1970
Information Keith White, Bob Cocker & Ern Marshall
JANUARY
Spiro Agnew, US Vice President
"They have been in a war for years and years and they are quite
debilitated and
decimated, and I don't think they are capable with any kind of
resistance of continuing
this fight".
1
- New Year Truce.
10
- 8 RAR return to Nui Dat from Op "Atherton" and celebrate
Christmas.
14-1-70 Campbell G.J. Sgt NZ41240 3SAS2 NZSAS KIA GSW to head in
contact in Binh Tuy Province
15 - 16.
Operation Matilda - an armoured sweep covering more 200 klms is
conducted east and north east of Nui Dat.
Operation Keperra
26 January 70 - 14 February 70
Operation Keperra
began on the
23rd January 1970 with the cordon and search of two villages in the
south east of Phuoc Tuy Province, Xuyen Moc and Nui Nhon.
On the afternoon of 24th
January the Battalion re-deployed by road to a lie up position west of
Nui Nhon. The cordon was inserted on foot and was in position by 0300
hours. The following morning 237 people were screened.
Practical results of the two cordons were, Xuyen Moc seven detainees on
the police black list were held for subsequent checking and in Nui Nhon
three were held, one of whom was a VC intelligence agent.The Battalion
then returned to Nui Dat by road on the afternoon of the 25th January
to prepare for deployment into the Nui Dinh Hills on 26th and 27th
January.
The Nui Dinhs lying some
5,000 to 6,000 metres south west of the Nui
Dat base have often been used as a stronghold for operations by the VC
and NVA against the populated areas in the south of Phuoc Tuy. At this
time, approaching Tet it was considered by the commander 1 ATF
Brigadier Weir, to be harbouring elements of D67 Engineer Battalion and
D41 Chau Duc guerillas. He therefore ordered 8 RAR to carry out
operations on the eastern side of the hill complex in conjunction with
1-16 US (Mech) Bn of 2 US Bde, 1 lnf Div, who were to take the western
side.
The operations of both Battalions were designed to prevent any Vietcong
offensive against Baria and surrounding districts during TET.
Lieutenant Colonel O'Neill's concept was to locate B and D Companies in
the north east and south west of the Battalion AO in ambush positions,
whilst A and C Companies drove down from the top of the mountains
towards them. The enemy were thus to be swept down into the ambush
positions. On completion of the sweep the companies were to be flown
back to the top to repeat the operation.
The deployment began by D Company moving to its block position by
tracks of B Squadron 3 Cavalry Regiment and B Company to its position
by truck, on 26th January. On 27th January the Assault Pioneers flew to
an LZ on top of the hill complex after preliminary clearing by a light
fire team of 9 Squadron RAAF. The Assault Pioneers then secured the LZ
for the fly in of a section of mortars and A and C Companies.
The first important incident occurred late on the afternoon of 28th
January when three enemy contacted a D Company ambush in the south of
the Battalion AO, resulting in one enemy killed and one wounded, who
was captured. The PW after interrogation was identified as belonging to
the Chau Duc guerillas rear services element, engaged in a forward
resupply mission.
After two days of operation little contact had been made although much
sign of enemy presence was seen including sixty unoccupied bunkers by A
Company. Lieutenant Colonel O'Neill then decided to re-locate B Company
from the foothills further to the north east to cover the valley of the
Song Sui and the Song Chau Pha due west of the Task Force base, as this
appeared to be the logical route between the Task Force base and the
Nui Dinhs for VC movement to the provincial centres. No contact was
made until 2nd February when one VC was killed and one wounded by B
Company.
This was followed on 3rd
February by a further contact when two enemy were killed, and one
wounded who was captured, again by B Company. The captured guerilla was
identified as a Chau Duc and provided valuable information concerning
the main Chau Duc base north west of the Nui Dinhs and locations of
guerilla tunnels within Hoa Long village. Information on the Chau Duc
base was followed up by 1-16 US Battalion.
On the 3rd February D Company and C Company returned to Nui Dat for
ready reaction tasks. A Company continued to search the Nui Dinhs
moving down the re-entrants to the south and north east of the complex
with B Company remaining in location.
During the nights of 7th-9th, C Company was given local ambush tasks
east of Hoa Long without contact and on the 10th was deployed to the
western edge of the Long Hai Hills
to protect an engineering
quarrying
party of 21 Construction Squadron and to ambush between the hills and
the villages of'Long Dien and Dat Do. One further contact was made,
resulting in 2 enemy killed,.and on 14th February A and B Companies
returned to Nui Dat.
The results of Operation Keperra were:
Enemy Casualties KIA: 6 - WIA: 3 - PW: 1
Small Arms weapons captured: 3 - Small Arms ammunition captured: 100
Grenades: 2 - Explosives: 2 lb.Food Captured: 285 lb.Rice -
Salt 2 lb. - Miscellaneous: 1 00 lb.
Own Casualties KIA: 1 - WIA: 3
23-1-70 Stevens J.G. Pte 313122 5RAR2 21 RAIN F KBA GSW to head.
