Movement day on operation Ainslie DPR/TV/690

Large scale movement was the keynote of the resettlement phase of Vietnamese families on Operation Ainslie, for Australian, New Zealand and South Vietnamese troops in Phuoc Tuy Province. Huge United States Army Skycrane helicopters capable of lifting nine tons were called in to supplement large Chinooks. Armoured personnel carriers from "A" Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, pushed on to picquet the narrow road north, and assist the northerly-based infantry. Additional troops from 2nd and 7th Battalions also moved out to protect the northerly area, while a fleet of more than 30 Australian and Vietnamese military vehicles were used to move families and their possessions to a new village (Ap Suoi Nghe) being built close to the Australian Task Force base at Nui Dat. The largest helicopters operating in Vietnam, the Skycranes and Chinooks, in a few hours lifted in two batteries of 105mm howitzers, stores, ammunition, transport vehicles and men, into a fire support base at Duc Than, six miles north of the Australian base. As the gunners set up camp to support the northerly troops, three Vietnamese youngsters were alternately bewildered and amazed, but occasionally gave a wave to passing troops. They walked along the road with gifts given by the soldiers... Operation Ainslie is an operation with a difference. It was not conceived specifically to destroy Viet Cong, but to destroy their last remaining logistic supply area in the Province, an area known as Slope 30 near the village of Xa Bang. The sprawling, rambling, rich agricultural area has been dominated by Viet Cong for years. With dwindling supplies from the south they have put greater pressure on the area for more supplies. In many cases the VC have carried out their own resettlement programme and collected families and individuals from outlying areas to farm for them. Despite the plentiful supply of food, many families have been suffering from malnutrition, and because of lack of medical care - disease. When the Australians entered the village, they found few men in the area. The handful was insufficient to harvest food for both VC and villagers. Now that the area has been cleared of civilians and their chattles, anything else of value will be removed to assist families establish the new settlement. Then thatched houses will be either burned or bulldozed to leave nothing of value to the V.C. Once the move is completed and the Vietnamese are under the watchful eye of the Australian Task Force, The last VC stronghold in the Province will be worthless. First 7th Battalion troops into the area quickly checked out inhabitants and brought in several detainees for questioning. However, there were many empty houses left by families who had slipped away from the V.C. Troops took a census and noted all individuals, property, livestock and transport requirements. Lieutenant Peter McGuinness, of Broken Hill (NSW), used a Vietnamese interpreter to check one family's particulars. A protection party ringed the area on the look-out for sneak VC raiders. Most of the inhabitants were happy and prepared to go. As tons of pumpkins were brought out and stacked 1st Field Squadron Engineers checked out the road for any mines which may have been planted by VC to thwart the move. When he inspected a house Private John Tinigiri, of Footscray, Melbourne Vic. spied a VC banner. Planted by VC only a week before it told villagers not to vote in the recent National elections. Once settled in, families were passed over bedding and food supplies by the Phuoc Tuy Province Refugee Office. Marquees are home for the time being. One family wanted to come to the village but did it in their own time and style. Two bullock carts plodded wearily into the village past modern machinery, and houses under construction late in the day. Family groups had to be checked and photographed for records. Staff-Sergeant Cecil Grieve, of Deakin, Canberra, checked their identity cards, while Corporal Tony Welsh, of Blackwood, SA photographed them. [Other Identified Personnel: Les Hiddins]