32 (O Royal) Esquadrão 1916 - Formado em Netheravon. 1940 - Participa na Batalha da Inglaterra. 1995 - Tornou-se o Royal Squadron seguinte amalgamação com o Queens Flight. Aeronave atual e local: Aeronave atual: link não disponível. BAE 146 e Agusta 109E Honras de batalha: Frente ocidental 1916-1918, Somme 1916-1918, Arras, Ypres 1917, Amiens, France e países baixos 193-1940, batalha de Grâ Bretanha 1940, defesa Home 1940-1942, Dieppe, África do norte 1942 História do Esquadrão XXXII (TR): O Esquadrão 32 (The Royal) comemora o seu centenário em 1964, na Europa do Sudeste 1944-1945, no Golfo de 1991. (Honras marcadas com um asterisco, podem ser estampadas no Padrão do Esquadrão) Janeiro de 2016. Os últimos 100 anos de serviço viram-no operar aeronaves do DH2 na Primeira Guerra Mundial para o Furacão e Spitfire na Segunda Guerra Mundial e mais tarde o Vampiro, Venom e Canberra bombardeiro leve. Netheravon em Wiltshire foi a primeira casa do Esquadrão que foi formado em janeiro de 1916, quando foi oficialmente levantado com uma frota de DH2s. Estes foram rapidamente desdobrados para a linha de frente na França com o Comandante Major L W B Rees sendo premiado com a Cruz de Vitória por sua galanteria. Durante os dias adiantados da batalha de Grâ Bretanha, o esquadrão 32 lutou nos céus acima de Grâ Bretanha usando o furacão legendário. Ele sofreu grandes perdas e foi retirado da linha de frente até 1942, mas neste momento o Esquadrão tinha marcado mais mortes do que qualquer outro envolvido na Batalha. O esquadrão partiu mais tarde para África do Norte onde juntou a força aérea do deserto antes de negociar seus furacões para Spitfires e mover-se sobre através do continente então sobre Italy e Greece. Após a Segunda Guerra Mundial, o Esquadrão voou seus Spitfires na Palestina e Chipre antes de atualizar esses aviões confiáveis para o Vampiro e mais tarde o Veneno. Em abril de 1995, após a amalgamação com o vôo de Queens, o esquadrão transformou-se No. 32 (o Royal) esquadrão e operado HS125, BAe146 e Wessex, Gazelle, esquilo gêmeo e agora os tipos de helicóptero Augusta 109 no papel das comunicações. Durante mais de uma década, o Esquadrão 32 viu suas aeronaves constantemente envolvidas em operações em teatros como os Bálcãs, Serra Leoa, Líbia, Mali e Somália com aeronaves desdobradas durante as Operações TELIC e HERRICK no Iraque e Afeganistão 32 (The Royal ) Squadron8217s papel hoje é Comando de Apoio ao Transporte Aéreo (CSAT) - o movimento de pequenos grupos de pessoal de alta prioridade ou de carga por via aérea, a fim de facilitar o engajamento liderança global global e mais influência do Reino Unido. O esquadrão é encarregado de fornecer uma capacidade segura, segura e responsiva de CSAT para comandantes militares seniores, ministros do governo e ocasionalmente a família real. Em 2012 duas variantes do BAe 146 QC foram compradas como parte de um requisito operacional urgente para fornecer o transporte aéreo tático intra do teatro do short da escala para tropas em Afeganistão. Com base no aeródromo de Kandahar, essas aeronaves cumpriram esse papel por dois anos antes de retornar ao Reino Unido quando a Operação HERRICK terminou em dezembro de 2014. Os HS125s foram retirados do serviço em abril de 2015 deixando o Esquadrão com quatro BAe146s e um helicóptero Augusta A109E para desempenhar seu papel principal Do CSAT. As capacidades dos ativos de asas rotativas e fixas se complementam para fornecer à Defesa do Reino Unido uma capacidade perfeita e responsiva, garantindo que as pessoas certas cheguem ao lugar certo no momento de sua escolha. Taylor janeiro de 1968 (Vietnã) Eu embarquei no HMAS Sydney (III), também conhecido como o Vung Tau Ferry, em 17 de janeiro de 1968 com destino ao Vietnã do Sul (SVN), juntamente com outros 319 soldados. O navio foi ancorado em Garden Island e houve um enorme contingente de bem-wishers e alguns meios de comunicação lá para nos ver. Tenho a certeza de que não navegávamos com um batalhão, mas sim de um grupo conglomerado formado por vários corpos para substituir os soldados que tinham cumprido o seu mandato ou para aumentar o tamanho do nosso corpo em particular devido à escalada da guerra. Esta foi a nona viagem ao Vietnã que o Sydney tinha empreendido. Assim que nós embarcamos e arrumado nosso equipamento nós fomos emitidos com sandálias e redes. Nenhum sapatos eram para ser usado enquanto estávamos a bordo. Tínhamos tomado os quartos marinheiros e eles foram alojados no deck de cabide para a duração da viagem. Outros membros do 104 Esquadrão de Sinal (104 Sig Sqn) também navegaram no HMAS Sydney ao mesmo tempo, como segue: David Allen Alister Campbell Phillip Clohesy Henry Curtis Robert Ellis Desmond Godley Kenneth Greenwood Kenneth Harcoan Maxwell Hardy Terry Caçador Hugh Hutton Douglas Johnston Geoffrey Jonas John Os arranjos de dormir eram escassos e nós penduramos nossas redes onde quer que pudéssemos abaixo de decks e havia muito pouco espaço para arrumar nosso equipamento. O ar entre decks foi sufocante tanto durante o dia e noite, portanto Keith Oliver e I Decidiu que gostaria cordas nossa redes no gaivotas, que foi diretamente abaixo do voo deck, onde se poderia alguns ar fresco. Na primeira noite fora de Sydney nós pegamos a extremidade de cauda do Ciclone Brenda, um ciclone da categoria 2 que causou alguma consternação entre muitas das tropas. As ondas caíam através dos canos onde as correntes de âncora estavam no castelo de proa e a água jorrava por todo o convés. No entanto nossas redes permaneceu imóvel e uma boa noite de sono foi tinha mesmo que o navio estava balançando e rolando. I dormiram aqui no forecastle a cada noite, exceto para a noite antes de chegar ao Vung Tau. Não demorou muito para que outros soldados percebessem que o sono era difícil chegar abaixo dos decks eo espaço no castelo de proa se tornou difícil de encontrar à medida que a viagem progredia. Tivemos uma parada na ilha Manus onde o RAN tinha uma base. Eu acho que nós tivemos alguns militares na ilha e estávamos deixando algumas pessoas e suprimentos. Assim que nossa âncora foi deixada cair os nativos locais aproximaram o navio em suas canoas pequenas que tentam nos vender bugigangas. Estávamos em âncora apenas por algumas horas, e então continuamos em nossa viagem. Quando cruzamos o equador, realizamos a cerimônia Crossing the Line. Esta é uma iniciação que comemora uma primeira travessia de marinheiros do Equador. Originalmente, a tradição foi criada como um teste para marinheiros experientes para garantir que seus novos companheiros eram capazes de lidar com longos tempos difíceis no mar. Essas cerimônias de cruzamento equatorial caracterizam tipicamente o Rei Neptuno, que inicia aqueles que não atravessaram o equador antes. Nós nos encontramos com HMAS Stuart (II) fora de Cingapura em 25 de janeiro e os dois navios navegaram para Sattahip, Tailândia chegando em 31 de janeiro. O Sydney lançou jipes, caminhões, equipamento militar e vários sinais pessoais. Todos estavam destinados a participar de um exercício da SEATO em fevereiro. Ambos os navios partiram em 1600 horas no mesmo dia enroute a Vietnam, chegando em Vung Tau em 3o fevereiro. A viagem levou um total de 17 dias, durante o qual assistimos a palestras sobre o que esperar à chegada no SVN. Tivemos treinamento físico diário, competições de cabo-de-guerra e tarefas para realizar, como servir na confusão de oficiais mesquinhos, trabalhando na lavanderia, esfregando para baixo anteparas e paredes dentro do navio e, em geral, limpando. Também detalhes arranjados para trazer a ração de grog diário até a espera, etc. Estou certo de que havia outras coisas que fizemos mas memória falha me. Todos nós apreciamos os brotos de yippee sobre a popa, tentando atirar os balões que foram enviados sobre o lado cheio de água. No final de cada dia nós cada fornecido com uma grande podem de Fosters. Para aqueles que não bebem, e aqueles que queriam mais, era muito fácil trocar alguns cigarros por outra lata. Durante o carregamento e descarregamento, enquanto ancorados fora Vung Tau, tripulação Sydneys foi preparado para combater os ataques lançados da costa. Os mergulhadores dos navios realizaram patrulhas constantes, verificando cascos e cabos, enquanto sentinelas armadas estavam no convés com ordens de disparar movimentos suspeitos na água. Como se viu, nem Sydney nem suas escoltas estavam em perigo nas águas vietnamitas. Mas ela desempenhou em seu papel de forma muito eficaz, transportando com segurança milhares de tropas para e do Vietnã, juntamente com milhares de toneladas de carga e equipamentos. HMAS Sydney chegou em Vung Tau em 3 de fevereiro, e partiu no mesmo dia para casa, chegando de volta em Sydney em 16 de fevereiro. Nós éramos todos supostos para ser removido fora pela primeira coisa do helicóptero na manhã do 3o, mas por causa da ofensiva de TET, que estava no balanço cheia nesta vez, somente dois Chinooks (helicóptero CH-47 