

© Trevor
Cheeseman
1966-67-1969-70 |
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Normal activities throughout a 24-hour period on
12months operational service was patrolling and
ambushing by day and at night. If signs of enemy
movement were strong on tracks i.e., footprints,
scuff marks, the smell of body odour, where sweat
has been rubbed off their bodies on passing branches
and leaves that overhang the foot track, the smell
at times could sit under the thick undergrowth if
recent, and you knew that more than a few walked
through this spot. These were strong signs that the
track was used often. Ambushing was used without
hesitation. This could happen at anytime of the day
and when in place we could stay there for up to
three days, maybe longer, depending on enemy
activity.
With the
longer stays in ambushes a roster system would come into
effect; ensuring only a section size group would occupy
and act as the Killing Group. The remaining two sections
would be to the rear resting, and a staggered roster
would be implemented to change those in position every
few hours one at a time until all were changed, but this
only happened during the day. At night you stayed and
there was no movement. The track plan to the ambush
location would be thoroughly cleared from the rear so
those moving forward on a day change would not be heard
moving forward to relieve those that have been in
position for a few hours. Look at the letter 'T' the
crossbar the killing group, the lower portion is the
track plan in.
Some
ambushes were of a linear type, which means you are
spread out on one side of the killing ground. Everybody
was always very tense, and it drained all the energy out
of you. Being within ten to fifteen metres of the
killing ground it was very important to be exceptionally
quiet. That type of linear ambush was very dangerous as
the enemy could catch you out as they moved quite
silently along tracks, sending forward small fighting
groups ahead of other groups following, and you could be
heard if not especially quiet, and the ambush might even
be reversed and they could sweep in on your flanks and
surprise you, or he would wait for you to move out next
morning. He could also probe the position with fire to
force you to move out of your position and ambush you in
the rear or direct you to other ground of his choosing.
Once you
know the enemies tactical habits it is very easy to get
on top. Just to name a simple one, when the platoon
commander goes forward to do a reconnaissance before a
platoon attack he would never return the same way when
up against a smart enemy who knows your tactical
thinking, habits, and drills.
The most
favourable type of ambush day and night in close country
was the normal harbour position of all round defence
(circle) with two points, say crossing over a track, it
was easier to maintain, plus the platoon could be
rested, as the three sections could be shared over two
guns rather than the three and you had two killing
grounds at each end, manned by two at night, and three
by day. The reason was the day ambush position was
pushed out from thirty to fifty metres so that any noise
and movement coming from the rear was not heard or seen.
In this situation you were never sure which direction
the enemy would come from, but you had it covered by
fire and
claymore mines (700 ball bearings packed with
explosives).
The extra
machinegun ... we had three in a platoon, then can be
moved to any position to stop an assaulting enemy if
need be or a machinegun can be rested; or to assist any
group that sprung the ambush. It was good to know that
the extra M60 machinegun could be rushed forward to
assist if things got too hot on contact.
One hour
before last light all are withdrawn back to the
perimeter and a night routine takes over with the same
task ambush/sentry but less a man. You were always
conscious of resting individuals as
continuous ambushing wore you down physically and
mentally. The
claymore mines were repositioned and maybe trip
flares used. We never set the flares to be tripped but
rather pulled them manually with a cord tied to the pull
ring as animals could trip them and a branch falling on
the wire could set it off. There was a need to loosen
the safety pin so it would come out with ease when
pulled.
On this
particular morning our task for the day was to patrol at
platoon strength an area to the south of our present
position, and to recce an area suitable for a night
section ambush. The area that needed to be searched did
not take us long to patrol, and the platoon commander
decided to rest up the three sections for the afternoon
in preparation for the night ambush, and moved us all
into a thicket for maximum security but still requiring
us to be at fifty percent Stand To, meaning half the
platoon were watching and listening out, whilst the
other half are resting. The platoon commander then went
forward with a small group to recce the location for the
night ambush taking me with him, as my section was to do
the ambush. It was not long before we returned and the
platoon commander prepared his orders and informed the
platoon of his plans and the method of execution for the
ambush group.
After my
brief orders from the platoon commander I went back to
my section and prepared orders to be given to the
section and at the same time another section took over
our area to rest us. We then prepared ourselves. We took
only things that were needed mainly our basic webbing
and extra
claymores. We all had a meal and a good brew.
Weapons were oiled and cleaned then just before we
pulled out later in the day, we placed our packs in a
central location, and camouflaged them over with dead
leaves.
The
ambush site was only 300 metres away and we had time to
do another quick recce of the ambush position. With an
hour of light left and final orders given on how we were
to occupy the position and to be able to cover three
tracks with one main killing ground in the middle of the
junction where all the tracks converged. We then moved
in cautiously just on last light.
The
sentries were posted first to protect us as we moved in.
The gun was placed in the best position to be able to
cover the three tracks. The tracks were formed like a T
and we were at the top which was the best position to
cover all the tracks. We knew from intelligence reports
that enemy movement would come from the mountains but
could only select the most likely direction the enemy
would come. The
claymore wires had to cross the track away from the
killing ground and were buried in the dust, they were
placed in position by lying on your stomach, using the
claymore sights; a square aperture on top. The trick was
to aim the claymore waist high to cause maximum kills.
We had five, and placed them approx five metres apart.
