ANZAC L1A1 (AKA "the Bitch")

[Buck]

During the Vietnam war the Australians and the New Zealanders both deployed forces in country to support US combat operations. The ANZAC (Australia New Zealand Army Corps ) forces included a full squadron of the SAS...

Upon deployment, the SAS Troopers were armed with L1A1s manufactured by the RSAF at Lithgow which is comparable in size to the US Rifle M14 and not well suited to jungle operations...

To overcome this the ANZAC armorers modified the standard L1A1s for the SAS Troopers. They shortened the barrel and gas system, installed a full auto selector and a thirty round magazine, then they added a 40mm grenade launcher with a fore grip, a L1A2 top cover, and cammo paint...

To the Troopers this modified L1A1 was simply called "The Bitch"...

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[sinister]

One of my 1984 SFQC classmates was (now retired) Australian SAS Regiment Major Steve E. Steve said it was a very popular weapon, especially for LRRP-style patrols.

Muzzle blast made the thing sound like a .50 cal with a big flash in close quarters -- which made Charlie actually hesitate and look around for "What the heck is that?!"

[TOrrock]

Some ANZAC's in SE Asia, full size L1A1's.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/FAL/australians-vietnam.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/FAL/Aussies-Vietnam.jpg

[tweakmeister]

I love posts like this Templar, keep them coming!

[R Moran]

Remember the movie "The odd angry shot"? about Aussies in Vietnam. Was a favorite in the barracks around '88.

Bob

[TOrrock]

Remember the movie "The odd angry shot"? about Aussies in Vietnam. Was a favorite in the barracks around '88.

Bob


Still have it on VHS.....:cool:

[Buck]

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee60/imherms300/Militaria/Picture002.jpghttp://www.diggerhistory.info/images/rar/grunt.jpg
http://castlemaine-boy.smugmug.com/photos/160442844-O.jpg

http://castlemaine-boy.smugmug.com/photos/160442945-O.jpg

[RadioActivity]

http://castlemaine-boy.smugmug.com/photos/160442844-O.jpg

THAT is a fricken bad ass LZ. Sorry...couldn't help but notice/comment! :D

[One Shot]

AHEM!!!

Just so you all know about it. The 173D Airborne Brigade in Viet Nam consisted of American paratroopers, Australian artillerymen and New Zealand scouts. The 173D has chapters all over the United States and some "down under" too. Every year when the troopers of the 173D have a reunion, some of the Brigade's Aussies and Kiwis show up. Below is a link for any of the guys from the 173D, American, Australian or New Zealanders to use to link up with their pals again if they were in the 173D. The composite use of soldiers from 3 different nations made for some really tight bonds that will never die. We Americans were proud to have the Aussies and Kiwis serve alongside of us!! They're great soldiers.

http://www.skysoldiers.com/Chapters.htm

Special note: When the Sky Soldiers of the 173D Airborne Brigade made a parachute jump for Operation Junction City in Viet Nam, it should be noted that a number of Aussies and New Zealanders strapped on parachutes and, without hesitation, jumped in with the American paratroopers. At that time, none of the Aussies nor New Zealand soldiers were parachute trained. They just had the strength of character to make the jump with their American allies.

[Cameron]

Now you guys know why us Kiwis love the shortie FALs!

Cameron

[The Dumb Gun Collector]

I have always liked New Zealanders and Australians.


On topic, I once shot a full auto shorty G3. I'm surprised I was still able to sire children after--and I was wearing full hearing protection. I can't imagine letting off blasts with that baby unprotected.

[Tipy]

Anyone remember the paratrooper who got hung up about one hundred feet up in a tree on that jump? He was stuck for a long time possibly eight hours. No one could figure out how to get him down. A strong breeze came up, blew him off the tree and his chute inflated and he landed ok. He thinks it was a miracle. Not me, a friend of mine.
S/F
Tipy

[Phazuka]

http://castlemaine-boy.smugmug.com/photos/160442844-O.jpg

THAT is a fricken bad ass LZ. Sorry...couldn't help but notice/comment! :D

That's a man-made LZ.

[Chieftain]

Coming to the party a bit late here.

The ANZAC'S did a knock up job. Worked with a few one time. Good troops.

As to that LZ:



THAT is a fricken bad ass LZ. Sorry...couldn't help but notice/comment!


No, that isn't/wasn't a bad ass LZ. No body is shooting. The rough terrain is an irritant, folks shooting at you while you are trying to get on the ground,.....THAT MAKES FOR A BAD ASS LZ.

Particularly when the Chopper gets hit and wants to share the LZ with you. Now you normally have casualties, and something to get the NVA's attention. You are about to have some real X-treme fun. You can't leave that crew there, so you are stuck holding that LZ. And now all the black hats know where you are, and where you are going to be.

Some trips down memory lane give me the cold sweats and shakes, still today.

Glad you fellows made it back. Welcome home.

Go figure.

Fred

[rkba01]

Not a "Bitch" gun but pretty bitchin' nevertheless!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/tx_dutchman/temp/7in_fal_mp5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/tx_dutchman/temp/sonja_minifal04.jpg

[snappy]

Great info/pics.

[rkba01]

More pics of some real Bitches

http://www.konstipation.com/stuff/kangaroo/sf/viet/sasrvietnam6gmvk0.jpg

http://www.konstipation.com/stuff/kangaroo/sf/viet/sasrvietnambl5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v286/pioneerparts/VNWeapons.jpg


Vietnam survivor AD006BEAST (the gun, not shooter) at an Aussie military facility, built in Vietnam by one of the Aussie armorers.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v286/pioneerparts/DSC00043.jpg

[Moose-Knuckle]

Great thread! Thanks for the education gents...

[torquemada055]

My modern version, a short gas Inch Para built by Adam762 of the FALfiles for me. It's all nos Aussie parts except the modified Inch lower, the DSA T2 upper and of course the folding buttstock.
I just couldnt find an Aussie lower and due to mag availability I used the T2 upper. She barks loudly at the range and always draws attention. Best of all, she's no bigger than an AR carbine.
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x140/torquemada55/sunny2.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x140/torquemada55/PICT4217.jpg