Jungle Warfare Training Centre Nui Dat DPR/TV/1359

In Vietnam, Australian Army Training Team advisers at the Jungle Warfare Training Centre, Nui Dat, are preparing for the first student intake in February. Their base - the 8th Battalion home before it returned to Australia - is the scene of intense activity both by the Australian cadre and the Vietnamese staff. The advisers are Australians with many years of experience in jungle warfare techniques, not only in Vietnam, but in other wars - some of them back to World War Two. Currently they are training a "demonstration" platoon in the techniques and tactics that will be taught at the school next year. This platoon will assist the Australians and Vietnamese instructors with their lessons. Its training includes tactical river crossings, movement formations and ambush techniques. It will also polish up on weapon handling, compass and map work, and general field craft. The first students are expected at the school in February and before the year ends, the senior Australian adviser, Lieutenant Colonel John Sullivan of Portsea, Victoria, hopes a thousand Vietnamese officers and non commissioned officers will complete the course. The enthusiasm of the students should be high. The Vietnamese Training Command has such faith in the lessons that can be taught at JWTC that it has announced that students who pass the course will receive credits for promotion. Also identified: AATT advisors - Captain Ernie Martens of Revesby Heights, NSW; 28643 Warrant Officer 2 (WO2) William Swan (Bill) Dickey of Toongabbie, NSW; WO2 George Davies of Villawood, NSW; Captain Warran Gynter of Townsville, Qld; 13244 WO2 Charles Alfred (Charlie) Chambers of Riverstone, NSW; WO1 Robbie Robertson of Greensborough, Melbourne, Victoria; 311585 Corporal Frank William Brady of Perth, WA; 5411189 WO2 Lawrence (Laurie) Jackson of Warwick, Queensland.