Commander's Diaries

17 June 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat; 1 Tp supported D&E Platoon in AO Centaur; 2 Tp supported land clearing team in AO Betsy; 3 Tp supported 7RAR from Horseshoe in AO Betsy; 4 Tp supported 2 RAR/NZ in AO Jetson, reinforced with 92C.

 

18 June 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat; 1 Tp supported D&E Platoon in AO Centaur; 2 Tp supported land clearing team in AO Betsy; 3 Tp supported 7RAR from Horseshoe in AO Betsy; 4 Tp supported 2 RAR/NZ in AO Jetson.

 

1320hrs:

4 Tp located bunker base system.

 

19 June 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat; 1 Tp continued ops in AO Centaur; 2 Tp supported land clearing team and provided protection to RF medevacs in afternoon (AO Betsy); 3 Tp supported 7RAR from Horseshoe in AO Betsy, moving to FSB Discovery; 4 Tp supported 2 RAR/NZ in AO Jetson.

 

20 June 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat; 1 Tp returned to Nui Dat from AO Centaur; 2 Tp returned to Nui Dat on conclusion land clearing team following land clearing team mine damage; 3 Tp supported 7RAR in AO Betsy; 4 Tp supported 2 RAR/NZ in AO Jetson. 

 

21 June 1970: 

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

 

2130hrs:

(FSB Discovery) 3 Tp engaged lights with no result.

 

2005hr:

4 Tp located grave and investigated.

 

22 June 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat; 3 Tp supported 7RAR in AO

Betsy; 4 Troop supported 2RAR/NZ in AO Jetson.

 

0932hrs:

4 Tp located grave and investigated.

 

1805hrs: 

4 Tp sighted 15 persons---no engagement.

 

23 June 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat; 3 Tp supported 7RAR in AO Betsy, returning to the Horseshoe from FSB Discovery; 4 Troop supported

2RAR/NZ in AO Jetson.  1 Tp moved with 8RAR ambush platoon to Long Hais for mine protection and then returned to Nui Dat.

 

1745hrs:

1 Tp, Callsign 1, hit M16 mine, no damage or casualties.

 

24 June 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat; 3 Tp continued to support 7RAR in AO Betsy; 4 Tp supported 2RAR/NZ in AO Jetson. 

 

25--26 June 1970:

As above.

 

28 June 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat; 3 Tp continued to support 7RAR in AO Betsy; 4 Tp supported 2RAR/NZ in AO Jetson. 

 

 

29 June 1970:

Sqn (-) prepared to deploy to AO Camel in support of 8RAR.  1 Tp AO Camel; 2 Tp Nui Dat; 3 Tp supported 7RAR from Horseshoe; 4 Tp returned from AO Jetson to Nui Dat.

 

30 June 1970:

Sqn (-) deployed to AO Camel in support of 8RAR.  1 Tp, 2 Tp, Composite Tp AO Camel; 3 Tp Horseshoe supported 7RAR in AO Shepherd; 4 Tp Nui Dat for maintenance and R&C.

 

General: 

During June the Squadron continued normal close support of 1ATF units, primarily infantry battalions, 17 Const Sqn land clearing team and 1 Field Sqn road construction.  Whilst many tasks were static defensive positions in preparation for reactions, the Squadron also conducted RIFs and night ambushes in co-ordination with the supported units.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 July 1970:   

Sqn (-) deployed in AO Camel.  SHQ, 1 Tp, 2 Tp, Composite Tp, supported 8RAR in AO Camel.  3 Tp Supported 7RAR in AO Shepherd. [4 Tp Nui Dat]. 

 

Captain Bowd, Sqn 2IC, Admin Comd from 1 Jul to 8 Jul whilst OC absent on R&R.

 

2 July 1970:  

Sqn (-) remained in support 8RAR in AO Camel.  1 Tp, 2 Tp supported companies and Composite Tp protected guns at FSB Kylie.  3 Tp supported 7RAR in AO Shepherd.  4 Tp [at] Nui Dat for rest and maintenance.

 

3 July 1970:

As above.

 

1013hrs:

2 Tp located fresh tracks.

 

4 July 1970:

Sqn (-) remained in support 8RAR in AO Camel.  1 Tp, 2 Tp supported companies and Composite Tp returned to Nui Dat.  1 Tp assumed [responsibility for] defence of guns at FSB Kylie.  3 Tp supported 7RAR in AO Shepherd.  4 Tp rest and maintenance.

 

5 July 1970:

Sqn (-) remained in support 8RAR in AO Camel.  1 Tp protected guns at FSB Kylie; 2 Tp on reaction from FSB Kylie; 3 Tp supported 7RAR in AO Shepherd;  4 Tp rest and maintenance.

 

6 July 1970:

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

 

7 July 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat.  1 Tp supported 8RAR in AO Camel (extended), reacting to a position from which Battalion could be supported in suspected bunkers reported by NVA PW; 2 Tp rest and maintenance; 3 Tp supported 7RAR in AO Shepherd;  4 Tp rest and maintenance.

 

8 July 1970:

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

 

1100hrs:

Major Chipman RTU from R&R.

 

1815hrs:

1 Tp in support of C Company 8RAR contacted enemy who employed delaying tactics and assaulted bunker system.  Fire reported in 1A, minor mechanical fault, not due to enemy action.

 

 

9 July 1970:

Sqn (-) remained at Nui Dat.  1 Tp supported 8RAR in AO Camel extended during investigation of bunker system;  2 Tp rest and maintenance; 3 Tp supported 7RAR in AO Shepherd;  4 Tp rest and maintenance.