New Zealand's Vietnam War : a history of combat, commitment and controversy / Ian McGibbon.

"The Ministry for Culture and Heritage asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work"--Title page verso.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 675-684) and index.

pt. 1. Early involvement, 1962-5. Medical assistance -- Sappers enter the fray -- The growing crisis -- pt. 2. Military operations, 1965-6. A combat contribution -- To Vietnam -- The operational context -- Into action -- pt. 3. A Phouc Tuy focus, 1966-8. A new framework -- The enemy responds -- Controversies and calamities -- An expanding commitment -- An infantry presence -- The Tet Offensive -- pt. 4. Aspects of Vietnam service. Coalition warfare -- The task force dimension -- Base wallahs, diplomats and others -- Air operations -- The combat soldier's world -- The V force experience -- pt. 5. Medical and relief operations, 1965-72. An expanded medical effort -- Service in Binh Dinh -- Medical operations in Binh Dinh -- Relief efforts -- pt. 6. Military operations, 1968-71. From Tet to mini-Tet -- Return to Phuoc Tuy -- Back to Bien Hoa -- A change of emphasis -- Improving outlook -- A waning effort -- pt. 7. Demise and aftermath, 1972-2008. The training effort -- A civilian focus -- The fall of Saigon -- Adjusting to peace.

"New Zealand's Vietnam War provides a comprehensive and authoritative account of New Zealand's involvement in the Vietnam War, one that will remain the standard reference work on the subject for decades. Its publication will complete the programme of official war history production that began in 1945. This work focuses on what New Zealand did in South Vietnam, as the reasons for this country's involvement and opposition to it have already been covered in book form. It traces in detail the operations carried out by New Zealand forces in Vietnam and seeks to illuminate the experience of New Zealand soldiers fighting in a guerrilla war. The command structure, logistic support and operational context of fighting within a primarily Australian framework are all covered. The book addresses controversial aspects such as friendly fire incidents, atrocity allegations and veterans grievances, including over Agent Orange. Maori participation in V Force was substantial and its impact is assessed. Although the book is inevitably weighted towards the military, because the troops were the largest element of New Zealand's effort in Vietnam, the efforts of civilians in South Vietnam are also covered in depth. The surgical team operated from 1963 until their evacuation from Qui Nhon just days before North Vietnamese columns entered the city. The efforts of courageous civilians like Sister Mary Laurence and of Red Cross volunteers to alleviate misery among refugees are described. The book also covers the dramatic end of the New Zealand involvement in South Vietnam -- with the surgical team and the New Zealand Embassy evacuated by RNZAF Bristol Freighters just before the communist victory. The war's troubled aftermath is traversed, culminating in the Prime Minister's apology to veterans in 2008"--Publisher's information.

Senior secondary National Library of New Zealand.