Raymond Bruce Payne as a Private 1 RAR interviewed by Greg Swanborough for 'The sharp end'

Private, 1RAR, 7 June 1965 to 3 June 1966. Scene 9, Take 1: Describes events of 8 January, 1966 at Ho Bo Woods; landing by helicopter, immediate contact with enemy delayed reaching base camp that, unbeknown to Australians, was on top of extensive enemy tunnel network. Payne positioned machine gun at edge of trench and advised of returning patrol – identify target before shooting. Accompanied at post by Keith Mills, spotted a patrol. First Viet Cong soldier appeared only 1 foot away at end of machine gun. Describes shooting VC soldier at close range and retreat of VC patrol. Describes shock of close engagement versus shooting at enemy over a distance. Reflects on on-going effect of incident. Scene 15, Take 1: Describes patrols as walking in a dark alley that is booby trapped and knowing an attack is imminent. Scene 11, Take 1: Describes coming home to Sydney and being met by family. Difficult to readjust, broke up with girlfriend. Coped better back on base insulated from civi-street. Rejected by RSL who did not consider Vietnam a ‘real war’. Reapplied and joined in 1982. Scene 8, Take 1: Most soldiers preferred being out on patrol than working around the base to keep busy.