Vietnam - inspecting civilian's papers DPR/TV/577

On a main provincial road which runs through part of the Australian Task Force area at Nui Dat in Viet Nam, soldiers of the Fifth Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, man one of two checkpoints through which Vietnamese have to pass. Private Harvy Lear, of Kogorah, Sydney, moves out to stop a three wheel bus which is one of the most popular forms of transport amoung Vietnames in Phuoc Tuy province. Private Max Haldane, of Port Pirie, South Australia, checks passengers' identification cards, assisted by a Vietnamese National Policeman. Private Lear continues the check by searching the vehicle. These checks on the local populace are necessary because Viet Cong in civilain clothes have tried to use local transport through the area, and continual vigilance is kept for hidden weapons and ammunition. With everything in order, this vehicle moves off on its way to the provincial capital of Baria, eight miles from the Task Force base. Although many Vietnames own motor vehicles, the age old ox cart is still the only means of transport for thousands of people in the Australian Area. Private Doug King, of New Norfolk, Tasmania, checks out the ox cart driver, then climbs on board the load of rubber tree logs for one and one half mile journey between check points. Troops ride on all ox carts between the checkpoints in case drivers or passengers, who could be disguised Viet Cong, try to place booby traps or land mines on the roadside. It takes an hour for the plodding oxen to make the journey, and then Private King hitches a ride back to his own checkpoint on a Vietnames vehicle. Australians who man these checkpoints have made friends among Vietnamese who regularly use the road.