Story 58 - Reminiscing 1971
The Final Days
By Ken Mackenzie OAM
The following is neither true nor
false – it is what I know…
I’d been attached
to the 4th Royal Australian Regiment/New Zealand (ANZAC)
Battalion (4RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Bn)1
since May 1971. It had been an interesting
time on a number of levels. My association with 4RAR went back to
1966, when we’d both been part of the 28th (Commonwealth)
Infantry Brigade at Terendak, in Malaya.
But Vietnam was a different time in a
different place. Unfortunately, my working relationship with the Bn
Regimental Signals Officer (RSO) was ‘difficult’ at best.
Chief issues being his man-management and knowledge of VHF
communications and equipment’s.
Two days into Operation Overlord at
Fire Support Base (FSB) Trish, Signalman Don Willis returned to Nui
Dat. His replacement was Signalman Mike Jauncey. Poor Mike had eyes
like saucers! They got even bigger on his first night with us, when
our “12 to 3” clearing patrol had an enemy contact right on dusk and
the 3 o’clock M60 opened up with a long burst.
In mid-June 1971, Bn HQ moved from FSB
Trish across the border into Southern Long Khanh province to
Courtenay Hill at Grid YS450905, which was on the western edge of
the notorious De Courtenay Rubber Plantation. Our operations then
spanned Southern Long Khanh (TRAC Special Zone)2 and
Northern Phouc Tuy Provinces, both east and west of Route 2.
Courtenay Hill was a narrow 800ft
feature that dominated the local area. The hill was solid rock; we
couldn’t ‘dig-in’ to it. Instead, we had to sandbag everything up
above ground. And this equated to a hell of a lot of sandbags –
100,000 plus, of them.
The Bn Command Post (CP) was
positioned in an awkward area. In particular, it made the siting of
our Task Force Command Net (Secure) and Task Force Commander’s
Secure Net RC-292 VHF antennas problematic, as the Battalion Command
Net and 104 Field Battery Command Net ‘292s’ also had to be sited
close to the CP. In our case, we were limited to the length of our
antenna’s ‘coaxial’ cables, as we couldn’t remote our TSEC/KY-38
speech security units. There were continual problems with “Frequency
Break-In” across the three nets. We all learned to live with this
eventually; though not before it caused a great deal of friction
between the RSO and I.
It was a mystery because we’d never
experienced the same issues at FSB Trish where our ‘292’s were also
in close proximity to each other. The only thing that changed were
our VHF frequency allocations; and this was most probably the major
contributing factor.
In August, it was announced that
4RAR/NZ(ANZAC) Bn would be withdrawn from Vietnam by Christmas.
This not un-expected news was greeted with relief by some and
dismay and disbelief by others.
A transcription of the OC 104 Sig Sqn’s Conference Notes dated 200830 (Aug71) sent up to me at Courtenay Hill, are as follows:
Click
Original Field Notes Aug 1971
This gave us a lot to think about and
immediately created a lot of uncertainty. I could feel the morale of
our people sink just a little. However, operations continued
unabated.
After R&R3 in
September, I was asked if I would like to remain with 4RAR during
the 1ATF withdrawal phase from Nui Dat. If not, SGT Mick (Bluey)
Joseph would take my place at the Bn and I would take his, as Troop
SGT of Radio Troop back at 104 Sig Sqn.
I wanted to stay, but my working
relationship with the Bn RSO had completely disintegrated. It was
time to go.
Photo supplied by Ken Mackenzie
On the 3rd of October 1971,
the first day of Operation Valiant, I flew down to 104
Sig Sqn at Nui Dat and took over as Troop SGT of Radio Troop. On the
same day, SGT Mick “Bluey” Joseph took my place at 4RAR/NZ (ANZAC)
Bn.
There was no doubt they were watching
us. We’d found lots of clear sign, including blocks of Chicom PE5,
that they’d already closely reconnoitred our hill, right up to the
wire on our western slopes. There was no quick, or easy way off
Courtenay. If they’d simultaneously hit us and our guns and
mortars at FSB Debbie in force, we’d have been in a world of serious
hurt.
