Australian Troops Head to Vietnam

June 6, 1965 - Australian troops on their way to the Vietnam war have been ordered to keep their names out of newspapers to protect morale and shield wives and other family members at home from possible Communist poison-pen letters.

All men of the First Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment (pictured) have been directed by their commanding officer, Lieut. Col. I.R. Brumfield, not to give names, rank, units, or home addresses to the press for publication.

The ban is believed to be the most stringent ever imposed on any Australian Army unit serving overseas.

A senior officer, explaining the policy to reporters as the troops headed north from Sydney: “Our primary object is the morale of the men. The Communists cannot be underrated. They will use any tactics.”

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