8 RAR was formed at Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane on 14 July 1966
as part of the expansion of the Army during Australia's involvement in
the Vietnam War. On 8 August 1966 it had a strength of 370 men,
including 150 experienced soldiers who had been posted across from
1 RAR. The battalion was expanded the next month with both regular
soldiers and conscripts.
After a period of training 8 RAR embarked overseas in 1967. In
January it was warned that it would relieve 4 RAR in Malaysia, and
this movement gradually took place from 24 August to 6 November.
While in Malaysia the battalion formed part of the 28th Independent
Commonwealth Infantry Brigade which also included New Zealand
Army and British Army units.
8 RAR returned to Enoggera in April 1969 and began intensive
training ahead of being deployed to Vietnam. The battalion arrived in
South Vietnam on 17 November 1969 and replaced 9 RAR six days
later. Like the other Australian Army units in Vietnam, the battalion
formed part of the 1st Australian Task Force and was based in Phuoc
Tuy Province.
In early 1970 8 RAR took part in Operation Hammersley, a
reconnaissance operation in the Long Hải area. This operation began
on 10 February and on 18 February it captured a large bunker
complex after the Vietnamese Communist defenders withdrew
following air raids. The operation continued until 9 March, with the
battalion carrying out patrols and conducting ambushes in order to
engage Communist troops. These operations were successful, and 8
RAR was awarded the South Vietnamese Government's Meritorious
Unit Commendation, including Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit
Citation for its role in the operation.
8 RAR's main task in Vietnam was participating in and supporting
pacification operations in Phuoc Tuy. This involved patrolling the
province in order to engage Communist units and prevent them from
making contact with the civilian population. From 12 June 1970 these
operations were designated Operation Cung Chung and were
intensified. 8 RAR's tour of Vietnam ended in October 1970, by which
time it had lost 18 men killed in action and suffered 108 wounded. As
part of the reduction of the Australian force in Vietnam 8 RAR was not
replaced by another battalion when it returned to Enoggera.
The reduction in the size of the Army at the end of Australia's
involvement in the Vietnam War led to 8 RAR being amalgamated. On
the morning after the Australian Labor Party won the 1972 Federal
Election the battalion, like all others in the Army, was ordered to
discharge all conscripts who did not wish to remain. This led to a large
reduction in the size of the Army, and in 1973 it was decided to reduce
the Royal Australian Regiment from nine to five battalions. This
change was implemented by merging ('linking') several battalions, and
on 31 October 8 RAR was linked with 9 RAR to form 8/9 RAR.
Members of 8 RAR received the following decorations during its
deployment to Vietnam: one Distinguished Service Order, three
Military Crosses, two Military Medals and 13 Mentioned in
Despatches.
