9th Battalion arrives in Vietnam DPR/TV/972

The changeover of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, in Vietnam was completed today with the arrival at Vung Tau harbour of troops of the 9th Battalion aboard HMAS Sydney. The Sydney docked in Vung Tau harbour in the early morning and by 10 o'clock the 9th Battalion troops were on shore and the returning 3rd Battalion troops were aboard the troop carrier ready and eager for the two week journey back to Adelaide. The soldiers were transported from the Sydney to shore in landing barges operated by the Sydney's crew. The 9th Battalion troops arrived fully prepared for the 12 months ahead of them, and received three loaded magazines for their rifles as they came ashore at Vung Tau. They were driven the 20 miles to the 1st Australian Task Force base at Nui Dat, which will be their base for the coming year. The 3rd Battalion is returning to Woodside, SA, where members will break away for extended leave and a well earned rest. The men of the 9th Battalion will have a short time to settle in at Nui Dat and acclimatise, but many could be on operations in Phuoc Tuy province within three days. (Also identified: CO of 3 RAR, Lieutenant Colonel Jim Shelton of Woodside, SA; Private Bob Davidson of Campbelltown, Tas; Pte Art Bink of Narrabundah, Canberra; Able Seaman Bruce Johnston of Manly, NSW; Sapper Gordon Wilkinson of Popondetta, NG; Pte Darrell Kling of Barmera, SA; Captain David Meade of Melbourne, Vic; CO of 9 RAR, Lt Col Alan Morrison of Woodside, SA; the BC of 161st Field Battery Major Geof Hutchings of Wellington, NZ; Captain John Raywood of Woodside, SA; Comd AFV Major General A. L. MacDonald; Lieutenant Commander Ron Ware of Avalon Beach, NSW).