Land clearing exercise DPR/TV/924

Since August 1, Operation Lyrebird has been underway in thick scrub and rain forest at the base of the Nui Thi, Nui Dinh and Nui Thi Vai hills in the west of Phuoc Tuy Province. In the operation the Australian Land Clearing Team made up of members of 17 Construction Squadron and 1 Field Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers have been clearing two hundred yard wide trails cutting the jungle into small pockets. When the operation ends, more than fifteen miles of trail will have been cleared. There is now only about one mile to go. The operation is designed to inhibit the Viet Cong's free movement in one of his favourite environments. The land clearing does not completely denude the area, but cuts the thick scrub into pockets too small to be used safely as Viet Cong base camps and training areas. It also retards the enemy's infiltration into the hills which are pitted with caves and other natural hiding places. On future operations, the trails will assist the Australian Task Force by providing good aerial reconnaissance of the area; providing quick movement of tracked vehicles to suspected enemy locations; and providing a selection of landing zones for helicopters carrying troops. During Operation Lyrebird, the Australian Land Clearing Team is protected by infantry and armoured personnel carriers as they batter their way thru the dense jungle which was once the protection of the Viet Cong. The team uses Caterpillar D8 bulldozers specially fitted with armour plating in the operation. The vehicles weigh thirty five tons. Identified towards the end of the item is 38952 Sapper Terence George Perkins, 1 Field Squadron RAE, shown driving one of the bulldozers.