Vietnam and bluebell : The Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in Vietnam, soldier-tradesmen tell their story

Downs, Peter-Ralph (2003). Vietnam and bluebell : The Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in Vietnam, soldier-tradesmen tell their story MPhil Thesis, School of History, Philosophy, Religion, and Classics, The University of Queensland.

       
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Author Downs, Peter-Ralph
Thesis Title Vietnam and bluebell : The Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in Vietnam, soldier-tradesmen tell their story
School, Centre or Institute School of History, Philosophy, Religion, and Classics
Institution The University of Queensland
Publication date 2003
Thesis type MPhil Thesis
Supervisor Professor Martin Stuart-Fox
Total pages 261
Collection year 2003
Language eng
Subjects L
430111 History - Other
780199 Other
Formatted abstract Between 1964 and 1972, some 4000 New Zealand Military personnel served in Vietnam, most in a combat role. Included in the deployments were a small group of Regular Force technicians from the Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corps (RNZEME) (EME). This thesis sets out to determine, through oral interviews and questionnaires, how EME veterans experienced their period of service in Vietnam and how they coped with these experiences after returning home to New Zealand.

Chapter One provides a discussion of methodology and an overview of the thesis. Chapter Two examines the origins of and involvement of Australia and New Zealand in the Vietnam war. Attitudes to New Zealand's decision to commit combat troops, EME preparations in New Zealand, what EME personnel thought about the war, and the deployment of the first EME to Bien Hoa are among the matters covered. Chapter Three relates how EME deployed to Vietnam, their first reactions, development of the Bien Hoa base, early combat experiences, and attitudes towards mateship and discipline. Chapter Four reflects on the changeover of RNZEME personnel, the move to Phuoc Tuy Province and the struggle of the New Zealand Forces to retain national identity. It also discusses culture shock and problems of adaptation to the environment. Chapter Five focuses on the middle years of the deployment, the experience of combat and associated psychological responses to stress, problems of discipline, and the relationship with the indigenous civilian population. The effect of the media on soldiers and their families is also covered. Chapter Six explores New Zealand's disengagement from the Vietnam War and the effect this had on RNZEME soldier-tradesmen. It also addresses the postwar experiences of EME on their return to New Zealand, and how they have coped with their war experience. A final chapter provides additional analysis and some conclusions.
Keyword Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Veterans -- New Zealand -- Interviews
Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Psychological aspects
Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers -- History -- Vietnam War, 1961-1975
Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Participation, New Zealand
Additional Notes

Variant title: The Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in Vietnam

Some page numbers (page 9 & 10) are not sequential.

 
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Created: Fri, 24 Aug 2007, 18:10:06 EST