18 August – Vietnam Veterans Day

Dear Members and Supporters,

Vietnam Veterans Day is a day to honour the service and sacrifice of the 60,000 Australians who served in the Vietnam War. The date specifically coincides with the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan in 1966.

Vietnam Veterans Day has great significance for the military precinct of Middle Head. It is where our first troops to be deployed to Vietnam, the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV), were trained. The story of the AATTV is unique.

The team, especially chosen from the best available, formed a specialist unit of military advisors solely for service as part of Australia's contribution to the War, providing training and assistance to South Vietnamese forces.

They assembled at Middle Head at the School of Military Intelligence for all their briefings. They undertook courses in foreign army tactics, combat intelligence and the Vietnamese language. They also completed the Code of Conduct Course designed to prepare them for interrogation and torture if captured. The Code of Conduct Course, known as 'The School of Torture', was conducted in the tunnels at Middle Head Fort.

Significant attendees on that course were Sergeant Ray ‘Simmo’ Simpson, VC, DCM, Captain Barry Petersen, MC, and Warrant Officer 1 George Chinn, DCM.

Sergeant Ray ‘Simmo’ Simpson, VC, DCM, had an exemplary career spanning service during WWII, Korea, Malaya and Vietnam. He arrived in Saigon with the first Australian contingent on 3 August 1962.

Captain Barry Petersen, MC, was sent to Vietnam in 1963 under the command of the CIA. Petersen was ordered to train and lead guerrilla squads of Montagnard tribesmen against the Viet Cong in the remote Central Highlands. Petersen successfully formed a fearsome militia, named 'Tiger Men'. A canny leader, he was courageous in battle, and his bravery saw him awarded the coveted Military Cross and worshipped by the hill tribes.

Warrant Officer 1 George Chinn, DCM, completed a tour of duty in South Vietnam with the AATTV 1964-65. He later accompanied the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) on its first tour of duty in 1966 – 67, which included the Battle of Long Tan. Read his story here ➞

Many followed in the steps of these men, training at Middle Head and living in the Timber Barracks whilst doing so. These Barracks now face an uncertain future. They are proposed to be demolished by the Harbour Trust.

It is most likely that these Barracks, the associated 10 Terminal Headquarters, the training rooms and the 'tiger cages' in the tunnels at Middle Head together are now one of the few tangible remnants of Australia's commitment to Vietnam.

The Middle Head military precinct is recognised as an important part of our National Heritage. As such, this heritage must not be diminished by the needless demolition of the Barracks buildings, and with them the stories of those who lived there, only to make way for a public domain precinct for gatherings, festivals and concerts.

The Harbour Trust has a statutory obligation to preserve and conserve the military heritage at Middle Head, which includes the Barracks. It is imperative that the Harbour Trust honours that obligation. HPG will continue its best endeavours to ensure that this heritage is retained.

Hear more about the Battle of Long Tan and the School of Torture at our Annual General Meeting.

HPG ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Wednesday 17 September 2025, 6.30 pm
Mosman Square Seniors Centre, Spit Junction, Mosman

Come and listen to our guest speaker Brigadier Kevin O'Brien, CSC, Rtd, as he introduces his new book, “Long Tan: Memories, Myths and Reality of the Battle of Long Tan”, a battle described as "an epic victory in South Vietnam in the biggest battle involving Australian troops since the Korean War". And watch “The School of Torture”, a short movie, narrated by Captain Barry Petersen MC.

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at our forthcoming AGM.

Kind Regards

Jill L’Estrange

President
Headland Preservation Group