Presentation Title: 'The Ground Opens Up Once More': The Australian Army and the Centurion Tank during the Vietnam War-Era
Theme: Military History
Presenter: Mr Cian Reid

My research explores the evolution of Australian armoured doctrine during the Cold War, with a focus on the Centurion Main Battle Tank and the Vietnam War. Particular areas of interest include armoured mobility in Vietnam, and heavy tanks deployed in a counterinsurgency role. In undertaking this research, I will be approaching memoirs, diaries, letters, and archival material.

The research discusses what did happen, not what might have happened. However, to ensure a guiding theoretical framework, two contemporary-to-the-Vietnam-War military pamphlets will be consulted: Armour, and Counter-Revolutionary Warfare (of the Division in Battle series). These discuss armour's use during the Cold War broadly, but also specifically state armour's role in South-East Asia as one of infantry support.Three books - Australian Armour: A History of the Armoured Corp 1927-1972, Jungle Tracks, and Canister! On! Fire! - can broadly be said to be lacking depth, or are in a narrative, not academic form, and are distinctly lacking a record of the immediate pre- and post- Vietnam War-era.

This research is significant because there is still much to be learnt from the Vietnam War regarding fighting against an insurgency. Additionally, the use of armour, particularly when operating with infantry, is a very important theme in Australian military history, and remains an enduring issue in the armed forces.

My name is Cian Reid and I am a Masters of Arts (Research), specialising in history, at UNSW Canberra. I completed my Bachelors at Monash University. I undertook my honours year at UNSW Canberra in 2016.

I have received the Long Tan Bursary, and have also received and undertook UNSW Canberra’s Summer Scholarship program. In the past, I have had the role of volunteer research assistant for academics at ANU. I am owner/operator of a tutoring business which tutors a wide range of students in English and academic writing. I have previously presented this research at UNSW Canberra’s 2019 Humanities and Social Sciences Symposium.