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Posted: 4/6/2020 3:10:35 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That's pretty cool. Oh an in before GD Derp and SS NAzi etc etc etc Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: What about an Estonian soldier in the Australian army in Vietnam with an M-16? His name was Leo Jaago and he fought the Russians in the 20th SS,fled west,was captured by the Brits and stayed in the UK to be a farm labourer. He joined the British army and missed Korea but went and fought Commies in Malaysia and Borneo then to kill a few more joined the Australian army to go to Vietnam. Not all heros wear capes. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/56204/unnamed_jpg-1354209.JPG That's pretty cool. Oh an in before GD Derp and SS NAzi etc etc etc Google “Larry Thorne.” Almost identical story but Finnish soldier who made his way to the Americans. KIA in Laos. |
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Posted: 4/6/2020 3:26:04 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Google “Larry Thorne.” Almost identical story but Finnish soldier who made his way to the Americans. KIA in Laos. I knew about it him. Sabaton has a really good song about him too |
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Posted: 4/6/2020 3:27:37 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I wonder what the backstory is on that shot. Notice the US "Hot-A" ration can off to the left. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: More SAS with M16's. https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/6576404.jpg I wonder what the backstory is on that shot. Notice the US "Hot-A" ration can off to the left. |
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Posted: 4/6/2020 3:28:01 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted: What about an Estonian soldier in the Australian army in Vietnam with an M-16? His name was Leo Jaago and he fought the Russians in the 20th SS,fled west,was captured by the Brits and stayed in the UK to be a farm labourer. He joined the British army and missed Korea but went and fought Commies in Malaysia and Borneo then to kill a few more joined the Australian army to go to Vietnam. Not all heros wear capes. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/56204/unnamed_jpg-1354209.JPG |
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Posted: 4/6/2020 4:09:56 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I knew about it him. Sabaton has a really good song about him too Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Google “Larry Thorne.” Almost identical story but Finnish soldier who made his way to the Americans. KIA in Laos. I knew about it him. Sabaton has a really good song about him too “Foreigners who volunteered for Vietnam” would be an interesting thread to keep going. I know there were several Canadians, a few Brits(One who also served in Rhodesia and was killed in 9/11), and there had to be quite a few more from other countries. When SF stood up in the 50s they recruited heavily from Eastern European countries. Many wound up in SE Asia. |
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Posted: 4/6/2020 7:14:35 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Google “Larry Thorne.” Almost identical story but Finnish soldier who made his way to the Americans. KIA in Laos. There were several other Finns and Estonians who served in Special Forces in Laos with Torni such as Aito Keravuori and Jyri Laats respectively. |
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Posted: 4/6/2020 7:17:24 PM EDT
[#18]
 Redgum - I Was Only 19 (1983) |
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Posted: 4/6/2020 10:36:23 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted: There were several other Finns and Estonians who served in Special Forces in Laos with Torni such as Aito Keravuori and Jyri Laats respectively. I had a Romanian SGM when I was at SWTG and we had a Hungarian plankholder in the 75th who'd been in the LRRPs and early Ranger Co's. Both Nam guys who'd escaped the Iron Curtain. |
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Posted: 4/7/2020 3:35:21 AM EDT
[#20]
IIRC it was dependant on your position within the platoon/company.
Unfortunately all the Vietnam vets I knew personally are all dead, mainly from cancer |
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Posted: 4/7/2020 4:02:26 AM EDT
[#21]
Father in law was a signaler in Vietnam.