24
- 8 RAR Cordon and Search the village of Xuyen Moc.
26
- B and D Coys 8 RAR deploy to blocking positions in the Nui Dinh
Hills
27
- A and C Coys including Section of Mortars and Assault Pioneers
deploy to Nui Dinh Hills.
28
- Australian Minister of State for the Army - 
Andrew
Peacock
visits elements of 8 RAR at Nui Dat.
29-1-70 Wagstaff V.N. Pte 312756 8RAR RAINF 21 KIAFFF GSW. Mistaken for
VC during ambush.
30-1-70 Hollis A.E. Spr 2786682 1FDSQN RAE 23 KIA Mine. Att. to 6RAR2.
30-1-70 Engstrom R.J. Cpl 18797 1FDSQN RAE 22 KIA Mine. Att. to 6RAR2.
FEBRUARY
1-2-70 Thompson B.J. Pte 2789920 5RAR2 C 22 RAIN F KBA Detonated a
buried grenade while racking leaves at Nui Dat 7 days before RTA.
3 - D and C Coys 8 RAR return to Nui Dat for Ready Reaction tasks.
6 - Lunar
New Year (TET) Truce.
7 - C
Coy 8 RAR deploy to east of Hoa Long for local ambush duties.
10 - C Coy 8 RAR deploy on Op
Hammersley to the Long Hai
Hills and is supported by 2 Troop A Sqn Tanks.
FSB Pat
- YS 61-82 32 km NE of Nui Dat, 17 km ENE of Duc Tanh and Rte-2,
14 km N of FSB Discovery. Described as an old, mosquito infested FSB.
161 Bty, RNZA
(Andrew’s Bty 18Sep69-6Sep70) firebase set here
16Feb-11Mar70. 106 Bty RAA also here
13Feb70. Prov, III Corps.
Advance Party of 100 men from 7 RAR departs Kingsford Smith
Airport, Sydney for
Vietnam. a further 50 depart on the 15th.
14
- A and B Coys 8 RAR including Assault Pioneers return to Nui Dat to
prepare for Op Epsom.
15
- D Coy 8 RAR with the remainder of A Sqn tanks deploys to Op
Hammersley to assist C Coy
16
- 7 RAR main body departs Sydney, Australia, on board HMAS Sydney.
B Coy 8 RAR deploys to Op
Hammersley.
17-2-70 Maza R.N. LCpl 15142 32SSSQN 40 RAE * At Glenorie. NSW
18
- 8 RAR - Battle
of the Long Hai Hills.
Long Hai Mountains
Generally 20 km NE of Vung Tau and 15 km due S of Nui
Dat. A rugged mountain chain rising from the plain S of Ba Ria and Long
Dien, and
bordering the coast of Phuoc Tuy Prov. Long Hai Airfield was on the
coast at the SW edge
of this hill mass.
18-2-70 Carlyle H. Tpr 43941 B3CAV RAAC 21 KIA APC c/s 83A, ARN134421,
hit by RPG's and satchel charge.
18-2-70 Whiston B.J. L/Cpl 1202024 B3CAV RAAC 23 KIA APC c/s 83A,
ARN134421, hit by RPG's and satchel charge.
18 - 3
Sqn SAS depart Vietnam and are replaced by 2 Sqn SAS. During their
tour 3 Sqn had mounted 230 operations with 78 contacts resulting in 144
enemy KIA plus 32
possibles.
21 - B52 strike on the Long
Hai Hills in support of 8 RAR. B52 Damage
24 -
Rear Party 7 RAR depart for Vietnam by air.
25-2-70 Baker B.A. Sgt. 43555 8RAR RAINF 27 KIA APC c/s 20A hit mine in
Long Hai's.
27
- 7 RAR arrive at Vung Tau on their second tour. 5 RAR depart for
Australia.
28
- Dustoff . 9 Australian soldiers are killed and 16 wounded by an M16
mine. The
Chief of General Staff (Australia) signals the Commander Australian
Forces Vietnam
(COMAFV), "Most distressed and concerned at casualties being suffered
by 8 RAR in
Long Hai area. In view of our experience I am at loss to understand 1
ATF undertaking
operations in an area in which they have always been costly and of
doubtful value. Please
let me have a report urgently including the aims of the operation and
the responsibility
for its initiation".
28-2-70 MacLennan L.J..Pte. 3795935 8RAR RAINF 21 KIA Mines/booby traps
in Long Hai's.
28-2-70 Richter P.M..Pte. 3796110 8RAR RAINF 21 KIA Mines/booby traps
in Long Hai's.
28-2-70 Hubble R.N..Spr. 55566 1FDSQN RAE 19 KIA Mines/booby traps in
Long Hai's.
28-2-70 Munday.B.J. Pte. 3795712 8RAR RAINF 22 KIA Mines/booby traps in
Long Hai's.
28-2-70 Pesonen T.E.A. Pte. 7154 8RAR RAINF 25 KIA Mines/booby traps in
Long Hai's.
28-2-70 Barrett.J.J T/Cpl. 1200097 8RAR RAINF 24 KIA Triggered mine
while marshalling Dustoff in Long Hai's.
