Targets in Phuoc Tuy

If Australia had pursued more of a joint approach to the Vietnam war, putting the RAN gunline ships and 2sqn at the disposal of COMAFV and 1 ATFV instead of embedding them in USAF and USN units would they have enough work to do?

I think the 2 sqn would be well occupied during Op Coburg, and during the battle of Coral-Blamoral when 1 ATFV was away from Phuoc Tuy. But what about the RAN, and what about the rest of the time?
 
My thoughts for the RAN is that the larger major fleet units would be better placed serving up north on the gunline as they did in OTL. Perhaps have MELBOURNE briefly inchop into Dixie station.

However, I could foresee a role for several Ton class minesweepers to conduct boarding operations and mine clearance roles at Vung Tau. Conceivably the boarding type of role may be perfect for the new Attack class patrol boats, after all they were ordered in 1965 entered service 1967.

Clearance diving team, homeported at Vung Tau with elements detached as required. Overall maybe a role for a Senior Captain in the RAN, possibly a Commodore it depends on the inter service rivalry at the point in time.
 
I'd have a River Class frigate on station off Phuoc Tuy to run boarding ops and conduct fire missions and H & I shelling. If a btn was operating within NGS range I'd detach a DDG to operate with the frigate to provide overwhelming NGS.
 
Hmmm I think I understand where you want to head with this.

Okay in this scenario have a River class frigate conduct a six month tour off the coast of Phuoc Tuy province acting in concert with the minesweepers / patrol boats on an interdiction campaign. To assist with that have a detachment of P-2's for the maritime reconnaisance and possibly work in conjunction with RVN forces.

Have a RAN DDG notionally tasked to the AO, and deployed from Singapore when parts of the Australian task force conduct operations within NGS range. After all at the time we had several assets continually operating from Sembawang... so a notional tasking works quite well.

Have the RAN helicopter flight based out of Vung Tau as well and we should really have the AWE flying on vietnamese soil. Now if you can also get the Avon Sabre winging over South Vietnam that would be pretty cool and O boats off the coast of North Vietnam.
 
Close, I'd have RAN-FAA S2Gs rather than P2 and P3s, smaller and cheaper for a local mission.

The Sabres would deploy from Thailand when 1 ATF is set up, their role had been superseeded by then and it would be a good tasking for the declining years of the Sabre. Conveniently enough the switch from Sabres to Mirages could be covered by a war cruise from HMAS Melbourne. The Melbourne and Frigate deployments wouldn't be a problem because they were deployed to the FESR anyway, instead of exercises they'd conduct war cruises.

I wouldn't totally disengage from the US war effort. There would be plently of time when 1 ATF and AATTV wouldn't need NGS and fighter/bomber support so the DDG and Sabre/Canberra/Mirage would be tasked by their US superiors.
 
Is this for your long heralded stronger ADF TL?

If you ever get around to writing it :rolleyes:, count me in as I would love to contribute - work permitting.
 
I've already written 2000 words, and I've been doing some more reading this week, but will have to get into the writing mood to smash out another couple of 1000 words.
 
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