Many people may not know that the Royal Australian Air Force – RAAF – flew in the Vietnam War the British designed, Australian built med-high altitude GAF Canberra Mk.20 bomber on bombing missions for 5years. The RAAF’s 2 Sqn deployed into Phan Rang from 1967 until 1971 – providing CAS – Close Air Support all across Vietnam from DMZ to Delta.
The Canberra bombers numbers which never totaled more than 8 in country at any one time, flew up to 8 missions a day, yet became heavily requested in the later years for providing exceptionally accurate air support due to the way the RAAF employed the platform in CAS.
Recently a book has been published on the Canberra aircrew and ground crew memories of their operations while based at Phan Rang AFB which was located on the coast in central Vietnam.
Interesting while speaking to my bombardier/navigator mate recently, who served on the Canberra while in Vietnam , he told me many CAS missions actually ended up in the Delta due to the need for CAS down there. Bombing from 3000ft was risky but ensured much better accuracy for them.
The book is worthwhile reading for anyone interested in an unknown yet very important part of the air war over Vietnam. Is available online at – http://www.palmerhiggsbooks.com.au/index.php/raaf-canberra-bombers-in-vietnam-2-squadron-phan-rang.html
Phil
By: XM172 - 11th October 2011 at 17:23
RAAF Vietnam Tribute.
RAAF/RNZAF Vietnam Tribute.
We at www.huey.co.uk are looking to expand our Vietnam Heritage incorporating the ANZAC contribution to the war.
The recent purchase of Canberra WK122 cockpit has stimulated this project so, i too would be very glad to hear on this subject on this thread!
Must fly for now ….
By: CanberraA84-232 - 10th October 2011 at 13:55
my forum namesake is a Vietnam Veteran, and an even rarer one as she was subsequently modifed for cartographic survey duties
She sat neglected outside the gate at Avalon for many years until they towed her inside for a new paint job and tyres so she could serve as “gate guardian” for the 2011 Airshow, though i do not know what has become of her since
By: Daniel - 10th October 2011 at 11:51
My RAAF 2 Sqn book arrived today and it is an exceptional and very revealing insight to the operations in Vietnam using the RAAF Canberra bombers.
I see my bomb/nav mate’s name in the book a few times – so it is very much worth it. Arrived within 2 days of ordering which is speedy.
By: donno21 - 10th October 2011 at 05:30
Aussies in VietNam,Canberra sqdn.
I find this interesting from a personal point of view. I was with the 612th TFS “Misty” flight as a crew chief(F-100F’s) at PhuCat AB and we were transferred as a unit to PhanRang.When we tried to get our **** together at PhanRang, all we met was opposition, no one wanted us there,we did everything wrong, etc etc, youve heard the story before i’m sure. Bottom line, I needed a forklift to offload a bunch of stuff,MY OWN AIRFORCE couldnt/wouldnt help. I approached #2 Sqdn, and they let me borrow a forklift,without their help, we would not have completed our tasks on time. They would accept NOTHING in return, (thank god as we had little to offer. ) A fantastic group of folks, we were invited to their club and made complete fools of ourselves throwing darts.(Damn those folks could drink) Went to work one morning and a small yellow kangaroo was stenciled neatly on the vertical fin of all our “Huns”, underneath in small letters it said”Fine Lads”. Many thanks from an old dude, I never forget.There is a fraternal / unofficial organization”Brothers in Arms”, believe me.
By: pagen01 - 7th October 2011 at 09:23
Phil, I thoroughly recommend that you take a look over at the Canberracrazy forum, there are some extremely good first hand accounts of RAAF Canberras used for the Vietnam conflict.
By: macca172 - 7th October 2011 at 08:05
My late father-in-law served with 2SQN in Vietnam during 1970-71 as a groundie. I know of two ex 2SQN vets who still serve in the RAAF Reserve till this day. Regretfully, I never made it past Malaysia, serving at Butterworth with RAAF Mirages(3 and 75SQN’s)
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October 7, 2011 at 2:14 am