28-2-70 Jackson. R.J. Cpl 2783512 8RAR RAINF 25 KIA Mines/booby traps
in Long Hai's.
28-2-70 Hoban W.J. SGT 15400 8RAR RAINF 39 KIA Mines in Long Hai's.
28-2-70 West G.M. Pte 61912 8RAR A/1 19 RAINF DOW At 1FDHOSP V.T. from
mines/booby traps in Long Hai's
MARCH
1-3-70 Watt G.S. Sgt. NZ80166 NZMEDSVCS RNZAF KIA booby trap
2- A and B Coys 8 RAR return to
Nui Dat.
3 - A
and B Coy including Bn HQ 8 RAR deploy on Op Ascot.
Op
Hamilton commences.
FSB
Discovery - YS 60-68 On Rte
328, 18 km due E
of Nui Dat, 5 km NNW of FSB Bond, 13 km NE of Dat Do, 5 km W of Xuyen
Moc, and 14 km NE of
FSB Horseshoe. Placed in a position to provide support for 8
RAR’s blockade of VC
escape routes from the Long Hai Hills during operations there in 1970.
161 Bty, RNZA
(Andrew’s Bty 18Sep69- 6Sep 70) firebase set here 3-22Mar70
(left section),
11-24Mar70 (right section). Prov, III Corps.
4 -
D Coy 8 RAR deploy to Op Ascot.
6-3-70
Bressington J Pte 218583 8RAR RAINF 23 KIA Mine. Triggered mine E.of
Xuyen Moc.
5 - 5 RAR arrive in Australia
completing their second and last tour of Vietnam.
7
- 8 RAR cordon the area believed to be the location of HQ D445.
6-3-70
O'Dal S.J. Pte39016 8RAR B/5 70.03.06 20RAINF DOW At 1FDHOSP V.T. from
mine shrap wds that day
8-3-70
Duffy .K.A Pte 1735143 6RAR RAINF 21 KIA In contact. East of Nui Dat 2.
8-3-70
Power R.E. Cpl 2790170 6RAR RAINF 22 KIA In contact. East of Nui Dat 2.
8-3-70
Clarke R.D.. Pte 3794556 6RAR RAINF 21 KIA In contact. East of Nui Dat
2.
9
- 7 RAR deploys on Operation Finschafen.
12
- C Coy 8 RAR redeploy to FSPB Isa.
16
- HMAS Hobart
departs Australia for Vietnam on its third deployment.
18 - General Lon Nol ousts
Prince Norodom Sihanouk an seizes power in Cambodia.
19-3-70
Paenga T.W. Pte NZ43651 6RAR RAINF 21 KIA Ambush in bunker system on
Nui Dinh. GSW/ shrap to head.
19-3-70
Wright D.N. PteNZ43223 6RAR2 W3 RNZIR DOW In Aust. from wds on 30.01.70
20
- A Coy 8 RAR return to Nui Dat.
21 - FSB Toby
- YS 71-79 Along Rte-329, 5 km SW of FSB Lynx, 13 km SSW of
Hill 2310, 30 km NE of Nui Dat and 161 Bty, RNZA (Master’s
Bty 6Sep70- 8May71)
firebase set here 21-29 Mar 70 (left section). Phuoc Tuy Prov, III
Corps.
23-3-70 Anton R.D. T/Bdr 218193 4 F DREGT 19 RAA KBA Went to sleep in
unit lines with M26 Grenade in pocket.
24
- B and C Coys 8 RAR with Bn HQ return to Nui Dat. C Coy deploy to to
area north east of Xuyen Moc.
27
- South Vietnamese troops attacks communist bases across the border of
Cambodia.
D Coy 8 RAR reacted to an area north east of Xuyen Moc.
28
- HMAS Hobart
relieves HMAS Vendetta
at Subic Bay.
29
- D Coy 8 RAR return to Nui Dat.
APRIL
1 - A Coy 8 RAR react to an
intelligence report of enemy concentration east of Dat Do.
They return same day. Nil result.
2 - A
Coy 8 RAR react again to the area east of Dat Do.
3 - A
Coy 8 RAR react to an area north of Ap Nui Nhon.
3-4-70
Smith R.K. Pte 2257880 7RAR RAINF 19 KIA GSW to chest by sniper in Long
Khanh Prov.
3-4-70
Poulson D.. Pte 3795605 8RAR RAINF 20 KIA GSW in contact with bunker
system. Body not recovered until next day
4-4-70
Pettit J.G.WO2 13824 AATTV RAINF 33 KIA At A-245 Dak Seang in Kontum
Prov..
4 -
FSB Andrea - YS 26-58? On
Long Son Island, 20 km SW of Nui
Dat, 13 km N of Vung Tau, 3 km from the ocean and 5 km SW of QL-15. The
base located on
the solid rock summit of Hill 84, and was first built when a single,
161 Bty RNZA L-5
cannon and eight gunners deployed here 4 Apr 70. The position
was manned by the one
gun and 17 PF Viet soldiers firing in support of HQ ATF D and E Plts
while they searched
the island for rocket sites that endangered Vung Tau. One night, one of
the PF’s
threw a cigarette into a pit containing all the unused powder charges,
causing an intense
blaze that lasted several hours, exposing all to sniper fire. 161 Bty,
RNZA (Andrew’s
Bty 18Sep-6Sep70) firebase set here 4-17Apr70. Phuoc Tuy Prov, III
Corps.
