Operations

Please choose one of the Operations by clicking on the operation below. Alternatively, you can view the Monthly Activity Reports from May 1969 to Apr 1970.

Monthly Activity Reports: May 1969 Jun 1969 Jul 1969 Aug 1969 Sep 1969 Oct 1969 Nov 1969 Dec 1969 Jan 1970 Feb 1970 Mar 1970 Apr 1970

 

SUMMARY OF VICTOR 4 OPS IN S.V.N
FROM 8.5.69 to 8.5.70

Well the whole thing started when the Coy arrived in SVN on the 8th of May 1969. After the initial training and "loosening up" the Coy, and Bn was deployed in AO VINCENT on OP LAVARACK and then the fun started. It was walk, walk and more walk but somehow we all survived and managed to emerge with body and soul intact. Although a few of us may have developed webbed feet.

The OP itself was quite successful resulting in 23 VC KIA (BC), 2 KIA poss, 4PW, and 5 WIA. However Pte J (Jack) Williams was killed in a clash in a bunker system. 33 NVA Regt was pretty well cut up by 6 RAR/NZ, although 1 PI gave up counting after reaching 100 on one "fun filled" afternoon. It was back to camp then and off to Vung Tau, or the first of the V Coy R & I's. Needles to say a good time was had by all and the damage, both to body and mind were kept to a minimum.

On the 5th of July the Coy deployed on OP WAIOURU in AO MOON on the Firestone Trail. 274 Regt had been detected concentrating and the Coy op later developed to a two Coy and FSPB size task. We scored 1 VC KIA (BC) in that op and on the 10th of July the Coy was back in the 'Dat'.

The Coy was redeployed in and around the Long Hais on the 15th July on OP MUNDINGBURRA. The Coy set up shop on a feature just below the Dinh Co hill, which had the redoubtable support section as an OP team led by the CSM. 2 PL scored 4 VC KIA one morning and brightened up an beginning to pale.

On the 30th July the Coy got late orders to deploy against D445 Bn and flew off to land, walk 11yds and harbor up. The next morning it was back to Dat for1 night and out to win the "hearts and minds" of the locals on Route 44. 1 Pl went to Hoi My. 2 PL and HQ to the school at Long Hai and 3 PL split up in the ARVN outposts at Lo Gom. A section of 2 PL stayed in the local ARVN Post in Long Hai and had a trying time with our allies.

A booby trap inadvertently sprung in the ARVN post at Lo Gom resulted in 1 NZ KIA, Pte (Twiggy)Turnbull, and 5 WIA, Sgt Tuhiwai, Cpl Ollie Taukamo and Ptes Joe Berridge, BillPerry, Spider Okane. On the 14th August the Bn returned to the Dat and R & I in Vung Tau.

The 26th August saw us on OP TEKAPO In the Courtney Rubber. Coy HQ and a Platoon of PF from Duc Than set up a small FSPB with the Coy mortars while the Platoons moved to the East of Route 2. Well, there were contacts galore but no one was hurt on either side and the OP wound up, frustratingly, on the 28th August.

The next day, we deployed to the Firestones Area on OP BURNHAM for tasks with the US Land Clearing Teams. Boy, what an experience. The Jungle Eaters proved just that and the jungle Eaters Feeders really excelled themselves. A feature of this stage of the op was the rather 'muddy' and wet climate. After 14 days of good feeds it all had to end and we commenced our walkabout. The OC left us on leave and the 2IC was the more surprised, the VC, or us when the contact was initiated. Back to the Dat on the 30th September and off on R & I.

OP ARAWA on the 7th October proved to be an interesting op in that it showed that a Coy arrived at an LZ at the same time the choppers were landing can be a 'breathtaking' experience.
Once again it was pack our bags and off into the hinterland again on OP ROSS on the 14th October in the Song Rai area. The RSM of 1 RNZIR visited us at that time, WOI Brighouse and I think he had a good time, as he was involved in three contacts in the three days he was with us. Apart from VC who got up and ran after being 'body contacted', it was a good op. 2 VC KIA and medical gear CIA were added to our totals, plus the experience of 'jolly boating weather' on the Song Rai. Added to the 2 VC KIA were 5 VC WIA and old Pte Maui WIA(?).
After ROSS it was Vung Tau R & I and immortality for V Coy. A battle honour was added to our colours that proved that the V Coy and Elms of 161 Bty can be an explosive combination.

However, the deaths of Jerry Barrett and Pete Rauhihi and the wounding of 'Puku' Davidson and Paddy Smith rather dampened the good time the Coy was enjoying.
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The Coy deployed with the ARVN Bn to the area of the May Taos on OP MARSDEN. After our 'allies' had returned to Xuan Loc, the Coy moved up into the hill and the fun began. 1 PL found the hospital, K67A and then it seemed to be opera house. What with flights of sightseers from the FSPB, Long range patrols consisting of the OC, the Ops Offr, helicopter crew, assorted high brass and several soldiers armed with Mark II stretchers, a real "Mack Sennett" situation prevailed. However all worked out well in the end and resulted in a pat on the back from ATF for the find etc, all was happy. Results were 2 VC KIA, 5 VC CIA and 37 wpns CIA. Back in the Dat on the 28th December and the New Year was seen in to a fine 'liquid' start.
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OP NAPIER began on the 10th January and it was back to Courtney again. At first it seemed as though it would be Lavarack again but things died down and 'leapings' began. Walk, walk, walk went the Coy and away went the VC. Still when the Coy was brought to the Dat on the 20th February it had chalked up 7 VC KIA, 3 VC WIA, 2 PW, 4 Detainees, with 3 PL doing most of the damage. After an R & I to Vung Tau (we were forgiven) it was out on OP GISBORNE on the 23rd February which resulted in a lot of walking, a lot of missed chances and a lot of grumbling and little else.
On the 10th March it was back to the Dat, R & I and a three day op in the Nui Dinhs, which resulted in violent and sharp, clashes with Chas. Results 1 VC KIA (Mo Paenga), 6 WIA, Tom Tuhiwai, Ollie Taukamo (both again), Ptes White, Thomas, Heke and Keatch. An op not to be remembered quickly.
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However, time was night for the last op and on the 25th March the Coy was
redeployed into AO AUCKLAND on our final op, OP Townsville, 29days, 100,000yrds,
and numerous bunker systems, 4 contacts, several circles, several blown posteriors later, it all ended on the 23rd April midst a cloud of smoke grenades. The results, 1 NZ KIA Stan Kidd, 1 VC KIA. I haven't gone into any great details on these ops but thought I'd give you a rough idea of what did eventuate during our 12 months here. We all suffered from sore feet, heat, the wet and the Cong, but now its finished and the rundown home begins.

By Dirty Dick, your friendly I.O.

The Final Tally
VC KIA BC 45
VC KIA BC 10 (Coys pers att to other units)
VC PWs 10
VC WIA (BT) 20
Hoi Chah 1
Wpns CIA (indiv) 85
Wpns CIA (crew served) 2

Ops Completed 12
Contacts 53
Days in SVN 365
Days in Bush 264 (72% of our time in Nam)
Days in Dat 101 (includes 5x2 days ops to Vung Tau)
The Coys Motto - "He who leaps the longest----------gets pretty damn tired."