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 Tet 1968 February — 1 to 14 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
January 1968 — 21st to 31st
- Sunday — 21 January 1968
- As we are being hosted by 1 ATF LAD I had the men stay in camp and do maintenance in the LAD area up until 1100 hours. The senior NCOs and WOs stayed in camp, but the remainder went down to the Peter Badcoe Club and went swimming, sun baking, bird watching, drinking beer and eating hamburgers and steak sandwiches.
- I received a message from the Deputy Commander to say that Maj GLEESON of 7 RAR would arrange a working party for wire erection on Wednesday/Thursday of this week.
- Without a doubt the half day away from routine does wonders for the men. They are ready for another week's work. More production is forthcoming from a six-day week than a seven-day week.I received a message from the Deputy Commander to say that Maj GLEESON of 7 RAR would arrange a working party for wire erection on Wednesday/Thursday of this week.
- Without a doubt the half day away from routine does wonders for the men. They are ready for another week's work. More production is forthcoming from a six-day week than a seven-day week.
- Monday — 22 January 1968
- Site progress is still good. Every day one can see a big improvement.
- I am told that there is no problem of mortar attacks. If they are wrong the Special Equipment Troop, the POL point, ammunition point and workshops are in a line from NUI DAT 2 and would make a magnificent target.
- Yesterday I had the Special Equipment Troop area burnt out. The undergrowth was 8 ft high and I had no labour to clear it for the wiring.
- A projector has arrived but the Cinemascope lens is not here yet.
- Captain BRIGGS has been quizzing his men and it would appear that most of the members of his LAD are only taking one Paludrine tablet instead of 2.
- Attended a conference for the preparation of the change of currency. It is going to involve a lot of work if it comes off.
- Met Maj LEASON at 7RAR yesterday. He is arranging a work party for me to get the wiring up before 29 January.
- Tuesday — 23 January 1968
- The Cinemascope lens arrived by safe hand today. Due to the large operation starting tomorrow we will not be getting the assistance we were expecting to do our wiring.
- The sand baggers have all been fired by Civil Affairs because they would not turn the bags inside out.
- We still require 10,000 sand bags to complete our tents.
- The projection screen has been erected. It is quite large and the erection was quite a task (WOl JUERS, project officer) (later lowered and reduced).
- Banana plants have been cut out of the banana plantation to allow air lanes in an attempt to keep mosquitoes down. We have about 4 bunches ofbananas ripening now. They are a thin skinned banana with very white flesh and very sweet. Good quality.
- Still waiting for the rubble drain to be dug for the ORs kitchen.
- Ken and I forced the issue a little today as far as farewelling Maj HIGGINS. Capt Ken BEATTIE has not made any arrangements and did not know what to do so we stepped in. Pre-dinner drinks 1 ATF Officers' Mess, then evening meal and adjourn to the ATF LAD Officers' room for a few drinks. Naturally all RAEME Officers are to be invited.
- Wednesday — 24 January 1968
- Started laying wire around the workshop area. Once again I must praise the standard of work done by the lads.
- The RAAOC Stores Section has worked very well, and I feel sure that the RAAOC RAEME team will be a powerful force to support the tanks.
- Another major operation is in progress (Operation COBURG) The aim is to deny the enemy opportunity to attack XA BARH and neighbouring villages.
- The 1 ATF Area has been denuded of most of its troops but active patrolling is going on all around this area.
- Light aircraft are doing day and night recce flights. The night flights use Star-scopes and infra-red scopes.
- The 1 Indep Armd Sqn Wksps soldiers were used on perimeter defence last night.
- We farewelled Maj HIGGINS last night and welcomed Maj McDONALD (DADEME). Those in attendance were - the two Majors, Capt Ken Beattie, Capt Mike BOLAND, Capt Len Masters, Capt Darryl BRIGGS, Lt Ken JONES and myself. It turned out well.
- Thursday — 25 January 1968
- We are now in possession of our projector unit, unbeknown to the DAAG.
- The buildings are not being erected as planned; i.e., no doors to RAAOC Stores counter; Tells and Inst Shop is not air conditioned — just an open shed etc.
- Due to operations it is difficult to get water to fill our tanks.
- DADEME Task Force, Maj HIGGINS, and Maj McDONALD inspected our camp site and were satisfied.
- The refrigerators are available at VUNG TAU, but transport is at a premium due to the operations. W02 LILLEY brought back a small refrigerator but it will take two 21/2 ton GS Trucks to pick up the 300 c.ft refrigerator.
- Water delivery is under control.
- The rubble drain for the kitchen is dug and the tipper ordered for the blast rock.
- Wrote a letter requesting ASCO prepare our initial Canteen order.
- Ice is being delivered to our site as from tomorrow.
- The 300 c.ft refrigerator is due here Saturday. I hope we have no hold up as we have fresh rations ordered for Monday.
- Cpl MASON was given a warning order that he has to go out and recover a mined landrover. He is going out with APC escort.
- The picture screen could be seen from two miles up the road so we had to lower it 5 ft. I hope it is enough. Guess we will see in the morning.
- Friday — 26 January 1968
- Cpl Herb MASON did our first operational recovery in our M543 Wrecker. He was escorted by a troop of APC. The recovery was south of DAT DO on Route 44. No problems — the landrover was recovered back to 1 ATF LAD.