From what he says M16's were for officers, infantry scouts and signalers, if they chose to use one. They could carry the SLR instead if they wanted to. He always chose the SLR he tells me. |
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Posted: 4/7/2020 7:30:23 AM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I had a Romanian SGM when I was at SWTG and we had a Hungarian plankholder in the 75th who'd been in the LRRPs and early Ranger Co's. Both Nam guys who'd escaped the Iron Curtain. Makes you wonder what they did before that? |
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Posted: 4/7/2020 7:30:42 AM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Father in law was a signaler in Vietnam. From what he says M16's were for officers, infantry scouts and signalers, if they chose to use one. They could carry the SLR instead if they wanted to. He always chose the SLR he tells me. That's pretty cool. Did he see the movie yet? |
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Posted: 4/8/2020 12:17:19 AM EDT
[#24]
 Attached FileE Troop, 2 Squadron, SASR. Nui Dat, RVN. Date unknown, late 60's. Note US-type Tiger Stripes, EDRL-pattern jungles, M16 and SLR(FAL). |
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Posted: 4/8/2020 5:29:01 AM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That's pretty cool. Did he see the movie yet? No he would not have. He doesn't watch anything like that. Truth be told it is not a strictly accurate portrayal of the Long Tan battle. |
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Posted: 4/8/2020 6:02:13 AM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I had a Romanian SGM when I was at SWTG and we had a Hungarian plankholder in the 75th who'd been in the LRRPs and early Ranger Co's. Both Nam guys who'd escaped the Iron Curtain. 10th group had a ton of DPs that were brought in under the Lodge act. Also, fwiw the SAS guys I worked with in AFG were carrying M4s with 10.5 bbls. |
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Posted: 4/8/2020 6:14:15 AM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: No he would not have. He doesn't watch anything like that. Truth be told it is not a strictly accurate portrayal of the Long Tan battle. I liked the movie Danger Close but I think I enjoyed the documentary with the interviews and actual radio recordings even more. |
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Posted: 4/8/2020 11:00:15 AM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted: No he would not have. He doesn't watch anything like that. Truth be told it is not a strictly accurate portrayal of the Long Tan battle. I didnt figure it was all that accurate as most aren't. the ending was really good though as was the Blonde singer! |
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Posted: 4/10/2020 8:18:31 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I liked the movie Danger Close but I think I enjoyed the documentary with the interviews and actual radio recordings even more. @Roddy556that Is that documentary on youtube? I would love to watch it |
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Posted: 4/10/2020 8:28:40 PM EDT
[#30]
 Battle of Long Tan Documentary - Vietnam War - Danger Close I liked Danger Close, but also enjoyed the doc even more. |
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Posted: 4/10/2020 8:31:36 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted: “Foreigners who volunteered for Vietnam” would be an interesting thread to keep going. I know there were several Canadians, a few Brits(One who also served in Rhodesia and was killed in 9/11), and there had to be quite a few more from other countries. When SF stood up in the 50s they recruited heavily from Eastern European countries. Many wound up in SE Asia. Rick Rescorla |
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Posted: 4/10/2020 11:17:06 PM EDT
[#32]
Rescorla's the most famous. It's been somewhat of an issue tracking down actual Brits who served over there under the US flag, especially the KIAs. They aren't recognized in US records by any foreign citizen status.
Most Brits in Nam transferred into the AUS or NZ Army from the UK Forces. After the Malaysian Emergency wound down in '60 a few SAS Troopers transferred over to SASR once Vietnam started heating up. Other than Rescorla, Tom Abraham of Yorkshire was a dual US/Brit who was a PLT leader in 7th CAV and L/CPL Stuart Wood of Staffordshire(?), joined USMC while a legal US resident are known UK citizens who fought under the US Flag. Wood was KIA in '68, AFAIK Abraham is still alive and back in England. There's been rumors over the years that SAS Malaysia vets did train USSF and MACVSOG on the ground in SE Asia but that's never been proven. They DID train SF stateside as the war heated up. Interestingly enough, there are more Irish citizens(Republic of, not Northern) known to have fought in Vietnam than Brits. There are around 25 on record and about the same amount who fought for Australia. At least one KIA US Army nurse was also an Irish citizen. Tom Abraham:  Attached FileStuart Wood:  Attached File |
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