Australian Military Vehicles Research

The Australian Armoured Personnel Carrier squadron based in South Vietnam from June 1966 until November 1971 displayed a number of organisational changes based on the number of armoured vehicles available and the tasks required. The following table displays one such organisation, that of A Squadron, 3^rd Cavalry Regiment as recorded at January 1967. At this time the Squadron establishment was limited to 3 APC Troops, here numbered 2,3 and 4. The table below provides detail of the unit organisation, M113A1 and variant registration numbers, callsigns and armament.

APC vehicle armament is split between pintle mounted M2 HB.50 calibre machine guns and M74C turrets mounting two .30 calibre machine guns. Commencing September 1966, all Alpha and Bravo callsigns in each of the APC sections were fitted with M74C turrets. This was being finalised in December 1966 and it is believed had been completed by January 1967 mounting twin .30 calibre machine guns. The remainder of the squadrons vehicles retained the pintle mounted M2 HB .50 calibre machine gun, except the M577A1 Armoured Command Vehicle which was armed with an 7.62 mm M60 General Purpose Machine Gun.

Squadron Headquarters

2 Troop

3 Troop

4 Troop

Support Arms Troop