Fire support DPR/TV/756

The 1st Australian Task Force based at Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, has probably the greatest firepower back-up ever known to Australian troops fighting overseas. Besides its own batteries of 4th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, it has the support of the massive, hard-hitting, long-range guns of United States artillery units. Among them are the accurate 175 mm self-propelled Long Toms of the 1st Battalion of the 83rd Artillery, and also its 8 inch naval guns. Both weapons with a range of 20 miles can cover targets throughout the province. At times, they are required to move in close support of Task Force operations. On Operation Forrest they moved to a fire support base near the province capital of Baria. They were protected by Armoured Personnel Carriers from "A" Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, and a platoon of infantry from Delta Company, 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. Before the guns were given targets, ammunition had to be stacked and readied. Australians manhandled the huge 8 inch naval shells into position. Then both 8 inch and 175mm guns fired into Nui Dien hills - a sanctuary of the Viet Cong. Australian gunners from 106th Field Battery added to the bombardment with their 105mm howitzers.