do exército de EU) girado acima. Estávamos todos alinhados em grupos (gizes). Eu era afortunado bastante começar no primeiro giz. Outros foram levados pelas embarcações de desembarque no final do dia. Os serviços de um Skycrane (US Army Sikorsky CH-54 Helicopter) foram utilizados para o transporte de veículos do navio para a costa e também para devolver recipientes vazios do mar e veículos inutilizáveis para o navio. Na conclusão da tarefa, a tripulação Skycrane estava reivindicando um recorde mundial para a tonelagem levantada por um helicóptero em um dia. (De HMAS SYDNEY - Relatório de Processos Fevereiro de 1968) Não tínhamos conhecimento sobre a TET, ficando isolados durante a nossa viagem. Disseram-nos que o VC era muito ativo entre Vung Tau e Nui Dat e que a estrada foi cortada em três lugares e que seria muito perigoso para nos levar até a estrada no momento. Passamos várias horas arrefecimento os nossos calcanhares na praia de volta em Vung Tau antes de ser transportado até Nui Dat. Algumas das tropas realmente voaram para Nui Dat, mas houve uma escassez de vôos devido às operações em andamento. Ele foi como chegar ao anoitecer quando finalmente chegou no 104 Sig Sqn. Nós fomos emitidos com um rifle e 60 círculos, mostrados a nossas barracas e poços do almofariz. Tivemos também uma breve avaliação do que a imagem geral foi em relação ao TET, operações atuais e atividade de VC. Passei minha primeira semana no acampamento realizando trabalhos esquisitos e me familiarizando com o ambiente eo equipamento que estávamos a usar. WO2 Ron Still, Squadron Sargento Major (SSM) enviou dois de nós para a Fire Support Patrol Base (FSPB) Andersen no dia 12 de fevereiro. Nossa tarefa era monitorar a rede de rádio e fornecer verificações de rádio, conforme necessário. Fevereiro de 1968 (Operação Coburgo) A primeira implantação da Força-Tarefa em 1968 foi na Operação COBURG. A sede da Força-Tarefa (QG) tinha sido estabelecida na FSPB Andersen perto de uma plantação de borracha na Rodovia 1, montado em uma rota inimiga bem conhecida e facilmente observável pelo Viet Cong de dia. Ao longo da operação, foram estabelecidas as redes de comunicação habituais da Task Force, incluindo a Rede de Comando VHF e vários links para a base da Força-Tarefa em Nui Dat eo comando operacional mais alto, Comando de Assistência Militar, Vietnã (MACV), II FFV, Em Long Binh mais outras unidades adjacentes. Os sinais dos EU forneceram as ligações do relé de rádio (RR) a Long Binh e ao Nui Dat mas sofreram de falhas numerosas do equipamento e parecem ter somente técnicos inexperientes e operadores disponíveis. Depois de quatro dias, o Oficial de Sinais de Força de Tarefa, a Major Norm Munro (OC, 104 Sig Sqn) recomendou a implantação de um RR Australiano (ANMRC-69). Os 110 Sig Sqn RR Shelter chegou sob um Chinook EU. O efeito de partida do downdraft do helicóptero do rotor gêmeo como desdobrou o abrigo a um scrape preparado era uma lição nova para tudo. Demoliu o centro de sinal (moveu o quadro SB-86 três pés e desconectou muitas linhas, levantou uma mesa e quebrou um teletipo), soprou a tábua RAP da Força Tarefa a 40 pés de distância e deixou o médico sentando-se perplexo em um raspão aberto entre seu Quebrou garrafas, e destruiu a 104 Sig Sqn OCs tenda. O Posto de Comando (CP) permaneceu intacto apenas porque cada SoldierOfficer disponível segurou a barraca. A cena mais tarde se assemelhava ao rescaldo de um Tornado e tornou-se muito importante que o RR australiano fornecido o serviço que tinha sido prometido por Signals. Lição 1: Chinook implantações de equipamentos de comunicação deve ocorrer antes de outras instalações estão configuradas. Lição 2: Evite usar a US Army Network para comunicações internas australianas para assegurar o controle sobre a prioridade de restauração. A FSPB Andersen estava localizada no YT 208128, na Zona de Guerra D, a 22 km a leste de Bien Hoa, a 2 km de QL-1 (Highway 1) ea 7 km de SE de FSPB Harrison. O FSPB foi deliberadamente situado em uma colina de baixa bull-dozed montado em uma avenida principal VC de comunicação. Foi atacado três vezes durante o Tet 68 como resultado. Em 18 de fevereiro, depois de uma barragem de argamassa de 150 redondos, duas ondas de VC atacaram a base, resultando em oito australianos KIA e 22 WIA. A base também foi atacada nos dias 20 e 28 de fevereiro. Perdas inimigas foram: 167 KIA (Contagem de Corpo), 7 KIA (Possível), 27 WIA, 5 POW. Material capturado. 9 tripulantes serviram armas, 94 armas pequenas, 10 lançadores RPG2, 3 lançadores RPG7, 5 rádios transmissores-receptores, 2 bússolas, 3500 libras de arroz destruído. 49 RPG2 foguetes, 8 foguetes HPG7, 9 rondas RCL, 13 minas claymore, 99 granadas também foram encontrados. Eu estava apenas em Andersen por algumas horas e tinha acabado de se instalar no CP antes de ser dito para obter um helicóptero para 199th Light Brigada de Infantaria em Long Binh, onde um Signalman foi necessária. Eu não tinha chegado mais cedo e foi dito o que o meu trabalho envolveu quando eu tinha ordens para mover para Bien Hoa porque o 199 não tinha mais tropas em nossa área. Fui transferido para Bien Hoa por veículo, onde me encontrei com o Oficial de Ligação (LO). Havia três de nós trabalhando turno, seis horas e 12 horas de folga. Estávamos usando ANPRC-25, Rádios VHF e linha terrestre para comunicações. Também tivemos acesso a um aparelho de rádio americano (524) e um HF ajustado usando CW e voz para comunicações com Nui Dat e o FSPB. Meu papel era gerenciar retrans mensagens, código e uncode grid referências etc, entre os elementos do FSPB e Nui Dat. Em uma fase em 1968 Bien Hoa era o aeroporto ocupado no mundo. Eu trabalhei no Hurricane, Tactical Operations Center (TOC). Bien Hoa era a casa do HQ II FFV, a área de II das forças de campo da responsabilidade era a zona tática III Corps que incluiu a 1a força de trabalho australiana (TF). O TOC foi coberto por uma parede de aproximadamente 30 sacos de areia que equivale a 30 pés ou nove metros de altura. Eu estava estacionado nas linhas 101st Airborne. Ver foto direita - O mastro principal aéreo em Bien Hoa foi grande e embalado (Foto fornecida por Gordon Taylor) A primeira noite que eu estava lá uma grande munição despejo nas proximidades foi atacada. Incoming conchas, etc catalãs iam todos noite, causando enormes explosões que iluminadas o céu. No momento em que eu não tenho uma idéia do que estava acontecendo e como eu não pertenço a qualquer unidade em particular, ninguém me disse (talvez eles didnt sabem). Nós nunca disse se qualquer VC veio perto do nosso perímetro, mas ficamos a noite toda. Durante o Tet houve também tropas NVA na área. Partes de Bien Hoa e Long Binh tinham sido invadidas pela VCNVA no início da Ofensiva Tet. Lembro-me de que na segunda noite em que estive em Bien Hoa, não sabendo realmente onde estava e como estávamos seguros, os americanos chamaram um alerta alaranjado, o que significava que todos recuperaram suas armas do arsenal em prontidão para um ataque. Eles imediatamente começaram a disparar seus rifles para o ar. Não parecia haver nenhuma disciplina em tudo. Na leitura de algumas informações sobre esta noite de pesquisar na web havia milhares de tropas dos EUA na vizinhança neste momento. Quando o 8 Mobile Guns (M110) disparou uma missão o chão movido Ver foto direita - M110 8 (203mm) Howitzer propulsor em Bien Hoa. Bill Whitehead, disse-me que eu seria promovido a Lance Corporal quando fui enviado de volta a Nui Dat, porque ele foi realmente designado como um Royal Australia Corps of Signals (RASigs ) Membro do 4º Regimento de Artilharia de Campo e, como ele estava voltando para a Austrália em poucos dias, eu assumiria automaticamente seu papel. Esta promoção significou que eu não teria que executar o dever piquet ou trabalhar na confusão quando volta a 104 Sig Sqn. Voltei para Nui Dat no dia 1º de março e fui designado para o 4º Regimento de Campo em 4 de março. Minha promoção veio através de abril adiantado e eu recebi meu subsídio de Vietnam (1.55 por o dia). Isso levou meu salário quinzenal para 109,85. De março a julho de 1968 (Batalha de Coral e Toan Thang II) Fui anexado à Companhia HQ, 4o Regimento de Campo e trabalhei no Posto de Comando (CP), comandando a central SB-22 da Enterprise. Ebony foi o endereço de central para o CP na Task Force HQ. Enterprise era o endereço do QG da Artilharia. A maior parte do tráfego estava entre Ebony e Enterprise, mas havia 19 Switchboard Designators em 1ATF o que significava que durante o dia, o tráfego era muito pesado. O 4o regimento de campo foi substituído pelo 12o regimento de campo (regimento de 12 Fd) em algum momento em abril e o regimentation fêz exame de uma volta para o mais mau. Paradas foram realizadas todos os dias, mesmo se você tinha sido no turno da noite. Eu acho que isso acontece com uma nova unidade quando ele assume e ele tenta manter a mesma ordem como quando na Austrália. Como a maioria dos