N.Z. Gunners Seek Out V. Cong

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31116, 20 July 1966, Page 1

N.Z. Gunners Seek Out V. Cong

(N.Z. Press Assn—Copyright) SAIGON, July 19. The New Zealand battery swept into rugged hill country south-east of Saigon over the week-end, supporting Australian infantry units aiming to draw a North Vietnamese regular army regiment into battle.

It was the 161 Battery’s first move from their Ba Ria base in operations in Phuoc Tuy province, a long-infested Viet Cong area.

With their squat pack Howitzers being towed by Australian armoured personnel carriers, they entered the foothills of the rolling mountain range with the advance infantry units. The carriers ploughed over acres of waste ground towards the rance, which has long been suspected to contain Viet Cong elements.

I They found the going tough as they ploughed across swampy areas, through small streams, sticky sand and neckhigh grass and scrub. But the easily manoeuvreable battery was soon in position and ready to fire. For two nights the guns fired high explosive shells on to important Viet Cong tracks and courier routes through the hills.

But patrolling Australian infantry found no sign of the North Vietnamese force, suspected to be in this area by intelligence sources. For two hot days the New Zealand gunners waited at their hastily-prepared pits, ready to pour in fire once the force was sited.

They waited in “murderous” conditions. In this territory of high grass and scrub, no wind cools the area and there is little escape from the heat. Temperatures climbed well above the 100 mark and the heat was even worse in the little pup tents. i The New Zealanders lived

off combat rations. Water was brought in by carrier—but only enough for drinking or shaving.

Finally ingenuity solved the heat problem for a few glorious moments. The New Zealanders punched holes in gallon tins (used to hold combat rations), dug holes to get water and then showered. Even after straining the water was cloudy—a mixture of lime, mud and charcoal — but it was wet and it washed away layers of sweat and red dust churned up by the carriers.

The shower was just a few moments of pleasure during a tense operation. At night heavily-armed patrols guarded all sectors of the temporary camp in case the Viet Cong force should try a surprise attack.

When the reported there was no sign of the North Vietnamese force a withdrawal was carried out.

The guns could not be taken out over the churned-up en- ! trance route, and the gun e

position officer in charge of the battery led a heavilyguarded patrol to find an exit route through new country. The battery and infantry units are now back at the Ba Ria base.