An official history of the Australian military in the Vietnam War says alcohol abuse was a significant problem for troops who at times were supplied with the equivalent of more than five cans of beer per soldier daily.Five cans of beer? Breakfast, lunch, tea time, dinner and a midnight snack. Wossamotta dat?... Oh. I see. It was only "at times."
Some Australian commanders regarded beer as a lesser evil than the illicit heroin and marijuana gaining popularity with allied U.S. troops fighting in the conflict.
Beer=a lesser evil than heroin addiction. Really.
That's according to the third and final volume of the official history of the Australian Army in Vietnam. It will be published Tuesday.
Probably to gales of laughter within Australian vets' circles...
Australian troops were barred from drinking during combat operations.
We were all barred from drinking during combat operations. Which isn't to say it didn't happen...
But binge drinking was a popular form of relaxation when troops returned to bases at Nui Dat and Vung Tau.
Define "binge."