John Arnold Warr as the Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Officer 5 RAR interviewed by Greg Swanborough for 'The sharp end'

Places
Accession Number F10650
Collection type Film
Measurement 19 min 10 sec
Object type To be confirmed
Physical description 16mm/colour (Eastman)/sound
Maker The Notion Picture Company Pty Limited
Warr, John Arnold
Swanborough, Greg
Place made Australia: New South Wales, Sydney
Date made 4 June 1992
Access Open
Conflict Period 1990-1999
Vietnam, 1962-1975
Copyright

Item copyright: AWM Licensed copyright

Copying Provisions Copyright restrictions apply. Permission of copyright holder required for any use and/or reproduction.
Description

Lieutenant Colonel CO 5RAR 6 January 1966 to 13 January 1966; Lieutenant Colonel CO 5RAR 27 April 1966 to 30 April 1967. Warr visited Vietnam after an intelligence meeting in Australia and it was suggested by Colonel Jackson, the Attaché in Saigon, that he do a recognisance flight over Phuoc Tuy province. Describes topography of province as dense and mountainous. In January 1966, the Government announced a task force would be sent to Puoc Tuy but not exactly why, then briefed in early 1966 of strong enemy presence. Two main forces were 274 and 275 Regiments located in north west and north east of province. Also D44 Mobile Company and four to five guerrilla companies in various villages. The Viet Cong controlled a greater part of the province. Government forces not well trained, lead or equipped. September 1965 Warr knew the Australian Battalion was going to Phuoc Tuy and had about ninety days to prepare and bring it to full strength. In January 1966 he visited 1RAR at field base. The operation was part of American major force to clear Ho Bo Woods area. Talks about loss of men from friendly fire and describes reaction of the men with him going to war with a briefcase. Scene 12, Take 2: Describes Battalion defence and patrols, equipment needed to defend base and work in the field. Enemy probed area at night to determine strength of force. The Australian equipment table was inadequate. Scene 12, Take 3, roll 62: More ammunition, guns and telephones were needed so Warr sent officers to barter with Americans in Saigon. They liked the Australian slouch hats and chow buckets. In return, the Australians got the equipment they needed. Scene 12, Take 4: Describes the mortaring of taskforce base on 16 August 1966. A three thousand meter area was cleared around the base and the local people resettled and told not to enter cleared area. Base well prepared and defended. Attack would have to have come from within cleared zone and discovered enemy dead after attack. Scene 12, Take 5: The constant rain made it difficult to set up the camp. Pits always full of water, dirty weapons and equipment. Soldiers in the field had problems with constantly wet feet and sleeping in the wet. Scene 12, Take 6: Describes role of Special air Service (SAS) that worked deep inside enemy areas and outside artillery range for support. They mounted operations outside normal patrol areas of Battalion to obtain information about enemy. This was only one of a number of means of getting information. Scene 12, Take 7: Describes defences for taskforce base and layout. It was difficult to fire battery guns and defend position at the same time. Company protected gunners.