DESCRIPTION
This was a one day subsidiary operation of Forrest. It was conducted under the operational control of 106 Fd Bty (dismounted) and involved the search of Hoa Long. Other Units involved were 7RAR, 2RAR, 1SAS Sqn, 1ARU, one troop of A Sqn 3 Cav and a few other local units. Deployment was on foot and encounters were expected with VC guerrillas.
I was chosen to go with 106 Fd Bty because I had some limited proficiency with the Vietnamese language. Several road blocks were set up in and around Hoa Long. I was sent to one on the main highway leading through town. I was with a group of Australian interpreters and we stopped all vehicles and pedestrians coming in or going out of town. Every person was asked to present their identification card. I had learnt to say, “Please show me your identification card” in Vietnamese.
A bus arrived and we stopped it. I went aboard and asked each person to show me their card. A young woman about 18 years old gave me an angry look when I asked her. She muttered something and I just said, “Thank you” and walked away.
After a while I found myself on my own. The other interpreters had been called away on more urgent business. Sure enough I had to apprehend a male Vietnamese (20 years) without any identification. I made him squat by the side of the road. I quickly stopped a passing Australian landrover and told them I needed assistance.
I was given a chap from Infantry to help guard this detainee. I thought to myself, “This is not a pleasant task. What will I do if he decides to escape?”
I had my camera with me and took a photo of this poor bugger sitting on the side of the road with the Infantry chap facing him. Close by there were children looking very concerned.
Act Svy Sgt Hopper Nov 1967
Act Svy Sgt Hopper's detainee and Infantry support. Photo courtesy P Hopper.
The 106 Fd Bty Report for December briefly outline this operation as such:
“On the 24th Nov, 106 Bty was dismounted and assisted in the search of Hoa Long. There was no conflict and a total of 9 suspects were detained.”
I don’t like dwelling on it but I have a feeling the chap I detained was one of these. Once again another unusual secondary role for an Artillery Surveyor to be involved in!
Act Svy Sgt Hopper