6 - B
Coy 8 RAR react to an area north east of Binh Ba and return same day.
7 - B
Coy 8 RAR deploy to an area west of Duc My on Op
Phoi
Hop.
8 - A
Coy 8 RAR deploy to an area west of Ap Suoi Nghe. C and D Coys deploy
to
ambush positions in Hoa Long Village on Op Phoi Hop.
First Australian moratorium demonstration. 120,000 people march in
cities across
Australia.
11 - C
and D Coys 8 RAR deploy to ambush positions south and west of Hoa Long
Village.
14 - Cambodian President Lon Nol
appeals for military assistance in Cambodia.
17-4-70
Kidd S.J. Lt. NZ838605 6RAR RNZIR KIA In contact. GSW to body.
17-4-70
Fitzgerald J. WO2 27974 AATTV RAINF 41 KIA .Mortar fire in Thua Thien
Prov.
18-19
. 8 RAR conduct cordon and search of Ap Bac Hamlet.
19
- 7 RAR deploy on Op
Concrete 1 in the
Xuyen Moc District.
20 -
All Companies 8 RAR and Bn HQ deploy on 1 ATF Op
"Concrete". Op
Nudgee commences.
FSB Bond
- YS 62-64 At the intersection of Rte-23 and Rte 328, 4 km SSE of FSB
Discovery, 20 km ESE
of Nui Dat and 7 km N of the ocean. 161 Bty’s deployment here
was part of Operation
Concrete, the largest Australian Operation since WWII, involving all 3
RAR Inf Bns, 1ATF
HQ, a Field Rgt and supporting arms, that were deployed to destroy the
HQ of the D445 VC
RGT. 161 Bty, RNZA (Andrew’s Bty 18Sep-6Sep70) firebase set
here 20-26Apr70. Prov,
III Corps.
20-4-70 Tognolini M.P. Tpr218453 B3CAV 19 RAAC DOW At 1FdHosp from wds
earlier that day
21-4-70 Kavanagh G.R. Pte 4720992 7RAR2 B/6 21 RAIN F DOD Dehydration
and high body temp.
22 - Prime Minister Gorton
Announces a Reduction in Australia's Commitment, ........
"...the
process of
Vietnamisation made this force reduction 'desirable and
feasible'".
22-4-70
Garland B.A. Lt. 235324 101Bty RAA 231 .KIA Mine. FO att. to 6RAR2
22-4-70
Hughes R.E. Pte 44897 7RAR2 B 19 RAINF DOW At 24EVACHOSP after RPG
shrap to head earlier that day.
25
- C and D Coys 8 RAR move to Hoa Long and lay ambushes.
26
- A and B Coys 8 RAR move to Hoa Long and lay ambushes.
26-4-70
Pothof R.C. Lt. 235324 7RAR RAINF 21 .KIA APC c/s 11 hit mine near
Phuoc Hai.
27
- FSB "Bond " vacated.FSB
Le Loi - YS 45-76
Called FSB Le Loi. On Rte-2, 7 km N of Nui Dat, 4 km S of Duc Tanh, and
3 km SW of Ngai
Giao. 161 Bty, RNZA, Andrew’s Bty set here 27-30Apr70,
7May-7Jun70, 6-29Jun70 and
1-14Jul70 (left section), 14-20Jun70 (right section); Master's Bty,
22Oct70, 3- 9Dec70. US
1st/8th Field Arty also here until Apr/May70, when it moved to support
the Cambodian
Invasion. While at Le Loi in 70, 8 RAR developed and unusual ambush
tactic in which squads
would hide in the upraised scoopers of "earth scrapers" (earth moving
vehicles)
that then dropped them off at ambush positions along Rte 2 without the
local VC operatives
observing them leaving the compound. During Jun70 (after 14Jun), 161
Bty fired its biggest
shoot of the war, during which 184 "serials" pounded the area around
FSB
Dampier. Phuoc Tuy Prov, III Corps.
28
- B, C and D Coys 8 RAR deploy on Op Nudgee. A Coy continues
to
ambush approaches to Hoa Long Village.
29 -
US forces announce participation in the offensive into Cambodia by
South
Vietnam.
29-4-70
Hurst H.W. Spr. 2791326 1FDSQN RAE 21 .KIA Landrover hit mine.
30-4-70
Stanczyk H.J. Pte. 44679 7RAR RAINF 21 .KIA VC AK47 round struck M26
grenade and adapter on L1A1
30
- President
Nixon's speech on Cambodia.
MAY
1-5-70
Goody P.R. L/Cpl 1734847 8RAR RAINF 22 .KIAFFF Mistaken for VC and shot
with M60 during ambush by Pte D.P. Brennan.
