Bullets, Beans and Bandages - Gary McKay

Most of the books on Australian involvment in the Vietnam War have focused on the combat side of the conflict. This text goes beyond warfare to look at the personnel in the many units and organizations who provided the support which enabled the foot soldiers or "grunts" to complete their missions. For many of these support people, their experiences during the Vietnam war were totally different to those of the infantrymen.;The author conducted interviews with over 100 veterans and their families to build a picture of their war. He offers the memories of nurses and doctor; of Qantas cabin crew and pilots who took soldiers to the war zone; and of Australians who served with the Army, Navy and Air Force in helicopters, armoured units, maintenance divisions, destroyers on the gun lines, units attached to American forces and ships carrying troops. Thses Australians ensured that the men in the line of fire were supported, nurtured and comforted when they became casualties. Their recollections offer an oral history of Australia's war in Vietnam. Their desire to be professional, their dedication to their tasks and their sense of humour in the face of tragedy and horror surrounding them reveals them as heroes in their own right.