Cordon and search of Binh Gia DPR/TV/760

Nineteen Viet Cong suspects were detained after troops of 7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, searched the village of Phu My in Phuoc Tuy Province, last week. US Army helicopters placed elements of the Battalion in position for the cordon and search of the village of 1000 people. The cordon and search operation is usually profitable, and seldom is a shot fired. Viet Cong who normally terrorise villagers for food and sanctuary are discovered in the interrogation that follows the search. In this type of operation the village is first sealed off by troops. Then a systematic search is made of all houses, and the villagers screened and interrogated. Every possible hiding place is carefully inspected. Private Darryl O'Keefe of Villawood, Sydney, NSW, uses a bayonet to poke the side of one hut for concealed weapons. While the soldiers continue the search, the 7th Battalion Medical Officer, Captain Morris Peacock of Kilburn, SA, treats a young baby and Staff Sergeant Ted Wales of Bicton, WA, passes the time of day with a cigarette and chat with a village elder. To simplify the screening process the villagers are taken to a screening point by vehicle. Suspects are detained and the remainder are returned to their homes.