Film Gives Fresh Look at Kiwi Soldiers in Vietnam

The Press

A new documentary promises to give a fresh perspective on the lives of Kiwi soldiers in Vietnam.

ANZACs in Vietnam contains previously unseen footage of Australian, New Zealand and American soldiers and was premiered on the West Coast at the weekend.

Veteran Wiremu Eruera said he had initially been uneasy about being interviewed for the film.

"I was a bit nervous. I didn't know how I was going to react," the 64-year-old from Hornby said.

He had even found it difficult to tell his family about his time in Vietnam as an infantryman.

"When I came home and everyone was waiting for me, I felt like a stranger. Even though they were my flesh and blood I felt as though we spoke two different languages."

However, he had been able to open up for the film and describe some of the events of the year he spent in Vietnam between 1969 and 1970.

The documentary had taught him things he had not appreciated about the war, such as the amount of "action" the artillery units were involved in.

Director Dave Asher, who served in the artillery between 1969 and 1970, said he hoped the film would open people's eyes to the humour and courage of the "Kiwis who were just young jokers in the army for a bit of adventure".

"A lot of people don't know what it was like for the soldiers and particularly for the infantry soldiers and what they had to endure.

"I think there is a lot of curiosity about Vietnam, as it was a pretty big turning point in New Zealand and Australian history."

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