| Accession Number | P05707.065 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Negative |
| Maker |
Speedy, Ian Maxwell (Max) |
| Place made | Vietnam: Bien Hoa Province, Bearcat Base |
| Date made | May 1969 |
| Conflict |
Vietnam, 1962-1975 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: AWM Licensed copyright |
Construction of the officers’ bunker at the Bachelor Officers' Quarters. The bunker allotted ...
Description
Construction of the officers’ bunker at the Bachelor Officers' Quarters. The bunker allotted previously is over 300 yards away, too great a distance to provide immediate protection during the regular mortar attacks on the camp. At least half a dozen rounds of 80 or 120mm mortars are fired into the camp every week. A United States Army front end loader with the name 'Lonesome', is removing earth to form the bunker. RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam (RANHFV) is serving with the 135th Assault Helicopter Company (135th AHC), United States Army and are based at Bearcat. Due to its integrated nature, the unit is designated an ‘experimental military unit', with the nickname EMU. Based originally at Vung Tau Air Base, the company moved to Fire Support Base Black Horse near Xuan Loc in December 1967. In November 1968 the unit was moved to Bearcat Base, north east of Saigon. Throughout their service in Vietnam members of RANHFV provided tactical airlift and gunship support for Australian and allied ground forces.