Terence (Terry) John Egan as a member of Australian Army Training Team Vietnam interviewed by Greg Swanborough for 'The sharp end'

Warrant Officer 2, AATTV. 26 September 1967 to 10 September 1968. Scene 2, Take 1: Explains criteria for being a successful advisor is to learn the customs, understand and respect the people. Scene 2, Take 2: [retake of 1] Local food is bland and meagre rations of rice were supplemented with rations from Australian packs. Scene 2, Take 3: The contrast between Australian and American advisor’s methodologies. The Australians seemed better trained and prepared and had experience in counter –insurgency. This became very apparent. The soldiers in the task force had harsher living conditions than [AATTV] team members. Pride in task force achievements – (Egan was with George Francis, Warrant Officer 2, when Americans read out an order praising Australian efforts at the Coral Fire Support Base.) Goes on to describe difficulty and loneliness away from other Australians. Scene 28, Take 1: January 30; on river surveillance with platoon of reconnaissance company; to report movement or approaches south-west of Hue citadel. Expected enemy attack on large US installation at Phu Bia. Intensity and volume of attack on Hue not expected. Regional Force Company deserted. Warrant Officer 1 Ernest Ostara advised them to stay but he did not have direct command over these men. A rocket attack over the city signalled the start of the attack. Scene 28, Take 2, roll 49: The Tet offensive at Hue began with an impressive display of fire power on a 17 kilometre front of sound and colour – tracers, artillery fire, etc. The reconnaissance platoon was overrun and started to dig in but forced to move by 3 PM that day. Egan knew that Warrant Officer 1 Max Evan was in a battalion in the area but not sure on which side of the river. Formulated a plan using reeds to make force appear larger and during ‘siesta time’ (late afternoon) marched up the road between two enemy battalions to a compound that afforded some protection. Scene 30, Take 1: Describes the confusion, despair and disbelief at raising of North Vietnamese flag over Hue citadel. Many of the soldiers had family in the city. The last radio report said that HQ was also overrun. One of the senior Vietnamese women had managed to get all the women and children out of the city and they hid in the moat for five days. That’s another story that should be told one day. The soldiers pulled themselves together and behaved very professionally. The North Vietnamese held the entire citadel except for the north-east corner which was still held by division HQ and a reaction company. There was short, sharp, vicious engagements that were intense and exhausting. Scene 30, Take 2: Describes considerable fire power which involved naval and air support as well as artillery. Extensive damage to the city. Scene 30, Take 3, roll 50: Egan left the Platoon for two and half days, returning on the river with ammunitions supplies. The company was reorganised. Now joined by survivors on leave in the city during the attack - now had 86 people. Only 27 survived after 28 days of fighting. Egan and company sent to serve with the US Marines and their task was to watch the right flank while the Americans moved along the walls and through the city. Describes the tunnels under the walls used by NVA to resupply their people inside the city. It was the Australian’s job to clean out the tunnels while still maintaining the right flank. Lost many men in an attempt to breach the wall. Scene 30, Take 4: Describes the sudden silence at the end of the fighting at Hue when the ARVN had retaken the last position. Egan and twenty seven survivors pulled out. Many civilians were killed but many saved by evacuation efforts of Boy Scouts. Describes finding evidence of atrocities committed against civilians by NVA in Hue. Scene 30, Take 5: Considers work in the Delta extremely successful in relation to reconstruction and development program. Scene 30, Take 6: [retake of 5]. Scene 30, Take 7: Greatest impression is of finding the bodies of the executed people in Hue and best memory of the courage, cheerfulness, devotion and gallantry of the Vietnamese soldiers Egan served with.