1-5-70
McQuat J.L. Pte. 5716533 8RAR RAINF 21 .KIAFFF GSW. Stood up during
ambush
1-5-70
Earle P. Pte. 45104 8RAR RAINF 21 .KIAFFF Mistaken for VC and shot with
M60 during ambush by Pte D.P. Brennan.
2 - 9 - Anti war demonstrations
break out on US college campuses. 4 Students are
killed.
8 -
120,000 Australians demonstate for an end to the war.
7
- Bn HQ 8 RAR deploy to FSPB "Le Loi. B and C Coys deploy to AO
Quartermile in continuation of Op Nudgee. 7 RAR OP "Concrete 1"
concludes with
redeployment for Op "Concrete 11".
9
- B Coy 8 RAR return to Nui Dat. Luscombe Field at Nui Dat.
9 May,
10 days after ground troops crossed the border, a combined
Vietnamese-American naval task force steamed up the Mekong River to
wrest control of that
key waterway from North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces. The flotilla,
led by a Vietnamese
naval officer, was composed of American PCFs, ASPBs, PBRs, HAL-3 and
VAL-4 aircraft, Benewah,
Askari,
Hunterdon County,
YRBM 16,
YRBM 21
and 10 strike
assault boats (STAB) of Strike Assault Boat Squadron 20, a
fast-reaction unit created by
Admiral Zumwalt in 1969. The Vietnamese contingent included riverine
assault craft of many
types, PCFs, PBRs, and marine battalions. Naval Advisory Group
personnel sailed with each
Vietnamese vessel. By the end of the first day, Vietnamese naval units
reached the
Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, while to the south the combined force
stormed enemy-held
Neak Luong, a strategic ferry crossing point on the river. For
political reasons, no U.S.
personnel were allowed past Neak Luong, midway to Phnom Penh. Although
the American
component pulled out of Cambodia by 29 June, the Vietnamese continued
to guard the Mekong
and evacuate to South Vietnam over 82,000 ethnic Vietnamese jeopardized
by the conflict.
12
- D Coy 8 RAR return to Nui Dat One Platoon of D Coy occupy FSPB
"Isa".
13
- D Coy 8 RAR conduct a cordon and search of Ap Bac Hamlet. B Coy
ambushed around Long Dien.
14-5-70
Ahearn A.W. Sgt 214287 8RAR D 25 RAINF DOW Booby trap on 11.05.70
.
15
- C Coy 8 RAR return to Nui Dat. D Coy redeploy in AO Quartermile
north west of Ap Suoi Nghe.
18
- C Coy 8 RAR deploy to ambush positions in the south east sector of
Hoa Long.
18-5-70
Bartholomew G.T. Spr. 2782555 1FDSQN RAE 22 .KIA
20
- D Coy 8 RAR return to Nui Dat.
21
- C Coy 8 RAR deploy to ambush positions south of Long Dien.
21-5-70
Crouch N.V. Pte. 5716239 7RAR RAINF 22 .KIA GSW/RPG at bunker system
North of Dat Do
23
- D Coy 8 RAR ambushed south and south east of Hoa Long.
25
- B Coy 8 RAR move to north of Le Loi. Coy HQ to Nui Nhan.
26
- D Coy 8 RAR ambushed south of Hoa Long and replace C Coy south of
Long Dien. C Coy deploy to block south west of Le Loi in conjunction
with 2 RAR's initial
operation.
28
- 6 RAR complete their second and last tour of Vietnam. A Coy 8 RAR
deeply to Le
Loi in attempt to locate an enemy hospital.
29-5-70 Neal D.W. Pte. 1735386 2RAR RAINF 22 .KIA Section member
tripped claymore/booby trap. KIA with Pte D.J.Tully.
29-5-70 Tully D.J. Pte. 2792375 2RAR RAINF 21 .KIA Section member
tripped claymore/booby trap. KIA with Pte.D.W. Neal
29-5-70 Gurnick J.L. Pte NZ483256 2RAR2 W3 RNZIR DOW Grenade booby
trap.
30
- A and C Coys 8 RAR deploy to the north of AO Kipper.
FSB Kylie
- YS 45-84 On the W side of Rte-2, 3 km NNE of FSB Peggy, 7 km
N of Duc Tanh and 17 km N of Nui Dat. Built initially on a small scale
since it housed
only a section of 161 Bty RNZA 30May70, it was later expanded
significantly to accommodate
the M2A2 howitzers added to cover the Binh Ba Rubber Plantation. 161
Bty, RNZA
(Andrew’s Bty 18Sep69-6Sep 70) firebase set here 30May-6Jun70
and 1- 12Jul70 (right
section); 29-30Jun70 (left section). Phuoc Tuy Prov, III Corps.
An
Australian Protestor's Perspective
JUNE
1 - B Coy 8 RAR returns to Nui
Dat.
1-6-70 Morgan J.L. Pte 3795756 2AOD 21 RAAOC KBA Hit by truck at 1ALSG
V.T. .
5 -
A Coy 8 RAR redeploy from AO Kipper to the north west of Binh Ba.