There’d been numerous ambushes,
battles, contacts and mine Incidents all round us. We’d caused the
VC/NVA no end of pain and distress since Operation Overlord. So,
why they left us alone remains one of life’s mysteries to me.
[Factoid: Courtenay Hill, my home for so
long, was handed over to the Vietnamese 177th RF
(Regional Force) Company, from Cam My, a small Ville 2 klicks East
of Courtenay Hill. I wondered how long they’d manage to hold on to
it! If things ran to normal, they’d do what they did at Cam My;
that is, pick a clear evening and fire off their entire monthly
ammunition allowance at one go, just to let the NVA know they
represented no opposition.]
Photo (Left): Homes with a
view on Courtenay Hill 1971.
Photo (Right): Filling sandbags for the Courtenay Hill Signals
bunker. L-R Bob "Dustoff" Martin
doing the spadework and Ken Mackenzie holding the sandbag. ACV
in the backgound.
Both photos supplied by Nick Mazzarol.
By October 1971, 104 Signal Squadron
had the latest and best VHF battlefield communications equipment in
the world. Most importantly, we had the people who knew how to use
it.
And after five years in Vietnam, Radio
Troop had more equipment than was on our Authorised Equipment Table.
This was because over these years, our role had expanded
exponentially and the unit’s equipment table had never managed to
catch up. The US Army, God Bless them, had given us whatever we’d
needed without question.
Nor did they want any of it back. And
nearby US Army units rotating back to the United States were still
trying to give us more radio equipment in the weeks before we left
Nui Dat!
We had more AN/PRC-25s, AN/PRC-77’s,
AN/GRC-125s, AN/GRC-160’s, MT-1029 mounts, AN/GRA-39s, RT-524VRC’s
and accompanying CES, than you could poke a stick at. Along with
TSEC/KY-38 VHF Speech Security Equipment, AB-577 Masts and the
magical AS-2236GRC VHF Antenna.
Yet, with the exception of exactly one
AB-577 Mast, our Army in its infinite wisdom, wouldn’t let us bring
any of it home.
So, what equipment we couldn’t give
away to units like the AATTV’s JWTC6 at
Van Kiep, had to be taken to the Nui Dat Tip and destroyed.
It was an absolutely needless waste!
[As an aside, it wasn’t until the
mid-1970’s that the Army finally obtained more of the same equipment
that we’d been forced to destroy and dump at Nui Dat tip in October
1971!]
With the planned withdrawal of 1ATF to
Vung Tau, the JWTC increased their throughput of Cambodian and
Vietnamese soldiers. However, they would no longer be able to rely
on 1ATF for direct support and assistance. The solution was to
install a VHF Net, which would allow them to talk to directly to
AATTV HQ in Saigon, as well as their training staff in the field.
So, with Signalmen Clive Browne and
Don Mackeson in tow, I drove to Van Kiep through what once had been
C Sqn, 1 Armd Regt’s lines. There, with hearts in mouths, we
carefully climbed to the top of a very tall, and very rickety Water
Tower and installed an AS-2236 antenna. Comms with Saigon were 5x5
on both an AN/PRC-77 and RT524-VRC. Although, if that water tower
came down, they were on their own!
The last
two Operations conducted by 1ATF in South Vietnam were: “Operation
Valiant” and “Operation Southward”.
Operation Valiant
Ran from 03 October to 06 October
1971.
On the 6th of October, 3RAR
departed Vung Tau on HMAS Sydney and 4RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion was
complete back in Nui Dat. Delta Company, commanded by the legendary
Major Jerry Taylor, moved onto the vacated Nui Dat Hill shortly
after. They were to be the 1ATF Rear Guard covering our withdrawal
to Vung Tau.
Operation Southward
Ran from the 6th of October to
the 7th of November 1971. This was the 1ATF’s
relocation move from Nui Dat to Vung Tau.
