Aussies and SPA

Well I think we all know that the US nearly constantly had a battery of SPA's at Nui Dat supporting the Aussie Ops.

They were used during the Battle of Long Tan as an example.

However, as a fairly well read Vietnam War "enthusiast", especially about the Aussies it was of interest that today I learnt for the first time that thru 67 and 68 the Aussies had their own SP Howitzers, 6 M108's loaned to them at no cost by the US Army.

They were 6 troop A squadron 3rd cavalry regiment RAAC, yes Armoured Corp, not RAA, Artillery Corp.

A total of 35 men served in the troop during its service and it is believed this is the only time in the history of the Australian Army that they used SPA.

That will be until our newly ordered Korean made SPA comes into service in a couple of years!

As I understand these were used as convoy escort loaded with splintex rounds. Crews were drawn from tanks, artillerymen and mostly base Wallah's who wanted a change. They were 'returned' when an irate Officer commanding Australian Task Force saw them drive past and demanded to know where these non standard bits of kit came from.