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 — 1 to 14 February — 15 to 29 March — 1 to 15 March — 16 to 31 April — 1 to 30 May — 1 to 31 Conclusion Abbreviations
June 1968 — 1st to 20th
- Saturday — 1 June 1968
- Flew out to FSB CORAL. I told Maj BADMAN I was to be medically downgraded and posted out of his Unit.
- The FSB is on the edge of a thick rubber plantation. Constant rain had turned the area into a quagmire.
- Lt Joe HILL is doing a good job and the boys are well fed, well dug in and all doing a good job. I flew back about 1500 hrs. SGT WELLS is doing an exceptional job on re-supply for the C Sqn and Workshops.
- The SAIGON Guard changed 17 men over. The boys were engaged in some fighting. No one hurt and very good experience.
- Sunday — 2 June 1968
- We had a quiet day today. Had a few chores, things like defence checks, DF target indication, using ARTY FO.
- The weather is blowing up. We caught a 5ft goanna–type lizard today and let it go in the scrub.
- The two tanks at LONG BIEN are waiting to be called forward. Both 100% battle worthy.
- Tuesday — 4 June 1968
- Sgt WELLS went to CORAL for the day.
- Wednesday — 5 June 1968
- The tanks left CORAL and arrived at BEAR CAT without any
- problem.
- Preparing the area for the Prime Minister GORTON's visit on 8 June.
- One UXB exploded and splattered three but nobody was hurt. Cfn KEARTON got two minor fragments in chest and stomach. Also burnt down half a marquee but had a spare one - no problem.
- 2Lt CATTERALL went to SAIGON to check the guard and staying overnight.
- Thursday — 6 June 1968
- The tanks arrived back safely today. There are many jobs to be done. Workshops will be very busy. Everybody is tired and looking forward to bed.
- 140 km return trip not bad for the old Cents.
- Friday — 7 June 1968
- Maintenance and technical inspection. Repair list not too bad. 1 Tp in the best state of repair.
- Saturday — 8 June 1968
- Worked on 1 Tp.
- BBQ at ORs mess, had a very good night.
- The SAIGON Guard came back and were credited with being a good well behaved Guard.
- Sunday — 9 June 1968
- 1 Tp tanks complete and moved out at 1200 hrs with 4 RAR on a training Op. with our ARV and FRT. The people not required for 4 RAR operation and who were on Operation TOAN THANG went swimming.
- Monday — 10 June 1968
- Three of 2 Tp tanks battleworthy, 2 SHQ tanks battleworthy and are ready to move out to relieve 1 Tp.
- Wednesday — 12 June 1968
- The Officers Mess is to be made ready for Lt Col WILTON's visit. I cut a doorway into the side of the Mess and had laid a 5ft x 5ft concrete slab.
- Thursday — 13 June 1968
- Tank repairs going well and I am pleased with the workshops.
- The pre-stocktake stocktake is well underway.
- The second concrete slab has been laid.
- The ARV's have been shifted to the 2 Tp area. I was not told anything about this.
- Friday — 14 June 1968
- All (but 099) tanks are battleworthy. It is planned that a one-day operation is to take place tomorrow. There are two VC Base camp areas about 10,000 metres outside the Task Force Maintenance Area, NUI DAT.
- Maj BADMAN wishes to prove we can do quick daily operations from NUI DAT. The Operation is to prove all the characteristics of Armour — speed to react, flexibility, fire power, communications etc.
- It was suggested I would like to accompany them on this operation as it will be my last opportunity to do such a thing.
- Frankly I am not breaking my neck to go out, but I agree the opportunity is not likely to be available again.
- Saturday — 15 June 1968
- Reveille at 0430, breakfast at 0900. It is a moonlit cool pleasant morning.
- Sunday — 16 June 1968
- Yesterday tanks moved to a point 17,000 metres north of NUI DAT. Two troops of tanks and one troop of APC and a company of Infantry swept an area.
- A camp area was located and 25 pits with overhead cover were destroyed. The tanks make so much noise that the VC had plenty of time to leave the area. Hundreds of rubber trees were destroyed by the tanks.
- Wednesday — 19 June 1968
- Capt COULTER arrived and is a well switched–on Officer. He should do well.
- Lt Col WILTON arrived today. He is staying for about a week, has not said much to me yet.
- Thursday — 20 June 1968
- Briefed Capt COULTER on the handover and started the stocktake.
- Monday — 24 June 1968
- Stocktake (Handover/Takeover) is now completed with Cat A up $18.50 and $8.50 down on Cat B Stores. This is very pleasing and a credit to the Q Staff under WO GALLAGHER.
- Had a farewell in the Mess. Maj BADMAN spoke. He said Armd Sqn Workshops was a close knit, well run Unit. I was very pleased and responded proposing a toast to C Sqn and a safe return to all.
- Workshops had a Parade to March me out. The ASM thanked me for all I had done to support and promote the Unit and presented me with an ashtray made from two 20 pounder shell cases.