John Charles Robbins as a Lance Corporal D Coy 6 RAR interviewed by Greg Swanborough for 'The sharp end'

Lance Corporal D Coy, 6RAR 8 June 1966 to 7 September 1966. Scene 5, Take 1: The 1964 conscription was seen as another part of life, an adventure. At nineteen, most hadn’t thought about Australia’s involvement in Vietnam. Family supported the war and not many questioned what the Australian Government did in those days. Other groups formed in the late 1960s and early 1970s such as the Save Our Sons (SOS). Went from Brisbane to Kapooka in southern NSW Riverina district. It was the beginning of June and very cold – a new experience. Army life meant lots of discipline. Knew little about Vietnam (except what was taught at school) not about the war there and believed it was correct to be fighting against the spread of communism, especially with the big involvement by USA wanting to help their allies stop communism spreading south. Three months basic training at Kapooka was followed by a posting to a battalion where they were introduced to weapons and the arts needed to become soldiers. Considered that they were well trained. The NCOs had limited experience with warfare in Malaya, Borneo and some officers had served in Korea and Second World War. The Officer in Charge (OC), Harry Smith was a fitness fanatic. Scene 19, Take 1, roll 43: After 18 August 1966 relieved B Company outside a rubber tree plantation (‘the rubbers’) where they had found the base plates of mortars. Take 2: 11 Platoon moved off towards the rubbers in an extended line. Half a dozen Vietcong were sighted, opened fire and went to ground. The Vietcong took off northward. The Platoon Commander radio Harry Smith who called in the artillery. They didn’t kill any Vietcong but found the blood trail of the wounded. Take 3: After the artillery stopped, proceeded hundred meters into ‘the rubber’ and met with enemy fire. Had no idea of numbers or where they were. There were heavy Australian casualties in the first few minutes. Lost contact with the rest of the Company and Platoon. The enemy advanced and were well equipped, clothed and organised – “not the pyjama-dressed soldiers we’d been told about”. There were times during the battle when they got really close but the artillery stopped us from being overrun; then the monsoon rain started and added to the confusion. The Platoon was spread out and would have appeared to be a stronger force. Robbins shot in the elbow but didn’t hurt as much as expected. Not able to use rifle again and most of mates had gone so prepared a grenade in case of capture. During the battle, Bob Buick took control after Commander was killed. The rain intensified, artillery was still coming in and managed to run and crawl out in the confusion. Met up with 12 Platoon who had been sent to look for 11 Platoon. Back at the command post, the seriously wounded were taken out by chopper, the rest put in a shelter away from the action. Ammunition was taken from the wounded and redistributed to fighting men. Very relieved when Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), ‘the cavalry’, showed up. Take 4: Robbins went to bring back dispersed men back to Platoon Headquarters, he found most of them dead. Realized the determination of the enemy. Take 5: Bugles were used by Vietcong to send commands and could be heard above noise of the battle and rain. It was terrifying. Vague memory of dolls being handed out to wounded by Vietnamese at United States 36th Evacuation Hospital. Returned to Australia as injured soldier – most people not really interested; it was still a page three item in the papers. Most difficult task was digging up a recently buried body from a shallow grave.