Rice caches captured DPR/TV/937

Australian armour and infantry this week seized a further 12 tons of rice during continued operations in a known enemy supply base, 15 miles north west of the 1st Australian Task Force base, Nui Dat in South Vietnam. Australian and New Zealand troops have now captured more than 40 tons of polished rice in the past seven days. It is the fifth largest rice haul made by allied troops in III Corps in the last year. The rice was found by "D" Company, of 4th Battalion, in several small caches in thick secondary jungle, east of the village of Thai Thien, in Bien Hoa Province. Most of the rice was recovered in armoured personnel carriers from "A" Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment. It was later distributed to needy families, orphanages and hospitals in Phuoc Tuy Province. A small quantity of the rice, hidden away in inaccessible areas, had to be destroyed. This rice was found six days after New Zealanders from "V" Company seized more than 20 tons of rice on a day-long raid on the Viet Cong supply area. The finds are of strategic importance because they will deprive the Viet Cong of important food supplies in an area that is known to be used frequently by enemy troops. (Also identified: Sergeant Gus Ballentine of Puckapunyal, Vic.)