Commander's Diaries

C Squadron

11 February 1968 - 10 February 1969

13 September 1968

2 and 4 Troops Continued RRF tasks (at)Baria

14 September 1968

Road Runner operation to TAOR northern boundary without contact. Night location FSB Gabo

15 September 1968

Escorted A Bty 2/35 US Artillery from Nui Dat to FSB Coolah and returned to Route 2. One tank was struck by a mine and the tank damaged beyond local repair.The damage proved the safety and protection aspects of the centurion. 4 Troop returned to Nui Dat.

16 September 1968

C Sqn secured area for fly out of V and W Coys 4 RAR.

17 September 1968

Province authorities and C Sqn (-) conducted a cordon and search of AP Ngai Giao. Thirty People were apprehended.

18 September 1968

Another mine struck at 464 804 and a suspension station blown off.

19 September 1968

After recovery of the damaged tank ,C Sqn(-) moved to FSB Coolah, prior to a move of the base to FSB Dampier

20 September 1968

Using the bridgelayer across a creek,C Sqn escorted A Bty 2/35 Arty to FSB Dampier

21-22 September 1968

Remained at FSB Dampier

24 September 1968

Escorted A Bty 2/35 Arty to Nui Dat and 4 Tp evacuated the Baria site

25-30 September 1968

Remained at 1 ATF base

1-6 October 1968

Sqn remained at Nui Dat and MAJ A.H.Smith, OC B Sqn, visited for

familiarisation.

7 October 1968

C Sqn moved to Route 15 for Operation TRACK DUSTER.

12 October 1968

Returned to Nui Dat

13-22 October 1968

Remained at Nui Dat

23 October 1968

C Sqn moved to FSB Wilton

27 October 1968

Returned to Nui Dat

28-29 October 1968

Remained at Nui Dat

30 October 1968

C Sqn deployed to AO Rapier for operation DIAMOND PIN. We had under operational control 3 Troop A Sqn 3 Cav and A Coy 3 RAR . The operation was designed to interdict Route as the enemy were moving east to west and west to east depending on the movements of 1 ATF.

31 October 1968

Operation Diamond Pin Continued without contact.

1-2 November 1968

Operations in AO Rapier concluded without contact and C Sqn returned to Nui Dat.

3-6 November 1968

C Sqn remained at 1 ATF Base

7 November 1968

2 Troop moved to Duc Than as Tango Force to assist Duc Than District Chief with operations in his AO. The force consisted of a platoon of infantry, section of APC’s and a Troop of tanks and remained in location until 23 Nov 69

8 November 1968

C Sqn (-) moved to FSB Lion to 1 ATF on Operation CAPITAL II. During the op a new technique of indirect shooting was employed. Results were good, but in thick jungle the 20Pdr round explodes in the trees and has only limited use against bunker systems.

19 November 1968

Major Badman returned t Australia and the 2IC, Captain Vickers was promoted to Major. Major Badman’s early return was to allow him his leave prior to attending staff college in Jan 69.

28-30 November 1968

C Sqn remained at Nui Dat

1-2 December 1968

C Sqn remained at Nui Dat servicing and completing repairs to tanks.

3 December 1968

2 and 3 Troops and SHQ deployed to FSB Dyke under command of 1ATF. The LO, LT Mc Cormack, commanded 3 Troop in the absence of 2 LT Wilson who was on R&R. 2 Troop was placed under operational control of A Coy 1 RAR.

4 December 1968

3 Troop remained at FSB Dyke and, following a foot recce by 2LT Butler, a crossing was found over a creek previously considered impassable and 2 Troop continued to support A Coy 1RAR.

5 December 1968

3 Troop remained at FSB Dyke and 2 Troop passed to op con C Coy. During the day an assault was mad eon a base camp at 310840 with nil results.

6-7 December 1968

2 Troop continued to support C Coy, 3 Troop came under op con A Coy 1 RAR and 1 Troop commenced inf-tank training with 9 RAR.

9 December 1968

Continues as above.

10 December 1968

30B and 2 Troop moved to join B Coy 1 RAR . At 250802 32C detonated a mine causing suspension damage. 30D replaced 32C which was escorted by 3 Troop back to FSB Dyke for repairs.

11 December 1968

2 Troop remained at FSB Digger’s Rest whilst SHQ and 3 Troop moved to FSB Julia

12 December 1968

4 Troop deployed to FSB Avenger under operational control of 9 RAR.

14 December 1968

At 1215 hrs at 278781, Callsign 33A detonated a mine which rendered the tank BLR and Trooper Hannaford , the driver was mortally wounded.

15 December 1968

3 Troop continued RIF operations north of FSB Julia.

17 December 1968

3 Troop assisted with thr fly in of 4/12 US Infantry into AO Panhandle.

18 December 1968

3 Troop continued RIF operations and 2 Troop commenced RIF operations north of FSB Julia.