escavadores em Nui Dat, todos nós passamos algum tempo enchendo e coletando sacos de areia do poço Baria Areia. As jovens crianças vietnamitas ficariam procurando folhetos. Penso que eles também ajudou no enchimento dos sacos, mas não tão rápido ou completo como fizemos. No início de maio eu senti que eu não estava realmente fazendo o que eu estava treinado. (O trabalho estava se tornando muito repetitivo e eu senti que minhas habilidades não estavam sendo usadas para o seu pleno potencial.) Eu era capaz de visitar 104 Sqn Sig em várias ocasiões e eu mantive perseguindo sargento Max Hardy para ser lembrado de volta para o Esquadrão, Mas sem sucesso. Houve também momentos em que foram entretidos por cantores australianos no Luscombe Bowl. Estes eram sempre eventos populares e toda a área estava cheia de cavadores. Abundância de wolf whistles foram ouvidos quando as cantoras femininas strutted suas coisas. Batalha de Coral Em 12 de maio de 1968 elementos principais de 1 ATF foram transportados por via aérea para uma área ao norte de Saigon eventualmente para ser conhecido como Coral FSPB. Isto foi para interceptar o movimento de 7 NVA Divisão para Saigon e cortar sua retirada. O partido avançado da ATF de QG 1 incluiu a Major Norm Munro, OC 104 Sig Sqn e outras cinco fileiras do Esquadrão. Este partido TF HQ antecedência tinha que estabelecer uma área-tarefa da força-tarefa. A festa foi desembarcada a cerca de 1500 metros do local proposto para a sede e, portanto, o elemento de pequenos sinais teve que empacotar seu equipamento, que inicialmente funcionaria como uma subestação na rede de comando da força-tarefa. Esta não era nenhuma tarefa média porque o equipamento incluiu um rádio de RT-524 (o transmissor receptor do equipamento VHF carregado ANVRC-12 de veículo), baterias de hora de 150 ampères, carregador de 300 watts, antena RC-292, unidade de controle remoto ANGRA-39 e Um rádio ANPRC-25. Foi um esforço para provar que vale a pena. No início da manhã de 13 de maio de 1968, a base foi atacada por morteiros, foguetes e armas de pequeno calibre, causando vítimas de homens e equipamentos (incluindo a antena RC-292). Reparos temporários permitiram que a estação de rádio permanecesse operacional e era o meio pelo qual o Spooky (aviões DC3 equipados com iluminação e seis miniguns) e helicópteros de combate (Light Fire Teams) foram chamados para apoiar as unidades sob ataque. O FSPB Coral sendo parcialmente sobre-executado pelo inimigo durante esta ação. Signalman Rowan Gamble foi WIA durante a luta. Às 02:40 horas do dia 16 de maio de 1968, um ataque regimental da NVA foi lançado contra a FSPB Coral. Começou com 50 minutos de bombardeio de argamassa e foguetes que incluiu a área de sinais e foi seguido por ataques terrestres, uma parte inimiga chegando a 50 metros do perímetro de sinais que estava protegendo diretamente o posto de comando da força-tarefa. O inimigo finalmente rompeu o contato às 06h45. Signalman Alex Young foi KIA durante esta ação e outros dois sinalizadores (John Koosache e Ian Crosthwaite) foram WIA. John veio para o Vietnã no Vung Ferry comigo De Ken Coxs carta de casa: Na noite do dia 28 foi-me dito para ir para fora do CP e investigar a fonte de uma luz que poderia comprometer a nossa posição. O Coronel Donald Dunstan, o comandante interino da Força-Tarefa, pôs uma mão paternalista no meu ombro e disse: Mantenha a cabeça para baixo enquanto eu saio do CP. O vice-comandante de 1 ATF na época escreveu mais tarde. Durante um período de aproximadamente três semanas, a força-tarefa foi exposta a alguns dos combates mais pesados vistos pelos australianos no Vietnã. Ao longo destes compromissos e uma série de ataques subseqüentes por incêndio, o esquadrão de sinais não só manteve o seu terreno, mas continuou a manter as comunicações. Durante maio, vários artilheiros da 12ª Field Regt HQ Battery (Bty) foram enviados para o FSPB Coral para ajudar nas operações. Os artilheiros Ian Scott e Christopher Sawtell foram mortos durante a sua primeira noite na base (15 de Maio). Eles só estavam no país por alguns dias, ficando na mesma barraca que eu em Nui Dat, e esta foi sua primeira incursão fora da base. Eles foram enviados para um ponto de frente no FSPB, que foi invadido durante a noite, resultando em suas mortes. Estou muito feliz que eu não ter enviado com eles. Eu estava ansioso para sair para Coral, mas como eu era um supernumerary (anexado ao 12 º Fd Regt) eles não tinham autoridade para me enviar. Durante o meu tempo com 12 Fd Regt eu consegui me envolver com a 1 ª Unidade de Assuntos Civis da Austrália (1ACAU) trabalhando como um operador de rádio no campo. Eles estavam muito envolvidos na construção de alojamentos e escolas para a população local. Eu também consegui um par de viagens para Vung Tau, alcançando com Sig Alex Shepherd (110 Sqn) em uma viagem. Ele fez parte do nosso curso 15A OKR em Balcombe. Em outra dessas viagens I foi proporções pequenas o suficiente para poder passar algum tempo na frente praia esqui aquático. Eu precisava para obter novos quadros para os meus óculos que significou uma viagem para Vung Tau. Ele foi deve ser um dia viagem, helicóptero e, mas não há quarto em qualquer dos helicópteros voltar a Nui Dat que à tarde, portanto, I teve para estadia pernoite. Quando voltei para a unidade na manhã seguinte, fui transportado na frente do quartel-general Bty RSM e ler o acto de motim. Ele pensou que eu tinha ido AWOL. Eu acho que eu deveria ter tocado ele. Durante algum tempo livre, consegui me aproximar de uma artilharia Bty 2nd35th (EUA) que, juntamente com as 12 armas Fd Regts, realizava missões noturnas de assédio e interdição (HampI), que deveriam manter o VC Seus dedos. Para as primeiras noites em Nui Dat eu saltei cada vez que uma dessas armas foi demitido, mas não demorou muito para ignorá-los totalmente. A bateria dos EUA era mais conhecida como Husky Alpha. Eles tinham uma frota de trilhos de 155mm. Porque nós trabalhamos turnos eu tinha muito tempo livre que eu usei ou volta a 104 Sig Sqn recuperar o atraso com os amigos, ou tomar emprestado um jipe e dirigindo até The Hill para apanhar com as pessoas atribuídas lá. Eu me lembro de ter muitas conversas com Sig Ken Cox sobre a luz no final do túnel. Eu também passei um par de semanas estabelecendo novas linhas telefônicas, tanto subterrâneas quanto em pólos de telégrafo de cada uma das baterias de armas para a central de empresas e depois para Arty Tac. (Arty Tac controlado o fogo de artilharia da base 1ATF.) Eu também trabalhei na cantina HQ Coy quando eu não estava no turno, apenas para manter-me ocupado. I pensar que I também conseguiu algumas drinques. Saí de Nui Dat por estrada com 12 Fd Regts QMs festa no dia 12 de junho como parte de 1ATF TOAN THANG II (13 junho-18 julho 1968). Detalhes de implantação: A Sqn 3 Cav Regt. 3 Tp movido pela estrada a FSPB KIAMA para suportar 1 operações de RAR: Lugar: A Sqn (-) 1 ATF Base 3 Tp FSPB KIAMA YT0914. 102 Fd Bty desdobrado por via aérea para FSPB KIAMA para suportar 1 operações RAR. Locais: 12 Fd Regt (-) e A Bty 235 Arty (EUA) 1 ATF Base 102 Fd Bty FSPB KIAMA em YT0914. 1 RAR desdobrado por via aérea para AO BIRDSVILLE (MODIFICADO) Centro de massa YT1216, assumindo a responsabilidade por essa área de 1200H. Localizações: Bn HQ e C Coy FSPB KIAMA YT094145, A Coy YT106184, B Coy YT138157, D Coy YT083140. Houve uma operação a ser realizada cerca de dez km re s longe de Long Binh (não muito longe de onde fui enviado quando eu cheguei no Vietnã). Meu trabalho com outros três (não 104 Sqn Sig) era para o homem as comunicações de rádio para a rede de artilharia 24 horas por dia. Também fomos designados para realizar o reabastecimento de alimentos e equipamentos para a 102 Bateria de Campo no FSPB Kiama, apoiando a operação em AO Birdsville. Detalhes da Implantação: 3 de Julho de 1968 - 3 RAR aliviam 1 RAR no OP Toan Thang (Fase2) na Área de Operações (AO) Birdsville. FSPB Kiama - YT 09-14 10 km ENE de Bien Hoa, 5 km WNW de FSB Kerry, 2 km N de QL-1. 