Service in South Vietnam
The 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (5 RAR) was raised on the 1st of March 1965, and after taking over the old 1 RAR lines at Holsworthy Barracks, NSW became the first battalion in the regiment to welcome "Nashos" into it's ranks.
Five Battalion's first tour of duty in South Vietnam commenced in March - April 1966 and concluded in April 1967. The Battalion conducted 18 major operations against NVA Main Force and guerrilla units and throughout its tour of duty sub units were continually involved in ambushing and patrolling activities.
Along with 6 RAR, between major operations, cordon and search activities, patrolling, ambushing and working hard to win the hearts and minds of the South Vietnamese villagers the "Tigers" were kept extremely busy establishing a "home" for themselves as well as for that of the rapidly growing 1st Australian Task Force in and around Nui Dat.
In 1967 just prior to 5 RAR ("Tigers ") being relieved by 7 RAR ("Pigs") the commander of the Reconnaissance Platoon Lieutenant Mick Deak (Von Berg MC) 'captured' a live piglet near the village of Hoa Long. The piglet enjoyed life as the platoon pet for a short time before being mysteriously painted with tiger stripes. On 26 April 1967 Lieutenant Colonel Warr, CO 5RAR, presented the piglet to Lieutenant Colonel Smith, CO 7 RAR, as a gesture of handing over responsibility for 5 Battalion's lines and area of operations.

So much work for so few men.
In February 1969 5 RAR returned to South Vietnam. This time, conducting 17 major Operations including many, outside of Phouc Tuy Province; it was during this tour that the battalion so highly distinguished itself in the Battle of Bihn Ba.

Together then, 'brothers' forever.
On 5/5/05 my great mate and army 'brother' Leigh 'Fish' Fischer mailed me his old Zippo Lighter inscribed with the date of the linking of 5 and 7 Battalions to create 5/7 RAR. 'Fish' wrote in his letter Just returning the striped pig mate. The first time he and I met was in 1964 during a basic Para course at the completion of which we then served together in Airborne Platoon 1 RAR until I was posted out to 5 RAR. 'Fish' served with 7RAR in Vietnam and after returning to Australia joined SASR. Although after Airborne we never served in the same unit again we have remained great mates over the years. In May 2005 Blue Mulby, knowing I was coming to Perth on business, secretly arranged for he and 'Fish' to meet me at the airport.
When we met despite having not seen 'Fish' for over 35 years our conversation seemed to just pick up from where it left off all those years ago.

For information about 5 Battalion in Vietnam.
Please look into the 5 RAR Contents page link below.
5 RAR LINK TO THIS SITES PAGE
5 RAR WEB SITE
We wish to acknowledge Brian London (Deceased) and Ted Harrison for allowing us to link to the excellent 5 RAR site and for the work they and those involved in the site have provided to the broader community.