Australia Post The Century of Service: Vietnam War

 

AUSTRALIA POST on 11 October 2016 released The Century of Service: Vietnam War stamp issue, commemorating Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War and is the third in a series focusing on conflicts since World War I.

The Vietnam War (1955–75) was fought between communist North Vietnam, which sought to unify the country after the partition that resulted from the First Indochina War (1946–54), and South Vietnam, which was backed by anti-communist USA. While Australia didn’t enter the war until 1962, it was to become our longest conflict of the 20th century.

Despite years of bloody conflict, causing the death and displacement of millions of Vietnamese people, the USA and its allies were unable to counter the guerilla tactics of the pro-Communist National Liberation Front or Viet Cong. Finally, on 30 April 1975, South Vietnam fell to North Vietnamese forces.

Almost 60,000 Australians, including ground troops and air force and navy personnel served in Vietnam. 521 Australian servicemen died and over 3,000 were wounded. The National Service Scheme was widely opposed and caused thousands to take to the streets of major cities in moratorium marches. Tragically, on their return, far from receiving a hero’s welcome, many soldiers were reviled for their participation in this most unpopular war.

The five commemorative stamps focus on a different aspect of the war, including the home front and the aftermath.

For more information these stamps, go to this link.