161 Bty, RNZA (Hitchings Bty 14Apr68-18Mar69) firebase definido aqui 3 a 18 de julho. Bien Hoa Prov, III Corps. Estávamos estacionados dentro do complexo de Long Binh adjacente a uma das principais pistas de pouso. Durante o dia havia pelo menos vinte aviões no ar ao mesmo tempo, desde helicópteros até os mais recentes bombardeiros a jato. Estávamos situados ao lado de uma almofada de helicóptero que criou uma enorme quantidade de ruído com helicópteros decolando e desembarque em todas as horas, o que foi mais desconcertante ao tentar enviar e receber mensagens. Depois de uma semana ou mais, passamos três dias cavando um buraco de argamassa de três pés de profundidade e quinze pés de comprimento para nos fornecer alguma proteção. Tínhamos começado a alinhá-lo com sacos de areia para que pudéssemos colocar uma cobertura sobre o poço. O chão era tão difícil e as ferramentas que nós tínhamos muito inadequadas. Quase tínhamos terminado quando nos disseram para não continuar como eles estavam indo para examinar a área e nivelá-lo fora e colocar em drenagem adequada. A proposta era torná-lo como um campo semi-permanente de modo que a qualquer momento que ha d uma operação nesta área que seria capaz de configurar o nosso reabastecimento facilmente. Que desperdício de tempo e esforço. Exército típico Nós nunca começamos nosso poço do almofariz. Numa das viagens de reabastecimento eu consegui encontrar-me com Sig Keith Oliver, que estava estacionado na FSPB Kiama (YT095145), cerca de dez quilómetros a sudeste de Long Binh. 102 Bty, 12 Fd Regt foi baseado lá. Durante nosso tempo em Long Binh eu fiz amigos com várias das tropas dos EUA e passei algum do meu tempo livre nadando em sua piscina e visitando o ir club. Portanto, vida foi belos civilizado durante a estadia. Nós também fizemos um pouco de negociação de mercadorias (impermeáveis, shorts, etc). Nós Gostou seus poncho liners e rucksacks e vários deles foram negociadas. Mesmo que eu não tive uma licença, eu realizei muita condução ao redor do acampamento de Long Binh. Se houvesse a necessidade de um trabalho a ser feito e não havia motorista disponível, então eu era rápido para voluntariado. Isso me permitiu ver um monte do complexo Long Binh. No início de julho eu também tive a oportunidade de levar suprimentos para FSPB Concord (YT034174). O FSPB foi estabelecido junto ao rio Dong Nai, a oeste noroeste de Bien Hoa. 104 Bty 12th Regt de campo foram baseados lá com 4 RAR. Antes do fim do mês, tínhamos cerca de duzentos australianos em Long Binh. Nosso acampamento era chamado de 1ATF Forward Long Binh. O acampamento americano Long Binh tinha 55 quilômetros quadrados de área. Não há necessidade de transmissões de rádio de nossa área específica agora que há tantas pessoas aqui, então eu estou gastando meu tempo em reabastecimento dos FSPBs em uma base diária. Claro que mais tropas significam mais disciplina e estamos tendo paradas diárias e inspeções de rifle e tenda. A vida era mais fácil de volta no Dat. Nesta fase do meu turno de serviço eu estava ansioso para descansar e recuperar (R amp R) sair e gastar algum tempo e dinheiro em Hong Kong. Nossas opções para R amp R foram Hong Kong, Taipei, Bangkok e Austrália. Havaí também estava na lista, mas eu acho que poderia ter sido apenas para as tropas dos EUA. Eu voei de volta para Nui Dat em um Caribou (RAAF de Havilland Canadá DHC-4) no dia 12 de julho. Eu passei alguns dias com 12 Fd Regt antes de ser re-ligado a 104 Sig Sqn novamente. As minhas muitas discussões com o Sargento Hardy devem ter finalmente valido a pena. Neste momento o meu salário aumentou em 4 por quinzena. Ao ler os Relatórios do Comandante para o Esquadrão de 104 Sig, sempre houve uma falta de pessoal da Tropa de Rádio, então acho que eventualmente eles me trouxeram de volta do Regimento do Fd, porque o Sargento Hardy percebeu que poderia me trazer de volta ao Esquadrão, Atribuído onde eu não era realmente necessário. Eu não acho que minha posição foi substituída, pelo menos não no curto prazo. Eu fui a Hong Kong em RampR no dia 15 de julho. Eu tinha tentado tempo meu R amp R com Geoff Morgan e Ken Cox, mas isso não era possível. Na chegada em Hong Kong nós todos reservado para nossos vários hotéis. Como de costume, os oficiais primeiro, que receberam o melhor alojamento e os burros baggy conseguiram o que sobrou. No entanto, depois de viver no mato e tendas durante seis meses, qualquer coisa com um telhado, água corrente quente e fria foi ótimo. Eu peguei um estômago erro enquanto no R. ampère R. Devo ter sido beber muita água local e não bastante cerveja, assim que eu fui posto em deveres claros em cima de meu retorno por uma semana enquanto eu recuperei de qualquer bug que eu tive. Agosto de 1968 (Operação Lyrebird) No dia 30 de julho fui destacado para o 17º Esquadrão da Construção, junto com Sig Marty Pandelus e Sig Gordon Sanderson, em preparação para a Operação Lyrebird. Fomos parte de um programa de limpeza de terrenos (Operação Lyrebird) em AO Warburton. A operação em que estávamos foi projetada para impedir o movimento do inimigo sem ser visto. Permitiu que nós movêssemos APCs, tanques, artilharia e tropas facilmente para a área. A primeira fase da operação é abrir uma trilha de 200 metros de largura e 14.000 metros de comprimento ao longo de um vale entre as montanhas a cerca de 17 quilômetros a oeste de Nui Dat. A trilha a ser cancelada era entre o Nui Thai Vais eo Nui Dinhs em AO Warburton, limpando da rota 15 ao norte. Nosso papel era gerenciar comunicações entre as unidades de infantaria em torno do FSPB, bem como Artilharia em Nui Dat, chopper de entrada de voos, como reabastecimento de alimentos, água e combustível, juntamente com dustoffs e movimento de tropas. Deixamos Nui Dat no dia 1º de agosto com sete escavadeiras D8 em caminhões. Estávamos escoltados por uma tropa de APCs (A Troop, A Sqn, 3 Cav Regt). Nós também tivemos algum apoio aéreo dado que estávamos viajando de Nui Dat para Baria e, em seguida, ao longo da rota principal (Q15) em direção Phu My e Saigon para vários cliques antes de virar à direita na mata. Tivemos uma companhia de infantaria connosco (Whiskey Company, 4RARNZ). As APCs e a infantaria se mudaram para o mato por cerca de 4.000 metros e limparam a área antes de nos mudarmos cerca de três horas depois. Durante a instalação do FSPB, um dos bulldozers foi atingido por RPG. Havia também bastante fogo semi-automático entrando no FSPB. O motorista da bulldozer foi ferido e evacuado. O D8 foi recuperado e devolvido a Nui Dat. The enemy reacted vigorously to this operation causing severe damage to two bulldozers by RPG fire and one APC by mines, and the land clearing teams were subjected to considerable harassment during the first few days, after which there was minor contact with the enemy. On the 4th August there was a contact on the perimeter of FSPB Hague about 50 metres from our position. Several VC had sneaked in close to the perimeter and fired automatic weapons and rockets at sentries on the perimeter and into the FSPB. Two bulldozers were badly damaged. One of the bulldozers was buried to extinguish the fire. We all stood to (grab your rifle and head for your mortar pit) in our case there was no mortar pit so we ran to the nearest berm, fully expecting to see some Viet Cong on the other side. During this contact one of the infantrymen was wounded and medevacd out. The Platoon Commander was also slightly wounded in the head. Another D8 was mined during the recovery operation of one of the rocketed D8s. Two dozer operators were wounded at this time and were evacuated. They were both eventually casevaced to Australia. On the 12th August a platoon on patrol made contact with five Viet Cong who quickly withdrew. On the follow up an enemy camp was located which contained a large quantity of ammunition and supplies hidden deep in a tunnel system. During the search of the camp two enemy walked in, one was killed and the other escaped. Although many signs of the enemy presence were picked up and trails followed, it was not until 29th August that an estimated ten enemy were sighted and engaged with artillery and mortar fire with unknown results. Also on the 29th an enemy hutted camp of fourteen huts and cookhouse was located and destroyed. There were several reports received from Intelligence to say that the local VC division (D445 Provincial Mobile Force Battalion) was likely to pass through our area during the time that we were there, so we were on high alert and for this reason we had another company (B Coy, 3RAR) sent out to protect us. Our CP took some time to set up and establish all radio communications. This was the beginning of the rainy season and everything was total ly drenched, certainly the floor of the CP was flooded. The three of us were working five-hour shifts with a two-hour shift at night, which seemed to be the best way to provide 24-hour coverage. In the middle of our camp we had a cleared area where the dozers and APCs have to move through and park. It didnt take long with the chu r ning up of the dirt to turn the whole area into a mud heap. We had to cross through this quagmire every meal time and consequently end up with mud up to our knees. We were not able to send a convoy out from Nui Dat with water and clothing because it was deemed still to be too dangerous to send anything by road due to the recent attacks and general enemy activity in the area. The CP became very hectic at times as we have seven radio networks in operation, as well as a switchboard which allowed us to communicate with the perimeter. See Photo Right - Gordon Sanderson . 