QF schedule Vietnam war

[megan]

Flew to Saigon courtesy of QF via Singapore and came home via Darwin thence Sydney. Anyone able to give timings and days etc?

[Ken Borough]

I don't know if the address is current but you might try this:

[email protected]

And here is a link to a bit of history:

VH-JET#1 & Her Sisters - Skippy Squadron

[Norman Wells]

The best that I can do is a Manila - Sydney sector on the B707-338 which was 9 hours 30 minutes.
Also a Saigon - Sydney sector on VH - EBP (B707 - 338) on 4th March, 1970 which was 10 hours 03 minutes.
I have passed the word around so someone might be able to come up with those specific sectors.
Regards, Norman Wells

[4Greens]

First flight into Saigon with some troops we had a line of US helos firing into the ground on the approach to keep the baddies heads down. On departure in Briefing somone knocked a chair over and the next moment we are talking to ourselves. They were all under tables and desks.

I wasn't entirely convinced we were winning.

[ACMS]

Which way did Qantas fly the 707 from MNL to SYD? If direct it wouldn't have been 9:30 mins. We can do that in the slow bus in about 7:00

Did they go around Indo?


Ahh just read the Indo's wouldn't let QF overfly with soldiers and weapons on board, they must have gone a long way around!!

[Aussie Bob]

I wasn't entirely convinced we were winning.

You were correct there! We lost, as a matter of fact we got our butts kicked. But then again, we were an invading force on a peaceable population. Some would say we learned nothing either.

[Di_Vosh]

Thread drift

We lost, as a matter of fact we got our butts kicked.

If by "We" you mean Australia, then you're wrong.

But then again, we were an invading force on a peaceable population.

So far wrong as beyond belief.

I'd suggest you do some reading on the Vietnam conflict. While you're at it, suggest you also read up on Insurgency and Counter-Insurgency.

Some would say we learned nothing either.

Agree with that one, sadly enough!

DIVOSH!

[Flyboat North]

Are these Blokes still gatecrashing the Anzac Day Parade & marching ?

Truly pathetic

[tipsy2]

The politicians lost the war not our military. One of the legacies of Goof Whitlam.

Now back to the topic at hand, the contribution made by QANTAS and their crews.

Tipsy.

[megan]

Aussie Bob, best you get and read a copy of "Unheralded Victory - Who Won the Vietnam War?" Probably the first war won by one side having a better propaganda machine than the other.

[Aussie Bob]

The only apology I will field is that I meant no offense to the blokes who fought there, nor did I mean to denigrate their bravery, nor their gains in battle. Back to QANTAS and their crews and sorry for the thread creep.

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

50th Anniversary of 'Long Tan', August this year....

Time does 'fly'....

Cheers

[Di_Vosh]

Erm...

Aussie Bob

While I'm sure that we all appreciate your apology, I'm confused as to why you offered it as there was nothing you said earlier that warranted it.

MY objection was that you were commenting on a conflict about which you appear to know very little.

DIVOSH!

P.S. We had David Sabben as a guest speaker at one of our functions last year. Very interesting insights into the battle.

[Aussie Bob]

Di Vosh, The apology I offered was to our Vietnam Vets in case they took offense. I meant none.

Our views of history are shaped by the books we read, the movies and TV we watch and the people we meet. Mine are different than yours however I still respect yours. Some (a very small part) of my views were influenced by visiting "The Museum of American War Crimes" in Ho Chi Minh City.

You may call it a counter insurgency, I call it an invasion and a bloody tragedy. I believe Neil Davis felt the same.

BTW, my grandfather was a decorated WW1 veteran of Gallipoli and then The Western Front and my late father served in WW2. I am now custodian of both of their medals. (for Flyboat north)

Megan, I guess if we dropped even more bombs and spread even more chemical the result may have been different?

[Checklist Charlie]

[QUOTE]Our views of history are shaped by the books we read, the movies and TV we watch and the people we meet. [/QUOTE

Aussie Bob, some of us utilise our experiences to formulate our views.

Have you even been spat on?

CC

[currawong]

ten percenter = basker in the reflected glory of others

[Aussie Bob]

Checklist Charlie, some would say our views formulate our experience.

No, I have never been spat on.

[megan]

I guess if we dropped even more bombs and spread even more chemical the result may have been different

Bob, I'm afraid with that one sentence you've demonstrated your complete lack of understanding of how the conflict unfolded. As I said, read the book, it'll give you a taste as to who won and why.

Some (a very small part) of my views were influenced by visiting "The Museum of American War Crimes" in Ho Chi Minh City

A good example of how they won by means of propaganda. Have you heard about the Hanoi directed war crimes? Makes Mai Lai look like a Sunday school picnic.

[4Greens]

For our efforts acting as crew we were awarded the Vietnam Transport medal. Qantas also filled overhead lockers with beer -a great morale booster. At the time we were not allowed to tell anyone we were doing these trips. This included, in theory , family and friends.

[Southpole]

Aussie bob,

Don't worry, you are definitely not the only one thinking that way.
My suggestion would be to drop the discussion.. No point in debating with people who hold the true secrets of the universe. Close to any other point of view.

See ya!