| Place | Asia: Vietnam, South Vietnam, Mekong Delta |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | P01009.003 |
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white |
| Physical description | Black & white |
| Place made | Vietnam: Binh Dinh Province, Phu Cat |
| Date made | November 1969 |
| Conflict |
Vietnam, 1962-1975 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Commonwealth of Australia copyright |
Aerial photograph of bombs dropped by a Canberra B20 light bomber of No. 2 Squadron RAAF ...
Description
Aerial photograph of bombs dropped by a Canberra B20 light bomber of No. 2 Squadron RAAF exploding along the line of a canal near Phu Cat in the southern Mekong Delta area. The white smoke near the explosion at top is from a white phosphorus marker that had been laid down by a Forward Air Controller of the United States Air Force (USAF) to mark the starting point of the bombing run. The aim of such strikes against canals was to create water surges in them that would destroy caches of food and ammunition secreted in tunnels dug into the sides of the canals. The pilot of the aircraft for this mission was the CO of No. 2 Squadron, Wing Commander Jack Boast, while the navigator and bombing officer was Squadron Leader Frank Lonie. (Formerly 200253)