Series number

AWM 320

 

Series title

Records of 1 Ordnance Field Park (1 OFP) – Vietnam

 

Contents date range

1966 – 1972

 

Extent

2.7 metres

 

Access conditions

Subject to the Archives Act 1983

 

Custodial agency

Australian War Memorial

Agency controlling

Department of Defence

 

Function and Provenance

Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War spanned ten years from 1962 to 1972. At its peak the Australian Army’s commitment to Vietnam stood at a Task Force consisting of three infantry battalions and supporting arms, a logistic support group (1 ALSG) and the Australian Army Training Team attached as advisors to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam.  These forces were controlled by Headquarters Australian Force Vietnam (HQ AFV), based in Saigon.

 

The initial deployment of Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps (RAAOC) personnel in the Vietnam War occurred in May 1965 in Bien Hoa Province.  This ordnance group consisted of a headquarters, a movement control section, an engineer detachment, elements from other corps (providing medical and dental, stores, repair support, rations and fuel), and included eighteen RAAOC personnel who were expected to provide the full range of ordnance supply support.  Following this initial deployment the RAAOC was responsible for the provisioning, receipt, storage and issue of all army items of supply.  It also provided such services as ammunition, repair, salvage, parachute maintenance, printing, laundry and bakery facilities.

 

In early 1966, it was decided that a group of Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps (RAAOC) personnel would be detached from the Ordnance Depot in Vietnam, and attached to the 1^st Australian Logistic Support Group (1 ALSG) to be set up at Vung Tau. An advance group of thirteen 1 OFP personnel, commanded by Lt Norm Clark, deployed to Nui Dat on 5 June 1966.  The unit was tasked with the ordering, control and supply of stores to the Australian forces at Nui Dat. These supplies included weapons and ammunition, spare parts, bedding, tents, clothing, and fuel. Re-supply was via HMA Ships Sydney and Jeparit, or by RAAF Air Supply. Local purchases were also undertaken with varying results.  Rations were largely supplied by the US Forces (96%). The US also supplied 90.2% of total ammunition requirements. Beer, cigarettes and soft drink were the major food items supplied by Australia. Bathing and laundry services were later established.

 

In the period to 1971 the main elements of RAAOC support to the AFV were 2 Advanced Ordnance Depot (2 AOD) and 1 Ordnance Field Park (1 OFP).  The 1 OFP, located at Nui Dat in the forward echelon of the AFV, was responsible for the supply of Task Force units (up to 30 day holdings).  2 AOD, located at Vung Tau, being responsible for the re-supply of 1 OFP and units in the communication zone.  In July 1971, 1 OFP was relocated to Vung Tau, where it later took over 2 Australian Ordnance Depot’s functions. 1 OFP was withdrawn to Holsworthy in 1972, and this process was complete by June of that year.   

 

The records of 1 OFP were amongst those relating to the Vietnam War which where transferred to the AWM between November 1981 and March 1982.  The consignment was accessioned as OW 82/11.  They formed part of a larger series which was designated as AWM100 in the 1980’s.  Since 1999 Official Records staff have removed subseries from AWM100 and registered each of them as a separate series of records.  The records of 1 OFP were added to the RecordSearch database and the series was redesignated AWM320 in July 2003.

 

Content

AWM320 contains the records created and maintained by 1 OFP during its service in Vietnam.  The series comprises paper files and documents on variety of activities, including operation, management and administration of 1 OFP in Vietnam.

 

Researchers should note that the organization of 1 OFP was changed on 15 September 1971 in preparation for AFV’s return to Australia.  On this day 1 OFP became a ‘special to purpose unit’, assuming ordnance support responsibility for the AFV from 2 AOD for all functions except Group 1 (Veh) , Group 3 (Clo), and 4 Sub Depot (Returned Stores).  Refer record item R128/1/1.  Also refer to establishment of a Forward Ordnance Company to replace 2 AOD, record item R579/1/1.

 

System of arrangement and control

The system of arrangement and control is the original Department of the Army filing system as used when the records were created.  AWM320 contains registered records.  The registered records have a three-part number conforming to the Department of the Army Registry Classification of Correspondence Catalogue.  The first number represents the primary topic of the item, the second and third number refines the topic further in particular the third number representing the sequential file number for the record subject.  Item numbers are preceded by the letter ‘R’.

 

Using the series

Each item in the series is recorded on the RecordSearch database which researchers can access via the Internet.  Further assistance in finding relevant information may be gained from related series of records (click on series links at the bottom of this page).

 

Sources

AWM administrative file, Series dossier AWM 320.

 

Tilbrook, John D, To the warrior his arms: a history of the ordnance services in the Australian Army, Canberra, Royal Australian Army

Ordnance Corps Committee, 1989.