Dianne Badcock as a Sister 1st Australian Field Hospital interviewed by Greg Swanborough for 'The sharp end'

Sister, First Australian Field Hospital, RAAMC, Vung Tau 1969. Scene 16, Take 1: Gives reason for joining the Army was to go to Vietnam. Overwhelmed on arrival and describes casualties as suffering horrific injuries. Mines caused multiple fragment wounds to whole body as well as amputations. Most soldiers knew before they went into the operating theatre the extent of their injuries and the outcome. Describes there being lots of amputees, gun shot wounds, etc, as well as medical ward with soldiers being treated for skin conditions, fevers and malaria. Some so bad they were sent home. Describes the 'dust off' system of choppers carrying wounded and the triage assessment when they arrived at the field hospital. All staff involved when a chopper came in. Scene 16, Take 2, roll 75: Fortnightly Medevac RAAF planes took badly wounded home to Australia via Panang. Catholic orphanage run by local nuns at Vung Tau supported by contributions of materials and skills by most units stationed at Vung Tau. Badcock did not feel she was giving "band aid" treatments. Hospital was supplied by Americans and there were never shortages. Hygiene was to a clinically high standard. Only treated one civilian who was the sister of the hospital translator and survived because of treatment at the hospital. Scene 16, Take 3: Back home felt tired because of the long hours and absorbed back into the community. Did not suffer like the soldiers. Made some very close friends who supported each other in the field and still support each other back in Australia. Australian dead came back to Vung Tau before being flown home. Soldiers knew that if they made on to the 'dust off' chopper to Vung Tau, they would survive. Only two soldiers died while Badcock was at Vung Tau but several died after being transferred to the American specialty hospital if their injuries were too severe.