1 Armoured Squadron Workshop, RAEME, South Vietnam
OC's Diary — January - June 1968
Index of Links
About the Author Preface Introduction January — 1 to 10 January — 11 to 20 January — 21 to 31 Tet 1968 February — 15 to 29 March — 1 to 15 March — 16 to 31 April — 1 to 30 May — 1 to 31 June — 1 to 20 Conclusion Abbreviations
February 1968 — 1st to 14th
- Thursday — 1 February 1968
- At 0500 hrs the 1 ATF was Stood To. Mortar bombs were fired into 183 Art Bty (USA) which is at the western end of our Task Force area.
- BARIA and area have been attacked by VC and War has come to the Task Force perimeter. Jets have been bombing VC positions around BARIA all day.
- At approx 1100 hrs 3 RAR requested that our M113 Al FRVs be made available to escort a convoy to BINH BA. At 1215 hrs the convoy moved out with the 2 M113 Fitters Vehicles commandeered by 2Lt OWENS (Bob) and manned by Cpl VEARING and Cfn TOPP. The second vehicle commandeered by Sgt Olly JENSEN with L/Cpl SZELEST and Cfn NOONAN. The convoy operated without mishap. Each carrier carried 12 infantry and the trucks, 3 in all, including one tipper, carried the remainder of infantry back to 1 ATF.
- On return the convoy moved out west of Highway 2 (Prov. Route 2), to 416683 and picked up more infantry.
- Conflicting reports came in all day. The last heard was
- 1 Aust KIA and 14 WIA,
- 4 APCs damaged, 2 BER.
- 3 RAR are supposed to have accounted for VC 90 KIA.
- We have been placed on 50% Stand To all night. Our wire is well laid and we have automatic weapon pits sited and dug. The workshops have been divided into three pls. Veh; GE; and HQ.
- The Advance Party of C Sqn are doing radio operating, ammunition relay, company running etc., and each workshop pl has a sector of responsibility.
- The only unfriendly action during the night was two stray rounds landing in GE pl; one lodging in the spoil of the AR pit.
- The night was lit by flares, some of which were dropped by circling planes.
- Small arms fire was intense around BARIA and HOA LONGand tracer bullets could be seen.
- For most of the people in our area it was their first or second night on picquet. No one panicked and only one man cocked the action on his weapon. Some noise was heard on the perimeter wire, vehicle pl. VC were on the wire at Cav Sqn around from the 1/83 Arty.
- Friday — 2 February 1968
- Wiring the inner perimeter is going well and RAE have given us the use of a backhoe and operator to get the weapon pit started. Naturally the boys are tired as we were Stood To at 0500 hrs and nobody has had any sleep since then.
- VC mortared the 1/83 Arty again and the VC infantry were inside the 1/83 perimeter. The base plate was pin pointed and 3 RAR mortar platoon sent in many rounds. Results unknown to me.
- My two M113 Al FRVs and my Recovery vehicle have gone out on escort and recovery again. The road is being cleared by infantry so the convoy is very slow. The main aim of the convoy is to get the damaged M113 Als of Cav backloaded into the 1 ATF area.
- The News states throughout SVN
- 10,000 VC KIA;
- 900 US KIA;
- 4 Free World KIA.
- Recovery successful. Cpl Mason told me he had just finished his lunch when he came across an Armoured Car burning and bent and broken bodies hanging over the vehicle and on the ground. "I nearly lost my lunch". They encountered light small arms fire and some mortars dropped 200 metres in front of them.
- At Stand To all weapon pits were manned and at Stand Down 50% of weapon pits were manned, and everyone not in weapon pits, slept behind the weapon pits.
- The men are very tired and doing quite a good job.
- Saturday — 3 February 1968
- It was a quiet night. One Stand To to let a Unit (116 Arty) fire 50 cal, some of which could come in our direction. The CP did not let them fire and we stood down.
- Work as normal. Defence — Double 8 and two outer aprons completed and pegged, excepting for 100 yds in GE PI and some pegging and tieing in on Veh Pl.
- The standard of Fighting Pits is not good but will develop in time.
- A fire started in Veh PI defence area during the lunch hour. It was put under control quickly and no damage resulted. Fortunately the Q Store was not damaged nor was the undergrowth required for concealment.
- It is essential that we get our welding vehicle set up as the RAE cannot fit the water tanks together nor can they build the towers. There are three tanks and towers required.
