Elite 103: Vietnam ANZACs, Australian & New Zealand Troops in Vietnam 1962–72

by Kevin Lyles with illustrations by the author

Published by Osprey Publishing Ltd, ISBN 1-84176-702-6, 64 pages.

Here’s a great book for anyone modelling the Vietnam War or simply proud of their ANZAC heritage. It deals with Australian involvement from the earliest days of military advisors to the involvement of Centurion tanks and final withdrawal, as well as with the New Zealanders from their first deployment to withdrawal. Both Australian and New Zealand uniforms and equipment are discussed in detail, and the tankies are included though not in a separate section, their basic uniforms being the same as the infantry. Although beginning with a lot of US clothing and equipment the Australians soon introduced their own patterns and weapons, in many cases improving on the US types, and the New Zealanders used the Aussie patterns too. There’s a section on Victoria Cross winners, which makes great reading, and a long one on the Australian SAS as well. Anyone modelling Australian Centurions in Vietnam from the new conversions will need this book to get the crew correctly uniformed.

Highly recommended!
John Prigent

More details from Osprey Publishing

Read an extract at Osprey Publishing