7 RAR patrol on Coburg DPR/TV/776

Intensive patrolling through thick jungle growth by the 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, on current Operation Coburg in Vietnam, has uncovered numerous Viet Cong camps in Bien Hoa Province, since January 24. Partly completed huts were often found and searched, and bunkers, roofed with bamboo logs, were also frequently encountered. The battalion, working with other elements of 1st Australian Task Force 20 miles north east of Saigon, captured weapons, explosives and equipment, and took prisoners. The location of Vietcong camps was passed back to base headquarters for later destruction. Meanwhile, with information flowing back from forward scouts, likely ambush sites were pinpointed, and the troops, of Delta Company, moved off to take up their positions. An ambush was triggered and the Australians moved quickly into action. After carefully checking out the area, they swept forward to locate weapons, equipment and Viet Cong bodies. The body of one enemy soldier who had been hit by a machine gun burst, was checked for equipment and documents. His Communist made AK47 automatic rifle was unloaded, and an inventory made of other equipment he had been carrying. Then, with the news of the successful ambush relayed back to headquarters, the men of Delta company moved on into the next stage of their deadly game of hide and seek in the thick jungle undergrowth as Operation Coburg continues. Identified personnel: Major Don Paterson, Delta Company Commander, seaches hut area. Close up of Sergeant Bob Lewis of Seymour, VIC examining captured weapon.