TET OFFENSIVE
In the early hours of 31st January 1968, the VC launched heavy ground, rocket and mortar attacks against most of the country’s provincial capitals and cities. Saigon, Hue, many district capitals and other smaller towns came under fire. This was the beginning of the Tet Offensive and the Australian forces involved in Operation Coburg felt the full brunt of it.
DESCRIPTION
A Taskforce operation outside the Province of Phuoc Tuy. A reconnaissance in force operation in Bien Hoa Province in an area between the Song Dong Nai and Route 1 east of Long Binh.
2RAR, 3RAR and 7RAR were to search and destroy the VC/NVA elements in this area.
4Fd Regt and 2/35th Arty US would be in direct support from FSB Harrison YT 1617 and FSB Anderson YT 2012.
131 sections involved in this operation were given less than 24hours warning.
On the morning of the 24th Arty Tac and 131 Radar deployed by air to FSB Anderson, 108 Fd Bty and 106 Fd Bty and RHQ moved north by road convoy on Route 15 and Route 1 to FSB Anderson YT 2012. 2RAR and 7RAR were deployed to secure the FSB.
131 SURVEY FSB Anderson
Both these Btys were placed on Regimental Grid as they occupied FSB Anderson for only 24 hours.
On the morning of the 25th, 108 Fd Bty and 106 Fd Bty were airlifted by Chinooks to FSB Harrison YT 1617. FSB Harrison had been secured by 7RAR.
131 Survey FSB Harrison
Theatre grid was attempted by a straight line traverse from Chau Chan right into the FSB Harrison. Unfortunately over the 50km involved, the haze was too thick to provide line of sight. 108Fd Bty, 106 Fd Bty, 3RAR Mortar platoon and the Radar, were placed on Regt grid through map spotting (compass resection?) and a Sun Observation for bearing.
Another attempt to bring theatre gird into the FSB was tried using triangulation. Again Chau Chan and Nui Dat would be used, however timber obscured FSB Harrison.
On the 28th B Bty 2/35th Arty US arrived at FSB Anderson.
The traverse from FSB Harrison to FSB Anderson to bring Regimental Grid to the 2/35th had to be abandoned due to operational commitments
131 Surveyors hootchies FSB Harrison. Photo courtesy W Brooker.
Overhead sandbags on sleeping pits. Photo courtesy W Brooker.
Gnr Brooker FSB Harrison, Coburg. Photo courtesy W Brooker.
Further 131 surveyors quarters, FSB Harrison. Photo courtesy W Brooker.
Surveyors LP, 31G Coburg. Photo courtesy W Brooker.
L/Bdr Marty Van Driel on duty 31G Coburg. Photo courtesy W Brooker.
25. Op Coburg commenced on 24 Jan 68 with less than 24 hours warning. Two FSBs were involved in the Op; FSB ANDERSON at YT2012 and FSB HARRISON at YT1617, both in BIEN HOA province. ANDERSON was occupied for 24 hours by 106 and 108 Bty and these were put on Regt Grid. The initial plan had been to provide theatre grid for HARRISON by a traverse from CHAU CHAN (YT6010) into HARRISON. However, over the distance involved, about 50 km the haze was too thick to provide a line of sight. When the svy was completed 31G was again deployed and the Svy Sect Comd worked as a duty officer in the Regt CP. This is not a normal practice, but it was to help out RHQ who were at this stage down to two officers only.
131 Bty Report Survey Section Jan ‘68
26. During the first 3 weeks of Operation “COBURG”, LP 31G in FSB ANDERSON was manned by 5 members of Svy Sec. Two members of the Section were also sent to help run LP 31C. The rest of the Section remained at NUI DAT carrying out maintenance on the tellurometers and acting as replacements to the other LPs. An attempt was made to put FSB HARRISON on theatre grid by triangulation from NUI DAT and NUI CHAU CHAN (YT6010). This failed as HARRISON was covered from view by timber. 106 and 108 Btys, together with the radar and Mor. Pl. 3 RAR were put on Regimental Grid – the method used being a Map spot and sun observation for orientation. Protection required to escort Svy party for traverse to HARRISON / ANDERSON could not be met due to operational commitments and the common grid was accepted. All troops were subsequently withdrawn to FSB ANDERSON, and 106, 108 and B Bty 2/35 Arty were put on Regimental Grid in a similar fashion to that used at FSB HARRISON.
131 Bty Reports Listening Post Section Feb 68
I believe we were in that spot for quite some time, as the engineers set up a wash point in a dry river bed. They pumped water from under the river bed, up through a hefty (perhaps two-inch) pipe with a bend at the top and then a down pipe (or canvas hose) from which gushed beautiful clean sparkling water.
Gnr Brooker Jan/Feb 1968
The location was dry and dusty with very little shelter. The best we could find for our bunkered sleeping pits was among some thin scrub, which actually offered scant shelter.
Gnr Brooker Jan/Feb 1968
131 surveyors heading to Engineers Water Point for a tub, Coburg. Photo courtesy W Brooker.
Secondary Role
Surveyors deployed as LP 31G at FSB Harrison. 5 surveyors manned 31G while 2 surveyors helped man 31C.