- I got the front-end loader and started to skim the tent line area for Sqn HQ. Time beat us so we hope we will get back tomorrow.
- Tank Wash has been concreted. Planned thickness of 8 inches is finishing up about 12 ins of concrete.
- The Tank Workshop floor is set up ready for concrete. The Stores Section building is almost finished but held up because of the TET action. Same for Tels building.
- The lady who used to handle the laundry in BARIA was shot and all laundry stolen or burnt. The children who used to do shoe shine, sell things to Aust troops, were killed, — so were many others.
- BARIA has had a hard time. The American and Australian advisers in BARIA were both KIA.
- Since 29 January to 3 February 14,
- 997 VC KIA;
- 4,668 detained;
- 1,116 friendly forces KIA; and,
- 4,150 friendly forces wounded in action.
- Sunday — 4 February 1968
- A very quiet night. Few flares. Little Arty action but no problems.
- We finalised the wire today and worked on the pits.
- All people zeroed and fired their weapons from 3 RAR range.
- This afternoon is planned to be free for personnel to make and mend and letter writing.
- The engineers arrived at approx 1500 hrs to clear some spoil from the fire lanes. Cleared the tent lines for SHQ and dug some weapon pits to stage 1.
- A re-hash of responsibilities and command structure. Due to priorities, defence was the prime importance. Now that the wire is consolidated at a complete coverage of double 8 and apron, and all pits were at least at stage 1, the workshops could start on technical aspects. ASM in charge of technical work. CSM, all administrative and camp maintenance jobs. Lt JONES to develop defence.
- We have to supply 8 men per day to Engineers as labourers for the Tank Workshop.
- I spoke to the WOs and Officers on several policy matters and explained certain points on responsibility to the OC C Sqn.
- All men slept in the Pl Defensive position again last night and manned the ARs. Last night's duty was quiet. A few mortars and harassing rounds were fired by Arty and a few flares fired.
- Monday — 5 February 1968
- Workshop production started, AB538 started for recording repairs.
- Work continued on defence. The inner perimeter skirt is being laid on the wire.
- The Welding shop is being set up with many tasks to be done; i.e., racks for the kitchen refrigerator (3), 6ft diameter x 8 ft high water tanks to be constructed.
- Carpenter has to make 3 towers for the water tanks and grease trap covers and shelving for the kitchen.
- We have pictures for the first time since the emergency. I was not required for duty last night and got eight hours sleep. The best sleep for several nights.
- The M113 Als have been fitted with a gun shield and we converted the bracket to hold the ammunition boxes. The M113s are well serviced and maintained.
- Tuesday — 6 February 1968
- Defence work continues. Weapon pits and wire.
- We have started on the tent floors for the SHQ and Officers lines.
- The welding tasks are progressing slowly.
- The recovery vehicle's pins and shackles are part seized. The salt water on the trip up has caused a lot of worry.
- NCOs are working well and my running around has been reduced considerably.
- Engineers have reversed the B Veh Workshop which means that hard standing has to be laid between the building and the road.
- Forwarded a monthly report to EME 1 ATF.
- The WOs are doing duty officer tonight. This is allowing all the officers a night to relax and catch up on sleep.
- By knock off time tonight the lads had almost completed two tent boards for SHQ. We discussed duties.
- C Sqn will provide
- 2 Hygiene
- 2 Barmen (1 Officers mess 1 Sgts mess)
- 2 stewards (1 Officers mess and 1 Sgts mess)
- C Sqn will provide, when in camp, two dixie bashers per day. Workshops to provide two dixie bashers per day when C Sqn is in camp and four when they are out.
- CSM LILLEY is to handle all duties and control of workshops lines.
- CSM SIMPSON to handle C Sqn lines plus his Sqn duties. (Ammo, POL, Rations and Water re-supply).
- Our M543 Wrecker is having control box problems. Fault has not yet been located.
- Wednesday — 7 February 1968
- Defence is still Priority 1.
- By this evening the inner perimeter wire will be completed with double 8 aprons.
- Weapon pits are being worked on.
- The B Veh Shop has its framework up and facing the road instead of facing into the Banana plantation. With hard standing this is quite a good setup.
- Lt JONES is preparing the RTA list. From this list I can start preparing R&R and R&C.
- Another grass fire today. During the dry season the grass gets very dry. Controlled burning seems to be the answer to clearing away a fire hazard and clearing fields of fire.
- The road from BARIA to VUNG TAU is classified as a Green Route again but BARIA to NUI DAT is still a Red Route.