1ATF Liaison Officer (LO) Detachments
I noted the proposed LO Closure dates in
my Field Note Book as follows:
Click
Original Field Notes
Note: As I recall,
our Dets at 1 Fd Engr Sqn and 161 Recce Flt had already RTU7.
One of the least publicised activities
that continued unabated until we departed Nui Dat, was the flying of
‘phantom’ SAS Patrol Insertions and Extractions across Phouc Tuy
Province. This was a particularly stressful and dangerous task at
the best of times. However, even more so now, for our ability to
quickly react rescue/recovery missions had been severely
compromised. Our 1ATF Command Post Operators were an integral
part of this program, riding “Shotgun” in RAAF 9 Sqn UH1H ‘Hueys’
during each ‘Insertion and Extraction’ mission. Signalmen Pete Bird
and Neville Williams flew many of these exceedingly hazardous
missions.
October was a very busy month for
Radio Troop. Numbers steadily dwindled as our National Service and
Regular Army soldiers whose tours had finished continued to RTA and
were not replaced.
The Sqn also dispatched an advance
party to 110 Sig Sqn at Vung Tau, to amongst other things, ensure
our arrival went smoothly. Meanwhile, sorting, packing and
preliminary cleaning of unit and personal equipment went on at an
unabated pace. At the same time, we continued to man and maintain 1
ATF’s radio, line and switchboard communications.
A transcription from one of my Field Note Books, appears below:
Click
Original Field Notes Oct 1971
16 October 1971. Our last morning at
Nui Dat was a bloody shambles. Without reference to anyone, SGT Ken
Casey, the Line SGT, took it upon himself to attack the Main
Distribution Frame with a Fire Axe, immediately severing all
communications between the 1ATF CP and the radio bunker on Nui Dat
Hill, putting the 1ATF Command Net off the air – I could have choked
him!
Thankfully, we were able to get the
Step-Up ACV on air in record time.
Photo: Convey with three HQ
1ATF ACV's preparing for the final road trip to Vung Tau on the
morning
of the 16 Oct 1971.
However, my ever-lasting memory of
that awful day is sitting in our convoy at Nui Dat’s Main Gate,
looking at an enormous queue of ARVN (Army of the Republic of
Vietnam) soldiers and trucks of all shapes and sizes, snaking right
back along the Route 2 Bypass.
They were waiting to fall on our base
and strip it bare.
Signalman Pete Bird, one of our 1ATF
CP Operators, was atop one of the ACVs at the front of the convoy
and shot what are probably the penultimate, defining images of our
pending departure.
left by the Australians. Photo supplied by Pete Bird
I was extremely angry and very upset that
we were leaving like this. We had it won! For ten years, we’d
given the NVA and VC more than they could handle. And here we were,
cutting and running when we had them beaten! I was angry for all
the guys who’d lost their lives here – and all those others whose
lives had been forever ruined.
What was it all for, then? Why the
bloody hell had we bothered?
[Even now, 50
years later, I still get angry about this.]
And to add insult to injury, the
locals were lining up to ransack Nui Dat!
Several hours later, I drove out of
the main gate at Nui Dat for the last time in my life. Past those
eager, impatient, ARVN vultures and their trucks. My trigger finger,
along with a lot of others, itched uncontrollably.
Photo: 1ATF Convey on the way to
Vung Tau with ARVN moving to Nui Dat on the 16 Oct 1971. APC
protecting the convey on the left and Army Bell 206B Kiowa flying
air cover. Photo supplied by Nev Haskett.
Each day thereafter, we trucked across
to 1ALSG9,
cleaned our stores and equipment, each piece of which had to be
inspected and approved by onsite Australian Quarantine Officials,
prior to it being packed into individual Conex Containers with lots
of ‘Rat Blocks’.
1ALSG lived in a different world all
together to Nui Dat. The war didn’t exist down here. The air and
the attitudes were different, too. 110 Sig Sqn was different as
well. As I recall, in those last weeks in Vung Tau, we were never
invited into their SGTs Mess.
