Operation Kenmore draws to a close DPR/TV/717

It was canvas accommodation for members of the Australian Task Force's Tactical Headquarters when it moved into the field on Operation Kenmore in Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam. On the spot, a compact staff solved knotty problems for units operating in the Ho Tram Cape area, 18 miles north-east of Task Force base at Nui Dat. The headquarters logged Viet Cong movements and secret caches found in the VC supply area by searching troops, and issued new orders. At times artillery was used to assist the searchers, helicopters used to move in fresh stores and supplies, and move out captured documents and equipment. For Brigadier Stuart Graham, it was his last operation after 12 months as Task Force Commander. After a flight over the area he returned to the headquarters with Commander of 4th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, Lieutenant-Colonel Reg Gardiner of Sefton Park, Brisbane, Qld. To assist in moving men and equipment from the operational area the Army's medium landing ship, Vernon Sturdee, was called in. It moved troops and equipment back to the Australian Logistic Support Group base at Vung Tau. An Army Sioux helicopter buzzed the landing ship as it moved into the beach. Captain Norm Uniacke of Dandenong, Vic, on the left, and RSM WO1 Max Almond of Wacol, Qld, both of 4th Field Regiment, watched the ship beached. A signalman kept in contact with the ship during loading operations. Other soldiers watched the ship berth, but till it was ready for loading football fans decided to have some practice on the beach. Finally troops moved through low surf, and armoured personnel carriers from 'A' Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, crawled into mouth of ship. Troops unloaded salvage from carriers into cargo nets strung along the sides of the deck. Vernon Sturdee then headed for Vung Tau and rounded Cap Saint Jacques.