104 Sig Sqn at FSPB Hague. (Photo supplied by Gordon Taylor) Things seem to have settled down in camp into an orderly routine. We have three patrols out at all times. They have come across a lot of VC and a lot of food and ammunition and documents, but they have only killed one VC so far. The other night one of our patrols started shooting, only to find out that they were shooting one of their own fellows. Nobody knows how this happened but apparently this fellow wandered away from his post and somebody opened up on him. He was very lucky only getting shot in the leg. A bore was sunk to provide additional water for showering, much to everyones relief, as we have not had any water or change of clothes flown in. I received another rise in my pay and was now earn ing 113.96 per fortnight. One day we were out on a jeep travelling along the cleared area, I have no recollection of why we were there or where we were going to or from. We were about two kilometres from camp when our jeep became bogged in the ruts caused by the D8s. A photo I have shows that my companions were Gordon Sanderson and Marty Pandelus. I cant recall any other details except that we were very exposed if any enemy had been in the area at the time. We radioed for assistance and thankfully managed to get rescued before nightfall. We spent three weeks at FSPB Hague before moving to FSPB Hokanui as the dozers have to move too far from camp each day. Our move was carried out in typical Army style. We had half packed up the day before to ensure a smooth start to the move early the next day. We spent most of the morning waiting for trucks to arrive from Nui Dat. When we finally got started it took five hours to move five kilometres. We had been experiencing some torrential rain and all of our vehicles got bogged at some stage of the journey and had to be towed by the bulldozers or the APCs. The CP was set up very quickly and we managed to hack out a place in the scrub to put up our tent. We had so much rain that the CP became flooded and we ended up abandoning it about 8:30pm and set ourselves up in the makeshift kitchen. The next morning the CP had five feet of water in it. We dug a new one the following day and then spent two days in trying to make it waterproof. We are working in well with the Infantry as far as Signals work goes and we take it in turns to man all of the radios. It is good experience for me because I hadnt worked any really busy networks before, and with seven networks going at once and sometimes only one man to handle them, things get a bit hectic from time to time. An additional Signalman was required to go out on a day patrol. I volunteered to go out (dont they tell you never to volunteer) The platoon already had an infantry sig attached but for some reason the y wanted an additional radio op. We came across a huge B52 bomb crater half full of water during our patrol. Thankfully there were no incidents during the day. I spent a couple of days working on the chopper pad, communicating with the pilots and guiding them in. It was interesting carrying out the process of throwing smoke and calling them in. Whisky Company (NZ) was extracted from the FSBP during that time. We have both Chinook and Iroquois helicopters landing here. Actually the Chinooks only land if they are ferrying troops. They are also delivering bladders of diesel fuel for the bulldozers and the Iroquois bring in food and other supplies. On the radio network the Chinooks are called Hillclimbers and the Iroquois are called Albatross. Each bulldozer uses 10 gallons of diesel per working hour. Therefore we need around 1,000 gallons of fuel per day. The diesel contained in 500 gallon bladders are flown in by Chinook with the bladders slung underneath. I was choppered back to Nui Dat on the 8th September. I believe that Gordon Sanderson and Marty Pandelus stayed on until the end of the operation. I was back in camp after five weeks out in the bush. I spent ten days at 104 Sig Sqn before being choppered out to Blackhorse on the 18th September at the start of another operation. September 1968 (Operation Hawkesbury) One day a group of us was supposed to be carrying out a protection party run down to Vung Tau and we were given copious instructions outlining what our tasks were. In the middle of this all going on Geoff Morgan and I were told to report to the OC Radio Troop regarding an assignment ASAP. We were told that we were going out on a liaison job with the Yanks. Geoff was going to the Thai Regiment, Bearcat and I am going to the 11th Armoured Cavalry Regiment (11 ACR) at Blackhorse. I was there from the 15th to the 24th September. The operation was Hawkesbury and 4RARNZ carried out a reconnaissance in AO Tuggerah. The battalion moved into blocking positions east of Route 2 on the western edge of the enemy zone known as the Thua Tich. They also carried out operations in AO Canowindra. Two fire support bases were used, FSPB Gabo and FSPB Wattle. The first near Ap Ngai and the other on the Firestone Trail near the junction with the Blackstone Trail. A Military Cross and a Distinguished Conduct Medal were awarded to two members of 7 Platoon, C Company as a result of their actions during the operation. The 11 ACR is a lot different from the other American units I have been with. They are a lot more rough and ready, but still nice guys. The yanks that I was working with had not come across Australian soldiers in their unit before and we were treated as a bit of a novelty, being shouted free beers, etc. Many of them had no idea where Australia was or that we had been deployed to SVN. Their geographic knowledge of the world seemed to start in Los Angeles and end in New York. Blackhorse was the base of the US Army 11 ACR. Their motto Find the bastards - then pile on. During 1968 the 11 ACR was commanded by Brigadier General George S Patton Jnr. the son of old Blood and Guts Patton from WW2. Quote from the History of 547 Sig Tp from 1968: George Patton Jnr arrived at the 547 Sig Tp Compound - Nui Dat (within the lines of 104 Sig Sqn) in full battle order - steel helmet, grenades strapped on this belt, an M16 in this hand, a low slung pistol on this right side and a mean looking Colt Cobra in a shoulder holster. Squatting in front of the big wall map he chewed on an unlit cigar as he received the usual briefing from Steve Zagon (Capt). On conclusion of the briefing he jumped up and slapping Steve squarely on the back barked in a heavy drawl Thats great stuff fellas Keep it up Remember, you find em and Ill kill em With that he strode off, grenades and guns slapping against his sides, leaving the operations staff rolling with uncontrollable laughter. The yanks are all a bit trigger happy. I was travelling somewhere in a jeep with them during my stay at Blackhorse when one of them asked if he could fire off a few rounds from my rifle as he hadnt used a 7.62mm rifle before. He fired several rounds into the bush and looked very happy with himself before handing it back to me. Bearcat, where Geoff Morgan and Peter Menagh were based, about 20 kilometres from Blackhorse, seemed to be a bit of a hot spot. They had been mortared a couple of times over the past few days. Bearcat was the base for the Royal Thai Army Volunteer Forces. I heard Geoff on the radio quite often as we were working the same channels. I was listening to him on e day, when I heard him say quite nonchalantly over the network We have mortars landing just outside our perimeter. He sounded so casual about the whole incident. I returned to Nui Dat on the 25th September. October 1968 (Operation Windsor) I was only back in Nui Dat for a few days before being deployed on Operation Windsor to manage a re-trans station for the Artillery net. Keith Oliver, Pete Menagh and I were sent over to the 161 Bty RZNA on the 1st October and we flew out in Chinooks the next day to FSPB Cedar. FSPB Cedar: YS 29-89 25 km NW of Nui Dat, 3 km NE of FSB Diggers Rest and 17 km W of the Courtenay Rubber Plantation. Described as a Tight and dirty location where 161 was put back-to - back with an Australian Bty, separated by a fallen windrow of trees. 161 Bty, RNZA (Hitchings Bty 14 Apr 68-18 Mar 69) firebase set here 28 Sep-12 Oct 68. Bien Hoa Prov, III Corps. We were supported by A Coy, 3 RAR. We had to set up comms for two stations, both of whom were several thousand metres to our west and our role was to re-broadcast their transmissions back to Nui Dat. The first tasks on our list were to pitch our own tent, set up our equipment and each dig our own pit. We were plagued with trouble right from the start. Everywhere we put our gear down someone wanted to pitch a tent, or dig a hole or the guns wanted to fire in that direction. It poured with rain all that afternoon and every time a Chinook came in with a load we had to hang onto our tent and gear to stop it from being blown away. A Chinook creates a wind comparable to a 90-mile an hour gale. All our codes, signal instructions and secret papers were scattered over the place. Once we were set up we realized that we couldnt get comms for some inexplicable reason, no matter how we tried. We gave up for the night and first thing in the morning reviewed the situation by recharging our batteries and resiting our aerials. We had just finished this process when Major Munro (our OC) arrived to see what was going on. In the end they decided that we were too far away from Nui Dat for the equipment that we had been supplied and we were airlifted back the next day. LCpl Bob Parkyns, Sig Morgan and Sig Abraham were sent out to act as a retrans station during this operation. They were stationed at Blackhorse, the same LO that I was on a few days earlier. Abraham was able to get a ride in a chopper and while they were flying around carrying out some testing of equipment they were shot down by enemy ground fire. Unfortunately there were no survivors. I believe that Geoff was also offered a ride but he was rostered on duty, so had to decline. 