Australian War Memorial

PHOTOGRAPHS

Photo: Vietnam War 1962-1975, Wading through the swamps (photographer unknown)

Comments: In this photo soldiers are enduring the terrible conditions. Often the jungle was too dense to walk through so moving around was often done through the rivers and swamps (or maybe in this case, they needed to cross a river/swamp). At these times they were more vulnerable to fire from the enemy, hence they look as if they are in danger. SO... the message to the viewer comes through. Does it & the other photos/exhibits at the AWM glorify war? I personally don't think so. I think Hollywood does, but this was real - real people, real killings. The use of this photo was probably for reasons of recording the war although others like it were used in newspapers during the war. Many of the boys were conscripted (depending on their date of birth) & went against their will. There was much anti-Vietnam resentment at home at the time of this war & they did not get a hero's welcome on their arrival home. Time & these records that we see at the AWM have now, over 30 years later, somewhat rectified the average Australians' opinions about these brave men.

Photographic technology: In my report I compared it with a photo taken during the Somme winter of 1916-17...

Photographic technology has moved on considerably since WWI. Although they had not reached to digital age of photographs, the modern films at that time were more compact & probably a 35mm was used (although in this case, they didn't use colour negatives or slides, both of which were widely used). 35mm film was invented at about the time of the end of WWI and SLR cameras were used during WWII. They could have been either developed over there or the canister might have been sent home for developing later. The photo has been presented in sepia colour to make to look old, but black & white photos developed & printed only 30-35 years ago would not have turned brownish with age.

UNIFORMS

 

(1)  Australian Army uniform worn at Gallipoli 1915.

 

The uniform was coloured karki green (described as ‘pea soup’ green). For Gallipoli, the uniform was cotton as it was April & heading into summer. There were four pockets on the front of the loose fitting jacket (for comfort). A wide belt was worn high on the waist for two reasons: (1) so that they could crawl on their stomachs & (2) so they could crouch to make themselves as small as possible under fire. There were many pockets attached  - in the front for ammunition & they carried a large back pack. Gallipoli was the 1^st time Australians wore the slouch hat which became a trade mark for all diggers. It was curled up on the right side for ‘eyes right’ during a march past. They moved around on foot, so had heavy boots. Their rifle was long with a bayonet attached. In the middle east, they wore wool. He is carrying a water bottle made of metal. The different hat on man on right could signify an higher ranking officer.

 

References: Slouch hat: http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/slouch/army.asp

http://www.grantsmilitaria.com/militariaphotos/militaria_images.asp?key=14

 

(2)  Australian Army uniform worn in Iraq, c2003

 

This is a combat uniform, It has similarities to the one worn in Gallipoli, but many differences. It is still light & loose fitting & in a light cotton for the hot weather with additions of a metal zipper, Velcro to secure pockets & name tag, and plastic buttons, The vest is synthetic nylon webbing. Again there are an abundance of pockets which include a flat one for a map (side of leg). He no longer wears the slough hat – rather a more protective one covered with the cotton fabric of the trousers and shirt. The uniform colour (including the helmet) is a sandy colour & mottled which is excellent in the desert environment for camouflage. He is continually in contact with his superiors via hi-tech radio equipment & he no longer carries a heavy back pack as he would be running with/riding in tanks. His back is relatively free of bulky equipment so he is able to sit in the tank if necessary. He still has a high thick belt. His gun is a machine gun & it is shorter than those used at Gallipoli – it can’t be too big because they men squash into tanks at times.

 

References: Australian War Memorial web site: www.awm.gov.au