Commander's Diaries

10 July 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat.  1 Tp continued to support 8RAR in AO Camel; 2 Tp rest and maintenance; 3 Tp supported 7RAR in AO Shepherd;  4 Tp rest and maintenance.

 

11 July 1970:

As above.

 

12 July 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat. 1 Tp from supporting 8RAR in AO Camel extended, returned to Nui Dat; 2 Tp rest and maintenance; 3 Tp supported 7RAR in AO Shepherd;  4 Tp rest and maintenance.

 

13 July 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat; 3 Tp supported 7RAR in AO Shepherd;  1 Tp, 2 Tp, 4 Tp rest and maintenance.

 

14 July 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat. 1 Tp rest and maintenance; 2 Tp deploys to support LCT; 3 Tp supported 7RAR in AO Shepherd;  4 Tp supported 2RAR in AO Camel.

 

15 July 1970:

As above

 

1435hrs:

2 Tp contacted two VC who withdrew, with no result.

 

16 July 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat. 1 Tp rest and maintenance; 2 Tp supported LCT; 3 Tp supported 7RAR in AO Shepherd;  4 Tp supported 2RAR in AO Camel with night ambush.

 

17 July 1970:

As above.

 

18 July 1970

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat. 1 Tp rest and maintenance; 2 Tp supported LCT; 3 Tp supported 7RAR in AO Shepherd with night ambush on Route 328 as intercept D445 route movement;  4 Tp supported 2RAR in AO Camel with night ambush and RIF.

 

19 July 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat. 1 Tp rest and maintenance; 2 Tp supported LCT; 3 Tp continued night ambush and interdiction Route 328 in support 7RAR;  4 Tp continued to support 2RAR in AO Camel with night ambush and RIF.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20 July 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat. 1 Tp rest and maintenance; 2 Tp supported LCT; 3 Tp AP in support 7RAR in AO Shepherd;  4 Tp supported 7RAR (sic) in AO Camel.

 

21 July 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat; 1 Tp maintenance in preparation for ops with 8RAR; 2 Tp supported LCT; 3 Tp supported 7RAR in AO Shepherd;  4 Tp supported 2RAR in AO Camel.

 

22 July 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat; 1 Tp maintenance and rest; 2 Tp supported LCT; 3 Tp supported 7RAR in AO Shepherd;  4 Tp supported 2RAR in AO Camel and night ambush.

 

23 July 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat; 1 Tp supported 8RAR in AO Shepherd; 2 Tp supported LCT; 3 Tp returned to Nui Dat; 4 Tp supported 2RAR in AO Camel.

 

24 July 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat; 1 Tp supported 8RAR in AO Shepherd with night ambush; 2 Tp supported LCT; 3 Tp rest and maintenance; 4 Tp supported 2RAR in AO Camel.

 

25 July 1970:

As above

 

26 July 1970:

As above.

 

1020hrs:

4 Tp detonated mine.  No casualties or damage.

 

27 July 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat; 1 Tp supported 8RAR in AO Shepherd with night ambush; 2 Tp supported LCT; 3 Tp supported 7RAR retraining vicinity Nui Dat; 4 Tp supported 2RAR with night ambush and day RIF.

 

2105hrs:

2 Tp sighted lights which were engaged by mortars and small arms. 

 

28 July 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat; 1 Tp supported 8RAR in AO Shepherd; 2 Tp supported LCT; 3 Tp maintenance and rest Nui Dat; 4 Tp supported 2RAR.

 

1835hrs:

Callsign 1 detonated M16 mine.  Operator WIA (Trooper Charenko) but remained on duty, returning to Nui Dat for medical treatment later.  No damage to vehicle, although external stowage on rear of tank received general shrapnel damage.

 

29 July 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat; 1 Tp supported 8RAR in AO Shepherd; 2 Tp supported LCT in AO Mango with change in NDP; 3 Tp maintenance and rest Nui Dat; 4 Tp supported 2RAR with RIF and night ambush.

 

General:

Callsign 1 bogged for 20 hours from 281830hrs.  Difficulty in recovery as tow ropes will not take strain required (30 ton snap at 27 ton).  Five ropes broken prior to ARV winch recovery.

 

1208hrs:
4 Tp (Callsign 4) detonated 2lb mine.  No damage or casualties.

 

30 July 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat; 1 Tp supported 8RAR in AO Shepherd with night ambush; 2 Tp supported LCT in resiting NDP and maintenance day on vehicles; 3 Tp Nui Dat for maintenance and supported 7RAR retraining; 4 Tp supported 2RAR with RIF and night ambush.

 

1030hrs:

4Tp located disused shell scrapes.

 

31 July 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat; 1 Tp supported 8RAR in AO Shepherd; 2 Tp supported LCT; 3 Tp supported 7RAR retraining at Nui Dat; 4 Tp supported 2RAR with RIF followed by recovery and protection [of] disabled US 'Dusters'.

 

1238hrs:

4C detonated 35lb mine, damaging RH front suspension arm.

 

1545hrs:

4B, towing mine damaged 'Duster' which struck second mine.  No damage or casualties to 4B, but 'Duster' crewman med evaced.