Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ron List Army Volunteer 1967-68 Interview 1985

Qn: How would you describe your life before call-up?
Australia is God’s gift to mankind – an attitude developed by history books. I joined the army for travel, good pay, combining self-discipline.
Qn: Describe your feelings about volunteering.
I believed in conscription but not overseas unless declared war. Menzies told Johnson we were putting in troops. The request did not come from the South Vietnamese government. $2,000bn surplus military equipment in USA plus unemployed: voluntary for two years. 18-20 years for National Service. But not at 16. Let them see what society is all about. Give them a chance to get a trade.
I couldn’t settle down to civic life and discipline. You still have your built-in self-defence. I was against conscientious objection. You’re in it for 2 years for what you can get out of it.
Qn: How much did you know about Vietnam and the war? Would you have changed your actions as a result?
I volunteered for Vietnam. I earnt civvie street wages of only $36. I’d be seeing a bit of Asia, a holiday – knew bugger all apart from the papers. I’d get a war-service loan. Vietnam was an afterthought.
Unfortunately I was not in the infantry, but if I had been, I would have got my head shot off, so I’m glad I wasn’t. It’s something you’ve got to experience yourself. I was influenced by films, as these influence your thinking because the old man wouldn’t talk about it.
There are two types of people: city people and country. They wanted a capitalist society, protected by the military. I wouldn’t go again. The reporters exaggerated, such as The Post, about ‘water torture’ for a woman aged 67. If I had known what I know now, politicians lie and control the media. Don’t trust politicians. They’re hypocritical.
Qn: What happened in Vietnam?
I served 10 months, 3 weeks, 2 days, a rotation after a stint of 6 months discharge: June 1967-68. I was at Nui Dat, aviation regiment, store supply and observer for pilots and helicopters, sometimes gunner.
Qn: What significant events stand out?
Working with people. I was not involved in direct confrontation. I was not into rigging evidence re Nam.
Qn: What feelings and thoughts did you have towards the Vietnamese, the country and the war?
In the city there were no real objections to Aussies, a bit towards Americans. We were threatened by rumours of White Mice (Viet Police).
Getting pissed. Saw Yanks taking drugs, not Aussies. Americans can only fight fire-power not guerilla warfare. Every Aussie guy was taught the same tactics, including cooks, etc. Not the Yanks. They couldn’t tell the difference between people wearing black pyjamas.
Qn: What feelings and thoughts do you have about VVet mates, war-life and the anti-war movement?
I’m satisfied with what I’ve got. I work in the SA Police Force lab. It was a big relief, a holiday away from it all. I’m basically a loner, and live within my means. I was a spendthrift before Vietnam. Then saw how people live over in a poorer materialistic state. They didn’t compete, they think positively.
I didn’t know what protesters were protesting about. The guys hated the lack of support.

Val Braendler