Frank Armstrong as a pilot Qantas Airways troop-ferrying flights, Australia-South Vietnam 1968, interviewed by Lieutenant Colonel Gary John McKay MC (Ret'd)

Frank Armstrong as a pilot Qantas Airways troop-ferrying flights, Australia-South Vietnam 1968, interviewed by Lieutenant Colonel Gary John McKay MC (Ret'd)

Born China 1939; early life in China; emigrated to Australia after service with Royal Air Force (RAF); joined Qantas and made one trip to Vietnam as second officer; as ex military pilot found the flight into Saigon exciting; mentions Qantas Captain Stuart Archbold visiting his son serving with the Australian forces; difference in demeanor between troops being flown in and those returning from service; the one flight he made to Vietnam became the most telling flight he had ever done with Qantas; became unaccustomedly emotional when witnessing family reunions at Sydney; support for Australian involvement; contempt towards anti-war protestors; feelings of disappointment at end of war; politicians blamed; anti-communist beliefs supported by having been imprisoned as a child during China's communist revolution; communist influence in Australian Labor Party; doesn't regard Vietnam as a military defeat; public opinion in Australia changed rapidly under media influence; proud to be Australian and proud of the Australian serviceman; experiences have left him with lasting respect for people with military service.