Dust-off Vietnam DPR/TV/1131

The Australian 9th Battalion returned to the jungle this week after a brief rest to try to find and destroy the enemy's rear service units believed to be operating out of the north-east of Phuoc Tuy Province, the Australian Task Force's special area of responsibility. The 6th Battalion, which has just finished a four-week operation slightly to the west, killed 102 enemy, wounded 23 and captured eight prisoners and a mass of gear. Helicopters take the battalion to its headquarters for the operation, code-named Matthew, a fire support base called Flinders. The rifle companies are then flown into the jungle to begin the search for the enemy. Bravo and Delta companies are flown in these choppers to the north near the province border into an insecure landing zone, which minutes before had been blasted by artillery from the fire support base. Immediately the men trudge off to find enemy trails to ambush. The next morning, astride a couple of old trails, three armed enemy are sighted and in the ensuing fight, a soldier is shot through the right upper chest by an enemy bullet. While the fight rages the company medic, Corporal Allen Rae of Maitland, NSW, races to the injured soldier's position on the perimeter to give him field first aid. The soldier is badly wounded and the medic and assistants alternatively turn him over and give him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in a bid to keep him alive. Meanwhile the section radios company headquarters to call for an immediate "dust-off" - a helicopter to fly him to hospital. The medic changes the field dressing and then, with the help of two stretcher bearers, carries him to a clearing being carved into the jungle by soldiers with machettes. About 45 minutes after the soldier was hit, a US Iroquois helicopter bearing the big red cross on the nose, is hovering overhead, dangerously close to the big trees. A smoke grenade aids the pilot to find the clearing. A jungle penetrator is lowered on a cable from the helicopter and the injured man is fastened on and hauled to safety. While the rescue has been going on the company sweeps the area looking for the enemy. No bodies were recovered but a white sandal and five packs were recovered. One of the packs contained duplicating paper and ink which seems to indicate that the 9th Battalion could be near the enemy's headquarters. Also identified: Lance Corporal Peter Millett of Nangwarry, SA; Lieutenant Alister Ross of NZ; Private Gordon (Zoro) Sorrenson of Werris Creek, NSW of 9 Sect 6 Pl; Corporal Ivor Alexander of Maryborough, Vic; Private Klaus Stoertebecker of Morwell, Vic.