Mutual support in Viet Cong camp clearance DPR/TV/843

Accession Number F04195
Collection type Film
Measurement 1 min 55 sec
Object type Actuality footage, Television news footage
Physical description 16mm/b&w/silent
Maker Errington, William Alexander (Bill)
Place made Vietnam: Bien Hoa Province, Fire Support Base Coral
Date made May 1968
Access Open
Conflict Vietnam, 1962-1975
Copyright Item copyright: © Australian War Memorial
Creative Commons License This item is licensed under CC BY-NC
Description

Australian engineers and infantrymen closely supported each other when searching Viet Cong (VC) camps, tunnel systems and hides after the recent communist attacks on Australian fire support base 'Coral' in north-west Bien Hoa Province. This support is necessary for the engineers have the know-how of clearing finds of booby traps and of delousing mines which may impede progress. From the early morning of May 12, Australian troops of the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, supported by artillery and engineers of 12 Field Regiment, and 1st Field Squadron, had been in heavy contact with the VC near fire support base 'Coral', near Tan Uyen, 25 miles north of Saigon. Active patrolling unearthed several VC camps and one of the earliest found was discovered by a patrol from the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. The VC camp, although deserted, was estimated to have been occupied a few days before. It consisted of bunkers with overhead cover, wooden beds, tables and benches and in it was found clothing, earthenware, sandals, a gas mask and an anti-tank mine. The Australians had killed more than one hundred communists in the actions in the first four days in the new area. (Also identified: Pte Bernie Graham of Cairns, Qld, 1 RAR; Pte Doug Lewis of Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Qld; Major John Kemp, OC 1 Fd Sqn RAE, of St Johns Wood, Brisbane, Qld; Sgt Ray Curtis of West Ryde, NSW; Pte Ray Slater of Villawood, NSW; Cpl Paul Richardson of New Farm, Qld)

Film order form
  • Video of Mutual support in Viet Cong camp clearance DPR/TV/843 (video)