A history of the Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam, as told through the personal recollections of the men who served in the Team from 1962-1972.
The AATTV was in Vietnam from July 1962 to December 1972. Nearly 1,000 Australians, and 11 New Zealanders served with 'The Team'. This is the story of their war - a different war. Advisors, who sometimes operated as commanders, operated in small teams across a wide spectrum of military posts throughout the South. Battalion battles and artillery duels the relief of besieged camps and mobile strike forces are all part of the mosaic that saw the quaintly named Australian Army Training Team Vietnam forge a distinct chapter in Australia's military history.
Many of the memories recounted here have not been told before, but age has not dimmed the ferocity of the battles or reduced the men's compassion for their comrades and their unit.
The introduction of The Team in 1962 is now revealed through the words of the men involved as their cables and letters discuss how Australia should be involved militarily. The Men who Persevered bares the frantic pace of battles in I Corps and reveals the dangers of 'Mike Force' patrols into the Highlands of Central South Viet Nam. It is also a story of compassion as medics and other men made valiant efforts to help the people help themselves. And in the end, it is a tale of bitterness and betrayal as the West abandoned their ally and withdrew with almost obscene haste to the comforts of home.
'The Men Who Persevered' provides an accurate and unique nominal roll of all who served where and when with The Team.