6 - C
Coy 8 RAR redeploy from AO Kipper to Le Loi and conduct local patrols.
6-6-70
Dickson S.W. Pte. 2792089 7RAR RAINF 21 .KIA M16 mine during clearing
of ambush site. Between Phuoc Hai and Lonh Hai.
6-6-70
LARRSON S.G.. Pte. 4720583 7RAR RAINF 23 .KIA M16 mine during clearing
of ambush site. Between Phuoc Hai and Lonh Hai.
6-6-70 Navarre P.J. Pte 2792729 7RAR2 C/9 21 RAINF DOW At 1FDHOSP from
mine wds earlier that day.
7 - B
Coy 8 RAR deploys to night ambush tasks around Hoa Long.
10 - A
Coy 8 RAR return to Nui Dat.
11 - Operation
"Nudgee" concludes.
12 -
29.
7 RAR conduct Operation Cung Chung
. A Coy 8 RAR deploys to the west and south west
of Binh Ba
.
14-6-70
Scott I.N. Spr. 17354241FDSQN RAE 21 .KIA APC c/s 21A hit mine at Phuoc
Hai
15 - C
Coy 8 RAR returns to Nui Dat.
16-6-70 Cashion G.O. Pte 62036 7RAR D 19 RAIN F F /BCAS Lightning hit
APC c/s 22B antenna's.
18-6-70 Jones L.C. Pte. NZ629544 2RAR RNZIR .KIA Cmd detonated mine.
18-6-70 Fisk C.R. LCpl NZ41301 2RAR2 V5 RNZIR DOW From wds of Cmd
detonated mine earlier that morning.
19 - 23.
7 RAR conduct Operation "Elanora" as part of Op
"Cung Chung".
20 - C
Coy 8 RAR take over from D Coy in Long Dien District.
B Coy
conduct searches for bunkers in Ap Bac Hamlet. FSB
Bridget -
YS 51-53 On
the coast at the end of Rte-44, appx 1 km from the water’s
edge, 29 km NE of Vung
Tau, 17 km SSE of Nui Dat and 9 km SSE of FSB Horseshoe. Described as a
very unpleasant
location built on gray, metallic sand that was very hot underfoot and
gave off an intense
blinding glare. 161 Bty, RNZA, Andrew’s Bty firebase set here
20-21Jun70 (right
section); 21-31Aug70 (one tube?). Master's Bty here 22-30Sep70 for
"Housekeeping"? Prov, III Corps.
22-6-70 Wojcik B.K. ABCD R62713 CDT3 23 RAN F /NBCAS Motorcycle
accident.
25 - D
Coy 8 RAR deploy to Le Loi.
29 - A
Coy 8 RAR deploy by APC to blocking positions in the north of AO
Mullet. B
and C Coys deploy by air to blocking positions in AO Mullet.
D Coy deployed from Le
Loi to AO Mullet. Op Petrie
commences
29-6-70 Van Valen A. Pte 54320 1RAR 21 RAINF DOW/NBCAS At 3FDHOSP
T.S.N. from Carroll's grenade on 26.06.65.
FSB Kylie
- YS 45-84 On the W side of Rte-2, 3 km NNE of FSB Peggy, 7 km
N of Duc Tanh and 17 km N of Nui Dat. Built initially on a small scale
since it housed
only a section of 161 Bty RNZA 30May70, it was later expanded
significantly to accommodate
the M2A2 howitzers added to cover the Binh Ba Rubber Plantation. 161
Bty, RNZA
(Andrew’s Bty 18Sep69-6Sep 70) firebase set here 30May-6Jun70
and 1- 12Jul70 (right
section); 29-30Jun70 (left section). Phuoc Tuy Prov, III Corps.
29. US ground troops withdraw
from Cambodia.
JULY
7
- A Coy 8 RAR deploy to a blocking position north of the Song Ca.
8-7-70 WA Nalder W.L. Pte 2412151 1RAR 19 RAINF DOW At 173rd CCS from
sniper GSW to chest that day.
8 -
C Coy 8 RAR redeploy to a blocking position north of the Suoi Soc.
11
- B Coy 8 RAR return to Nui Dat for local ambush tasks at Hoa Long.
12-7-70 Bain J. T/Sgt 16667 1 F DREGT 26 RAE * At Brisbane . QLD
13
- FSB Le Loi and Kylie handed over to 2 RAR.
20-7-70
McNair D.G. LAC A317006 9SQN 27 RAAF DOW At 3FDHOSP TSN. from burns
received from aircraft crash on 3-7-70
21-7-70 Bullman J.H Pte 2794031 1ARU 22 RAIN F KBA F F F 161Bty
drops-short. ARU patrol on training excersize.
21-7-70 Foster G.L. Pte 1202992 1ARU 22 RAIN F KBA F F F 161Bty
drops-short. ARU patrol on training excersize.
23
- D Coy 8 RAR deploy to FSB Brigid. Spt Coy deploy to FSB Isa.
A, B and C Coy begin operations around Long Dien and Hoa Long.Op
Decade commences.
