DESCRIPTION
The operation was to deny the VC support in the Slope 30 area. 7RAR and 2RAR would search and destroy, clear and resettle the residents of the Xa Bang community. 108 Fd Bty YS 4477 and 161 Fd Bty NZ YS 4677 would be in direct support from a FSB just south of Binh Gia on the western side of the highway.
131 SURVEY
Artillery Surveyors ready to move with A Sq 3 Cav. left to right: Gnr Boultis, L/Bdr Irvine, Gnr Bruce, Gnr Endicott (fwd), Gnr McFadden (back). Photo courtesy J McFadden.
A Sq Cav charge through the Binh Ba rubber. Photo courtesy J McFadden.
On the afternoon of the 3rd Sept, a small party of surveyors linked with elements of A Sq 3 Cav to move out to the proposed FSB position. They were tasked with supplying theatre grid to the FSB prior to the guns arrival the following day.
To lessen suspicion of the pending operation, A Sq, exited Nui Dat and moved not up the highway, but through the Binh Ba rubber plantation. Surveyors were treated to a spectacular cavalry charge, in line abreast through the rubber to well past Binh Ba. Here they crossed the highway and harboured for the night in a circle of armour on the northern edge of Binh Ba rubber.
We moved north to an ominous sky. The threatening storm did not break at dusk and as we settled for the night it closed in around us all humid and tense.
Gnr McFadden Sept 1967.
Well before daybreak, A Sq brewed up and was ready to break camp. First light they advised surveyors of their commitment with the Infantry further north, then moved off up the highway.
click to play video of Gnrs McFadden, Endicott, Brooker and Boutlis brewing up before Op Anslie survey. Video courtesy S Boutlis. Redigitised courtesy of AWM.
On daylight 2 surveyors ventured over to the ARVN outpost of Ngai Giao to find the initiation point YS 462780 for the survey. When it had been identified, they returned to the group to sort out traverse lines and responsibilities.
We were left with our gear in a few “moth eaten” rubber trees. We could do little but set guard over our gear, plan our approach to the survey, and what we’d do if anything untoward happened.
Gnr McFadden Sept 1967
Walking towards the outpost we were a little apprehensive. The ARVN were allies but we were the odd one out here, wandering in from the rubber.
Gnr McFadden Sept 1967
The traverse was taken down the highway then over to the 2 Bty positions on the edge of the rubber.
As we worked the peasants were moving down the road and off into the fields with their cattle. It was all very rural but we were in no doubt as to how vulnerable we were.
Gnr McFadden Sept 1967.
above: Possible traverse for Ainslie.
Computations were in progress when the forward elements of 108 Fd Bty arrived by road. They immediately set to chopping down rubber trees to clear a landing area for 6 Chinooks bringing in the howitzers.
click to play video of A Sq Cav clearing rubber prior to 108 Fd Bty Fly in. Video courtesy S Boutlis. Redigitised courtesy of AWM.
I was pleased to see 108 Bty arrive. They didn’t know who we were or how we got there. Greetings were short lived as they immediately took to the rubber with axes and machetes.
Gnr McFadden Sept 1967.
108 Fd Bty arrives. Photo courtesy J McFadden.
Surveyors' hootchies and perimeter defence weapon pit. Photo courtesy J McFadden.
Surveyors were required to assist as the “lift” was on its way. Coordinates and bearings were put on hold in the scramble to unload gear in a whirlwind. Surveyors returned to computations and a sunshot for bearing as further east 161 Bty flew into their position in the FSB.
By the time 108 Bty and 161 Bty NZ guns were positioned, they were on theatre grid.
click to play video of Chinooks bringing 108 Fd Bty into FSB. Video courtesy S Boutlis. Redigitised courtesy of AWM.
With no time for satisfaction at a job well done, surveyors were shown their section of perimeter defence responsibility. The weapon pit had to be dug and manned. Hootchies were set when time permitted.
Two batteries and RHQ were deployed at the FSB and survey was provided for them by diamond traverse starting at 462780. Upon completion of the survey, the surveyors undertook a “new” task for them, in that they were deployed as an LP at the FSB. This was the second LP in the area and provided good all-round coverage. Although this was a “new” task to the surveyors, they did quite a good job.
Sect. Comd. 131 Bty Reports, Survey Section Sept 1967.
(This was only “new” to surveyors in that they were conducting LP duties outside Nui Dat)
SECONDARY ROLES
Surveyors' forward perimeter. Photo courtesy J McFadden.
Gnrs Endicott and McFadden on LP/Perimeter Defence Piquet. Photo courtesy P Endicott.
Surveyors' Weapon Pit overhead sand bag upgrade. Left to right: Gnr Bruce, unknown, Gnr McFadden. Photo courtesy J McFadden.
Accommodation flooded overnight. Mud removal and drying out. Photo courtesy J McFadden.
Gnr Brooker cleaning his AR. Photo courtesy W Brooker.
Perimeter Defence
Surveyor’s weapon pit linked the substantial 108 Bty bunker on our left and the sandbagged pit of 161 Bty NZ edged into the rubber on our right. To our front, once again was the 3 strand cattle fence.
For the 1st time surveyors were given an M60 to defend their position. The AR and the F1s were discarded much to the relief of those on duty. Our position on the perimeter wouldn’t be so obviously deficient.
Gnr McFadden Sept 1967.
LP (HQ records YS450782, Surveyor’s record YS 453777)
Our weapon pit was enlarged, partly sandbagged overhead and upgraded to LP status. The new LP was linked to HQ by radio with its own call sign. It complemented the Engineers 31C in the ARVN compound Ngai Giao. Surveyors manning forward LPs at FSBs was to become common practice.
click to play video of Gnr Boutlis extending our fwd weapon pit. Video courtesy S Boutlis. Redigitised courtesy of AWM.
During a fire mission we received a torrential monsoonal downpour. 108 Fd Bty was firing high across our front when there was a huge explosion forward of our position. We radioed through this information and awaited events. Nothing came of it and nobody was any the wiser. We assumed the downpour was so heavy it detonated one of the shells. This was discounted by our HQ in Nui Dat.
Gnr McFadden Sept 1967.
We received many downpours on this operation. One completely flooded our weapon pit and dug in hootchies. The FSB the next morning was washerwoman heaven, with all sorts of gear hanging off pickets and toggle rope clotheslines, drying out.
Gnr McFadden Sept 1967.
The use of surveyors as an LP at a FSB for a prolonged length of time in miserable weather was a bit presumptuous. I felt sorry for them stuck out in the rain while we at Ap Suoi Nghe were able to return to Nui Dat each night. As soon as it was realised the guns would not be moved, they should have been returned to Nui Dat.
Bdr Hopper Sept 1967.
click to play video of Gnr Boutlis helping the gunners of 108 Fd Bty with their fire. Video courtesy S Boutlis. Redigitised courtesy of AWM.