Prime Minister visits troops in Vietnam DPR/TV/859

An RAAF Caribou aircraft brought the Prime Minister, Mr Gorton, and Mrs Gorton to Luscombe Field at Nui Dat during his tour of Vietnam. They were greeted by the Commander of the Australian Task Force, Brigadier Ron Hughes, and the Commander, Australian Force Vietnam, Major-General A. L. McDonald, and ran the inevitable gauntlet of Press photographers, before leaving to inspect the base lines of 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment. First Battalion began its tour of duty in Vietnam less than three months ago, and already has taken part in bitter fighting in Bien Hoa Province during enemy assaults on fire support base Coral. The Prime Minister and Mrs Gorton got first hand details of the action as they talked with members of the Battalion. They later mingled with troops of 'A' Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, and Mr Gorton was able to take a close look at the Armoured Personnel Carriers of the unit. While the Prime Minister received a briefing on the local situation, Mrs Gorton visited 8th Field Ambulance at Nui Dat, and met some of the patients. After addressing troops from Headquarters, 1st Australian Task Force, Mr Gorton visited New Zealand's 161st artillery field battery, met many of the Kiwi gunners, and inspected their 105mm howitzers. The New Zealanders have given valuable fire support during a number of operations against the Viet Cong. Mr Gorton also saw the giant Centurion tanks which were used with such success during the recent fighting in Bien Hoa Province,...and entering the turret of one tank, got a Commander's-eye view of the area. On the following day Mr Gorton's party moved to Vung Tau, where the Australian Logistic Support Group is located. He made a thorough inspection of the area, and watched heavy equipment in operation as stores were moved ready for transfer to forward units. Later Mr Gorton inspected the 1st Australian Field Hospital at Vung Tau, where he was met by the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel W. J. Watson. Mr Gorton moved through the wards and spoke to several of the patients. During his tour of units in the Task Force and other units, Mr Gorton spoke with more than 1,000 soldiers, many of whom had taken part in the operations at fire support bases 'Coral' and 'Balmoral' in the north-west of Bien Hoa Province. (Also identified: Colonel Donald Dunstan of Mosman, NSW; Major W. B. James of Duntroon, ACT; Pte Max Hoseason-Smith of Adelaide, SA; Major Clyde Stewart of Wellington, NZ; Lt Col W. J. Watson of Brisbane, Qld; Signalman John Veall of Adelaide, SA; Corporal Bill Robinson of Balmain, NSW).