12 Field Regiment RAA Vietnam 1968-1969 / Les Partridge

Regimental Headquarters 12 Field Regiment Royal Australian Artillery lined up for road move to ‘Bear Cat’ 25 April 1968 as a prelude to Operation ‘Toan Thang 1’. On the left Major B Murtagh and next to him Sergeant Larment (RP Sgt) then Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) Les Partridge. Film is quite dark but depicts Iroquois helicopters on ‘Kangaroo Pad’ Nui Dat followed by US Helicopters on the Logistic Support Pad at ‘Bearcat’. Regiment Command Post at ‘Bearcat’ RP Sgt seated outside entrance. 12 Field Regiment RHQ Sergeants' Lines showing living quarters, Dining Area (Marquee) Bar (galvanised building) 1 Australian Task Force Area across the road. Last tent was RSM's quarters. WO1 Les Partridge was also appointed Task Force Sergeant Major in 1968 by Commander 1 ATF Brigadier Sandy Pearson. RAAF Caribou landing at Luscombe Airfield. Gunships and gunship workshop at ‘Bearcat’. Vietnamese labourers at ‘Bearcat’. Airborne views around ‘Bearcat’. Deployment of 102 Field Battery guns at Fire Support Base (FSB) ‘Wattle’ May 1968. Regiment Command Post at FSB ‘Wattle’. Removing OHP from RCP facing camera in foreground is Lance Bombardier Donnelly and on the left is Regimental Survey Sergeant Penn. In the background to the left of the 11x11 tent is the RSM controlling the incoming Chinooks for the return to ‘Bearcat’. View from the winch area of Chinook. Warrant Officer from HQ 1 ATF with stray monkey at ‘Bearcat’. Fly in by infantry at FSB ‘Coral’ 12 May 1968. FSB ‘Coral’ after 1st attack morning 13 May 1968. View from RHQ area panning from direction of mortar Platoon area 1 RAR over 102 Field Battery (Fd Bty) Position. 104 Fd Bty moving out from Nui Dat on first operation from heli-pad in front of gun position. Scene shows guns all ready for pick up, also Landrover, the Bty dozer slung under Chinook. An officer who is one of the Gun Section Leaders is marshalling the next ‘packet’ for movement to the Pad and the soldier without a shirt who is checking the load manifest is the BSM 104 Battery Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) Bennett-Burleigh. The scene then pans around the Battery area past the Cavalry Squadron Area. 1 ALSG ‘Peter Badcoe’ Club. Street Scenes around Vung Tau. HQ 12 Fd Regt RAA Sqts Mess members Nui Dat - rear: WO2 ‘Garb’ Ellis, Sgt Pratt, Sgt Kelly, Pay Sgt, Orderly Room Sgt, Chief Clerk; front: Sgt. Mitchell, WO2 Jebb (131 Div Loc Bty) Sgt Stevenson, Sgt. Penn. ‘Sky Crane’ replacing water tank in Regt Q Compound Area. RHQ Cricket match ORs vs Sgts. Concrete Block at foot of the Regt. flag pole had a brass plaque commemorating the names of those gunners who had been KIA in Australian operations prior to MAR 1968. HQ Bty BBQ and official opening of HQ Bty ORs Club as the Scott Sawtell Club (both of whom were KIA at FSPB ‘Coral’ on 13 May 1968) by Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Jack Kelly. Group of five after ‘Canteen’ sign from left to right WO2 Ellis, Captain (Capt) Mick Ekman, unidentified, Lt Col Kelly, Chief Clerk. Next Group: Centre front drinking from can is Adjutant. Captain (Adjt Capt) D N Brook, next to him facing left is A/Adjt 2Lt P R Austin. Concert at Nui Dat 12 Field Regiment Sgts Mess BBQ for Concert Party. Scenes of Vung Tau from roof top of R&C Centre. New Sgts Mess Dining Room (replaced Marquee). Tan Son Nhut Airport. Regimental parade at Nui Dat for the dedication of the memorial plaque for Gunners Scott and Sawtell. Their names were engraved on a brass sheet and attached to a concrete block. Handover parade between 12 Field Regiment and 1 Field Regiment March 1969. 12 Field Regiment elements on parade consisted of HQ Bty, 104 Fd Bty and 161 Bty RNZA. The parade was held in 104 Bty Gun Area at Nui Dat. RSM hands over parade to CO (Lt Col Jack Kelly) who takes the salute from the Regiment. The first gun to fire was 12 Fd Regt last round fired in SVN and the next gun fired 1 Fd Regt's first round in 1969 with the round exploding in the Nui Tai Vai Hills. Comd 1 ATF hands over Responsibility for control of Artillery Support to CO 1 Fd Regt RAA. Last scene shows RSM and Adjt of 104 Fd Bty Gun Pits.