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 May — 1 to 31 June — 1 to 20 Conclusion Abbreviations
April 1968 — 1st to 30th
- 30 March to 4 April 1968
- Hospitalised
- Friday — 5 April 1968
- RTU. My foot is still sore and after my shower I pressed it and a lot of puss came out so I will get it checked first thing in the morning.
- The Tank Workshop is up and we should get it in a few days.
- There seems a lot of wasted manpower in the field. Men not required should be back at base to get the unit set up and not left sitting around.
- Saturday — 6 April 1968
- Left word to say no upscaling of parts unless Lt JONES or myself vetted the list. I will not allow people to bypass Workshops on scaling.EMEI Gen P041 Para 16.
- I requested that W02 PETTET and W02 GARCIA be returned to NUI DAT for W02 PETTET to check and supervise the workshop wiring and as the GE shop is almost finished W02 GARCIA could get his shop set up. Both men would be available if required in the field. Maj BADMAN said "NO". Unfortunately these men are not employed fully in the field. Especially in a technical manner.
- The sooner this workshop becomes independent the sooner we can produce better technical results.
- I wrote a letter to HQ 1 ATF stating that I had given ASM JUERS permission to let unlicensed drivers drive in 1 ATF area as long as a licensed driver was in the vehicle. The error we made was not having "L" plates on the vehicles. The Brigadier has taken a personal interest in this case so I have passed the letter direct to DADLS who said he would process things for me.
- I spoke to Capt Ron HAMMOND EME Task Force and explained my problem of scaling and my lack of control of my own troops. As Ron explained I can force the issue with scaling, but the Major can employ us any way he wishes.
- I went to see Maj JAMES (RAAMC) and showed him my foot which is weeping at the stitches. I had to go to 1 Aust. Fd Hos. VUNG TAU. I came down in a RAAF Gunship Helicopter and we went over to the Horseshoe and then across to the coast at the mouth of the SOUI NAI, then up the coast to 1 Aust Fd. Hos. Stitches removed and foot dressed and I am confined to bed.
- Sunday — 7 April 1968
- Apparently we had one of our tanks hit in the rear fuel tank. From what I have been told the fuel ran out and caught fire and caused damaged to five of the tank road wheels and other superficial damage. I was later told that the tank was hit by 50 cal. round from one of our weapons. This would mean that the rear 100 gal fuel tanks are susceptible to small arms fire.
- My foot is looking quite well. I have been swimming twice today and the surf is very good but the undercurrent is bad.
- There was an entertainment couple here tonight. Supposedly a magician, but he had a real doll — a typical playboy model. I enjoyed the show. The sky is very overcast tonight. Monsoons will not be far away.
- Saturday — 13 April 1968
- Sqn HQ returned to NUI DAT. Capt HAMMOND, Lt JONES and I did a Fd Workshop layout. If 106 Fd Workshops is formed there is quite sufficient room for A, Q, and Tech.
- The main building for the tank workshop is complete.
- Sunday — 14 April 1968
- Conference held by OC C Sqn, DAQMG, DADEME, and DADOS.
- 1 Tp due back in today.
- Went over to 4 Fd Regt and saw Capt Ross BLAND, OC 4 Fd Regt LAD. Good to see him again.
- Maj McDONALD (DADEME) had a look around the area with consideration to the forming of 106 Fd Workshops.
- First tank arrived in Workshops for repair —
- Final Drive Right Hand, Gun elevation, shock absorber arm, LH Front idler, plus minor adjustments etc. — 2 days to get the job complete.
- Monday — 15 April 1968
- Maj TINKLER had a look over the area today with a thought to forming 106 Fd Workshops.
- Changed workshop operation. I have put W02 MAXWELL in charge of the FRT to work as an LAD using the workshops for back up.
- Tuesday — 16 April 1968
- My foot is a lot better — I would say a week more and I will be 100%.
- Lt JONES left this morning for his 5 days R&C.
- Moving the B Veh shop down to the concrete today.
- The MUA Store, Welding shop building (5024) blew over. Nobody hurt. Defective Equipment report on the following: - Front idler wheels, 13 unserviceable on 19 vehicles. Hydraulic pipe on dozer tanks. SU fuel pump aux. gen. Hydraulic pump dozer tank.
- Wednesday — 17 April 1968
- Kevin HOFFMAN (CE Padre) visited workshops.
- Capt HAMMOND came over to discuss the workshops.
- Debriefed the FRT - main problems spare parts.
- Spoke to Maj PETTRIS, DCRE about our building which blew over and about hard standing.
- RAE graded around the tank workshop area.
- Saturday — 20 April 1968
- I informed Maj BADMAN in front of all the officers of C Sqn and Workshops that I was obliged to submit NFW Reports on Equipment that are not fair wear. Maj BADMAN backed me and explained the consequence to the Conference. I was pleased and surprised.
- Sunday — 21 April 1968
- Maj McDONALD, DADEME visited and discussed 106 Workshop layout. C Sqn problem - and again I am placed in an awkward position.
- I gave DADEME a Technical Inspection Report on the tanks during Operation PINNAROO.
- Attended a farewell to Capt BRIGGS and Capt SNOWDEN and welcomed Capt BLAND and Capt Gary SWAN.
- Monday — 22 April 1968
- W02 LILLEY left for Australia on R&R.
- Tuesday — 23 April 1968
- Dozer tank hydraulic lines and pump have been a bug bear but I hope we have minimised the problem.
- Had the men work from 1630 hrs to 1700 hrs to get the area cleaned up. The lines were very bad.
- Two tanks have been placed on NUI DAT hill.
- Wednesday — 24 April 1968
- I had my foot opened again and have to get it dressed daily.
- Capt Len MASTERS came over with WOl Bruce BARNETT to look at a Centurion to design a mine blowing arrangement. I discussed this with Maj BADMAN and he is aware of the situation.
- We have been getting light showers but the wet is still not with us.
- Thursday — 25 April 1968 — ANZAC Day
- Normal working day. Capt Mick ROSS called in today to say goodbye. Off home in five days.
- Pretty well up on work. The dozer tanks are both mobile. The B Veh Section is fitting an aux. gen. engine to the arc welding set.
- Friday to Saturday — 26 April–27 April 1968
- No entries
- Sunday — 28 April 1968
- A big purge in the workshops and stores section. The place looks quite good.
- Only one tank in the workshop. Elevation gearbox, idler bracket bolts, water pump, elevation rack, JCU, and Metadyne, fuel filter.
- Work is going well. No problems. My foot has not healed yet.
- Tuesday — 30 April 1968
- Doing an engine change in the workshop hanger. The dozer tank still giving hydraulic line problems.
- The Engineers came in to clean up the spoil from the drain behind the Tels Sect building. I have had them clean up where 106 Fd Workshops crock park will go.
- W02 LILLEY and Sgt RUSSELL are back from Australia. Both happy at home.
- Fitting showers to Workshops shower block.