A hill in Vietnam DPR/TV/583

Less than two months before being due to return to Australia, soldiers of the 5th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, have made a hilltop to hilltop change of location in Vietnam to occupy and fortify a position against the Viet Cong. American helicopters worked all day to fly the troops from Nui Dat to their home three miles to the east. Company Commander, Major Paul Green halgh, of Canberra had a last look at the area he and his men had known as home for the past ten months as the helicopter flew towards the "Horseshoe" which rises 250 feet above the surrounding jungle covered plain. This is enemy country, and the Viet Cong are never far away. Troops disembark quickly and spread out to make sure the area is safe. Because they are to establish a strong defensive position the troops immediately begin digging into the sun-baked earth to prepare weapon pits, fire lanes and living areas. Australian Army light aircraft maintain a constant aerial watch for signs of enemy movement. The position is near the village of Dat Do, recently mortared by the Viet Cong, and the possibility of a mortar attack is always present. Engineers prepare explosives to break the hardened crust of dirt so that overhead protection can be provided more quickly. Water supplies are non existent on the hilltop, so all water is flown in by helicopter. Digging defences is thirsty work in the tropics. For deep digging, a bulldozer gouges out a hole for a command post. Every man has a job. Signals cables must be laid and workers must be protected.