- The Engineers (RAE) have stated that our 8 men are particularly good workers who require minimum supervision.
- The tank wash is well underway and the workshop cement slab is almost boxed for the concrete.
- Thursday — 8 February 1968
- On duty from 0415 hrs. All quiet. Two more pits completed.
- The main boards for the Sqn Officers' tents are completed but we do need sandbags for them yet.
- Maj McDONALD popped in today to see how everything was going. Did nothing to help me but gave me extra work; i.e. Tank brushguards and spare wheel carriers. These were to be done by 102 Fd Workshop.
- A convoy, unheralded, from VUNG TAU, arrived with 15 trucks of 1 Armd Sqn Workshops Stores Sect. They arrived at 1700 hours. Lt CATTERALL and his men worked very hard.
- The "B" Vehicle Workshop is almost complete; so is the Tels Building and the RAAOC Stores Sect.
- Test fired the workshop 50 cal Brownings yesterday and got numerous separated cases. I am very concerned. Will investigate.
- Friday — 9 February 1968
- We got the back hoe in today to give us a hand with the weapon pit. It saves a lot of time.
- 2/Lt David CATTERALL is busy with his stores. David has a good brain and is quite energetic. He is also good company.
- All of the Sqn Officers' tent boards are made and laid . A VIP tent board is made and laid also. We have placed the VIP tent directly behind Maj BADMAN's tent. A good central position.
- There is still a lot of planning and work to do. Maj BADMAN is siting the tank positions and allocating shower and toilets to his troops etc. Defensive wire for the outer perimeter is also planned.
- Test firing the 50 cal Brownings it was found that we were getting separated cases. With correct gauge settings the fault was bad. By clicking the barrel in three clicks it seems to have overcome the problem.
- The workshop orderly room is now under construction. The B Vehicle Shop is completed; the RAAOC Section building also needs roof capping, same for Tels Sect.
- It has taken three days to make one water tank (2 men).
- W02 Maxwell has taken 2 hr recce flight today. He claims it was of good value to be able to see the likely areas of local operation.
- Change of priorities was announced today.
- Priority 1. Tentage, water tanks and water towers.
- Priority 2. Sandbagging of Officers' tents, sgts' and Officers' mess, and Salvation Army Hop-In tent.
- 50% of the men can go to a concert on Saturday. The remainder on Sunday.
- Saturday — 10 February 1968
- The weather is still beautiful, cool mornings, hot by lunchtimes, cool in the evenings, and one blanket for sleeping. Near perfect weather. It turned out to be one of those days!
- A concert party was to entertain us at 0900 hrs but did not arrive until 1015 hrs, so we lost a lot of working time.
- We have completed the water tank ready for cement to be laid. The Staff Sgt RAE says that the concrete would leak and would be too heavy for the towers built, so we now have to find steel to weld a base in it.
- Borrowed a 6.5 KVA from 1 I'd Sqn Workshops . This will help us considerably, but now there are no RAE stores available for wiring.
- The PAE loaned us the earth borer for urinals today. We got 6 holes completed for the Sqn.
- A marquee was erected for the Officers' and Sgts' cookhouse and a tent for the Sgts and WOs was laid out.
- The Officers' Mess was erected and a further marquee was laid out for the Hop In.
- 3RAR has moved out on Operation COBURG and 7 RAR are due back tomorrow.
- Sunday — 11 February 1968
- 7 RAR are all out except for one company.
- It has been a very windy day and the dust and dirt have been flying.
- The Pango Borer has been in today and dug the post holes for the electric light poles and urinals in the C Sqn area, plus a drainage sump for the Offrs' and Sgts' cookhouse. The 3 water points in the Offrs' C Sqn lines will consist of 2 x 6' dia. 5' high tanks made from culverting; the base made out of 8 gauge mild steel. The third water point is for the officers, consisting of one trailer with a 100 gallon bladder, plus water cans.
- The 6.5 KVA that was borrowed from 1 Fd Sqn RAE LAD is running very well.
- I was on Duty Officer from 1900 hrs to 2200 hrs. A pleasant time to do a duty.
- During the duty I discussed with Maj BADMAN the method of
- employment of the RAEME Fwd Repair Teams during Operations. An idea we came up with was
- This can be split for 2 Sqn operation where it will be necessary for the WO/Sgt GCE and WO/Sgt GE to go, if necessary, with the 1/2 Sqn. This is similar to the Puckapunyal set up, except that we have two ARV and two FRV, plus Radio man.
