The Christmas Tree

LOCATION: PHUC TUY PROVINCE - SOUTH VIETNAM

DATE: 24 DEC 1970

TIME: Approx 23:50hrs

As the story goes, 'twas the night before Christmas in a Military Compound which during the day had clear view of the known Viet Cong strong hold of the Long Hai Mountains. Just myself & another young NCO had been left there to maintain the mandatory Radio Watch. The remainder of our Team group had gone to safer areas to make what they could of Christmas.

As the Vietnamese housed in the makeshift bunkers around our triangular inner perimeter were mostly of other faiths, Christmas was just another date on the Calendar. To them it was not appreciated that this time was a time to be with family & friends, a time of sharing & celebrating the cause. This was not Christmas. Personal spirits were at a low ebb indeed. I recall thinking 'What more could happen to make this night more miserable'.

At two minutes to midnight I thought my answer came. A boom from a Sector Support US 155mm Gun at Carmen broke the still night air. The anticipated explosion on the mountain never eventuated but instead a flare exposed it's brilliance over the sea at the Southern tip of the mountains. While wondering, knowing there were no friendlies in that area plus no radio traffic to enlighten me as to why, another three rounds were fired. These were three further flares that burst at an equal distance some 30 degrees in line below the initial flare.

Whilst trying to fathom a reason for the flares another three burst opposite the last thus forming an inverted V. It was at this time when a handheld flare burst from the Mountain tip. This could only be from a VC, but why would he compromise his position? Random flares from compounds within our Sector also burst.

When the next three flares burst forming a vertical line central to the first under the inverted V all became clear. It was only seconds after midnight - Christmas was here - A Christmas tree had been formed to say Merry Christmas to one and all.

The want to illuminate from hand held, mortar & other flares became rampant from all compounds and the said enemy in the Long Hai Mountains. The Illumination spread progressively throughout the Province to over the horizon.

I do not recall how long it took for the last speck of light from the ChristmasTree flares to disappear out over the South China Sea, but do recall having more than just a lump in my throat. I pondered on how this mighty destructive machinery of war could also be used to bring friend & foe together regardless of how brief the period. The Original message of Christmas had never been so clear to me before nor, as I travel toward old age, been since.

'PEACE ON EARTH AND GOODWILL TOWARD ALL MEN'

Sapper

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