29 September - From Geoff Morgan letters home:- Denis Abe Abraham missing. A b e and I met a helicopter crewman in the canteen last night. Abe took up the offer of a short flight this morning while they tested their guns and made a visual reconnaissance of a designated area. Shortly after taking off no more was heard of the chopper. Bob delayed informing Nui Dat until late this afternoon in the hope that he would turn up. 30 September - Wreckage of helicopter discovered. Although a search was quickly started, it was not until today that the wreckage was discovered. Abes fate is not yet known. Neither is it known whether the helicopter was shot down or crashed through mechanical failure. The last report I heard was that two bodies have been recovered, but as yet have not been identified. Abes body was brought in today and Bob had the unenviable job of identifying it. Naturally this has hit us pretty hard as he was a good friend to all of us. It leaves me rather bewildered when I realised that I wont be able to enjoy the company again of a fellow who had the ability to get the most out of life. The irony of it is that every person who comes to Vietnam aims to have as many helicopter rides as possible and therefore takes every opportunity to get up in one. Then something like this happens Its been ascertained that as the chopper was flying low on its visual reconnaissance an unknown number of VC took shots at it with their rifles. The pilot was shot in the head and being so low the co-pilot didnt have time to take over the controls. It ploughed into a creek bank at well over a hundred miles per hour. I suppose, in one way, one can be thankful that they were all killed instantly as I dare say the VC went in to inspect their work and any injured would have been in for an unpleasant time, to say the least. Initially I was going to go on the flight but swapped with Abe when we realised that it was me who was on duty the next morning. PHU MY (Operation Harvest) Deployment Details: 25 Oct 68- 2 Nov 68. Allied Units Involved: C Coy, 3RAR Objective of Operation: reconnaissance in force and interdiction operation FSB Nelson - YS 21-81 On QL-15, 18 km WNW of NUI DAT, 10 km SE of FSB Archer, 38 km NNW of Vung Tau. 161 Bty RNZA (Hitchings Bty 14Apr68- 18Mar69) firebase set here 27Oct-2Nov68 (right section). Phuoc Tuy Prov, III Corps. After a respite of a couple of weeks back at the squadron and being completely bored cutting grass, filling sandbags, etc Keith Oliver and I were informed late in the afternoon that we were going out with C Coy 3RAR the next day, 25th October, on Operation Harvest. We spent the rest of the day putting all of our equipment together for the operation. We were to be stationed at Phu My, several clicks north west of Baria on Route 15. Our role was to liaise with the ARVN, Thais, Yanks, along with elements of 3RAR during the operation. Ken Cox was sent to Xa Bang, an ARVN outpost, as part of this operation. We had to be ready at 0700 hours on the 27th October to move out with C Coy, 3RAR and A Sqn, 3 Cav Regt. This was my first ride in an APC. We had it to ourselves given that we had about 1000lbs of gear to carry, (Wet cell batteries, generator, fuel, aerials, radios, and all the usual paraphernalia.) The APCs dropped us off at Phu My and then continued north up the road to AO Everglade to set up HQ at FSPB Nelson. We were stationed with the Army of the Republic of Viet Nam (ARVN) 655 Regional Forces Company at YS 237772. Their main, and only, armaments were 2 x 105mm field guns (which I never saw). We had no sooner set up our communications channels when some Yanks came into the compound to ask for help. There had been a smash not far up the road. When they tried to go back to their base for help they had their way blocked by a contact on the road. We spent quite a bit of time trying to communicate with our contacts in Vung Tau to ask for assistance (by land line) with their unit. They ended up staying with us overnight until some tow trucks were sent up from Vung Tau late the next day to take them away. Phu My is also the area HQ for smaller outposts nearby. From here, patrols go out every night to an ambush position, but I have my doubts as to whether they do much good or not. The soldiers live here with their families in nothing more than hovels which are dug out of the mound of earth which surrounds the camp. There are several tin buildings inside the camp and it is inside one of these that we are operating from. Keith and I are working long hours with the radios. We are each working eight hour shifts. I am glad I am out on this job for a couple of reasons. This is one of the few assignments I have been on where I have felt a sense of achievement. It is also the first time that I have worked with the Vietnamese. Their life is so much different to ours in many ways, and while we are stationed here, we have to live more or less the way that they do. The children are generally very well behaved and we get on very well with then, and the adults, even though neither of us can understand what the other is saying. On one occasion the LO from 3RAR, who was working with us, and I went over to the Vietnamese quarters for a few drinks with the CO and some of his fellow officers. We had to take off our boots and socks before we entered the building. We were seated on the floor with our legs crossed and a bowl of rice and a few bowls of meat and sauces placed in the middle of the circle. Chopsticks were the order of the day and I had a hell of a job trying to eat with them. We did talk about the different sorts of cuisines that we ate. I dont know if they were having us on or not but a cooked cockroach turned up on one of the plates. I had finished eating by that time, thank goodness. The Vietnamese had a great laugh when we refused the offer to eat the cockroach. I suspect that they had carried this out in jest as we had been talking earlier about eating rats, mice, cockroaches, etc. The LO is driving us round the bend. He is a young 2nd Lieutenant from the infantry we are working with, and in my opinion is very immature. He just makes a fool of himself all the time, trying to impress everyone and impressing no-one. He was actually two years younger than me. He got dragged over the coals by his CO the other night after ordering me to call up 3RAR Company HQ and advising them contact, wait, out when we thought that the compound had been hit by a rocket, when in actual fact it was actually a rocket that was attached to the perimeter facing outwards that had been fired. No-one knows why it went off. He got a bollocking because he hadnt gotten the facts straight before making a call and giving the whole Company, which was stationed in the bush, a scare. We returned from Phu My on the 4th November. It was a great experience working with the Vietnamese. Keith and I felt that the 2nd Lieutenant was a complete idiot and we were left to do all the work and we made most of the decisions. One of the most played songs on American Forces Vietnam Network (AFVN) radio station at this time was Jennie C Rileys Harper Valley PTA. I can remember thinking that it was absolutely fantastic. AFVN also played Chickenman every morning. It was a fairly stupid take off of a superhero. One morning someone in the Sig Centre played an episode straight off the radio and broadcast it over the taskforce network. I dont believe that anyone was charged with this, but it certainly caused a ruckus at HQ. AFVN Radio was run by the American Military you may remember the movie Good Morning Vietnam They played fairly tame music but from time to time they would play the top hit parade songs. Their ads were really targeted at the lower level, less educated troops with simple ads about keeping your mosquito repellent on, or how to purchase government bonds, or pushing the re-enlistment barrow which was incentivised towards having troops re-enlist or extend their tour of duty. November 1968 (Operation Capital II) The day after we returned to Nui Dat there was another operation starting up but I was too late to get a job on it, so I just h ung round