Barnard visits South Vietnam DPR/TV/1372

The Deputy Leader of the Australian Labor Party, and Shadow Minister for Defence, Mr Lance Barnard, this week paid a flying visit to Australian troops in the field in South Vietnam. He was accompanied by his wife, but they followed separate routes once they arrived at the 1st Australian Task Force base at Nui Dat. (See Errington/Woodward film for Mrs Barnard's itinerary). Met by the Commander of the Task Force, 3210 Brigadier William George Henderson, Mr Barnard was given a quick tactical briefing as he once again boarded his RAAF helicopter. With Brigadier Henderson, Mr Barnard flew over much of Phuoc Tuy Province where Australian troops have operated for nearly five years. He then landed at the Horseshoe base of the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, where he was met by the commanding officer, 57011 Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Alwyn (Ron) Grey of Watsons Bay, NSW. Mr Barnard showed keen interest in the activities of the battalion, which is to return to Australia later this month aboard HMAS Sydney. Following a brief on 7th Battalion's current operations, Mr Barnard and his party flew back to Nui Dat. Also identified: 235004 Lieutenant Colonel Brien Chopin Forward of Kensington, NSW; Signalman Roger Clifton of Mount Martha, Vic.