- Monday — 12 February 1968
- The main body C Sqn arrived a day early. By re-allocating people we have got most of the work done. Cookhouse is organised, rations OK. 3 marquees have been erected for Sgt/Offrs cookhouse and messes. Refrigerator in each marquee.
- All officers' floorboards were made and tents erected. Seven other ranks floorboards were made.
- As the people arrived so they were allocated hammer, saw, wood nails, tents and fly etc. for their tent erection.
- Water is a major problem as the 2 RAR soldiers are returning from operations and all their tanks need filling. Therefore, they are unable to fill our tanks. The workshop has mounted a 100 gal bladder on a trailer and filled thirty jerrycans to help the water supply.
- The DCRE and Capt RAYMOND came over to discuss our power requirements for the workshops and C Sqn. Total load about 90-100 kw. It was decided that the 125 kw generator would be required plus another 125 kw on standby.
- We were notified that the LSM from Australia (Clive STEELE) had arrived at VUNG TAU with two bridgelayer tanks and two ARVs. Due to the road to BARIA being AMBER it is necessary to send three vehicles each with shotguns. Two L2Als SLRs (automatic) were also sent.
- Those who moved down were:- W02 Maxwell, Sgt. JAGO, Sgt. DeJONG, Cfn JOHNSON, and three C Sqn Sp Eq Tp.
- Maj BADMAN spoke to all officers and briefed them on the current situation.
- The CSM briefed all our ORs on the area and current situation.
- Tuesday — 13 February 1968
- The convoy moved out to VUNG TAU to take the men down to the LSM to prepare the vehicles for onward movement to NUI DAT which is expected to be 20 February.
- A start is being made to build a ramp at the back of the Tels Inst Section so the air conditioned vehicles can move in and the trays be at floor level to the section floor (W02 Bob PETTETT).
- W02 GALLAGHER is preparing his tool store so he can move into the workshop area. He has done a good job of initial layout and it has the makings of an excellent store.
- The RAAOC Store is a credit to the Ord. Sect. They continue to work efficiently and well.
- The C Sqn people are well ahead with their tent flooring and will move into filling and laying sandbags.
- The convoy arrived back from VUNG TAU OK — no problems at all.
- W02 Maxwell contacted DAQMG Aust regarding the off loading of the bridgelayers and ARVs.
- Defence has been re-allocated.
- The Stand To is to man the pits only. That is, ten men for Radio Call Sign 32 known as 32 Sector. Each third day CallSign 32 is to provide daytime listening watch, and these people will do the wire watch.
- Last night I had my bed invaded by ants. The mosquito net was writhing with ants. When I examined the net next day it had several holes in it. I assume the ants ate holes in it. Most uncomfortable situation. I treated the tent floor and sandbag walls with insecticide — no sign of ants now.
- It is great to have our own area of defence responsibility reduced. Most of us had an undisturbed sleep and it was appreciated.
- For the first time the Officers dined in the Offrs Mess Marquee. We had previously been eating and drinking with the ORs.
- Wednesday — 14 February 1968
- A message from W02 MAXWELL stated that the ARVs had arrived in theatre without the 30 cal Browning mounting. I have directed that the gun shields and mountings be made at 102 Fd Workshop if at all possible.
- Capt Jim ROBINSON P&P, 102 Fd Workshop has asked for a loan of a Sgt Instr Fitter for a fortnight. As we were not to be established for a fortnight there is no requirement for Sgt PETTITT to be here. I said he could go.
- Sgt JENSEN and a crew put a cattle fence around the workshop accommodation area to stop traffic using the area as a thoroughfare. An area was also fenced off as an MT Compound so one could see what vehicles were out and have all vehicles centrally controlled.
- Maj BADMAN, Capt VICKERS went out to recce the route for the tanks after they land on the SON DIEN Hard at BARIA.
- Capt THOMSON, plus escort did a laundry run to BARIA without incident. The QM organised a bulk purchase of chairs at $3 each (must use piastres).
- The RAAOC Store is ready for issue.
- The RAEME Tech Store is being prepared. Should be ready for issues this week.
- RAE are having difficulty pouring the concrete for the Tank Workshop. It is a major job.
- Maj BADMAN spoke to me "again" in relation to my duty officer tasks and my too positive approach. I am not to make directives, only suggestions. If I find anything wrong I must tell Maj BADMAN who will make the necessary rectifications, if any.