- We have lowered the projection screen and taken a further 6 ft off its height. The screen has been lowered approximately 11 ft from its original height.
- There are sufficient sandbags available now to complete all our tent walls. 100 bags will be dropped outside each tent for the occupants to raise their own blast walls.
- The Camp Standing Orders are finished and waiting for distribution.
- Operation COBURG is progressing well. There have been numerous contacts (VC, KIA approx. 16, Aust. KIA 1, N.Z. 1).
- Water tanks have been filled and there are no leaks.
- As far as I can see, accommodation, rations and canteen are organised and should be no problem.
- Saturday — 27 January 1968
- The refrigerator did not arrive today so I went to see the DACRAE and after about half an hour we arranged to have it delivered tomorrow and the refrigerator mechanics would set it up.
- We have taken over the kitchen and started to set it up. We cannot wait for engineers to hand it over as it would be too late for us to set it up.
- All tents are sand-bagged and 100 bags dropped at each tent for the blast wall.
- Wiring of tents should be completed today. CSM LILLEY has erected a marquee for temporary ORs Canteen.
- Some letters arrived on 26th and some on 27th. First letters for about a week due to Australia's nationwide strike.
- Sunday — 28 January 1968
- State of Readiness to Receive the Main Body
- 32 Tents with floorboards and sandbags completed.
- One electric light for each tent.
- 16 protection pits with 3 ft of overhead cover completed.
- Nine urinals, lOft deep, 3 ft in diameter filled with blast rock completed.
- Four toilet blocks with vents fitted. OK.
- Three shower blocks completed except for plumbing.
- Two 1,000 gall water tanks fitted and filled.
- Three 12 ft benches built for washing and shaving.
- Three grease traps and 3 sullage pits 24' x 10' x 2' filled with blast rock for each shower block.
- 10. The kitchen has a 300 c.ft refrigerator fitted.
- Stoves and cooking utensils set up.
- Tables FS and stools for 120 have been set up in the dining hall.
- Grease traps and sullage pit 40' x 10' x 2' filled with blast rock completed for kitchen.
- Marquee erected and refrigeration set up for ORs canteen.
- $900 loan arranged for OR's canteen and initial order placed. cold beer for January 30.
- Projector and movie screen erected.
- Books, magazines and writing paper available to the troops.
- Defence wiring started. 2RAR and 3RAR have completed an outer perimeter fence.
- M113 Al FRV have been sited as strong points.
- Maj BADMAN arrived back at 1 ATF today. He has been away with the USA Cavalry.
- Ken JONES went into hospital today. He is a sick boy.
- Received three letters from home today.
- A total of 33,600 sandbags (336 ton) were used so far.
- Monday — 29 January 1968
- MONDAY
- Tomorrow the Workshop main body arrive. The Advance Party has completed their first month of active service.
- Everything we have planned to do is in hand.
- A reception procedure has been arranged for incoming troops: Issue Points; hot fresh food (not hard tac) for lunch and dinner; cold beer; pictures; magazines, books and writing paper.
- As previously stated accommodation and toilet blocks are ready.
- We had a small party today at the site. I thanked the lads for their stirling efforts. My WOs and Senior NCOs, and the ORs (RAEME and Ordnance) have worked very well. In actual fact, a lot harder than could be expected of anybody. No praise is too high for their efforts.
- Tuesday — 30 January 1968
- First day in site. The main body of the Workshop and the C Sqn Advance party have arrived and are accommodated without any hitch.
- Meals have been first class. The Canteen is operating well.
- At this stage we have 48 rank and file on duty plus duty Sgt and duty officer. There are two strong points on the M113 Al Forward Repair Vehicles; 50 cal Brownings mounted. There are two listening posts to be manned. At this point there is more than 50% of the Workshop strength on duty every night. If we keep this up for any length of time workshop production will be poor.
- Clearing patrols both morning and evening, will be done in the M113 around the tank track. Vehicle movement not to exceed 5 mph.
- Camp Standing Orders have been read and discussed with all the troops. There is no excuse for mistakes. Special emphasis has been placed on weapon safety.
- It is now 2230 hrs, pictures finished, bed check correct, sentries have reported that nothing abnormal has occurred. They are finding that the night noises take some getting used to.
- A point I omitted to state is a large number of infantry troops are away on operations. It is therefore necessary that our defences be well guarded.
- Wednesday — 31 January 1968
- Defence wiring priority 1. Completed 300 yds of single 8 fence; 200 yds of apron; 250 yds of 4-strand single wire fence.
- For the first day at work I consider a very good effort from the men.
- W02 Bob PETTETT has had trouble getting our radio communications right. Will look into that tomorrow.
- WOI JUERS is starting the workshop layout. He has the Garage Loading set up, will start on the Welding and Fitters' vehicles tomorrow. Meals have been very good; better than 1 ATF HQ Mess.
- By 13 February the workshop will set up 5 or 6 tents with floorboards and sandbags for Sqn HQ.
- Lt JONES seems 100% again.
- Last night's duty went well.
- Diarist's Note:
- At this point, I include an outline of the TET Offensive which appeared in the DVA Magazine, Verbosity. Reprinted here with the kind permission of the author.