In July the Vietnamese Navy assumed sole responsibility f or the Ready
Deck operation,
which was given a Tran Hung Dao designator like the other former
SEALORDS areas. Also in
July, the U.S. Navy ceased its combat activity on I Corp's Cua Viet and
Hue Rivers. The
Americans then transferred the last combatant vessels of Task Force
Clearwater to the
Vietnamese. A final turnover of river craft at the end of 1970 enabled
the Vietnamese Navy
to take charge of the Search Turn, Barrier Reef, and Breezy Cove
efforts deep in the
Mekong Delta. Except for continued support by HAL-3 and VAL-4 aircraft
and SEAL
detachments, the U.S. Navy's role in the SEALORDS campaign ended in
April 1971 when Solid
Anchor (previously Sea Float and now based ashore at Nam Can) became a
Vietnamese
responsibility.
31-7-70 Doyle D.G. Tpr 219663 B3CAV 19 RAAC KBA Decapitated when APC
reversed under chopper rotor blades.
AUGUST
2 - B Coy 8 RAR deploy to Le Loi
and begin operations. D Coy vacate NDP Brigid and
begin
operations in the Long Dien area. A Coy deploy to the west of AP Suoi
Nghe.
2-8-70
Thompson D.L. Pte. 1202729 2RAR RAINF 20 .KIA Mine
2-8-70
Penneystone P.L. Spr. 6709611 1FDSQN RAE 22 .KIA Mine
3 - 10 Sep.
7 RAR deploy for Op Cung Chung 2 and 3
.
7 - All
Companies 8 RAR return to Nui Dat.
7-8-70 Raffen F .L. Sgt(T/WO2)4186 AATTV 41 RAIN F DOD At 85EVAC from
heart attack.
9 - All
Companies of 8 RAR return to the area operations occupied on the 7th,
except A Coy who deploy to An Nhut sector of Long Dien District.
11-12 . C Coy 8 RAR ambush the
village of Hoa Long. 19 NLF soldiers are killed and ten
captured..
24
- B Coy 8 RAR return from Le Loi which is handed over to an element of
C Coy.
25 -
FSB Isa is handed over to 7 RAR.
25-8-70 Moore S.T. Sig 3175954 110SIG 20 RASIG DOD* Neuroblastomma. RTA
to RGH Heidelberg 18.09.69.
26
- 8 RAR less B Coy concentrate around Hoa Long.
27
- B Coy 8 RAR deploy to the neck of the Chau Pha Valley.
27-8-70
Richardson N.T. L/Cpl. 218697 7RAR RAINF 23 .KIA In Phuoc Tuy Prov.
TPC 25
- Radar Personnel movement detecting radar equipment used by the
ANZAC (and presumably the US under other nomenclature). First employed
by the 1 ATF Aug70
when set up on the slopes of Nui Dat and FSB Horseshoe guide arty fire
missions and alert
RAR ambush sites
SEPTEMBER
1 - B Coy 8 RAR return to Nui
Dat for ambush tasks around Hoa Long.
13 - FSB
Kylie is closed. Assault
Pioneers of 8 RAR return to Nui Dat.
14 - D
Coy 8 RAR take up ambush duties around Hoa Long.
14-9-70
Mowbray B.G T/Maj 53057 HQA F V 36 AAPSYCH DOD At 1 F DHosp VT from
heart failure following a fight at the Grand Hotel.
14 - HMAS Perth
departs Sydney on its third Vietnam deployment.
16
- D Coy 8 RAR deploy to the Chau Pha Valley. C Coy deploys to the area
of The Three Sisters.
18
- Second Australian moratorium. 100,000 march and 300 people arrested.
21
- C Coy 8 RAR return to Nui Dat and take up ambush tasks to the east
of Dat Do.
24
- A Coy 8 RAR take up ambush duties east of Dat Do Town.
25
- C Coy 8 RAR redeploy from Dat Do to Hoa Long.
OCTOBER
8-10-70 l. Willoughby G.I. Pte. 3797671 2RAR RAINF 23 .KIA Sniper in
Phuoc Tuy Prov.
10
-22.
Op Cung Chung 2 Phase 1 commences.
11-10-70 Cooper T. Pte NZ482859 2RAR2 W3 RNZIR DOWFFF At 24EVACHOSP
from wds on 10.10.70.
11-10-70 Cooper T. Pte NZ482859 2RAR2 W3 RNZIR DOWFFF At 24EVACHOSP
from wds on 10.10.70.
22-10-70
Schuit M.J.M. Spr 4720852 17CONST 23 RAE DOI At 24EVAC after injuries
on 04.10.70.
27-10-70
Davies R.W. T/Lt. 422514 7RAR RAINF 25 .KIAFFF.Patrols from 2 Pl and 3
Pl clashed. Lt Davies nav. error
28
- HMAS Perth
relieves HMAS Hobart
at Subic Bay.
31-10-70
Sutherland M.L. L/Cpl. NZ41081 2RAR RNZIR .KIA In contact. GSW to back
NOVEMBER
3 -
RAAF Canberra Bomber A84-231("Magpie 91") is lost - missing
in action - . The crew and aircraft are never found.
