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Offical History, Soldier's Memories and the Participant Interviewer Ernest Benjamin Morris University of Wollongong

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University of Wollongong Research Online University of Wollongong Thesis Collection University of Wollongong Thesis Collections 2014 Remembering Vietnam: Offical History, Soldier's Memories and the Participant Interviewer Ernest Benjamin Morris University of Wollongong Recommended Citation Morris, Ernest Benjamin, Remembering Vietnam: Officali H story, Soldier's Memories and the Participant Interviewer, Master of Arts thesis, School of Humanities and Social Inquiry - Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts, University of Wollongong, 2014. http://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/4348 Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact the UOW Library: [email protected] REMEMBERING VIETNAM: OFFICIAL HISTORY, SOLDIERS’ MEMORIES AND THE PARTICIPANT INTERVIEWER A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of MASTER OF ARTS 3527219 Ernest Benjamin Morris, B Ec (ANU), M Tax (UNSW) SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL INQUIRY FACULTY OF LAW, HUMANITIES AND THE ARTS UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG 2014 CERTIFCATION I, Ernest Benjamin Morris, declare that this thesis, submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts at the University of Wollongong, is wholly my own work unless otherwise referenced or acknowledged. The document has not been submitted for qualifications at any other academic institution. Ernest Benjamin Morris Student Number 3527219 22nd August 2014 i ABSTRACT This is a thesis that relies upon oral history to investigate the experiences of Australian soldiers serving in Vietnam in 1967. The thesis is unusual because the historian is the former platoon commander of these soldiers who recorded the narrations of former platoon members. The first half of the thesis examines the strengths and weaknesses of oral history and why the Vietnam War has produced so many controversial 'narrations' from veterans of the war. The second half of the thesis examines a controversy that affected this platoon and involved the killing of civilians in an ambush on 23 October 1967. The ambush became a major controversy in the Australian press in 1976. The conclusion reached is that oral history, especially the narrations of ordinary soldiers, is vital for an improved understanding of the Vietnam War but these narrations must be used carefully and corroborated as much as possible with written sources. In the case of the ambush that is at the centre of this thesis, it is only through the narrations of the soldiers that it is possible to understand an event that became embroiled in political controversy and patriotic propaganda. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The most important people in assisting this research are the thirty four persons who gave their time in contributing oral histories narratives which form the basis of this research. While the greatest effort was given by the men of 2 Platoon, all narrators have helped to develop a fuller background to the realities of the battlefield. The men of 2 Platoon have not only told their stories candidly and willingly, but have also given encouragement in urging me to complete the task. Special thanks go to Ross Horne and Paul King who have contacted me regularly, not so much to check on the research’s progress, but more importantly to check on my wellbeing. A number of platoon members have readily responded to questions on matters of fact when required. There are other members of the veteran community who have given encouragement and responded to questions, and more importantly been prepared to discuss issues when approached. Particularly Graham Walker of the Vietnam Veterans Federation, John Sykes of the Royal Military College Class of 1965, and fellow platoon commander from 2 RAR, Barry Corse, have been supportive and candid in their comments. Greg Lockhart, author of The Minefield, has assisted in a number of ways in both academic and military matters. The oral history community has shared their knowledge, provided instruction and advice which have assisted me in this research. Many in this community have encouraged me in my work and gave advice and assistance of various forms. Prominent in support have been Alistair Thomson, Janis Wilton, Sandra Blamey, the Editorial Board and Editors of the Oral History Journal. There are others who have helped in many ways. A special thanks is given to the anonymous peer reviews who have drawn my attention to various aspects of this subject that either had to be explored or given greater prominence. This community has also been the source of some funding which has enabled me to attend some conferences. The executive of the NSW Branch of the Association provided grant funding for me to attend the 2013 Oral History Conference in iii Adelaide, while the International Oral History Conference gave me financial support to attend the 2014 Conference in Barcelona. I must acknowledge the comments and encouragement of Professor Brian Martin’s writing group, who have managed to guide an infantryman in some of the niceties of academic writing skills. Both Michael Matteson and Anne Melano of this writing group have been very supportive in cultivating my writing skills. Doctors Jim Turner, Irwin Pakula and psychologist Andrew Tuddenham have been helpful in providing advice in their specialities, support and encouragement, and have read drafts of some parts of this work. Fathers Ed Travers, Chris Chaplin and Ron Peters have given advice and comment when sort. The National Archives of Australia has assisted by providing files from and advice about their collection. This has assisted in accessing archival information pertinent to this research. My wife has been unstinting with her time in editing many versions of this thesis. From its commencement, her observations and support have helped me to develop the principal arguments of the thesis. As we discussed many of the topics canvassed she suggested areas that needed to be investigated further or given greater weight. She also generously agreed to using our joint savings to fund my attendance at a number of interstate and international conferences. Special thanks goes to Bruce Howlett who, in spite of health problems, has proof read many drafts of this thesis and journal articles, and has diligently searched the internet for gaps in the research. It is not often that a Masters Research student has a research assistant of such erudition and extraordinary internet skills. Last but not least, I would like to acknowledge the assistance and advice I have received from my supervisor Stephen Brown, Dean of Students and Senior Lecturer - History I believe that we have gained much from our time together. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS CERTIFICATION ........................................................................................................ i ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................ iii INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 1 CHAPTER ONE: .........................................................................................................11 The Strengths and Weaknesses of Oral History.......................................................... 11 Literature Review........................................................................................................ 11 Oral History................................................................................................................. 11 Problematic History .................................................................................................... 18 CHAPTER TWO: ....................................................................................................... 23 Methodology ............................................................................................................... 23 CHAPTER THREE: ................................................................................................... 34 Vietnam and Civilian deaths ....................................................................................... 34 ANZAC and Digger .................................................................................................... 38 Case Study One: Volunteering for Vietnam ............................................................... 40 Case Study Two: War Crimes, Atrocities and Collateral Damage ............................ 43 CHAPTER FOUR: ..................................................................................................... 49 A War of Ambushes.................................................................................................... 49 CHAPTER FIVE: ....................................................................................................... 56 A Media Issue ............................................................................................................. 56 Defending The Honour of the Defence Force ............................................................. 56 CHAPTER SIX: .................................................................................. ...................... 64 Investigating The Ambush Written and Oral Sources ................................................ 64 CHAPTER SEVEN: .................................................................................................. 68 Oral Sources...............................................................................................................
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