Vietnam village search DPR/TV/683

Helicopters...a sure sign in the South Vietnam province of Phuoc Tuy that troops of the 1st Australian Task Force hve begun another operation. This time it was a search of Dat Do, a village of 1600 people four miles from the Australian base. The Diggers regularly scour villages in the area for signs of Viet Cong inflitration, or weapons and supplies hidden in the homes of the sympathiers. But they did not expect much trouble in Dat Do because the people are now largely staunch suppoters of the South Vietnamese government. As the troops left the helicopter landing area for the village, Signalman John Hill, of Nedlands, Perth, tested communications between units. The Diggers entered Dat Do as they move any where... carefully and in Indian file. Although the people who lined the roadside obviously wished the men a warm welcome, they take no chances, a Viet Cong sniper could be nearby preparing a much hotter reception. As usual, the village youngsters were happy to see the Australians. The troops spilt into small groups to continue their search. The job was not an easy one. Dat Do is surrounded by thick jungle foliage ideal for hiding supplies - or men. The search pattern was planned by 2nd Lieutenant Brendon O'Brien, left, of Essendon, Melbourne and Company Commander Major Ken Bladen of Floreat Park, Perth. The men searched inside and outside the village homes for signs of Viet Cong activity. The occupants did not worry about soldiers in their houses. In fact, many offered them help. Others, like this young boy and his pet, thought the whole affair was a big laugh. As the search continued it became clear there was little Viet Cong activity to worry about in Dat Do. The careful probing of the Diggers came up with little more than a handful of communist pamphlets and excess food supplies in two homes. These items were confiscated by Vietnamese National Police field force members who accompanied the Australians during the operation. As the day rolled on Lance Corporal Tom Gibson, of Kyneton, Victoria, took a break to barter for grapefruit with a young village girl, whose big grin assured she got a pretty good deal. Like most villages in Phuoc Tuy Province, Dart Do was once under control of the communists. A visit from the Diggers in those days would almost certainly have spelled trouble. This uneventful search, to the Australians, served as an assurance that they were winning the friendship of the Dat Do people.