We ate really well in those final
weeks, too. Ian Becker, our amazing SGT Cook, seemed to have an
inexhaustible supply of fresh seafood allegedly sourced from the
fishing village of Long Phouc Hai, which legend has it, was also the
home of a very close friend of his. It was also the first time I’d
ever tasted Tartare Sauce.
And Rod Stewart’s Maggie May was
a big hit on AFVN10
On Sunday October 31st
1971, our last meal as a Squadron, was a farewell dinner. The OC,
MAJ Tony Roberts, spoke about his pride in 104 Sig Sqn’s
achievements, and how we were now part of Australia’s Military
History. He thanked everyone for their efforts and wished those
remaining behind and those leaving the unit on RTA11
good fortune. It was only the second time in a year I’d seen the
majority of our unit in one place!
OC, Major Tony Roberts addressing the Sqn. Photo and insert
photos supplied by Nev Haskett
In November 1971, I rode RAAF UH-1H
‘455’ out of the Republic of Vietnam to the flight deck of HMAS
Sydney, in the South China Sea. My heart was beating in time to the
‘thump’ of its rotors
Photo: Members
of 104 Sig Sqn deplaning from a Huey on the deck of HMAS Sydney for
the voyage
home on the 6 November 1971. Ken Mackenzie just stepped onto
the flight deck at the Huey left door.
Photo supplied by Ken Mackenzie
Postscript:
I was at 2 Sig Regt Watsonia in early
1972, when a call came through from Australian Customs in South
Melbourne. They had my steel trunk and wanted me to come and open it
for inspection.
I went home, collected my green field
notebook and drove into South Melbourne.
A Customs Officer took me to my trunk.
As he cut off the metal banding, I recalled that when we packed our
trunks at Nui Dat for the trip home, we were ordered to ‘band’ them
only – not padlock them. This was so they could be inspected for
“Contraband” i.e., weapons/explosives/drugs, at Vung Tau. They would
then be re-banded and dispatched to Australia.
Many of us were extremely unhappy
about this. We warned it put our possessions at risk and would lead
to theft. But our concerns were ignored.
I opened the trunk, pulled out my
green notebook, turned to my packing list notes and into a slow,
angry burn…
Gone were my Diaries, Transistor
Radio, spare pair of GP Boots, new Socks and Greens, SAS Ammo
Pouches, Karabiners, all my US Army Gear: Compass, Torch, Strobe,
Jungle Boots, Sleeping Bag, Ponchos, Poncho Liners, both my
Lightweight Rucksacks, 2x2-Quart collapsible canteens and my prized
survival knife. Only odds and ends were left.
Some 1 ALSG pogo bastard at Vung Tau
had ratted my trunk and stolen my gear.
[I was just one of many 104 Signal Squadron
members this happened to]
It was the final insult.
Ken Mackenzie
Notes:
1. An “ANZAC” Battalion included an
‘attached’ Infantry Company from the 1st Royal New Zealand Infantry
Regiment (1RNZIR), which was then based in Singapore. In our case
this was “Victor” Company. 4RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Bn’s four Rifle Companies
were: Bravo, Charlie, Delta and Victor. 1RNZIR also provided 4RAR/NZ
(ANZAC) Bn’s Second-In-Command (2IC).
3. R&R – Rest and Recreation. A five-day ‘Out of Country’
leave break, plus travel.
4. ‘LRRPS’ – Long Range Recon Patrol Lightweight Meals.
5. Chicom PE – Chinese Communist (manufactured) Plastic Explosive.
6. JWTC – Joint Warfare Training Centre.
7. RTU – Return To Unit.
8. R&C – Rest and Care; A three-day ‘In-Country’ leave break.
9. 1ALSG – 1st Australian Logistic Support Group based at Vung
Tau.
10. AFVN – US Army’s Armed Forces (Radio) Vietnam Network. Their
‘on-air’ callsign slogan was “AFVN”, “From the Delta to the
DEE-EM-ZEE!”.
11. RTA – Return To Australia.
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