DESCRIPTION
In the latter half of August, the Taskforce conducted 3 Search Operations of villages known to be sympathetic to the VC. Operation Mosman on the 18th Aug, 7 RAR searched Hoa Long. Operations Burnside and Ulmarra were conducted close to one another on the 24th and 26th Aug. They centred on Dat Do and Lang Phuoc Hai respectively. 7 RAR and 2RAR were involved in the searching both villages.
131 SURVEY
Although little has been officially recorded, quite a number of surveyors were involved in these 3 “one day” searches. Surveyors ended up being part of 4Fd’s “dismounted” Bty, moving with Topo or simply seconded to 2RAR/NZ. Bdr Hopper acted as an interpreter on 2 of these searches.
MOSMAN (Hoa Long)
Cordon and Search Hoa Long. Photo courtesy P Hopper.
Hoa Long was seen as generally sympathetic to the VC and guerrilla activity was known to have increased in this village. Soldiers searched the homes, gardens and surrounds intensively but discovered little other than surplus quantities of rice. I sensed at the time the rice we confiscated would have to be given back. The old people were in tears so I told a Vietnamese policeman we intended to give it back. He told the nearby residents this and pretty soon the entire village assumed it would be returned. Several Australian officers asked me what I’d told the Vietnamese. I replied, “Nothing!”
Bdr Hopper 18th Aug 1967
I had to learn the correct Vietnamese phrase for, “Show me your rice book.” They were supposed to record all the rice they had in their possession. They were only allowed a certain amount per head. We felt like Nazis going through their cupboards looking for extra rice. It was horrible. I was reprimanded by an Australian officer for putting my Owen gun down on their kitchen table when I was questioning them. I was supposed to have it in my possession at all times. I couldn’t bring myself to do that in their house.
Bdr Hopper 18th Aug 1967
We always had to bend down considerably when entering their homes. In one photo I have some members of 106 Fd Bty with their officer, Lt Birse, outside a hut. It’s quite obvious how tall Australians are compared to Vietnamese.
Bdr Hopper 18th Aug 1967
BURNSIDE (Dat Do)
AVRN or RF PF's compound Dat Do. Photo courtesy W Brooker.
Movement at Dat Do during Burnside. Photo courtesy W Brooker.
above and below: Layover day between Burnside and Ulmarra at the Horshoe. Photos courtesy W Brooker.
above: Operation Burnside and Ulmarra Map
A Sect 1Topo Svy Tp Op Report No 16 (Aug 67)
Survey Sect No5. Extensive tacheometric traversing was observed in Dat Do (YS4960) during Operation Burnside. This was connected to a traverse through Phouc Hai (YS5153) during Operation Ulmarra two days later. Unit has now fixed all RF, PF posts in these areas and has enough control for two 1:10,000 maps of “The Fence” area.
The Search operations left one feeling rather exposed. Some villages, such as the fishing hamlet of Lang Phuoc Hai, were quite pleasant, perhaps deceptively so. I remember being assigned to Topo Survey as their driver and radio operator for these two operations.
Gnr Brooker Aug 1967
ULMARRA (Lang Phuoc Hai)
Gnr Long and Gnr Endicott (far left) preparing to move out with elements involved in cordon and search Lang Phuoc Hai.
Gnr Long (centre) with the cordon in the sand hills near Lang Phuoc Hai.
In the village of Lang Phuoc Hai.
AVRN or Nat Police involved in the Lang Phouc Hai cordon. Photo courtesy W Brooker.
A Sq 3 Cav involved in the cordon. Photo courtesy W Brooker.
above: Op Ulmarra, Lang Phuoc Hai search map prepared by Topo Survey. Courtesy AWM Commanders Diaries, 4 Fd Regt, Aug 1967.
above: Bdr Hopper with children during Lang Phuoc Hai cordon and search.
above: Brooker's landrover and Topo surveyors Lang Phouc Hai cordon. Photo courtesy W Brooker.
above: The streets of Lang Phouc Hai. Photo courtesy W Brooker.
above: Outskirts of Lang Phouc Hai. Photo courtesy W Brooker.
We were taken to Lang Phuoc Hai by APCs. It was a typical Vietnamese fishing village with nets hanging up to dry. The kids were friendly and as usual they were most interested in our equipment and the rations we had for lunch. I got one of the Infantry to take a shot of me standing amongst these kids. Nothing of great importance was discovered.
Bdr Hopper 26th Aug 1967