Hi there STEELEREDUX...

I must support JAYB in this matter. I understand he was with 1RAR and as such they saw much 'in theatre' in SV including Coral & Balmoral It was my understanding they were the first Regiment to be sent over via the old Vung Tau Ferry (HMAS Sydney) in 1965 or 66 (I think). Chief among many of their 'firsts', it was the 'Gingerbeers' attached to 1RAR who developed the search & destroy methodology, by one of their number entering the extensive tunnel system the NVA & 'Cong' had developed, and setting up Boobytrap's.

An act bordering upon lunacy in my opinion. Some of the entrances to those tunnels I couldn't possibly fit, but they did. Not only was the threat of meeting an armed combatant possibly waiting for you; it was pitch dark, home for all manner of poisonous reptiles and other, who know's what?

In fact his recall of his SV days is far superior to mine, so bad is mine I was arguing the toss with a mate over who undertook a dustoff to 1AFH at Vung Tau - I reckoned 5Sqn he claimed 9Sqn, and he was right. I flew with 5 Sqn (UH-1B's) on Operations along the Thai/Malay Border in 1964/65. So confusion reigns supreme with me & my memory?

In conclusion STEELEREDUX, our colleague JAYB has done his share, and acquitted himself honourably with the ARA. As have I too (hopefully)? Certainly IS MISE as well, for he served honourably with the famous 3RAR during the Korean War a highly decorated Australian Unit.

Not forgetting my old Naval Aviator mate HASBEEN. Though he erroneously signed up with the 'Wrong' Service (Navy), he's forgiven, because he's a good Aussie bloke, who did his share of the heavy lifting in the proud Australian Military. Thanks STEELEREDUX.

mhaze,

"Also one of Mo's virgin wives was Mary mother of JC and every picture I've seen of her shows her as a rather svelte lady."

She musta been getting on a bit by the 6th Century (Gregorian).

That puts me two steps above you Steelie. When push comes to shove I bet you convert to Islam real quick. I’ve never been a Coward. I’ve not been trained for that role by any of the Universities now-a-days. All your posts are or seem to be hell bent on supporting the really bad guys. Why is that?

Just remembering past conversation about Japs & Broome. I visited WA in 87 while I was there I got talking to an old fella who was in the Local Militia in Broome. He told me that the Aboriginals just north of Broome had reported a Japanese landing. Now, as you know Broome had a large Japanese population of Perl Divers. They were loyal to Australia, some joined the Armed Forces & one even became a famed Fighter Ace. The Local Militia decided to send a representative from the Japanese locals to see what they were up to. Apparently, the intention was to convince the local Japanese to rise up against the Militia & help them capture Broome. The Commander of the Japanese also had a relative buried in the Japanese Cemetery & wanted to see the grave. The Japanese were told that the locals would not rise up & exaggerated the size of the Militia. They also told them that the local aborigines were of the wild type & cannibals & that there were hundreds in the area they were in but were good at staying hidden. The local Japanese spokes man told them they had three options. Fight & lose, Surrender or Leave. The Japanese chose to leave.

I really don’t know how true it is, but that’s the story as it was told to me.

OSW: I understand he was with 1RAR and as such they saw much 'in theatre' in SV including Coral & Balmoral.

I did the first Tour attached to the 173D (S) Airborne. In 65/66. Our big Ops were the Delta, Silver City & HoBo Woods (The Tunnels). Actually I found the first Tunnel, or Bunker by going to dig the S#!t Pit. & Yes, the Engineers did go down them. We lost Bowtels, in one of the Tunnels. He was overcome by Tear Gas that was pumped in to show where the Tunnel entrances were.

Coral/Balmoral was the Second Tour 68/69. It involved 1 & 3 R.A.R. & Supporting Arms. I was not involved in that one. I was with 8 R.A.R. in Malaysia.

I guess Cambell wouldn’t approve.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4UJDdrQmTw
A quick look. Just a few minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3ffrOzOLEE
2 ½ 7 5 Ton Gun Trucks from Vietnam. 23 minutes.

These were constructed out of necessity by the Troops themselves. Fashioned out of anything they could, beg, borrow or steel. They worked. The most famous were “Eve of Destruction” & “Brutus”

Dear Is Mise,

And here I was thinking I was giving as good as I was getting. Oh well each to their own.

Dear o sung wu,

Of course you should be sticking up for Jayb, I would expect nothing less. He is like that little pain in the arse rover on your side who is a filthy player who ticks of everyone on the other team until one retaliates and then you have to step in and cop a few to back him up.

Perfectly understandable. Done it myself a few times.