Operation 'Hayman' - Vietnam DPR/TV/513

Troops of the 5th Battalion RAR depart Baria aboard American Bell 'Iroquois' helicopters for an assault landing on a small island called Long Son off the coast of South Vietnam. The operation named 'Haymen', was a search and clear mission to round up Viet Cong who had infiltrated the quiet fishing village. At a landing zone on the island picked out days earlier by aerial reconnaissance, the helicopters landed the troops who raced for cover in the nearest jungle. The landing took the Viet Cong by suprise and it was an hour before they gathered to fight back. The Viet Cong retreated seeking cover in the dense mangrove swamp. The Australian troops followed the enemy into waist-deep swamp water. The Australian troops entered Long Son village soon after first light and moved suspects into a central area for later questioning by Vietnamese Police. More than a dozen Viet Cong were located among the village inhabitants during operation 'Hayman'. Company Commander Major Peter Cole of Ocean Beach, VIC, is identified.