the 104 Sig Sqn lines trying to keep out of everyones way. For the two weeks I was in camp I learned to make myself seem to be invisible during the day. I ha d my bed in the same tent as Cpl Richard Christiansen, Sig Tom Richardson and one other. I dont have any sheets, pillow, etc. I just have a poncho that I use as a sheetblanket. Each morning I would fold up the poncho and hide it in my trunk under the bed. This mean t that I d id nt have to have any tent inspections as there is no evidence of anyone sleeping there. There were no roll calls and because people were moving in and out all of the time there was no double checking of numbers. I am sure that Cpl Alan Lohrisch and a few others knew that I was in camp, but didnt really know how to find me, so I could sort of please myself so to how I spent my day. When I had the opportunity I volunteered to drive whomever, usually officers around the base, managing to take a few photos of interesting things. We are now in the middle of November and t here is still no definite word on when we will be going home. It could be a week before Christmas or two weeks after. Life has been quite dull the past few days, although I have spent a few hours driving around the place delivering mail, equipment and officers who want to move around the camp, still with no licence, and with over half of our unit out on operations the place is very quiet. Our beer ration was lifted last week, most units have unlimited supplies but we are now on four cans a day, instead of two as it was before. Shirts are still on and we wont be back into shorts for a while yet. Somewhere around this time I was involved in a mission to go to a Vietnamese village and arrest a VC suspect. As best as I can recall I was the radio operator for the group. Travelling in two land rovers we arrived in the village just on dusk (I guess when most of the villagers would be cooking their evening meal) and pushed our way into one of the houses to arrest a person who was suspected of being a VC sympathiser. As we were taking him away the wife and children were screaming at us (along with some neighbours). The woman was so distraught that she would not let go of her husband and in the end we took her with us back to Nui Dat and delivered them to the gaol. This was the first time that I had been up close and personal in a confrontation where we were dealing with the grass roots villagers and I must confess that I found it most disconcerting. I never did find out whether he was involved with the VC. Operation Capital II On the 11 November, Keith Oliver and I were choppered out to Suoi Cat, via FSPB Lion, several kilometres east of Xuan Loc. We were working with the 43rd Regt, 18th ARVN Division at FSPB Penny. Our callsign on the network was Bridle Shaker. There were quite a few Americans in the FSPB who obviously are running the show. There was a Task Force operation on, called Operation Capital II and it involved the ARVN, American and Australians all working in conjunction with each other in more or less the same area trying to find and destroy a suspected VC Battalion. The first deployment of the HQ 1 ATF Main using Armoured Command Vehicles (ACV) for Operation and Signal CPs, was on Op Capitol at FSPB Lion in early November 1968. This allowed communications and other functions to be set up immediately instead of building a bunker Comment: At Fire Support Patrol Base (FSPB) Coral in May 1968, the deployed Australians along with its Task Force HQ and supporting Signals came within an ace of being wiped out by the North Vietnamese Army. The HQ was most vulnerable and the complete command, control and communications had to be dug underground in bunkers. This took a number of days which was handicapped by enemy action, limited defence stores and poor weather. The ACV callsigns and functions were as follows: Callsign 85 (ARN 134469) Operations Command Post Callsign 85A (ARN 134470) Air Support Command Post Callsign 85B (ARN 134465) Artillery Fire Support Coordination Centre Callsign 85C (ARN 134457) Signal Centre (104 Sig Sqn) Our job was to liaise between 18th ARVN, FSPB Lion and other troops in adjacent AOs to ensure that there were no friendly troops in any areas that were likely to be attacked by artillery fire or air strikes. During our second day there we had an incoming artillery shell fired, presumably from a nearby ARVN FSPB, into the middle of our FSPB. I was on duty in the CP which at this stage was a tent in the middle of the compound which was sandbagged up to around five feet, so that I was shielded from the explosion. I am glad that I was sitting down at this time otherwise I would have certainly been wounded. There were several ARVN soldiers killed and wounded and dustoffs were called in to take them to hospitals. We never did find out who or what caused this to happen. A couple of days later a couple of Aussies turned up out of nowhere. They had been out with the ARVN Artillery for several days and one of them was from our unit (Cpl Phil Denton). So now we are working two nets, carrying out liaison for Artillery and ground troops in the surrounding areas. I had my camera stolen while on duty. I am not too worried about the camera. It is the photos that were in the camera shots of Phu My and here. (With no photos to remind me of people, places, etc it makes it more difficult to recall what happened during this period.) An email from Keith Oliver 6th Sept 2007 I will check out my slides to see if there are any from our time at Phu My and at that FSPB with the Mighty Anvil. I can still remember those delta fox-trots dropping around the perimeter followed by an enormous bang when the drop-short hit us very close by. Before this event we had been sleeping in tents with the ARVN soldiers. In no time flat the Yanks had commandeered a bob-cat and created a huge scrape in the ground. It was least three metres deep and was soon ready for us to move into. We were able to walk down the gradient until it flattened out where we laid out our bedding and gear. We slept a little more soundly after this although we had no roof. We we re working in with the American advisors and we also have an American Artillery battery at the FSPB. We g o t fresh rations and the food was better than we g o t back at Nui Dat. Washing was the problem. We ha d to go down to a muddy stream and paddle around in there and do our washing as well. In typical American fashion the food at the FSPB was top notch. Here we were, out in the bush and we could order our eggs in a number of ways, scrambled, over easy, fried ice cream was available for lunch and dinner, a far cry from the C-rations which was normally what we would have when out in the bush with our own troops. On some occasions we would have had, from time to time, hotboxes delivered in the FSPB when with our own troops otherwise it was C-rations. There was always a bartering process that went on with C-rations lima beans were the least liked and were very hard to trade. There was a river close by and it provided us with the opportunity to bathe and carry out our laundry. There were four of us in the stream one day when all of a sudden a snake about four feet long, came swimming down towards us. I dont know if it was venomous or not but it took us about two seconds to get out of the water. These are the hazards of washing in a Vietnamese stream. Stand to at dusk was an interesting experience with the Americans. Instead of sending out patrols from the FSPB at dusk, they all congregate d along the perimeter and fire d their weapons into the bush. This was called the Mad Minute. Not sure what this achieved, other than to tell the enemy exactly where we were. No doubt they already kn e w this anyway. One of the Americans was very keen to fire a few rounds with my rifle at one of these events. The 18th ARVN Div HQ came in out of the bush after ten days and now we were attached to the US Army LO team from MACV HQ. We live d in one compound and work ed in another (about two clicks apart). The shifts wer e, morning (one Sig) afternoon (one Sig) eveningnight 1730 until 0730 hours (two Sigs). Movement was restricted after 1800 hours hence the need to have two on during this time. Keith Oliver was sent back to Nui Dat and Ken Cox and Marty Pandelus were sent up from Nui Dat to work with me with the LO team from MACV HQ. We returned to Nui Dat on the 30th November after spending five days in Xuan Loc. I was fairly confident that this w ould be my last job with only a short time left to go. Ken Cox and Geoff Morgan were going home on the 10th December and there are more flights on the 17th and 23rd. There was a mortar attack one night somewhere between our two compounds. I didnt hear it, I can be a deep sleeper, and was only informed when I came on duty in the morning. (Ken Coxs notes say that there were five mortars fired into an ARVN base not far from our compound.) December 1968 (Xuan Loc. Return to Austraila) I was back in Nui Dat for three days before being sent back up to Xuan Loc with Keith Oliver because another operation was about to start in the same area (FSPB Julia). Sig Jeff Fewson, from Balcombe days, came up to Xuan Loc a few days after us. Jeff arrived in Vietnam on the 3rd December. He managed to get hold of a revolver from somewhere in Xuan Loc and fired a round from it. Upon my return to 104 Sig Sqn, I was paraded in front of Captain Arnold, 2IC, 104 Sig Sqn to explain what had happened. I only knew that the incident had occurred but had no knowledge of the exact details. He will be reprimanded when he returns to Nui Dat. Hurray I have heard through the grapevine that I will be Returning to Australia (RTA) on the 7th January. 