Essential supplies for Vietnam Force DPR/TV/1124

Every six weeks the MV Jeparit arrives at Cap Saint Jacques in South Vietnam on its regular voyage taking 3000 tons deadweight of supplies to Australian troops. Jeparit has just completed her 23rd supply voyage to Vietnam. After discharging ammunition and explosives to barges which met her out in the bay, the vessel nosed into Vung Tau harbour and tied up alongside the pier. As soon as she was alongside the work of unloading began. As the dock crews worked the area was patrolled by Australian military policemen, like Corporal John Silver of Collingwood, Vic. As each crate of supplies was swung on to the quay it was checked against cargo manifests and for damage by men of 30th Terminal Squadron RAE. Corporal Raymond Martin of Port Augusta, SA, and Sapper Ray Charters of Chadstone, Vic, are among soldiers from the 1st Australian Logistic Support Group base at Vung Tau, who carry out this task. Although there is no let up in the unloading, soldiers find time for a cool drink in the shadow of the flag of the Australian Merchant Navy, and Private John McIntosh of South Caulfield, Vic, perhaps gets a reminder of home as he walks past the stern of the vessel with its name and port of registration "JEPARIT, MELBOURNE" emblazoned in bold letters. As each crate is unloaded and checked it is lifted by fork-lift vehicles, driven by Vietnamese dock workers, on to giant trucks and trailers operated by the US Navy. With Australian soldiers as guards, the heavily laden vehicles are driven from the dock, through the streets of Vung Tau to the Australian base. This load was destined for the 2nd Advanced Ordnance depot where most of the equipment - almost 40,000 different headings - is held until required. Here, each crate is checked again and stored in the long warehousaes so that it is readily accessible when required. In South Vietnam regular supply runs by the Jeparit keep vital supplies flowing to Australia's fighting troops.