5RAR Soldiers Line the Deck of HMAS Sydney May 12, 1967.
Troops of 5 RAR are shown lining the flight deck of HMAS Sydney at Woolloomooloo, Sydney Harbour, on 12 May 1967.
[1] The former aircraft carrier that was later converted as a fast troop transport and destined to become the mainstay of naval logistic support operations for Australian forces in Vietnam.
Commissioned in 1948, HMAS Sydney (III) was a keystone in the development of Australia’s post-war naval aviation capability and served with distinction in the Korean War. HMAS Sydney (III) was converted for troopship duties in the early 1960s and began its first voyage to Vietnam in
May 1965, transporting the First Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, from Sydney to Vung Tau in southern Vietnam.
Between 1965 and 1972, HMAS Sydney (III) undertook 25 voyages to Vietnam and transported 16,094 troops, 5753 deadweight tons of cargo and 2375 vehicles. On its first voyage four days were taken to unload cargo in Vung Tau. On subsequent voyages this turnaround time was reduced to a matter of hours.
On every voyage HMAS Sydney (III) was ably supported by at least one escort that provided a measure of protection against potential hostile forces. The ship had up to four escorts in 1965 and 1966, including at times the flagship HMAS Melbourne. Other escorts included HMA Ships Anzac, Derwent, Duchess, Parramatta, Stuart, Swan, Torrens, Vampire, Vendetta and Yarra.
When 5 RAR (both tours of duty) was being transported on the 'Vung Tau Ferry' her escorts were:
♦ April 1966 from Australia to Vung Tau: HMAS Melbourne, HMAS Vampire and HMAS Yarra.
♦ April-May 1967 from Vung Tau to Sydney: HMAS Vampire.
♦ February 1969 Fremantle to Vung Tau: HMAS Derwent.
♦ February-March 1970 from Vung Tau to Sydney: HMAS Yarra
[1] Seapower Centre Australia (2025) online, https://seapower.navy.gov.au/naval-operations-vietnam (April 2025)
♦Information supplied by David Wilkins OAM