Story 93 - Radio Operator Anecdotes
By Ray Hinchey
Large Attack
I was on a detachment with an American unit with lots of heavy weaponery, tucked into a rubber plantation and the forward scout group supposedly heard enemy nearby. They radio that a large enemy force could be heard tramping through the jungle not far away from our position.
Now, the ACV (Type M577 for Command Posts and was a variant of APC M113 series) had 74 stick figures with conicle hats stencilled on the side, indicating the number of body count of the enemy had been bumped by that unit.
Well, the barrage from the 155mm artillery, mortar, tank and the kitchen sink went on for around 20 minutes, and word from the scouting group said all was quiet apart from an occasional squealing noise.
Vietnam Elephant.
Internet source.
The morning sweep revealed 3 dead elephants, another one still
alive but peppered with shrapnel. Not one enemy body to be seen.
Early light the following morning there was quite a commotion at
the ACV as some Aussie prankster had stencilled 3
elephants and 1/2 an elephant alongside the other 74 figures.
The top brass were not impressed by this embarrassment (added to
excess wastes of ordnance!) but the lower ranks with cameras
were clicking away and having a good old laugh.
Footnote:
The elephants died, and so did quite a few rubber trees.
The French Plantation Manager came down to where the CP was and
was very indignant the "Zee stupeed Americans shred monsieur
Beaurepaire's rubber trees to matchsteeks...!". I think
the Texan drawl in reply could be translated as "Piss off
Froggie, this IS a war zone!" or words to that effect.
Helicopter Crash
On one occasion I was very near to a contact when an American huey chopper had taken ground fire and crash landed nearby. I ran over to help if I could, but the two pilots waved me away and climbed out. The first pilot was bleeding from the foot, knee, and his left hand, and the second pilot was fidgeting with his camera.
Huey (Bell Iroquos)
Helicopter at Nui Dat. Similar to the one that crashed.
Photo supplied by George Donohue.
Now, the first pilot had the bullet come through his foot, and
with his hand on his knee at the time was bleeding from a graze
on the knee and the hand where the bullet went through. The
nearby American medic was waved away and the bleeding pilot
asked me to hold him up whilst his buddy took a photo.
Following that he told me that he wanted that photo taken so he
could prove to his buddies and family he really did earn and
had proof the "Purple Heart" citation he knew would be awarded
was justified.
Somewhere in the American Vietnam War archives is a rare photo
with me and my bleeding mate.
Working
Liaison Officer Tasks
I was working nights on radio watch on
a Liaison Officer (LO) tasking at Baria, with only an
American officer as company, in a gloomy room with open
windows. This officer took off his shirt and lay on a table to
have a snooze.
Shortly after he fell asleep a large black bat flew out of the darkness, flew around in a circle a couple of times and then landed on the bare chest of the sleeping gentleman. Well, the strange feeling he had must have felt woke him, and he let out a piercing scream as he levitated above the table clawing away at the beast which seemed to even more cling to his chest. He was almost deranged by the time the bat let go, and in it's own battered state, bruised and concussed it flew behind a large cabinet near a wall.
Vietnam Bats.
Internet Source.
The officer grabbed a broom and began slashing away with the handle at the space behind hoping to finish off the beast. The commotion caused a panic in the compound with others running around thinking a suicide group of VC had committed attrocities, but not quite knowing where.
The following morning in the light of day, the traumatised bat could not be found anywhere.
Ice Cold Coke
I was out some where in the dripping green hell (DGH) when an American chopper landed. The young pilot engaged us and in part of the conversation we mentioned about our privations and moaned about the fact we could not even get a cold coke, let alone the luxuries of life.
Cold Coke-Cola.
Internet Source.
The following day, that same chopper landed, out came the same pilot with half-a-dozen ice cold cans of coke, said something like "Have a nice day, buddy" and then thundered off into the distance. His mum and dad did a good job with his development.
Return to Australia
My return to Australia (RTA) is probably quite unique in
contrast to most of the vets who returned via ship or
aircraft.
On 16 August 1969 I was in transit through Nui Dat to another detachment, having spent the previous three months on Liaison Officer (LO) radio tasks with various American advisory teams, when I was approached by a Signals Officer (whose name I can't recall) to be told my brother, Adrian serving with 5RAR, had been WIA and was in a critical condition in ICU at the 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau.
Vampire Pad at 1st
Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau.
Photo sourced from Callsign Vampire Pad Website.
In a most interesting ride the intrepid chopper pilot chosen for this personal flight landed me at the Vampire pad near to the hospital, and shortly after I was advised my brother was to airlifted to Australia on 19 August 1969, and it had been arranged for me to join that flight.
I was the only non-casualty on board other than nursing staff, and after a short stopover at Butterworth RAAF base in Penang, landed at Richmond RAAF base (outer Sydney) in the middle of the day.
A convoy of ambulances were waiting at the end of the runway, and after discharging the stretcher cases from the aircraft the convoy left, and the Hercules C130 returned to the touchdown point, turned and took off, leaving me alone waiting for what I assumed my pickup point to be returned to a military establishment.
After approximately an hour, I reasoned that my transport could possibly have not been arranged, so I strolled the 1500 metre runway to what was the main RAAF entrance, and approached the guard house.
A pair of RAAF personnel at the guard house were quite surprised by my sudden appearance, and asked "Where have you come from?" to which I replied "I got off that C130 over an hour ago, and waited for what should have been some form of transport!"... hmmmm ...after a bit more conversation to convince them who I was, they rang around and then said I should have someone pick me up within the hour.
Although it is subject to speculation, the late decision to put me on the C130 with my brother and very little notice to any authority in Australia that I was aboard, I was for a short period in my six year army service technically AWOL, off the record in Nui Dat, and not yet on the record in Sydney.
No fanfare, no welcome home family or committee, no cold tinnie or a pie and sauce, not even another buddy to spend the waiting time with....and when the army land rover finally arrived at the guard house, I think I may have said something like "Thank God you're here!"...
There would not be too many Vietnam Veterans that would relate to my RTA story, but at this point in time my brother is still alive and this year approaching 81 years on 31 May 2024, and despite his many many challenges, has done remarkably well and resides at Berriedale not far from Cooma in NSW.
The
Minister for the Army, Mr Andrew Peacock, talks with
Corporal Adrian Hinchey of Holsworthy, NSW, and his wife,
Glenise. Adrian lost both legs and part of his left
arm when he was wounded by a rocket proplelled grenade while
on operations north of the Warburtons in Phuoc Tuy Province
in August 1969. Ref: AWM PEA/70/0075/EC 10 March 1970