Crop crushing DPR/TV/1128

Australian armoured personnel carriers and infantry soldiers on operations east of the 1st Australian Task Force base, at Nui Dat, last week destroyed crops discovered in secret jungle gardens. The crops, grown to feed the enemy, were discovered in an area from which the population had been moved years ago to centres where they could be better protected. Any activitiy in the area is regarded as unfriendly. The carriers of "B" Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, Royal Australian Armoured Corps, have been operating in the area since early May. They have been laying ambushes and conducting reconnaissance-in-force operations, in co-operation with the District Chief. Aim is to reopen the area for resettlement by the villagers. Where there are no useable tracks, the armoured personnel carriers blaze their own trail through the thick jungle. The enemy gardens, well-cared for and growing corn, sweet potatoes, melons and vegetables, had been cunningly concealed. They were cut into the jungle on the edges of a big clearing, leaving them sufficient overhead cover to make detection from the air difficult. But they were seen, and the tracks of the carriers and machettes of the infantrymen soon made sure that their produce would not be harvested by the enemy. Identified personnel: Sapper Mervyn Chesson from Croydon Park, Adelaide, SA;