The rest
of the ambush group were placed in positions covering
the killing ground, flanks and rear. Our position on the
ground was tight, and afforded the section minimum cover
all round. The ground was slightly higher, which enabled
us to look down onto the killing ground. The main
killing group was only the gun group, plus myself, the
rest covered the flanks and rear. The section consisted
of seven men. That was the average number of soldiers
per section during that time throughout the Battalion's
tour.
That
night, it was a full moon, and the whole area was lit up
across the track junction and through our position too.
It was very quiet and it would be very difficult to hear
anyone moving through, as the track was clear of any
undergrowth, you had to physically sight them, so we had
to be super alert.
Being the
dry season we had the support of the Centurion Tanks
during this operation and they had been moving around
all day churning up and widening the tracks when sliding
around corners. In the moonlight the track gave off an
appearance like white powder, which to our advantage,
would make any dark figures stand out in the killing
ground.
The hours
passed until about 2am in the morning, along they came,
the gunner spotted them first, a small group moving
cautiously and very slowly. As they neared closer to the
centre of the killing ground, forty metres from us, they
stopped to talk and appeared to be pointing at us. It
made you feel uncomfortable lying there under the full
moon, "shall we open up," I thought, could they have
spotted us? They were not quite in our killing ground,
but they did not sprint away either. All this running
through your mind, "shit, what shall I do!" Then one
crouched down and appeared to be saying something to the
other two, who also crouched, and pressed closer to hear
what he had to say. It seemed like eternity watching; if
they turned there backs and moved away from us, we would
have to open up. I heard the gunner whispering, "move
you bastards!" As if they heard the gunner, they stood
up, and moved in our direction all moving as one. They
were very close as they moved, and seemed unsure which
track to take as the leading man turned to the others
and pointed down a track going away from us.
My hand
was in the middle of the gunner's back he was waiting
for the tap to open fire. He was tense and shaking,
anxious to let go. The number two on the gun was ready
with the 'Clackers' (claymore detonators), safety bails
off ready to be pressed to send that electrical current
down the wires to the claymores positioned off to the
side of the track. "Come on you bastards keep moving!" I
thought. They were very cautious. Finally they were
where we wanted them. THIS IS IT- TAP! All hell
broke loose and all our tensions dissipated out the end
of our barrels. All at once in unison we let go, a
tremendous noise in the quiet of the night. Then it was
over.....it lasted only 20 seconds.
We waited
for 10 minutes listening, nothing moved but you could
see the dark shapes across the track in the full
moonlight, it was like day, one figure was blown towards
us and off to the side of the track it seemed.
First
light was a few hours off, but being as bright as day I
decided to go and have a look so pushed forward a sentry
to cover me and had a quick look around, needing only to
count the bodies. We will do a thorough search at first
light. Passing the sentry, whom was now in position on
the ground, I started to count one, two....? I
looked back to the sentry and noticed another body and
said to him, "we got three, where is the third one?" the
sentry whispered, "your over it." "Shit I thought it was
a F------ log!" His rifle barrel was over the dark
figure on the ground. He stood up rather quickly, "I'm
not going to do this again!" And hurriedly moved
back to his position, with me following.
It seemed
to get darker as the moon dropped away, and all was
quiet again other than the odd scratching and shuffling
of legs. No one slept, and we kept our eye on the
killing ground.
The
platoon commander was brought up to date on the
situation on the radio. Our next task was to gather all
info and bury the bodies at first light. The rest of the
platoon will move to our location for support and
protection while we do a thorough search of their
equipment and bury the bodies. The platoon would also
bring our packs forward.
Moving
out of our position on first light was a relief; we
could finally move around, get the blood circulating and
move the shoulders. As we moved towards the killing
ground, an enemy dressed in civilian clothes walking
casually, with a weapon over his shoulder came up the
track heading towards the mountains, going, no doubt, to
a place where these three came from. This operation was
about clearing around the
base
of these hills and we knew from intelligence that enemy
units were up there. He must have been travelling back
to his unit. We saw each other at the same time; he
bolted into the scrub quickly and disappeared. We had no
time to do anything other than get the
M79
Grenade Launcher going, and fired about 5 x 40mm
rounds in his direction. We had other tasks to do so we
did not bother in following up. The rest of platoon will
sweep through that area when they get here.
Keeping
alert, we searched the bodies; one of the enemy appeared
to be a North Vietnamese officer as he carried a pistol
and dressed in a dark blue uniform, his whole face had
lifted off the bone and was hollow inside. The other two
took the ball bearings from the Claymore Mines and small
arms fire in the upper body. Their body smell was still
sweet from blood; and their body odour stood out and
filled the air and seeped into your nostrils. The
perfume smell mingled with the other smells as the North
Vietnamese used oils on their hair such as Californian
Poppy.
Gear was
strewn everywhere, bits and pieces of clothing and rice
which they carried around there necks in long damp
socks. What impressed me was the neatness inside their
packs; everything was neatly folded, and letters to
home, were well written with photos attached to some.
The three
dead enemy were carrying a lot of local currency,
possibly a paying officer, a radio, and all wore
watches. They all carried hammocks and they were well
prized. Most everybody had one in the platoon from
kills. The hammocks were comfortable and kept us off the
ground in the wet season.
After
burying them, we left and moved to another place for a
rest, make a brew, something to eat and clean our
weapons, then out to patrol some more, but always
looking for a place to do it all over again. Another day
patrolling.....another night in Hell.
ONCE WE WERE SOLDIERS |
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