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Looking for Trouble

Official Historian of the Vietnam War Ashley Ekins details the last foray into the dreaded Long Hai hills by the 1st Australian Task force, known as Operation Hammersley. To read this article, purchase Wartime here.          

Operation Hammersley began on 10 February 1970 and experienced constant contacts with the Viet Cong’s D445 Battalion. But the biggest threat to the Australians came from mines, many of which had been lifted from their own barrier minefield near Dat Do.   

On what became known as “the Black Day in the Long Hais”, eight Australians were killed in two separate mine incidents. Corporal Jim Barrett was the last member of 8RAR to die that day when he inadvertently stepped outside an area cleared by the engineers while waving a helicopter into a clearing. He stepped on a mine and was killed instantly. His story can be read here.

Journalist John Fairley joined 8RAR in the Long Hais on 21 February and captured fascinating images of the men as they performed their duties. He also took a cinecamera which he used to film parts of the operation.

One of the lighter incidents which took place during Operation Hammersley involved the New Zealand Forward Observer party, Lieutenant Angus ‘Gus’ Rivers and Gunners Rod Simpson, Michael ‘Brutus Brunton and Wayne Radavanovich and the Officer Commanding 8RAR’s C Company, Major David Rankine MC.

Photo courtesy of Rod Simpson

Photo courtesy of Rod Simpson

When a tin of condensed milk, packaged in Singapore and containing dairy product from New Zealand was liberated from the Viet Cong, Major Rankine, asked dryly if the Kiwis were working for the enemy.

Part of an interview with Rod Simpson describing the incident and the fate of the milk, can be listened to on the New Zealand Government’s Vietnam War web page Memories of New Zealand and the Vietnam War here.

Last updated: 30 March 2021

  • Back to Issue 90
1 The Donations and bequests

Donations & Bequests

Your generous donation will be used to ensure the memory of our Defence Forces and what they have done for us, and what they continue to do for our freedom remains – today and into the future.

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2 Visit Transcribe.awm.gov.au

Transcribe

Help preserve Australia's history by transcribing records from the National Collection. Enhance accessibility and discoverability for all Australians.

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The placesofpride

Places of Pride

Places of Pride, the National Register of War Memorials, is a new initiative designed to record the locations and photographs of every publicly accessible memorial across Australia.

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Visit the Australian War Memorial

Visit the Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial is open for visitors as we work to expand our galleries. Entry is free and tickets are not required.

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Canberra Highlands in Grayscale

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS

The Australian War Memorial acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and waters. We pay our respects to elders past and present.
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