Making friends in Vietnam DPR/TV/671

The 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, last week staged its first civic action project in Vietnam. The village given help was Dat Do, 15 miles from the battalion's tentlines and until recently, controlled by the Viet Cong. Children came running for free drinks and sweets handed out by men of the battalion, who were assisted by the experienced Australian Civil Affairs unit. But more important aid was coming. Battalion Chaplain, Padre Lewis Firman, of Triggs Island Western Australia, discussed village problems with the local Roman Catholic Priest. Medical supplies for the sick of the village were unpacked. Among the first patients for Civil Affairs Officer, Major Bruce Fox of Swanbourne, WA, was a young boy, escorted by his schoolteacher. Many more patients - young and old - were to follow him for medical and dental treatment during the day. The Dat Do mission is only part of the Army's broad Civic Action in Vietnam... a programme that wins new friends every day for the Australian soldiers.