On the 11th Feb, 161 Fd Bty replaced 106 Fd Bty at FSB Harrison.
On the 14th Arty Tac HQ, RHQ and 108 Fd Bty were airlifted back to Nui Dat 161 Fd Bty NZ was moved from FSB Harrison to join B Bty 2/35 Arty at FSB Anderson. Around the 14th other elements of 131 were also withdrawn to FSB Anderson.
Here they continued their surveillance, locating and defence of FSB Anderson.
FSB Anderson Mortared!
At 0100hrs on the 18th Feb, FSB Anderson was hit with a barrage of 82mm mortar and RPG fire. 25 mortars slammed into the Eastern sector of the FSB, killing L/Bdr Jimmy Menz and seriously wounding L/Bdr Marty Van Driel.
The Cavalry, Engineers and Artillery also experienced an RPG attack. B Bty 2/35 Arty reported a ground attack on their position while a second wave attacked the Infantry lines.
No7. A mortar and RPG attack occurred at FSB ANDERSON at 180100 H Feb. The attack commenced with the firing of a red flare to the SW of ANDERSON at an approx range of 500 metres. The first barrage of mortars cut straight through the centre of the FSB. The second barrage appeared to be adjusted by an increase in range as the rounds overshot the FSB and landed on the perimeter. A further group of rounds fell about 400 metres N of the FSB. It is estimated that approx 40 rounds were fired, 25 landing within the FSB. All rounds fell in the Eastern sector of the FSB, whilst the RPG attack was directed against the Western sector which contained the main Artillery, Cavalry and Engineer equipments. The mortars were identified as 82mm and the RPGs as B40’s (RPG2). Two rounds of B41 (RPG7) were found near a VC body but had not been fired. It is estimated that up to 60 rounds of RPG 2 were fired at the FSB.
131 Operational Report Arty Int Section Feb68
Another surveyor and I to RTA in 2 days, were replaced at FSB Anderson that day by L/Bdrs Jimmy Menz and Marty Van Driel. We were were choppered back to Nui Dat. I was on perimeter duty in the radar weapon pit at Nui Dat that night when the land-line handset buzzed softly on the wall behind me. The caller informed me that he had some bad news for me, which I would have assumed to be something like: ‘Your return to Australia has been deferred.’ However, when he told me to sit down and take a few deep breaths, I realised that something more serious and distressing had occurred. I did what he had advised, but was still ill-prepared to receive the news that my good mate Jimmy had been killed by mortar fire and Marty was seriously injured.
Jimmy, a ‘Regular’ soldier, had become my unofficial mentor when I, a sixth intake National Serviceman, arrived at Holsworthy after completing the basic survey course at North Head. Despite being pretty ‘green’ (having received only recruit training at Singleton followed by the basic survey course) I was off to Vietnam – semi-trained. Jimmy helped me through some of the tough spots at Canungra and Wiangaree and we became good mates. However, following the jungle training we parted company when I joined a small group of surveyors (third intake National Servicemen and one Regular soldier) heading for South Vietnam, while Jimmy continued his survey training in Australia. I was comforted by the fact that I was in the company of fully trained artillery surveyors.
On that fateful night of 18 February 1968, these were some of the memories that occupied my thoughts for the remainder of my perimeter shift and have remained with me ever since. It seemed to me, and still does, that Jimmy Menz, who had taken me under his wing at Holsworthy, had now laid down his life in my stead
Gnr Brooker Feb 1968
Gnr Brooker returns to Nui Dat, 2 days RTA! Photo courtesy W Brooker.
Coburg Grinds On
FSB Anderson was to come under attack yet again on the 20th and 28th of this month.
On the 20th at 0230H the FSB was attacked by a large enemy ground force using grenades and RPGs. Most of the perimeter, including the LPs were involved in repulsing this assault that lasted less than an hour.
On the 28th at 0100H FSB Anderson received 24 to 30 rounds of 82mm mortar inside its perimeter.
March 1st all elements involved in FSB Anderson were withdrawn to the Taskforce, Phuoc Tuy. All Sections of 131 involved in FSB Anderson, returned to Nui Dat. Operation Coburg concluded.
Australian losses were high, 17 Aust KIA, 1 NZ KIA, 57 Aust WIA, 8 NZ WIA
Gnr Brooker (LHS) and Gnr McDonnel (L3 standing) looking to clean up after Coburg. Photo courtesy B Irvine.
POSTSCRIPT
The KIA of Jimmy and the WIA of Marty shocked and hurt the ranks of 131 Div Loc Bty. Survey Section had sustained Murray Poustie’s WIA and now Marty Van Driel WIA with Jimmy Menz, KIA. The hurt of Jimmy’s death struck his mates in Survey, in 131 as a whole, and rippled far out into the lives of those who once served with him but were now dispersed.
It is a shame that the only recognition given to Jimmy and Marty from “primary sources” in the field, is the following:
18. Attached at annex H is a report by the OC 1 ATF Det 131 Div Loc Bty RAA. The Detachment produced extremely good results during operation COBURG, but in doing so, it is regretted they lost one soldier killed in action and another wounded in action.
RJ Gardner Lt Col 4 Fd Regt RAA Feb 68