1969

In January:, peace talks began in Paris and Richard Nixon was inaugurated as President of the United States.

In February: Communist forces launched another Tet-style offensive attacking 115 bases, towns and cities.

In May, two Australians, Warrant Officers Ray Simpson and Keith Payne, earned Victoria Crosses for exceptional bravery while leading elements of the South Vietnamese Army.

In September, Ho Chi Minh died.

In November, President Nixon announced his policy of "Vietnamisation", meaning that American ground troops would be gradually withdrawn and South Vietnamese troops would take their place.

1970

In February, Australian troops conducted major operations in the Long Hai Hills, killing 34 enemy. Later in the month, 9 Australian soldiers were killed and 16 wounded in a landmine explosion.

In February, news broke of the "My Lai Massacre"

In March, General Lon Nol seized power from Prince Norodom Sihanouk in Cambodia.

In April, South Vietnamese and, later, American troops attacked communist positions in Cambodia. 

News of the invasion of Cambodia brought large demonstrations in both Australia and America. In Australia,120,000 people marched in the first "moratorium " rally. In America, four students were killed and sixteen wounded by National Guardsmen trying to control a protest at Kent State University in Ohio. Shortly afterwards, two more students were killed during protests at Jackson State University in Mississippi.

In September, 100,000 people marched in the second Australian Moratorium rally and 300 are arrested, 

In November, President Nixon announced the withdrawal of 40,000 American troops as part of the "Vietnamisation" process/

1971

In February: South Vietnamese troops with US Air support invaded Laos in an attempt to destroy North Vietnamese bases and supply routes

In March: William McMahon became Prime Minister of Australia and announced the withdrawal of 1,000 Australian troops.

In April: President Nixon announced the  withdrawal of a further 100,000 troops.

In June: the New York Times began publication of the "Pentagon Papers' which revealed indiscriminate bombing, political assassinations and drug trafficking by the US military and intelligence services. A new wave of protests broke out in America and Australia. 100,000 Australians marched in the third Moratorium rally. 

In August: Australia and New Zealand announced the withdrawal of most of their troops.

1972

In January: President Nixon announced that the US forces in Vietnam would be reduced to 69,000.

In February: the last Australian combat troops left Vietnam and in August: the last US ground combat troops left.

In December: Gough Whitlam was elected Prime Minister of Australia. He immediately abolished conscription and announced the withdrawal of Australian Army instructors from Vietnam, leaving only an Embassy guard.

1973

In January 1973: the United States and North Vietnam sign a Peace Agreement in Paris. 

(Click to hear Nixon's announcement.)

In March,: the last US troops (except for a Defence Attache Office) left Vietnam

1974

In January 1975: the South Vietnamese Government claimed that the war has not ended and that 13,778 South Vietnamese troops, 2,159 civilians and 45,057 communists have been killed since the Peace Agreement.

1975

In March, North Vietnamese troops captured the Central Highlands of South Vietnam.

In April, North Vietnamese troops captured Saigon and took over government.