It is debatable as to whether the idea for tying in all ARVN batteries onto theatre grid originated with the Det 131 Div Loc Bty or Det 1 Div Topo Svy Tp. Capt Skitch states that 'in November 1966, at the request of HQ 2nd Field Force Vietnam, Det I Topo Svy Tp undertook the task of connecting all the ... ARVN batteries in Phuoc Tuy Province to theatre grid and providing theatre orientation.' (Skitch 1968, 35) Det 131 Div Loc Bty surveyors were most certainly involved in the work, through a fortuitous arrangement that ensured that at least some of the survey section's specialist were geared to carry out survey work and had gained some valuable experience in field work by the time the section was reactivated at very short notice in early 1967.
It will be recalled that the survey section commander was a former member of RASvy and had been involved in geodetic and topographical survey work carried out by that corps in northern Australia and New Guinea. He had trained and worked with many of the members of 1 Topo Svy Tp and knew that Capt Skitch had fewer field surveyors on establishment than he needed, He suggested to the TFAIO that the secondment of some of the artillery surveyors for a period to the Det 1 Div Topo Svy Tp would help overcome their deficiency and gain training and practical experience for his own surveyors, The TFAIO agreed to this and six surveyors, with their own equipment and landrover, worked as a field party under the professional guidance and direction of Sergeant (later Major) Stan Campbell, a contemporary and old friend of the survey section commander. Capt Skitch commented that, 'This arrangement was of benefit to all with the Loc Bty surveyors gaining knowledge and experience, and Det 1 Topo Svy Tp gaining much needed manpower'. {Skitch 1968, 38) These surveyors, with their recent experience and enhanced skills, formed the nucleus of the (by now depleted) section's expertise when the task force started to operate outside of gun range from Nui Dat and it was realized that survey would have to be carried somehow to fire support bases some way from the task force base.
This came about in February 1967, when the survey section started to do the job it was designed for, and had waited so long to get on with.
PS Sadler Doc 7 Ch 4 Survey Sect Part C
DESCRIPTION
A 5RAR cordon and search of Binh Ba. 103 Fd Bty in direct support from a position close to the Taskforce.
Surveyor's quarters in 5RAR lines. Photos courtesy B Follington.
131 SURVEY
On the 9th Jan,131 surveyors placed 103 Fd Bty on theatre grid, western side of Luscombe Field airstrip.
While we were in 5RAR lines we witnessed a mortar firing demo that didn’t quite go to plan. A large group of brass, including Air Vice Marshall Ky had gathered to watch a squad go through their paces. There was a muffled thud, a scattering of personnel and Ky was flattened by body guards!
When the dust settled and the only damage “red faces”, a none too happy Sgt, picked up the tube and proceeded to a lonely spot to extract any lingering surprises.
Gnr Follington Jan 1967
The following newspaper clipping supplied by B. Follington
