A short history of the Australian Intelligence Corps

Introduction -- Federation -- Formation of the Corps -- World War 1
Between the World Wars -- World War 2 -- Asian Engagements -- Vietnam
Peacekeepers -- Reservists, Regulars & The Future
Official Contributers

Vietnam

The major post-World War 2 deployment of the Australian Army involved the commitment of forces to South Vietnam. Corps personnel accompanied the first contingent, and subsequent contingents maintained the Corps presence in the theatre throughout the entire campaign. Personnel served in a wide variety of appointments and units from Headquarters Australian Force Vietnam down through the chain of command to individuals attached to field combat units. The main Corps unit to serve was Detachment 1st Division Intelligence Unit which arrived in country in 1966 and returned home in October 1971. The Detachment was structured around a tiny headquarters of a captain and two soldiers. There was a document exploitation and interrogation group, and an air intelligence group who processed intelligence made available from aerial reconnaissance and surveillance systems used in support of the 1st Australian Task Force. The final group was a counter-intelligence body which was at the core of the Australian effort to make their area of operations safe from the enemy. In 1967, the Detachment used its resources to mount a series of intelligence directed operations known as 'Acorn Operations'.

The first Acorn operation was conducted in the second half of 1967 and was a selective area search by Detachment 1st Division Intelligence Unit following a cordon and sweep by a company of infantry. Often the areas were individual hamlets or even houses. One such operation, conducted on the 25th September 1968, against a part of An Nhut village resulted in sixteen detainees from a total of 32 who were targeted. This operation took four weeks to prepare and involved detailed investigation and briefing of those taking part. The speed with which these operations were conducted was the essence of their success and in one operation in which thirteen of 26 targeted suspects were detained the task was accomplished in 35 minutes. A total of 52 Acorn operations were conducted which achieved outstanding results. Acorn operations were eventually discontinued because of the development of the Phung Hoang/Phoenix Programme (a program led by the South Vietnamese/US forces). In comparison to the Australian led Acorn operations, the subsequent activities of the Phoenix Program resulted in a significant decrease in the detection and neutralisation of the enemy in the Australian area of operations.

SSGT Wayne Wells - During an air surveillance mission monitoring the sensor system ("people sniffer")

Corporal Ronald Partis was awarded the British Empire Medal for counter intelligence work around Hoa Long, Phuoc Tuy Province, which was the main food supply centre for the Viet Cong. Corporal Partis applied himself to the problem of establishing the enemy’s method of obtaining supplies. He obtained his information from many sources, including those which he himself had established among the village population. He exposed himself to great personal risk by operating in daylight hours within the hamlets of Hoa Long with only a Vietnamese interpreter to accompany him. It was known that many residents were sympathisers to the enemy cause and enemy soldiers sometimes remained in hamlet tunnels for two or three days at a time. Intelligence obtained by Corporal Partis enabled the elimination of 20 enemy, the capture of one prisoner of war and the detainment of three other suspected persons. This was a significant blow to enemy operations in that locality.



Introduction -- Federation -- Formation of the Corps -- World War 1
Between the World Wars -- World War 2 -- Asian Engagements -- Vietnam
Peacekeepers -- Reservists, Regulars & The Future
Official Contributers