DESCRIPTION
Taskforce barrier operation to establish the Horseshoe and to start the construction of the fence. A total of 20,292 anti-personnel mines were to be laid within the fence system. 12,700 of them would be fitted with anti-lifting devices.
131 SURVEY
To provide theatre grid to the Horseshoe and the elements positioned on it by 15th Mar 67. Provide theatre grid to 103 Fd Bty repositioning in Nui Dat by 20th Mar 67. 131 Surveyors would later be called upon to accompany Topo in the survey of the Barrier Fence.
131 Surveyors taking a spell during Horseshoe survey. Photo courtesy B Follington.
The Horseshoe in the Dry. Photo courtesy B Follington.
Gnr Follington heading for perimeter defence piquet, Horseshoe. Photo courtesy B Follington.
"Next Wednesday we have to move to a horseshoe feature about 1000 yards north of Dat Do. Its between Dat Do and Long Tan. We have to clean the feature and set up an LP on top. 5 RAR is cleaning an area 2000 yards wide from Dat Do to the coast and laying barbed wire 50 yards wide down the full length. There is reported to be a Regt of VC in the area Long Tan, Dat Do. Long Tan is where Sharp was killed last year."
Excerpts from letter home, dated 7/3/67 Gnr Follington
Digging Bunkers at Horseshoe
“ but the next 4 feet were solid rock. For 5 – 6 days we dug and shovelled and dug and shovelled. We blew the hole a few times but we still had to shovel the rock out. Every time we blew it the dam sides caved in, we were taking one step and moving back two.”
“I had one shower in 8 days, we used to wash in a ½ tin lid full of water. I got a tick in my leg and the dam thing hurt like hell”
“We fired a few rounds onto lights we saw 400 yards away. The next morning they found a VC camp. They had a sort of road block set up where they taxed the people taking food out of Long Tan”
Excerpts from letter home, dated 16/3/67 Gnr Follington
Beehives & Bunkers
Boots and I were slaving away digging bunkers when the “fire on” call came. The normal procedure when an explosive “beehive” was placed in the bottom of the pit, “Fire On” was called and you took cover in a deep hole.
Boots and I dived into a very large hole only to find a “beehive” ticking away! We had very little time to vacate the hole and seek alternate cover! We didn’t make it for we only got 10 yards when it blew. We were covered in rocks and dirt!
Gnr Follington Horseshoe, March 19
The following newspaper clippings supplied by B Follington.