3-11-70
Carver R.C. POff O119223 2SQN 24 RAA F MIA Posted MIA when a/c A84-231
failed to return from mission.
3-11-70
Herbert M.P.J. F Off O44310 2SQN 24 RAA F MIA Posted MIA when a/c
A84-231 failed to return from mission.
5
- 8 RAR Advance Party depart Tan Son Nhut by air.
9-11-70 Fleming R. Sgt 38129 1ARU 24 RAIN F DOD At 24 Evac after brain
haemorrhage.
10
- 8 RAR Rear Party depart Tan Son Nhut by air.
12
- 8 RAR arrive in Brisbane, Australia completing their first and final
tour of
Vietnam.The Battalion marches through Brisbane.
27
- FSB Cook
- YS 29-62 On QL-2, 16 km SW of Nui Dat,
18 km N of Vung Tau, 5 km NNE of FSB Andrea and 8 km SW of Nui Thi.
Author of Vietnam
Gunners wrote that it was
located in a "flat, sandy covered with grass and
fringed mangrove-like swamps of a tropical river delta." with 161 Bty,
RNZA
Master’s Bty 6Sep70-8May71) firebase set here 27Nov-2Dec70.
Bty deployed here 27Nov70
to fire in support of a 2 ANZAC operation on the western slopes of the
Nui Dinh Mountains.
Phuoc Tuy Prov, III Corps.
DECEMBER
15-12-70
Knight P.R. LAC A318937 1OSU 46 RAA F DOI Vehicle accident in Vung Tau.
25-12-70 Moss A.B. T/Sgt 4410968 52SUP 22 RAASC M/AUST Murder by GSW by
Pte P.R. F erriday in T F MA Sgt's Mess.
25-12-70 Galvin W.J. Sgt 214101 26COY 32 RAASC M/AUST Murder by GSW by
Pte P.R. F erriday in T F MA Sgt's Mess
28-12-70 Nichols R.K. WO1 1797 106 F DWKSP 39 RAEME DOD Heart attack in
unit lines.
FSB Feathers
- YS 71-67 8 km N of the ocean, 28 km E of Nui Dat, 14 km S
of FSB Toby, 6 km E of Xuyen Moc and 23 km ENE of Dat Do. 161 Bty, RNZA
(Master’s Bty
6Sep70-8May71) firebase set here 9-13Dec70 and firing in support of B
and Support
companies, 7 RAR. Phuoc Tuy Prov, III Corps.
30-12-70 Lloyd A.L. Pte 3797086 7RAR2 B/6 20 RAINF DOW At 1FDHOSP V.T.
from GSW that day
FSB Raglan -
YS 60-80 17 km ENE of FSB Le Loi, 10 km W of FSB Toby, 23 km
NE of Nui Dat and 11 km ENE of Ngai Giao. Located 11 km S of the Long
Khanh Prov border,
and 16 km E of Rte 2, the site was covered with luxuriant shoulder-high
grass which was
quickly flattened. 161 Bty RNZA fired "Mark Missions" in
support of 7 RAR
that was working with US units in that area. Named for a NZ town that
was very supportive
of the 161 Bty, sending the Bty gifts every Christmas and throughout
its 6 years in SVN.
161 Bty, RNZA (Master’s Bty 6Sep70-8May71) firebase set here
19 Dec70-2Jan71. Phuoc
Tuy Prov, III Corps.
US military strength now at 335,000.
The change in the nature of the allied war effort reflected the rapid
but measured
withdrawal from South Vietnam of U.S. naval forces. NAVFORV strength
dropped from a peak
of 38,083 personnel in September 1968 to 16,757 at the end of 1970. As
Admiral Zumwalt
transferred resources to the Vietnamese Navy, he disestablished U.S.
naval commands and
airlifted personnel home. With the redeployment of the Army's 9th
Infantry Division and
the turnover of 64 riverine assault craft in June 1969, the joint
Mobile Riverine Force
halted operations. When the Riverine Assault Force (Task Force 117)
stood down on 25
August 1969, it became the first major naval command deactivated in
Vietnam. By December
1970, COMNAVFORV had transferred to Vietnam the remaining river
combatant craft in his
command, which included 293 PBRs and 224 riverine assault craft. That
month, the River
Patrol Force was disestablished and the Task Force 116 designator
reassigned to Commander
Delta Naval Forces, a new headquarters controlling SEAL and naval
aircraft units still
in-country.
Australian Government Office Bearers -
1970
Prime Minister
10 January 1968 - 10 March 1971 John Grey
Gorton
Minsiter
for External Affairs
12 November 1969 - 22 March 1971 William
McMahon
Minister
of Defence
12 November 1969 - 8 March 1971 John
Malcolm Fraser
Ambassadors
United States
18 August 1964 - 1 June 1970 Sir John
Keith Waller
1 June 1970 - 7 February 1974 Sir James
Plimsoll
Saigon
9 August 1968 - 29 December 1970 Ralph
Linsday Harry
29 December 1970 - 26 July 1973 Arthur
Malcolm Morris
Next
1971
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