104 Sig Sqn Radio Operators having a drink on Christmas Day at FSPB Julia (1968) L-R Jeff Fewson, Bruce OBrien, Keith Oliver, Bob Vallance, Unknown and Peter Quinlan (Photo supplied by Gordon Taylor) On Christmas Day the Sigs that were out on LOs in our area were flown into FSPB Julia, where Task Force HQ Forward was based and provided with a Christmas lunch, served by the senior NCOs and officers. We were also given a few small Christmas presents. I flew back to Nui Dat from Xuan Loc on New Years Day. I spent the last week in camp getting prepared to depart, handing in rifles and other bits and pieces and making sure that our dress uniforms were neat and clean. We spent a couple of days driving around Nui Dat having a last look around. January 1969 (Return to Australia) We had a big farewell party on the evening of the 6th as there where quite a few of us going home. I think that we all ended up with sore heads the next morning. I spent almost six months out of Nui Dat on operations and only two months in camp with 104 Sig Sqn. The rest of my time was spent with 4th Field and 12th Field Regiments. Last look at Nui Dat before returning to Australia L-R Richard Christiansen, Robert Lyons (110 Sig Sqn), Keith Oliver, David Tiernan and Unknown (Jan 1969) (Photo supplied by Gordon Taylor) A whole group of us flew by Hercules to Ton Son Nhut at about 0730 hours on the 7th January, 1969 and boarded a Qantas 707 around midday, arriving at Mascot around 2230 hours (in the dead of night when the airport was closed). There was no official ceremony upon arrival, certainly no welcome home parade. Only parents and friends of those coming home were at the airport to welcome us. There was no one there to welcome us home and or to say thanks for your efforts. As an aside, of the nineteen 104 Sig Sqn who sailed to Vietnam on the HMAS Sydney, Terry (Tab) Hunter, Keith Oliver and I were the only three who flew home on the 7th January. The others had already completed their tour of duty. The other three Sigs who came home with us were Richard Christiansen, Glenn Sweet and Dave Tiernan. Conclusion The first week back was very strange. Coming straight from a war zone to civilian life took some adjusting. Even walking down the street and looking out for traffic as you crossed the road was difficult. Any strange noises certainly had you on your toes. I wore my uniform a couple of times and on one occasion was spat on and called a child killer. Not a very nice welcome home message. I went to South Head military barracks a couple of times to fill out paperwork and have a medical prior to discharge before being officially discharged on the 31st January 1969. I travelled to Melbourne to meet with Gordon Sanderson, Keith Oliver and Ken Cox, Geoff Morgan and some others who we knew from Balcombe or Nui Dat in mid February. Ken was getting married, Gordon and I were arranging a trip overseas in October (and I wanted to catch up with Keith as I had spent a great deal of time with him in various operations). Gordon Sanderson and I sailed to the UK on the SS Iberia and spent 12 months together working in London and travelling all over Europe. In gathering information for this story I found that the detail recorded in the 104 Sig Sqn operational documents from AWM War Diaries quite sparse. It is a pity that documents outlining the various operations and LOs along with the names of those who were sent out were not recorded. A lot of information relating to operations during 1968 can be gleaned from Infantry and Artillery War Diaries on the AWM website. My wife and I took a three-week trip to Vietnam in 1999, during the Asian Meltdown. At that time there had been very little western money spent redeveloping the country, so we saw it in a somewhat similar way as it was in 1968. I did not travel to Vung Tau or Nui Dat, but did see many places in both the old north and South Vietnam and talked to many men who had served in the ARVN during the war who had since spent years in re-education camps. I have to say that I found the Vietnamese to be a very gentle and friendly race. X-Run Update X-Run is now even better with several improvements and awesome additions to the gamemode New Stats System Better Arena Selection System New Scoreboard Leaderboards on our Website Spectating Mode - Right click your compass to watch a game already going on Added New Arena: RIVER New Game-Mode: Speed UHC Speed UHC is similar to normal Ultra Hardcore Mode, but sped up so everything happens faster and games are finished more quickly Games last a maximum of 25 minutes . with PvP beginning at 5 minutes and Deathmatch at 15 minutes. Constant Speed II effect Fast Enchanted Tools When you craft a wooden tool, you will receive an enchanted stone version. Animals drop cooked food. Mined ores drop smelted ingots. Just mine away Increased Drop Rates for mobs. For example, skeletons are more likely to drop bows and arrows when killed. And more UHC is Back with some New Features New Scoreboard Added 20 New Kits Warrior 8211 Start with a stone sword, and a full set of leather armor Archer 8211 Start with a bow, 4 arrows and 4 feathers Trader 8211 Start with 15 emeralds to trade with villagers Acrobat 8211 Start with a pair of Feather Falling X diamond boots And Several More New Stats System New Team System - Right click the name tag and select a wool color to choose your team New Lobby Bug Fixes and Performance Fixes We hope you enjoy all these new updates The Happy Hunger Games Staff It8217s been a while since the last time we posted here so we decided to do it more periodically (Sorry). The latest months, a lot of things have been going on in the Network, many new updates have been done which we are going to specify below, but by far the most important thing is the release of a BRAND NEW GAME-MODE X-RUN If you like to Parkour, then this new mini-game is perfect for you Hop on the server and challenge other players in intensive high-speed parkour races, and see who is the best Parkourer out there There are more than 20 INITIAL MAPS to check out, and more being added with time Check out X-RUN and upgrade your Parkour experience to a new level Have Fun Furthermore, here are some of the biggest changes and updates that have been done in the network the latest months: Hub and Creative: MAJOR COSMETICS UPDATE New Feature Treasure Hunter More information HERE New Currency HHG Tokens More information HERE New Gadgets New Pets New Mounts New Particles New Disguises New Cosmetic Hats New Cosmetic Wardrobe New Cosmetic Emotes New Feature Speed It8217s Halloween time Brand new Ha lloween Lobby Super Craft Bros: Bug Fixes New Scoreboard and game interfaces New Arena Dream Land New Arena Rubik New Arena Icy Crater New Arena Islands New Lobby New Arena Gladiator New Arena France New Arena Italian New Arena The Maze MAJOR UPDATE For more info do update Bug Fixes You can now write signs with colors New custom island creation system Huge performance Improvements New Commands and features New Scoreboard New Warping system New Challenges New Skyblock PvP arena Brand new Skyblock Spawn New words added to draw New Lobby New Parkour Dreams New Parkour Frozen Valley New Parkour Sprint New Parkour Reppord New Parkour Tutorial New Parkour Islands New Parkour Wipeout New Parkour Ice New Parkour Enchanted Forest New and better Duelling system Kit selection and more New Scoreboard New Feature Kit Previews New Feature Health Indicators New Feature Teams New Feature 2vs2 duels New Feature 3vs3 duels New duel arenas New Stats and Leader-board 6 New Kits EnderMage, Flash, Link, Tho r, Aang and Herobrine New Arena Islands New Arena Desert New Arena WinterHold New Arena Castle Square New Arena ShipWreck New Arena Jade Prominence New Arena Volcanic New Arena Frozen Tundra New Arena Magic New Arena Abandoned New Arena Nightmare New Arena Treasure Island Survival Games and Solo Survival Games: Bug Fixes New Better spectators tools New Deathmatch arena Definitely a lot has been going on Make sure to check all the new features out if you haven8217t already Enjoy 8211 The Happy Hunger Games Network Staff
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