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The Jungle Dark
On 21 July 1969, 3 Platoon, A Company, 6 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment forced their way through the damp Vietnamese jungle on a patrol as part of Operation Mundingburra. With the insects biting and the humidity sapping their strength, the platoon established a safe harbour and listened as the news came across the Neil Armstrong had become the first man on the moon. Moments later, their skipper, Platoon Commander Lieutenant Peter Hines, stepped on a mine and exploded in a maelstrom of dirt, smoke and blood.Memories of that fateful day stayed with the members of 3 Platoon for more than a decade before singer-songwriter John Schumann transformed the story into a ballad that would capture the spirit of a generation and become the anthem for the veterans of the Vietnam war.This is the true story of Frank 'Frankie' Hunt and the other soldiers of 3 Platoon who were the inspiration for Redgum's 1983 hit song I Was Only Nineteen. Using first-hand accounts, The Jungle Dark is both a fascinating Australian yarn and enthralling military history. Vividly told, informative and poignant, it also traverses the deep unhealed wounds left in the minds and hearts of Vietnam soldiers long after they had left the battlefield.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 17, 2017
Many Australians will know the Redgum song "I was only 19".
This very, very well written and structured book tells of the torment from birth to now that "Frankie" has experienced in life and provides telling glimpses into the man who's experiences are the basis of the song
Much more that that however, it is a description of a period in Australian history with our involvement in Vietnam's American war, that was sadly a time of great social upheaval, personal and family loss, and in my opinion, of some VERY poor choices and decisions.
I was in Vietnam circa 15 yrs ago, on a backpacking journey, and engaged where I at all possible with locals and small businesses. One was a 4 day delta tour, just one guy driver and guide, a small mini bus and local, small hotels. I got talking to our guide, and over the days he shared a very small part of his story. How the scars on his legs and back were gunshot wounds when as a team of three, he was the only one who made it back How he went into the tunnels at 50kg and came out at 25kg. How he fought for his country against local and foreign forces. He asked me if I hated the Vietnamese. I asked if he hated us. He saw the Australians as a respectful, professional foe. I said I believed that we engaged in a conflict for political reasons and that I respected the soldiers on BOTH sides of the conflict, for each fought for what they saw as right and I understood did the best they could given the situations.
I have never been to war. I cannot begin to understand what men and women go through and how they get through it then and after. All I have for our troops is ongoing respect, pride and compassion. All governments should do more for their veterans.
This tale is further evidence of that, and of the futility of armed conflict. Mankind will always however fight.
The best we can all do therefore is to respect and support as we can those who are sent to fight on our behalf.
This very, very well written and structured book tells of the torment from birth to now that "Frankie" has experienced in life and provides telling glimpses into the man who's experiences are the basis of the song
Much more that that however, it is a description of a period in Australian history with our involvement in Vietnam's American war, that was sadly a time of great social upheaval, personal and family loss, and in my opinion, of some VERY poor choices and decisions.
I was in Vietnam circa 15 yrs ago, on a backpacking journey, and engaged where I at all possible with locals and small businesses. One was a 4 day delta tour, just one guy driver and guide, a small mini bus and local, small hotels. I got talking to our guide, and over the days he shared a very small part of his story. How the scars on his legs and back were gunshot wounds when as a team of three, he was the only one who made it back How he went into the tunnels at 50kg and came out at 25kg. How he fought for his country against local and foreign forces. He asked me if I hated the Vietnamese. I asked if he hated us. He saw the Australians as a respectful, professional foe. I said I believed that we engaged in a conflict for political reasons and that I respected the soldiers on BOTH sides of the conflict, for each fought for what they saw as right and I understood did the best they could given the situations.
I have never been to war. I cannot begin to understand what men and women go through and how they get through it then and after. All I have for our troops is ongoing respect, pride and compassion. All governments should do more for their veterans.
This tale is further evidence of that, and of the futility of armed conflict. Mankind will always however fight.
The best we can all do therefore is to respect and support as we can those who are sent to fight on our behalf.
October 16, 2019
Australian Soldiers in Vietnam
A moving tale of Australian Soldiers in Vietnam, and how their anthem "I was only 19" came to pass. A story of combat , recovery, and the extraordinary men who served Australia in Vietnam. I can't recommend it enough.
A moving tale of Australian Soldiers in Vietnam, and how their anthem "I was only 19" came to pass. A story of combat , recovery, and the extraordinary men who served Australia in Vietnam. I can't recommend it enough.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews